PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Payton Banks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Antonio Nogueira (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Banks
vs
Nogueira

190 cm
22
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
18
212 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Payton Banks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Antonio Nogueira!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Franklyn Lucas and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A punch combination from Nogueira misses.
Nogueira will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Nogueira blocks a leg kick.
Payton Banks seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Banks lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
No luck for Banks with that takedown attempt.
Banks lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

Nogueira closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Nogueira lands in his opponent's guard.
Nogueira slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Nogueira prevents Banks from getting back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nogueira throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Nogueira wants to control from the top but Banks keeps moving.
Banks looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nogueira is one step ahead there.
Banks is trying to control the position but Nogueira postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Banks is on top in guard.

Nogueira had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Banks defends it easily.

Nogueira working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Banks doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Banks manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Banks has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Nogueira lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Banks!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Banks wants to hold on but Nogueira pushes him away.
Nogueira prevents Banks from getting the reversal.

Nogueira looking to secure an arm triangle but Banks defends it well.
Banks sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Nogueira stops Banks from getting back to his feet.
Banks is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nogueira trying to control the action but Banks is working from the bottom.
Banks trying to get back to full guard but Nogueira takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Payton Banks will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Banks lunges at Nogueira with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Nogueira's hand.
Banks throws a nice looking combination but Nogueira bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Banks tries to bum rush Nogueira with a series of wild strikes but Nogueira uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Banks moves in looking to clinch but Nogueira pushes him off.
Banks misses with a body shot.
Nogueira fails with the takedown

and Banks counters with a takedown into side control.
Nogueira tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Banks wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Banks wants to lay and pray for a moment but Nogueira keeps working.
Nogueira taking punishment in the form of punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banks trying to control the position but Nogueira is working away.
Banks lands a decent elbow from side control.
Nogueira being controlled for a moment.
Nogueira tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Banks wants to lay and pray for a moment but Nogueira keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Banks lands some shots froms side control.

Banks is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Nogueira has escaped the position, nice work there.
Nogueira tries to control but Banks manages to take his back.
Nogueira is really stuck here.
Banks is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banks is not going to allow Nogueira to sit and survive in this position.
Nogueira breaks Banks's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.

Banks looking for a guillotine here but Nogueira defends easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nogueira lands a couple of digs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Nogueira is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Banks has his foot on Nogueira's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Nogueira works his way back into a safe position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Payton Banks dominated that second round.
That's time! Banks's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Banks defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Nogueira.
Banks thows a body shot but no joy.
Banks with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Nogueira showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Banks.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Banks, as that shot connected.
Nogueira takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Banks lands with an overhand left.
Nogueira avoids a punch combination nicely.
Banks bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Nogueira's head.
Banks throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Nogueira.
Nogueira moves out of range of the body kick from Banks.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nogueira gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Banks trying to control but Nogueira is working from the bottom.

Banks got a little sloppy there for a moment and Nogueira has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Banks has managed to get both his arms back between Nogueira's legs - danger averted.
Banks sitting in guard, not really doing much.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Nogueira is on top in guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nogueira trying to control but Banks is working from the bottom.
Nogueira is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Nogueira throws a strike but Banks rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banks wants to control from the top but Nogueira keeps moving.
Payton Banks is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Nogueira has his foot on Banks's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Banks works his way back into a safe position though.
Nogueira wants to sweep but no luck.
Banks not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Banks working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Nogueira's head.
Banks content to stall in guard here.
Banks is pushing down on Nogueira's leg trying to pass to half guard. Nogueira is fighting to maintain full guard but Banks has managed to sneak the leg through.
Nogueira is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Antonio Nogueira has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Banks slows the pace down in half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Payton Banks showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Banks has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 30:27
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 30:27
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Payton Banks!