PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Zayrion Temple (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dan Banner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Temple comes to the cage accompanied by Birdman-I Run This. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Temple
vs
Banner

182 cm
22
222 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

186 cm
23
275 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Zayrion Temple!
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, Dan Banner!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, David Schapiro and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Banner shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Temple but Temple pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Horrible takedown by Banner or perhaps it was just good defense by Temple which made him look bad.
Banner fails in his attempt to clinch.
Nice takedown defense from Banner. No joy for Temple on that attempt.

Banner shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Banner showed some decent athleticism there.
Temple blocking the ground and pound attempt from Banner.
Banner stops Temple from getting back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Temple trying to control but Banner postures up.
Temple tries to kick Banner off but Banner keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Banner winds up and cracks Temple with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Banner sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Temple defending well though.
Banner not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banner seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Temple makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Temple.

Banner gets to his feet. Temple looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Banner with a poor takedown

and Temple counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Temple.
Zayrion Temple has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dan Banner.
Banner tries for a takedown. No joy.
Banner looks gassed!

Temple breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Banner tries to clinch

and Temple counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Temple.

Temple pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Temple closes this distance looking for a takedown but Banner circles away.
Banner throws a series of punches but Temple avoids them all with ease.
Banner moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Banner closes the distance looking to clinch

and Temple counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Temple.
Temple is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Temple manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

Temple breaks from the clinch.
Temple tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Banner paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Banner shoots in for a double leg but Temple sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Banner gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Temple counters with a two punch combo.
Dan Banner seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Temple looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Banner looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Banner working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Banner postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Temple is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Banner, into his guard.
Temple is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Temple trying to control but Banner is working from the bottom.
Temple sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Banner's guard.
Banner is looking to improve his position.
Banner really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Temple. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

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.
Temple not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Temple is trying to control. Banner wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Temple stands up out of the half guard.
Banner avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Banner tries to clinch

and Temple holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Temple as Banner tries to tie him up.
Banner goes for a takedown attempt but Temple pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
The fight stays on the outside here - Temple looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Dan Banner will probably get the nod.
That's time! Temple's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Temple.

Banner shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Temple is trying to defend but Banner finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Banner is nestled in close to Temple, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nice strikes from Banner there.
Banner looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Banner throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Banner scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Banner drops an elbow to the side of Temple's head.
Temple trying to control from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Temple punching from the bottom.

Temple looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Banner wants to free his trapped foot but Temple is holding on for dear life with his legs.
The fighters are battling for position here. Temple manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Temple lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Banner!
Temple controlling the position easily from mount.

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.
Banner throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.

Temple stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.

Temple instigates a clinch.

Temple breaks the clinch.

Banner drives through with a takedown into guard.
Banner is in close to Temple's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Banneris looking to pass into half guard but Temple pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Temple is in guard.
Temple trying to control but Banner is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Temple tries to free his leg and advance position but Banner is retaining full guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Banner can do anything to dispel that myth.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Banner is on top in guard.
Temple is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Temple is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Banner is controlling him.
Banner postures up.

Temple looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Banner trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Temple throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Banner working some strikes from top position.
Banner pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Temple is keeping the position for now.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Temple is looking to clinch.
Banner swinging wildly here.
Temple is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Temple doesn't manage to clinch there - Banner circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dan Banner showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!

Temple tries to clinch up.
Banner gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Temple counters by clinching up.
Banner goes for a takedown in the clinch but Temple prevents it.

Temple gets control of Banner's arms and successfully pulls guard. Temple will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Banner thows a big elbow that misses.
Temple throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Temple manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Banner manages to get himself to full guard.
Temple wants to control from the top but Banner keeps moving.
Banner has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Temple has passed into side control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banner can't do much from the bottom here.
Temple working the ground and pound but Banner is defending the strikes.
Banner tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Temple is looking to take a break and control but Banner is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Banner is looking to get back to his feet here but Temple is keeping cool and he's managed to take Banner's back.
Banner staying busy and making it hard for Temple to control.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Temple trying to control momentarily.
Zayrion Temple has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Temple controlling well, preventing Banner from escaping the position.
Temple throwing wild punches that miss their target.
Banner is trying to stand back up.
Temple throwing wild punches that miss their target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Temple somehow managing to miss with a strike from the back.

Temple working for the choke.
Temple scores with a nice shot to the head of his opponent. Banner is looking for a way out.
Dan Banner is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Temple looking for the choke but no joy.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zayrion Temple showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Banner has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 28:29
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dan Banner!