PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Will Banks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alberto Andrade (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Andrade's choice of entrance music: Rebecca Black-Friday. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Banks
vs
Andrade

175 cm
23
152 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

176 cm
25
151 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Will Banks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Alberto Andrade!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Alexandre Firmino and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Andrade throws a left and a right that both miss
and Banks counters with a nice body shot.
Andrade tries to clinch but Banks moves away
enabling Banks to counter with a crisp jab.

Andrade closes the distance and pushes Banks back into the cage.

Banks turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Banks manages to end up in side control.
Check out the look on Banks's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Check out the look on Banks's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Andrade is not content to let Banks control the position.
Andrade is trying to improve his position.
You can see the frustration on Andrade's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Andrade is looking for a sweep.
Andrade struggling a bit here.
Andrade tries to improve position but can't.
Banks trying to control the position but Andrade is working away.
Banks lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Andrade down.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Andrade taking punishment in the form of punches.
Andrade can't do much from the bottom here.
Andrade is looking to reverse the position.
Banks creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Banks tries to advance to mount but can't.
Andrade can't do much from the bottom here.
Banks trying to control the position but Andrade is working away.
Andrade regains half guard.
Banks lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Banks is taking a breather. Andrade says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Banks is thwarting Andrade's attempts to control the position.

Andrade is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Banks pulls his head out easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Andrade is not content to let Banks control the position.
Banks working over Andrade with some ground and pound. Andrade looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Banks prevents Andrade from improving his position.
Banks thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Andrade's head.
Andrade is looking to improve his position.
Banks is thwarting Andrade's attempts to control the position.
Ground and pound from Banks.
Banks is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Banks wants to take a breather but Andrade is having none of it.
Andrade avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Banks.
Andrade is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Banks is trying to control. Andrade wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banks lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Banks lands strikes from half guard.
Banks is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Andrade trying to hold on to Banks's head to control him but Banks postures up.
Ground and pound from Banks.

Andrade actively working from the bottom here.
Andrade is trying to get back to full guard.
Andrade tries to kick Banks off but Banks keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Andrade wants to get back to full guard.
Banks is figuring out what he wants to do next.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Banks wants to take a breather but Andrade is having none of it.

We're going to have a standup here because Will Banks wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Andrade fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Andrade throws a jab when Banks was well out of range.
A combination from Banks does no damage.
A big left from Andrade misses.
No joy there for Banks, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Andrade throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Banks counters with a two punch combo.

Banks gets the takedown into side control.
Andrade wants to control but Banks postures up.
Banks tries to advance to mount but Andrade denies him.
Banks is chipping away with strikes.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Andrade is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Banks trying to control the action but Andrade is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Will Banks dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Andrade swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Andrade takes one on the button.
Banks wants to clinch.
Andrade swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Banks keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Andrade misses with a jab, cross combination.

Andrade tries to sprawl but Banks drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Banks has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Banks not doing much here.

Andrade looking for submissions off his back.
Banks wants to free his trapped foot but Andrade is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Banks landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Andrade gets back to full guard.
Banks wants to pass the guard but Andrade is keeping the position.

Andrade is looking for a triangle but Banks pushes his legs off easily.

Andrade is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Banks is aware though and is defending well.
Andrade manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Banks manages to get himself to full guard.
Andrade looking to pass the guard.
Andrade trying to control but Banks is working from the bottom.
Banks 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.

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.
Andrade stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Banks swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Andrade must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Banks wants to get back to his feet but Andrade is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Andrade trying to control but Banks is working from the bottom.
Andrade trying to move into half guard but instead Banks has managed to sweep!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Andrade looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Banks passes into side control.
Andrade is looking to regain half guard here but Banks keeps moving and retains side control.
Andrade gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Andrade tries to get to full guard but Banks has control of the leg.
Banks not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Banks sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Andrade defending well though.

Andrade kicks Banks off and gets back to his feet.
Banks looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Will Banks is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Banks looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Andrade looking for submissions off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Andrade is trying to control but can't.
Andrade is breathing heavily.
Banks takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Andrade wants to get back to full guard.
Andrade wants to control but Banks is keeping busy.

Andrade actively working from the bottom here.

Andrade looking for submissions off his back.
Banks wants to lay and pray for a moment but Andrade keeps working.
Banks trying to mount his opponent but Andrade defends it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Will Banks dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Andrade swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Banks counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Andrade wants to improve his position but Banks is controlling well.
Banks takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Andrade is trying to get back to full guard.

Banks decides to return to a standing position.
Banks shoots in for a takedown but Andrade shows good takedown defense.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Banks.
Banks scoring with punches from side control.
Andrade wants to control but Banks postures up.
Will Banks overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Andrade is trying to get back to half guard.
Andrade taking punishment in the form of punches.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Andrade wants to control but Banks postures up.
Banks wants to control but Andrade is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Andrade is looking for a sweep.
Banks working away.
Andrade is trying to improve his position.
Banks wants to control but Andrade is keeping him busy.
Banks works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Banks landing strikes.

Banks decides to stand back up. Banks steps back and let's Andrade get back to his feet.
Alberto Andrade seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A punch combination from Andrade misses.
Andrade misses with a combination

and Banks counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Andrade!
Banks lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Banks controlling his opponent.

Andrade bucks up and throws Banks to the side - he's got back to his feet. Great escape!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Andrade looks to land a body kick but Banks moved away.
Andrade throws a body punch but Banks moves out of range.
Andrade throws a half hearted mid kick.
Banks on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
A punch combination from Andrade misses.
Andrade throws a sloppy head kick and Banks moves out of range easily.
Banks tries to score a power double leg takedown but Andrade sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Banks somewhat.
Andrade fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Andrade tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Banks moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Andrade misses with a body kick.
Andrade is looking to land body kicks.

Banks drives through with a takedown into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Banks sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banks is working Andrade over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Andrade working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Banks has passed into half guard!

Banks escapes and gets back to his feet.

Banks drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Andrade sneaks back into half guard.
Andrade is not content to let Banks control the position.
Banks is controlling the pace.
Andrade is trying to control but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Andrade has one foot on Banks's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
A punch combination from Andrade misses.

Andrade moves into the clinch successfully.
Alberto Andrade has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Andrade goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Andrade misses with some punches.
Banks keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Andrade's efforts to push away.
Banks is stalling here.

Banks has picked Andrade up - he's going for a ride! Banks dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

Andrade has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Banks escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Banks!
Banks taking a breather here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Andrade is trying to improve his position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Will Banks showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Banks, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Seu Braga scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 30:27
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 30:27

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