PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Nkuku Ngbendu wa Za Banga (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jethro Rayner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). wa Za Banga's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Hell March. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Ngbendu wa Za Banga
vs
Rayner

186 cm
29
161 lbs
18 - 5 - 0

179 cm
29
165 lbs
14 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Very strong

ADCC Champion
Decent boxing
Powerful

ParalLAX
ParalLAX

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Nkuku Ngbendu wa Za Banga!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Jethro Rayner!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
wa Za Banga misses with a kick to the body.
Rayner looks to throw the jab but wa Za Banga is out of range.
Rayner throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
wa Za Banga throws a push kick but Rayner slaps the foot to one side.
Rayner misses with a wild body shot.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rayner.
Rayner tries to land a front kick but wa Za Banga steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
wa Za Banga throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Rayner, right into the meat.
Rayner scores with a leg kick.
A low kick from Rayner is predictable there
and wa Za Banga counters with an inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rayner pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
wa Za Banga throws a low kick, looking for Rayner's leg but Rayner calmly moves out of range.
Rayner throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Rayner misses with a two punch combination.
Rayner misses with a straight right.
A head kick misses from wa Za Banga.
Rayner misses with a left hand
and wa Za Banga counters with a left to the body.
Jethro Rayner seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rayner misses the shot to the body.
Rayner blocks a low kick nicely.
Rayner swings for the body but wa Za Banga moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rayner avoids the head kick by wa Za Banga.
wa Za Banga throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Rayner throws a lazy body kick
and wa Za Banga finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Rayner fails with a takedown attempt.
Rayner throws a leg kick that is checked
and wa Za Banga counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Rayner is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Rayner lands a front kick.
Rayner throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
wa Za Banga stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and wa Za Banga wants it to stay on the feet.
Nkuku Ngbendu wa Za Banga has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jethro Rayner.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
wa Za Banga misses with an attempted mid kick.
Rayner lands a leg kick that knocks wa Za Banga off balance momentarily.
Nkuku Ngbendu wa Za Banga is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rayner tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but wa Za Banga was well out of range. Poor timing from Rayner.
Rayner throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Rayner is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down wa Za Banga rather than just go for the knockout.
Rayner throws a low kick, looking for wa Za Banga's leg but wa Za Banga calmly moves out of range.
Rayner fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
wa Za Banga really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
wa Za Banga moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Rayner fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Rayner takes a swing at wa Za Banga's ribcage but misses.
Rayner misses with a wild body shot.
Nice sprawl there from wa Za Banga as Rayner shoots in.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rayner throws a hook but wa Za Banga avoids it easily.
Rayner shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. wa Za Banga defends it nicely.
wa Za Banga misses the jab.
wa Za Banga throws a leg kick but Rayner sees it coming and moves out of range.
Rayner looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Rayner ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

wa Za Banga tries to sprawl but Rayner drives through with a takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rayner not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jethro Rayner dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

wa Za Banga walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Rayner checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Rayner fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
wa Za Banga fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Rayner checks it well.
Rayner misses with a wild body shot.
wa Za Banga stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Rayner.
Rayner throws a sloppy head kick and wa Za Banga moves out of range easily.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from wa Za Banga lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Rayner has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Rayner and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Rayner throws a shot from downtown. wa Za Banga moves away and avoids it.
wa Za Banga fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Rayner ducks down and throws a hook to the body but wa Za Banga moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rayner misses with a telegraphed body shot
and wa Za Banga counters with a nice leg kick.
Rayner keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Rayner shoots in for a takedown but wa Za Banga shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Rayner shoots in and drives through. wa Za Banga sprawls well.
Nkuku Ngbendu wa Za Banga has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jethro Rayner.
Rayner misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from wa Za Banga.
wa Za Banga finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Rayner misses with a shot to the body
and wa Za Banga counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Rayner keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
wa Za Banga blocks a leg kick.
Rayner checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rayner jabbing away but nothing is landing.
wa Za Banga tries to land a front kick but Rayner steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
wa Za Banga moves out of range of the leg kick from Rayner.
wa Za Banga connects with a leg kick. Rayner looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Rayner closes this distance looking for a takedown but wa Za Banga circles away.
Rayner misses with a hook to the body
and wa Za Banga counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Rayner fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but wa Za Banga is out of range.
wa Za Banga stuffs the takedown attempt from Rayner. Rayner gets slowly back to his feet.
wa Za Banga misses with a looping left.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rayner drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Good leg kick by wa Za Banga there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Rayner looks to score with a jab to the body but wa Za Banga is just out of range.
wa Za Banga avoids the body shot from Rayner.
wa Za Banga defending well as Rayner loads up on a big left hand.
wa Za Banga moves out of range of the leg kick from Rayner.
wa Za Banga connects with an inside leg kick.
Rayner works the jab nicely.
Rayner tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but wa Za Banga was well out of range. Poor timing from Rayner.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rayner looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
wa Za Banga scores with a kick to the body.
wa Za Banga throws a front kick that sends Rayner stumbling back into the cage.
A leg kick checked by Rayner.
Rayner ducks down and throws a hook to the body but wa Za Banga moves away.
wa Za Banga throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Rayner misses with a body shot
and wa Za Banga counters with a nice leg kick.
Rayner is breathing heavily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rayner shoots in looking for a takedown but wa Za Banga manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Rayner's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
wa Za Banga misses with a low kick.
Rayner has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from wa Za Banga.
No luck for Rayner with that takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nkuku Ngbendu wa Za Banga dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Rayner throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and wa Za Banga counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Rayner is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by wa Za Banga.
Rayner misses with a low kick.
Rayner misses the shot to the body.
wa Za Banga avoids the body shot from Rayner.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rayner. wa Za Banga does a little dance to reset his feet.
Rayner sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
wa Za Banga defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Rayner.
Rayner digs a good hook to wa Za Banga's body.
Rayner takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rayner takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rayner fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Rayner moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Rayner misses the jab.
Rayner is looking to score with low kicks.
Rayner swings and misses with a hook to the body.
wa Za Banga slaps away a takedown attempt from Rayner, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Nkuku Ngbendu wa Za Banga has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jethro Rayner.
Rayner blocks a head kick by wa Za Banga.
Rayner misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from wa Za Banga.
wa Za Banga throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rayner takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
wa Za Banga attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Rayner avoids the body shot from wa Za Banga.
A jab from Rayner does it's job there.
Rayner blocks a leg kick.
Rayner tries to land a body kick
and wa Za Banga counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Rayner tries to score with a low kick but wa Za Banga moves his leg out of the way.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Rayner lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and wa Za Banga has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from wa Za Banga and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
wa Za Banga motions for Rayner to come forward. wa Za Banga throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from wa Za Banga, right into the meat.
wa Za Banga is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rayner looks to score with a jab to the body but wa Za Banga is just out of range.
wa Za Banga tries a head kick but it misses.
wa Za Banga leaves Rayner with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Rayner looking to score a takedown here. wa Za Banga is defending well but Rayner drives through and ends up in wa Za Banga's guard.
Rayner throws a strike but wa Za Banga rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Rayner looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! wa Za Banga has picked Rayner up and slammed him! Rayner can't keep hold of the triangle and wa Za Banga manages to pass to side control!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rayner is trying to improve his position.
wa Za Banga knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Rayner on the ground.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
You can see the frustration on Rayner's face as wa Za Banga controls the position.
wa Za Banga trying to control the position but Rayner is working away.
Rayner sneaks back into half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
wa Za Banga is looking to advance position but Rayner won't allow it.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Nkuku Ngbendu wa Za Banga.
I think wa Za Banga has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 29:29
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 28:29

The fight is ruled a draw!