PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rex Banks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kermit Earlandson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Earlandson is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: the theme from titanic. Rex Banks had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 187.7lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Banks
vs
Earlandson

188 cm
24
200 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
18
193 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Rex Banks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Kermit Earlandson!
The judges for this bout are Dillan Fox, Gregory Folan and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fight stays on the outside here - Earlandson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Banks looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Earlandson!
Earlandson is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Earlandson wants to hold on but Banks pushes him away.
Earlandson is looking to get to half guard.
Earlandson is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Banks lands a heavy elbow.
Earlandson tries to reverse the position but Banks maintains control.
Banks lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Banks landing shots from mount.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Earlandson tries to reverse the position but Banks maintains control.
Earlandson slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Banks is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Earlandson is looking to improve his position.
Banks stalling.

We're going to have a standup here because Rex Banks wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Banks shoots in but Earlandson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
A nice leg kick lands there from Earlandson.
Earlandson tries to grapple but his opponent circles

so Banks counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Banks has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Banks is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Earlandson had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Banks defends it easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Banks tries to free his leg and advance position but Earlandson is retaining full guard.

Banks drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Banks jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Earlandson is looking for a triangle here but Banks uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Earlandson tries to buck Banks off but Banks is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banks grinds an elbow into Earlandson's temple.
Banks working away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Earlandson trying to remain calm as Banks controls from the top position.

Banks working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
A lull in the action here as Banks stalls from top position.

Banks stands up and we're back to a striking position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Banks circles away from the clinch attempt.

Banks shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Earlandson is trying to defend but Banks finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Earlandson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Earlandson is looking to control Banks's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Earlandson avoid being mounted?

Banks decides to stand and escape the position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Banks feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Banks is breathing heavily.

Banks got a little sloppy there for a moment and Earlandson has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Banks has managed to get both his arms back between Earlandson's legs - danger averted.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rex Banks dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Banks rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Earlandson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Banks moves into the clinch.
Earlandson tries to land a knee to the head but Banks blocks with his arms.

Banks manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Earlandson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Banks swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Earlandson wants to control from the top but Banks keeps moving.
Banks has a closed guard, preventing Earlandson from standing up.
Banks seems keen to control Earlandson's posture.
Earlandson stays in close to Banks's body and controls the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Kermit Earlandson was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Earlandson darts in and clinches Banks up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Earlandson has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Banks is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Earlandson lands a body shot in the clinch.
Earlandson tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Banks's elbow.

Banks lands a takedown into guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Banks tries to free his leg and advance position but Earlandson is retaining full guard.

Earlandson looking for a guillotine here but Banks defends easily.

Earlandson looking for a triangle here. Banks is fighting it but it looks tight! Earlandson pulls the arm across and this one won't last much longer! Nope, Banks is tapping out - this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:49 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Kermit Earlandson!
Kermit Earlandson seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.