PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Rodel Hiligaynon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Will Banks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hiligaynon comes to the cage accompanied by Down and Out . Banks has chosen All I do Is win as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Hiligaynon
vs
Banks

170 cm
29
144 lbs
17 - 5 - 2

175 cm
29
156 lbs
22 - 11 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Legion of Pain Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 5 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, Rodel Hiligaynon!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 11 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Will Banks!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Gregory Folan and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Banks tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hiligaynon was well out of range. Poor timing from Banks.
The fighters circling - Banks throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Banks looks to score with a jab to the body but Hiligaynon is just out of range.
Banks misses with a body shot.
Banks avoids the body shot from Hiligaynon.
Banks misses with a wild body shot.
Hiligaynon misses with a straight left.
Hiligaynon ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Banks moves away.
Banks checks a leg kick.
Hiligaynon throws the left hand but Banks avoids the punch easily.
A punch lands to the side of Banks 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Banks scores with a sloppy right hand. Hiligaynon should have avoided that one.
Hiligaynon scores with a one two! Banks had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Hiligaynon misses with a low kick.
Hiligaynon misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banks thows a body shot but no joy.
Banks ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hiligaynon moves away.
The fighters circling - Banks throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hiligaynon throws a wild body kick that Banks sees coming a mile off.
Banks is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Hiligaynon rather than just go for the knockout.
Banks lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Hiligaynon checks the leg kick.
Hiligaynon misses with a hook
and Banks counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Banks uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hiligaynon.
Hiligaynon swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Banks gets a double leg takedown into Hiligaynon's guard.
Banks is looking to work some ground and pound but Hiligaynon has wrist control.
Banks in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hiligaynon is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hiligaynon pushes Banks off and gets back to his feet.
Banks thows a left - swing and a miss!
Hiligaynon lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Banks takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Good leg kick by Hiligaynon there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Banks looks to land a combination but Hiligaynon avoids it well.
Hiligaynon lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Hiligaynon throws an off balance right hand
and Banks counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Banks lands a right hook to the body.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Banks.
Donk. Hiligaynon catches Banks right on the button with a cross.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banks lands with a straight right. Hiligaynon didn't see that one coming.
Banks moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Hiligaynon dives in and grabs Banks's left leg, looking for a takedown. Banks pushes down on Hiligaynon's head and hops out.
Banks misses the shot to the body.
Banks bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
No joy there for Hiligaynon, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hiligaynon tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Banks was well out of range. Poor timing from Hiligaynon.
Hiligaynon throws a shot from downtown. Banks moves away and avoids it.
Hiligaynon fails with a takedown attempt.
Hiligaynon showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Banks.
Banks throws a right and a left that Hiligaynon avoids nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hiligaynon will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Rodel Hiligaynon seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Banks uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hiligaynon.
Banks throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Banks closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Hiligaynon ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Hiligaynon lands with a nice combination. Banks backs away looking to recover.
Banks misses with a wild body shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hiligaynon throws a hook but Banks avoids it easily.
Banks drops his hands momentarily and Hiligaynon takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Banks moves away from the strike by Hiligaynon.
Sloppy strikes from Hiligaynon. Those never looked like landing.
Hiligaynon throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
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 Rodel Hiligaynon will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Hiligaynon lands with a cross.
Banks thumps Hiligaynon with a low kick.
Hiligaynon does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Hiligaynon's jab looks to have found its range, popping Banks under the eye.
Banks misses the shot to the body.
Hiligaynon misses with an uppercut.
Banks closes the distance and clinches up with Hiligaynon, looking for a takedown. Banks pushes Hiligaynon against the cage but Hiligaynon circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A nice leg kick lands there from Banks.
Hiligaynon swings widly with a right hand
and Banks cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Rodel Hiligaynon is winning the standup battle so far.
Hiligaynon fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Banks is out of range.
Nice defenses there by Hiligaynon.
Hiligaynon throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Banks needs to keep his hands up - Hiligaynon had a free shot at his head there.
Banks throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hiligaynon throws a combination that misses
and Banks counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Hiligaynon's corner calls for a 1-2. Hiligaynon obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Hiligaynon tries to move into range but Banks moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Banks takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Banks misses the shot to the body.

Hiligaynon looking to score a takedown here. Banks is defending well but Hiligaynon drives through and ends up in Banks's guard.
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.
Banks has his hands on Hiligaynon's head, controlling the position.
Banks looking to control.
Hiligaynon tries to free his leg and advance position but Banks is retaining full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Will Banks wasn't active enough on the ground.
Hiligaynon takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
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!
Hiligaynon throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hiligaynon bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A swing and a miss from Hiligaynon.
Hiligaynon avoids the body shot from Banks.
Banks uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hiligaynon.
Hiligaynon scores with a decent looking hook.
A head kick misses from Hiligaynon.
Banks comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Banks avoids the body shot from Hiligaynon.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Banks is defended easily by Hiligaynon.
Some wild striking there from Hiligaynon.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hiligaynon swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Banks tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hiligaynon was well out of range. Poor timing from Banks.
Hiligaynon avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Banks misses with a right hand
and Hiligaynon counters with a nice uppercut.
Hiligaynon throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Banks sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Both fighters circling a little - Hiligaynon finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Hiligaynon ducks under a wild hook from Banks.
Banks throws a low kick but Hiligaynon avoids it.
Banks looks for a takedown but Hiligaynon sprawls well.
Rodel Hiligaynon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Will Banks.
Banks cracks a nice hook into Hiligaynon's ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Banks throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A telegraphed right hand from Banks misses the target.
Banks tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hiligaynon was well out of range. Poor timing from Banks.
Banks throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hiligaynon chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Hiligaynon rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Banks moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Banks defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Hiligaynon.
Hiligaynon rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Banks counters with a straight right hand.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hiligaynon connects with a crisp jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hiligaynon is looking to slow Banks down with leg kicks.
Hiligaynon looks to throw the jab but Banks is out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rodel Hiligaynon dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

No luck for Banks with that takedown attempt.
Hiligaynon lands with an uppercut that bounces Banks off the cage and back into range.
Banks fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hiligaynon manages to avoid it.
Banks throws a right and a left that Hiligaynon avoids nicely.
Hiligaynon throws a left and a right that both miss
letting Banks counter with a right hand.
Banks ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hiligaynon moves away.
Hiligaynon throws the kick towards the body but Banks avoids it.
Donk. Hiligaynon catches Banks right on the button with a cross.
Banks on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Banks connects with a single shot there.
Hiligaynon misses with a takedown attempt - Banks sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Hiligaynon throws a leg kick
and Banks counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banks slips under a jab from Hiligaynon.
A jab from Hiligaynon misses.
Hiligaynon misses with an uppercut.
Hiligaynon takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Banks blocks the body kick.
Hiligaynon scores with a leg kick.
Banks throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hiligaynon sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A swing and a miss from Banks.
Hiligaynon throws an overhand right that lands on Banks's shoulder, as Banks tries to avoid the shot.
Banks takes a swing at Hiligaynon's ribcage but misses.
Hiligaynon fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Banks looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Banks takes a swing at Hiligaynon's ribcage but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Banks throws a leg kick which misses Hiligaynon's front leg but catches the back leg as Hiligaynon tries to avoid it.
A slow jab from Hiligaynon misses its intended target.
Banks lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hiligaynon circles away quickly and effectively.
Hiligaynon shoots in but no luck this time.
Hiligaynon thows a body shot but no joy.
Banks lands an overhand right.
Hiligaynon ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Banks moves away.
Banks takes a swing at Hiligaynon's ribcage but misses.
Banks tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hiligaynon was well out of range. Poor timing from Banks.
Banks misses with a hook.
Hiligaynon takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hiligaynon bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Banks's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hiligaynon fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Banks manages to avoid it.
Hiligaynon lands a leg kick that knocks Banks off balance momentarily.
Banks scores with a decent looking hook.
Banks staying out of range there.
Hiligaynon avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Banks throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Hiligaynon has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rodel Hiligaynon. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Banks loads up on a big right hand but Hiligaynon slips the punch.
Banks misses with a hook
and Hiligaynon connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Hiligaynon connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Hiligaynon shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hiligaynon slips a straight right by Banks.
Banks has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Hiligaynon.
An inside leg kick lands from Hiligaynon.
Hiligaynon misses with a head kick.
Hiligaynon misses with an uppercut. Banks saw that one coming.
Hiligaynon swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Banks lands with a right hand.
Hiligaynon moves out of range as Banks strikes.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hiligaynon misses with a hook
and Banks counters with a nice uppercut.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Banks looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Hiligaynon wants to sweep but no luck.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Rodel Hiligaynon did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

A jab from Hiligaynon does it's job there.
Hiligaynon steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Banks.
Hiligaynon takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Banks waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hiligaynon.
Nice shot lands for Banks.
Banks has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Banks sizes up Hiligaynon with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Hiligaynon misses the shot to the body.
Banks on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Hiligaynon's jab looks to have found its range, popping Banks under the eye.
Banks keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Hiligaynon takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Hiligaynon shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Banks sprawls well. Banks wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Hiligaynon gets slowly back to his feet.
Banks tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hiligaynon was well out of range. Poor timing from Banks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hiligaynon on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Jab, jab by Banks - just one landing.
Hiligaynon throws a sloppy head kick and Banks moves out of range easily.
Banks scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Hiligaynon throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hiligaynon throws a head kick but Banks moves out of range.

Hiligaynon 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 trying to control the position here.
Banks tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Banks has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Banks keeping moving, preventing Hiligaynon from controlling successfully.
Hiligaynon stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Banks swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hiligaynon is working hard here to advance position.
Banks wants to sweep but no luck.
Hiligaynon looking to pass the guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Hiligaynon misses with a combination
and Banks counters with a big head kick but Hiligaynon shrugs it off.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hiligaynon avoids the head kick by Banks.
Banks ducks under a wild hook from Hiligaynon.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banks swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hiligaynon ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Hiligaynon throws a jab but it's blocked by Banks.
Banks cracks Hiligaynon with a right hand to the side of the head.
Banks sizes up Hiligaynon with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Banks keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Banks is looking to slow Hiligaynon down with leg kicks.
Banks shoots in for a takedown but Hiligaynon shows good takedown defense.
Nice takedown defense from Banks. No joy for Hiligaynon on that attempt.
A looping hook to the body misses from Banks. Hiligaynon does a little dance to reset his feet.
Banks uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hiligaynon.
A swing and a miss from Banks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Banks blocks the body kick.
Banks swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hiligaynon connects with a crisp jab.
Banks wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Hiligaynon throws a jab when Banks was well out of range.
A lazy left from Banks finds it's target.
Hiligaynon cracks Banks with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Hiligaynon catches Banks with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Banks misses with a hook. Hiligaynon ducked under it nicely.
A bone on bone clash there as Banks blocks the leg kick.
Banks fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Will Banks will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

A jab from Hiligaynon misses.
Hiligaynon throws a body kick that misses.
Hiligaynon takes a swing at Banks's ribcage but misses.
Banks takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Banks waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hiligaynon.
Banks swings for the body but Hiligaynon moves out of range.
Banks steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Hiligaynon. That one must have hurt.
Banks takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Sloppy strikes from Banks. Those never looked like landing.
Banks lands with a good body shot.
Hiligaynon connects with a looping right hand.
A jab from Hiligaynon does it's job there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hiligaynon throws a right and a left that both miss.
A chopping leg kick lands by Hiligaynon.
Hiligaynon throws a leg kick
and Hiligaynon takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Hiligaynon keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Banks.
Banks misses with a looping left.
Banks misses with a wild body shot.
Banks connects with a crisp jab.
A head kick misses from Hiligaynon.
Banks fails to land with a series of punches.
Banks avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Hiligaynon throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hiligaynon pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rodel Hiligaynon is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Banks is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hiligaynon.
Banks looks to land a left hand but Hiligaynon moved out of range nicely.
Hiligaynon chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Hiligaynon stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Banks.
Banks throws out a powerful jab.
Banks goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Banks's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Banks swings away with a body shot that misses
and Hiligaynon cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Hiligaynon misses with a head kick.
Banks turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Banks leaves Hiligaynon with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
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!
Banks catches Hiligaynon with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
An inside leg kick lands from Banks.
Banks throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Hiligaynon tests Banks's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Banks takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Will Banks has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Banks takes a swing at Hiligaynon's ribcage but misses.

Hiligaynon closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Hiligaynon sitting and controlling from the half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Banks won't allow Hiligaynon to pass to mount.
Rodel Hiligaynon overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hiligaynon seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Banks does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Rodel Hiligaynon just wasn't active enough.
Banks throws a right hand that misses
and Hiligaynon counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Hiligaynon keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hiligaynon ducks under a wild hook from Banks.
Banks takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Hiligaynon takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A punch combination from Hiligaynon misses.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Banks throws a hook but Hiligaynon avoids it easily.
Banks throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hiligaynon.
Hiligaynon on the wrong end of a nice jab.

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 Rodel Hiligaynon.
Well Hiligaynon 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 49:46
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 49:47
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 49:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rodel Hiligaynon!
Rodel Hiligaynon retains his featherweight title!
Rodel Hiligaynon thanked the fans post fight for their support.