PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ed Banner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Morgan Steele (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Banner
vs
Steele

180 cm
21
170 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

177 cm
20
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Prefers standup

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Mango Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ed Banner!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Morgan Steele!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Banner misses with a jab, cross combination.

Banner has managed to clinch.

Steele escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Banner closes the distance and clinches.
Banner wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Banner misses with a body punch.
Banner tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Steele's elbow.
Steele keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Banner's efforts to push away.
Banner throws a head punch that misses.
Steele has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Banner is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Banner goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Banner tries to work over Steele's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Banner misses with a punch to the body.

Banner breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Steele wants to break the clinch but can't.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short right from Banner on the inside.
Steele is trying to break the clinch but Banner has him pressed against the cage.
A short right from Banner on the inside.
Steele fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Banner struggles to land a body shot inside as Steele controls his hands.
Steele is trying to force a seperation but Banner has the dominant position.
Banner lands a body shot in the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Banner's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Steele tries to pull guard but Banner holds him up against the cage and eventually Steele drops back down to his feet.
Ed Banner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Morgan Steele.

Banner pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Banner tries to clinch but Steele is having none of it.
Banner doesn't manage to clinch there - Steele circles away.
Banner goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Steele changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Banner tries to avoid it but Steele manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Banner to the ground. Banner escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Steele tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Banner looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Banner fails in his attempt to clinch.

Steele forces Banner back against the cage and clinches.
Banner stops a takedown attempt from Steele.
Steele fails to pull guard.
Steele looks winded!
Steele prevents a body shot from Banner.
Banner lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Steele.
Banner goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Steele prevents a body shot from Banner.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Steele.
Banner misses with a hook to the ribs.
Banner misses with the head strike.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

Banner escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Steele wants to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Banner forces Steele back against the cage and clinches.
Banner goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Steele is trying to break the clinch but Banner is controlling him.

Banner breaks the clinch.
Steele avoids the body shot from Banner.
Banner lands with a nice combination. Steele backs away looking to recover.
Steele changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Banner tries to avoid it but Steele manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Banner to the ground. Banner escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Banner misses with a wild combination.
Banner wants to clinch up but Steele keeps it at a distance.
Ed Banner seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Steele keeps the fight on the outside.
Banner lands with a nice combination. Steele backs away looking to recover.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Banner throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Steele.

Banner has taken the fight to the clinch.

Banner breaks the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Banner is looking to clinch but Steele is avoiding it.
Banner fails in his attempt to clinch.
Banner avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Banner throws a body punch but Steele moves out of range.
Steele shoots in and drives through. Banner sprawls well.
Banner fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Banner fails in his attempt to clinch.
Steele fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Banner avoids it really well and circles away.
Banner wants to clinch up but Steele keeps it at a distance.
A punch combination from Banner misses.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Banner fails in his attempt to clinch.

Banner gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Banner misses with a hook to the ribs.
Banner misses with a punch to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Banner tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Banner moves to clinch but Steele breaks away
and Steele counters with a nice low kick that buckles Banner's knee momentarily.
Banner tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Steele misses with a takedown attempt - Banner sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Banner is looking to clinch but Steele is avoiding it.
Banner misses with a two punch combination.

Banner moves into the clinch.
Steele jumps guard but Banner stands there with Steele around his waist. Steele gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Banner tries a body shot but Steele blocks it.

Banner breaks the clinch.
Steele doesn't manage to clinch there - Banner circles away.
Ed Banner is winning the standup battle so far.
Steele is looking to clinch but Banner is avoiding it.
Banner fails with an attempt to clinch.

Banner pushes Steele up against the cage in a clinch.

Banner breaks the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steele shoots in for a takedown but Banner shows good takedown defense.
Ed Banner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Morgan Steele.
Banner tries to clinch up but Steele circles away and keeps his distance.
Banner moves in looking to clinch but Steele pushes him off.
Steele shoots in looking for a takedown but Banner manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Steele's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Steele is breathing heavily.
Banner fails to land with a series of punches.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Banner tries to close the distance and clinch up but Steele swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Banner avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Banner tries to clinch up but Steele circles away and keeps his distance.
Banner tries to clinch there but Steele circles away.
Steele tries to score a power double leg takedown but Banner sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Steele somewhat.
Banner fails in his attempt to clinch.
Banner takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Banner misses with a double jab.
Banner tries to clinch but Steele moves out of range.
Banner tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Steele paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Banner tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Steele paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Banner tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Steele manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Banner is looking to clinch.
Banner wants to clinch up but Steele keeps it at a distance.
Banner stuns Steele with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

Banner clinches with his opponent.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Banner creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Banner has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Steele blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Banner misses with a hook to the ribs.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Banner can't find room to land a body shot as Steele controls the action.

Banner manages to break the clinch.
Banner displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Steele.
Steele is trying desperately to land a takedown but Banner is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Steele.
Banner throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Steele.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Steele is defended easily by Banner.
Banner scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Banner drives through and clinches with Steele against the cage.
Good body shot from Banner.
Banner presses Steele against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Banner digs a right hand into Steele's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Steele's gas tank.

Banner escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Banner tries to clinch up.
Steele avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Banner takes the fight into the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Banner.
Banner lands a body shot in the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Banner.
Ed Banner has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Banner breaks the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Steele swats away the attempt to clinch by Banner.
Steele takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Banner tries to clinch but Steele is having none of it.
Ed Banner is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Steele keeps the fight on the outside.
Steele throws a series of punches but Banner moves out of range.
Steele avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Banner tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Steele manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Banner has closed the distance and engaged Steele in a clinch.

Banner breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Steele shoots in looking for a takedown but Banner manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Steele's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
No joy there for Banner, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Banner lands a slapping body shot.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Banner tries to clinch up.
Banner tries to clinch up.
Banner moves in looking to clinch but Steele pushes him off.
Steele shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Banner but Banner pushes him off and we're back to square one.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ed Banner 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!

Banner is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Banner forces Steele back against the cage and clinches.
Banner is trying to break the clinch but Steele is controlling him.
Banner misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Steele breaks the clinch.
Banner tries to close the distance and clinch up but Steele swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Steele throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Steele uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Banner.
Banner tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Steele counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Steele.
Banner misses with a punch to the body.

Banner breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Banner tries to close the distance and clinch but Steele swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Steele swats away the attempt to clinch by Banner.
Banner darts in trying to clinch
and Steele counters with a stiff right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Steele keeps the fight on the outside.
Steele tries for a takedown but Banner sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Steele takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Steele avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Banner is looking to clinch but Steele is avoiding it.
Banner with a nice cross.

Banner clinches with his opponent.
Steele is trying to pull guard but Banner turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Banner tries to circle away but Steele has him pinned against the cage.
Steele tries to pull guard but Banner won't allow it.
Ed Banner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Morgan Steele.

Banner's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Steele keeps the fight on the outside.
Ed Banner is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Banner moves into the clinch successfully.

Banner breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Banner is looking to clinch but Steele is avoiding it.
Banner scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Banner wants to clinch.
Banner is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Steele can do to turn this around?
Banner displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Steele.
Banner lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Banner tries to close the distance and clinch up but Steele swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Banner ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

Banner has Steele up against the cage in a clinch.

Banner breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Steele changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Banner tries to avoid it but Steele manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Banner to the ground. Banner escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Banner tries to clinch but Steele is having none of it.
Banner tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Steele manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Banner tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Steele manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Banner rushes Steele and presses him up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Banner breaks from the clinch.
Steele tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Banner moves into range and clinches up with Steele.

Banner pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Banner throws a right and a left that Steele avoids nicely.
Steele keeps the fight on the outside.

Banner gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Steele blocks a body shot from Banner.

Banner's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Banner throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Banner tries to clinch but Steele is having none of it.
Banner scores with a three punch combo!
Banner feints a jab promting Steele to slip. Banner then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Steele slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Banner is looking to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steele swats away the attempt to clinch by Banner.
Banner is looking to clinch.
Banner tries to close the distance and clinch but Steele swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Banner doesn't manage to clinch there - Steele circles away.
Banner tries to close the distance and clinch up but Steele swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Banner is looking to clinch but Steele is avoiding it.
Steele circles away from the clinch attempt.
Banner tries to bum rush Steele with a series of wild strikes but Steele uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Banner keeps the fight on the outside.
Banner is looking to wear down Steele with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Steele avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Banner tries to clinch but Steele is having none of it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Steele tries to clinch up but Banner circles away and keeps his distance.
Banner tries to close the distance and clinch but Steele swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Morgan Steele has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ed Banner is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Banner fails with an attempt to clinch.
Banner tries to clinch but Steele moves out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ed Banner showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Banner 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ed Banner!
During a confident post fight interview, Ed Banner thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.