PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Will Banks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Adam Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Banks comes to the cage accompanied by All I do Is win. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Banks
vs
Gracie

175 cm
34
156 lbs
32 - 19 - 1

175 cm
30
143 lbs
25 - 11 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Red Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

The Big Kabosh
Milwaukee's Best Nutrition

Hellbent
Fury Nutrition Inc.

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 32 - 19 - 1, fighting out of New York, Will Banks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 11 - 1, fighting out of New York, Adam Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Frank Antenori and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Banks misses with a shot to the body
and Gracie counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Banks keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Gracie wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Banks throws a leg kick but Gracie checks it.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Banks as he jumps to the side.
Banks throws a head kick that misses.
Banks takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Gracie slips a jab and a cross from Banks.
Banks slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Banks looks to score with a jab to the body but Gracie is just out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie throws a looping overhand right but Banks ducks down to avoid it.
Gracie slips a jab from Banks.
Banks throws a head kick that misses.
Banks connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Gracie's hands.
Gracie throws a nice inside leg kick.
Gracie swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Banks misses with a leg kick.
Gracie blocks the body kick.
Gracie uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Banks.
Gracie moves out of range of the strikes.
We've been told by Banks's head coaches at Team Skaggs Training Facility *LOP* that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Good shot there by Gracie.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Banks throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Banks fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gracie manages to avoid it.
Gracie throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Banks throws a leg kick but Gracie checks it.
Banks misses with a body shot.
Banks throws a leg kick but Gracie moved away.
Gracie checks a low kick from Banks.
Banks tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gracie was well out of range. Poor timing from Banks.
Banks stuffs the takedown.
Will Banks has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Adam Gracie.
Gracie thows a body shot but no joy.
Gracie throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gracie gets the takedown into side control.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Gracie wants to control but Banks is keeping him busy.
Gracie with the ground and pound but Banks regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Banks makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Banks.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Banks is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Gracie avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Banks.

Gracie actively working from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie gets full guard.
Banks throwing strikes but missing.
Banks throwing strikes from guard but Gracie blocks nicely.

Gracie working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Banks doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Banks manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
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!

Gracie escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Banks gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gracie keeping moving, preventing Banks from controlling successfully.
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 Will Banks will probably get the nod.
That's time! Banks's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Banks keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Gracie fails with a takedown attempt.
Gracie scores with a crisp jab that stopped Banks in his tracks.
Banks is looking to wear down Gracie with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
A nice inside leg kick there by Banks. That's going to slow Gracie down.
Banks blocks a jab.
Gracie defending well as Banks loads up on a big left hand.

Gracie shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Gracie sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Banks defending well though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie is trying to control the action in half guard but Banks is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Gracie not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Gracie tries to pass to full mount but Banks defends it.
Banks blocking the ground and pound attempt from Gracie.
Gracie wants to pass the guard but Banks is defending well.
Banks is not content to let Gracie control the position.
Banks is looking for a sweep. Gracie is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Banks trying to control here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Banks is holding on to half guard well.

Banks makes his way to full guard, as Gracie worked for a kimura.
Banks keeping moving, preventing Gracie from controlling successfully.
Banks not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Gracie keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Will Banks seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gracie looks to throw the jab but Banks is out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie shoots in but no luck this time.
Banks throws a quick inside leg kick.
Gracie moves out of range of the strikes.
Banks scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Gracie checks a leg kick.
Banks scores with a kick to the body.
Banks looks to land a left hand but Gracie moved out of range nicely.
Will Banks is winning the standup battle so far.
Gracie moves out of range as Banks strikes.
Banks throws an overhand right that lands on Gracie's shoulder, as Gracie tries to avoid the shot.
Banks takes a swing at Gracie's ribcage but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie takes one to the side of the head.
Banks looks to land a left hand but Gracie moved out of range nicely.
Banks lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Gracie at a distance.
A jab from Banks misses.
Gracie scores with a decent looking hook.
Gracie looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Banks is fending him off so far but Gracie persists. Nope, Banks circles away and we're back to standing.
Will Banks has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Adam Gracie.
Banks swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Banks with a body punch. A glancing blow.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Banks scores with the left hand. Gracie knows he should have avoided that one.
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 jabs Gracie to the body, keeping him at a distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Will Banks will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Gracie shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Banks manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Gracie is looking to work some ground and pound but Banks has wrist control.
Gracie throws a strike but Banks rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Gracie looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Banks wants to pass the guard but Gracie is keeping the position.
Gracie tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Our spies down at at Disciples Top Team inform us that Gracie has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Banks slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Gracie pulls Banks in to control the position.
Adam Gracie has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie looking to control but Banks passes into half guard.
Banks seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Gracie does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Banks prevents Gracie from improving his position.
Gracie has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Banks is working away from the top position though.

Gracie looking for submissions off his back.
Gracie is pressing down on Banks's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Banks trying to control but Gracie is working from the bottom.
Banks has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Gracie working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Banks has passed into half guard!
Banks prevents Gracie from improving his position.
Banks lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Banks seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Gracie does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Banks thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Banks working Gracie over with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie works his way to full guard. Good work.
Banks postures up.

Gracie has his foot on Banks's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Banks works his way back into a safe position though.

Gracie looking for a guillotine here but Banks defends easily.
Banks postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Will Banks is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Banks distracts Gracie with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Gracie is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Gracie throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Gracie has his foot on Banks's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Banks works his way back into a safe position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Banks works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Adam Gracie has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Banks not doing much here.
Gracie gets full guard.
Gracie controls Banks momentarily but Banks frees himself.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Banks controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
Adam Gracie comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Banks 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Will Banks!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Will Banks made sure he mentioned KO Clothing, along with how happy he was to win his fight.