PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jaan Banaan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zack Daniels (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jaan Banaan has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Banaan
vs
Daniels

176 cm
22
160 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

175 cm
19
163 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

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 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jaan Banaan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Zack Daniels!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Robert Twigg and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Banaan lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Daniels circles away quickly and effectively.
Banaan lands a two punch combo.

It looks like Zack Daniels has been cut.
Banaan swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Banaan looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Some wild striking there from Banaan.
Banaan misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Banaan throws a right and a left that Daniels avoids nicely.
Banaan fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Banaan fails to land with a series of punches.
Banaan swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A punch combination from Banaan misses.
Jaan Banaan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Daniels stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Banaan.
Jaan Banaan is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The fighters circling - Banaan throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Banaan fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Banaan rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Daniels moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Banaan looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Daniels shoots in but no luck this time.
Daniels shoots in for a takedown but Banaan shows good takedown defense.
Daniels pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Daniels avoids a punch combination nicely.
Banaan throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Daniels tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Banaan swivels and escapes.
Jaan Banaan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zack Daniels.
Daniels looks for a takedown but Banaan sprawls well.
Banaan misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Banaan throws a right hand that Daniels ducks under and follows up with a left that Daniels also avoids with ease.
Banaan misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Banaan lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Daniels circles away quickly and effectively.
Daniels shoots for a takedown but Banaan saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Daniels blocks a head kick by Banaan.
Banaan looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Daniels has a takedown stuffed.
Banaan looks to throw the jab but Daniels is out of range.
Banaan lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Banaan misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Banaan looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Banaan tests Daniels's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Daniels takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Banaan throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Daniels.
Daniels shoots in but Banaan avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Banaan tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Daniels looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Banaan scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jaan Banaan dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Zack Daniels's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Banaan misses with a wild combination.
Banaan swings for the body but Daniels moves out of range.
Banaan throws a lazy head kick

and Daniels counters with a shoot takedown. Banaan fights it but they end up in guard.
Daniels pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Banaan is keeping the position for now.
Daniels trying to control the position from guard on top but Banaan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Daniels is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Banaan wants to stand up but Daniels is controlling him.

Daniels thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banaan wants to stand up but Daniels is controlling him.

Daniels thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Banaan throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Daniels.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Banaan throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Daniels counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Daniels is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Banaan sees it coming and defends easily.

Daniels seems to be looking for submissions.
Daniels prevents Banaan from standing back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Banaan is defending against the submission attempts here by Daniels.

Daniels seems to be looking for submissions.
Banaan is trying to stand back up but Daniels is controlling him
Daniels is tying to control. Banaan wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Daniels shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Daniels pushes down on Banaan's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Daniels is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Banaan doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Daniels.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Daniels is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Banaan sees it coming and defends easily.
Daniels scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Banaan is trying to stand back up but Daniels is controlling him

Daniels is working for a submission of some sort.
Banaan pushes Daniels off looking to stand but Daniels dives back in and keeps control.

Daniels is working for a submission of some sort.

Daniels is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Banaan is just riding it out for now. Daniels eventually gives up the hold.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Daniels is working for a kimura here but Banaan manages to reverse the position and he's now in Daniels's guard.

Banaan decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Nice sprawl there from Banaan as Daniels shoots in.
Daniels avoids a punch combination nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zack Daniels showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Zack Daniels's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Daniels avoids a punch combination nicely.
Banaan throws a right and a left that both miss.
Daniels tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Banaan swivels and escapes.
Banaan swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Banaan swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

so Daniels counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Banaan wants to get back to his feet but Daniels is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Daniels thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Daniels drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Daniels jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Banaan wants to stand up but Daniels is controlling him.

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

Daniels postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Banaan is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Daniels, into his guard.

Daniels is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Daniels has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Banaan can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Banaan has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Daniels is proving hard to escape from.

Daniels is looking for a triangle but Banaan pushes his legs off easily.
Zack Daniels has got the better of the ground game so far.

Daniels throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Banaan gets to his feet. Daniels looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Banaan misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banaan falls off balance throwing a combination

and Daniels decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Banaan's guard.
Banaan is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Daniels is controlling him.
Daniels passes into half guard.
Daniels has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Banaan is trying to stand.

Daniels is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Banaan is surviving well by controlling Daniels's body position as best he can.

Daniels goes for an armbar but Banaan turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Banaan.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Banaan decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Daniels, up you get!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Banaan throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Daniels counters with a shoot takedown. Banaan fights it but they end up in guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Banaan wants to stand and escape but Daniels is having none of it.
Daniels slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Banaan wants to get back to his feet but Daniels drags him back down.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Daniels is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Banaan knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Banaan wants to get back to his feet but Daniels drags him back down.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zack Daniels comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Daniels has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 28:29
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zack Daniels!