PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between John Banks (ranked 3811 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mansa Musa (ranked 5975 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Banks
vs
Musa

165 cm
18
130 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

164 cm
21
133 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Banks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mansa Musa!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Alan Glass and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Banks with a poor takedown
and Musa counters with a nice leg kick.
Banks looks to score with a jab to the body but Musa is just out of range.
Banks backing away here, and Musa unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
John Banks seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Banks shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Musa counters with a slapping leg kick.
Banks lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

Banks moves into the clinch.

Musa breaks the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Banks misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Banks fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Banks. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banks misses with a two punch combination.
Musa tries a quick counter leg kick but Banks is wise to it.
Banks misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Musa appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.

Banks shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Banks is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Musa is trying to stand up here but Banks is controlling him well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Well, if Banks is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Banks thuds his shin into the meat of Musa's side.
Banks tries to close the distance and clinch but Musa swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Banks tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Musa swivels and escapes.
Banks backing away here, and Musa unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Banks tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Musa defends well and Banks ends up having to push Musa into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banks shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Musa defends it nicely.
Banks is breathing heavily.

Banks moves into the clinch.
Musa is trying to force a seperation but Banks has the dominant position.

Musa pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Banks tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Banks tries to clinch up but Musa circles away and keeps his distance.
Banks backing away here, and Musa unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Banks dives in for a single leg takedown but Musa sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Musa flicks out a counter leg kick but Banks steps away.
Musa circles away from the clinch attempt.
Musa tries a quick counter leg kick but Banks is wise to it.
Banks tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Banks throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Musa was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Nice sprawl there from Musa as Banks shoots in.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Banks moves in looking to clinch but Musa pushes him off.
Musa tries a quick counter leg kick but Banks is wise to it.
Banks moves in looking to clinch but Musa pushes him off.
Musa staying out of range there.
Banks backing away here, and Musa unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
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 John Banks will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Musa gets tackled into the cage by Banks. Banks maintains the clinch.

Musa breaks from the clinch.
Banks throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
John Banks is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Banks looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Musa is fending him off so far but Banks persists. Nope, Musa circles away and we're back to standing.
Musa blocks a head kick by Banks.
Banks shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Musa defends it nicely.
Musa only half commits to the counter leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Banks clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Musa breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Musa leaves Banks with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Banks. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Banks moves into the clinch.
Musa has had enough of the clinch but Banks keeps him there for the moment.
Banks slowing the pace effectively.
Banks prevents Musa from breaking the clinch.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Banks misses with a takedown attempt
and Musa counters with a nice low kick that buckles Banks's knee momentarily.
Nice takedown defense from Musa. No joy for Banks on that attempt.
Musa was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Horrible takedown attempt by Banks or perhaps it was just good defense by Musa, which made it look bad.
Musa circles away from the clinch attempt.
Banks misses with a head kick.
Banks shoots for a double leg takedown but Musa sprawls well. He's pushed Banks's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Musa appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Banks tries to land a front kick but Musa steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Musa feints a counter leg kick.
Banks darts in looking for a takedown but Musa gets double underhooks and turns Banks into the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banks shoots in looking for a takedown but Musa manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Banks's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Banks backing away here, and Musa unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Banks throws out a loose jab but Musa uses good head movement to avoid it.
Banks throws a wild body kick that Musa sees coming a mile off.
Banks backing away here, and Musa unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Banks dives in for a single leg takedown but Musa sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Banks misses with a leg kick.
Musa was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Banks misses with a takedown attempt
and Musa counters with an outside leg kick.
Banks shoots for a takedown but Musa saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Banks shoots in but no luck this time.
Banks backing away here, and Musa unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Banks tries to clinch but Musa moves away
and Musa counters with an inside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Banks shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Musa as he avoids it easily.
Banks tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Banks fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Musa avoids it really well and circles away.
Banks is trying hard to land a takedown here. Musa sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Banks tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Musa counters with an outside leg kick.
Banks swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Musa was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mansa Musa showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Banks has his takedown stuffed
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Banks changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Musa tries to avoid it but Banks manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Musa to the ground. Musa escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Musa only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Horrible takedown attempt by Banks or perhaps it was just good defense by Musa, which made it look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Banks. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Banks fails in his attempt to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Musa circles away from the clinch attempt.
Musa only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Banks doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Musa counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banks fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Musa avoids it really well and circles away.
Musa only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Banks fails with a takedown attempt.
Banks shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Musa but Musa pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Banks misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

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.
Banks shoots for a double leg takedown but Musa sprawls well. He's pushed Banks's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Musa feints a counter leg kick.
Banks fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Musa avoids it really well and circles away.
Banks backing away here, and Musa unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Banks shoots for a takedown but Musa saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Banks just misses with a punch to the body.
Banks shoots in looking for a takedown but Musa manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Banks's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Musa only half commits to the counter leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banks fails to land the takedown.
Musa only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Banks throws a low kick, looking for Musa's leg but Musa calmly moves out of range.
Musa circles away from the clinch attempt.
Musa only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Musa has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Banks throws a chopping leg kick but Musa manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Banks tries to score a power double leg takedown but Musa sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Banks somewhat.
Musa appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Banks gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Musa counters with a good low kick that Banks was not able to check.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Banks fails with a takedown attempt.
Banks misses with a head kick.
Musa tries a quick counter leg kick but Banks is wise to it.
Banks tries to close the distance and clinch but Musa swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Banks fails with a takedown attempt.
John Banks has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mansa Musa is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
A looping hook to the body misses from Banks. Musa does a little dance to reset his feet.
Musa only half commits to the counter leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mansa Musa comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Musa 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 for Mansa Musa!
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight for Mansa Musa!
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight for Mansa Musa!

Mansa Musa wins by unanimous decision!
A relieved looking Mansa Musa thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.