PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Diego Oriola (ranked 168 p4p, 25 weight class) and Lamont Banner (ranked 400 p4p, 53 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the ring.

Oriola
vs
Banner

174 cm
23
165 lbs
14 - 2 - 0

171 cm
24
160 lbs
12 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Groove Gear
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Diego Oriola!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Lamont Banner !
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Sosuke Kotani and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Banner throws a lazy right hand but Oriola sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Banner throws a looping overhand right but Oriola ducks down to avoid it.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Banner , as that shot connected.
Banner throws a body punch but Oriola moves out of range.
Oriola attempts a counter takedown but Banner avoids it well and moves away.
Banner misses with a hook

and Oriola counters with a shoot takedown. Banner fights it but they end up in guard.
Banner wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Oriola stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Banner swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Oriola throws an elbow that misses. Banner uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Oriola's guard. Nice move by Banner !

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Banner avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Oriola working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Banner has passed into half guard!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Oriola looking for a kimura from the bottom but Banner passes into side control!
Oriola is looking for a sweep.
Oriola regains half guard.

Oriola is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Banner pulls his head out easily.
My spies in Big Bear Fight Factory inform me that Banner has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Oriola is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Oriola is working hard here to advance position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Banner decides to return to a standing position.
Banner throws a hook but Oriola blocks it.
Oriola half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Banner pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Oriola half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Banner throws a shot from downtown. Oriola moves away and avoids it.
A big left from Banner misses.
Oriola bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Oriola avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Oriola changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Banner misses with a series of wild punches.
Oriola feinted with a counter takedown.
Banner misses with a straight right.
Banner works the jab nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banner throws a right hand that misses

and Oriola counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Oriola thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Banner avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Oriola.
Oriola not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Banner avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Oriola.
Oriola seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Banner does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Oriola is pressing down on Banner 's thigh, looking to free his foot. Banner is holding on for now.
Banner is trying to stand back up but Oriola is controlling him
Oriola content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Oriola is trying to work for a kimura but Banner is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Banner is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Banner wants to control but Oriola is keeping busy.
Oriola seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Banner does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Oriola is looking for a kimura here.
Oriola missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Banner tries to kick Oriola off but Oriola keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Banner cracks a nice hook into Oriola's ribs.
Banner connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Oriola momentarily.
The fighters circling - Banner throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Oriola drops down looking for a counter takedown but Banner sprawls and moves away.
Banner fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Oriola tries to counter with a takedown but Banner is quick to defend against it.
Oriola with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Banner to score with a decent uppercut.
Banner waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Oriola.
Lamont Banner is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Oriola ducks under a wild hook from Banner .
Oriola attempts a counter takedown but Banner avoids it well and moves away.
Banner with a jab.
Banner scores with the left hand. Oriola knows he should have avoided that one.
Banner might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Banner is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Oriola.
Oriola tries to counter with a takedown but Banner is quick to defend against it.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Oriola throws a chopping leg kick but Banner manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Banner loads up on a big right hand but Oriola slips the punch.
Oriola feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Oriola misses with a body shot.
Banner scores with a decent looking hook.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Some wild striking there from Banner .
Oriola half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Oriola throws a low kick but Banner moves out of range easily.
Banner lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Banner lands with a nice body punch.
Banner looks to land a combination but Oriola avoids it well.
Banner throws an overhand right that lands on Oriola's shoulder, as Oriola tries to avoid the shot.
Banner misses the jab.
Banner connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Banner throws an overhand right that lands on Oriola's shoulder, as Oriola tries to avoid the shot.
Oriola tries to counter with a takedown but Banner is quick to defend against it.
Banner throws an overhand right that lands on Oriola's shoulder, as Oriola tries to avoid the shot.
Nice shot by Banner .
Banner missing with a left hand there. Oriola was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Oriola keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Banner .
Banner connects with a solid leg kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Banner .
Banner misses with an uppercut

and Oriola counters with a nice double leg into side control. Banner won't be happy with that.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Banner is trying to buck Oriola off.
Oriola tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Oriola prevents Banner from escaping the position.

Oriola tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Oriola has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Oriola scoring with punches from side control.
Oriola throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Banner wants to control but Oriola postures up.
Oriola throwing strikes but Banner manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Oriola tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Banner easily slips into full mount!
Oriola tries to hold on but Banner pushes him away.
Oriola is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Death Valley Training Facility, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Oriola tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

Banner is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Oriola staying out of range there.
Oriola tries to counter with a takedown but Banner is quick to defend against it.
Oriola uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Banner .
Oriola tries to counter with a takedown but Banner is quick to defend against it.
Banner throws an overhand right that lands on Oriola's shoulder, as Oriola tries to avoid the shot.
Oriola keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Banner .
Good standup being displayed there by Banner as he connects with a hook.
Oriola takes one to the chin there.
Banner misses the jab.
Banner changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Oriola with a hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lamont Banner dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Banner digs a good hook to Oriola's body.
Banner lands a nice hook to Oriola's body. Oriola takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Oriola uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Banner .
Banner throws a jab when Oriola was well out of range.
Banner throws an overhand right that lands on Oriola's shoulder, as Oriola tries to avoid the shot.
Oriola appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Oriola uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Banner .
Oriola appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Banner scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Oriola slips under a jab from Banner .
Oriola feinted with a counter takedown.
Banner connects with a solid leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Oriola scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Lamont Banner seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Banner misses with a wild body shot.
Oriola shoots for a double leg takedown but Banner sprawls well. He's pushed Oriola's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Banner pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Oriola attempts a counter takedown but Banner avoids it well and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banner lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Oriola circles away quickly and effectively.
Oriola half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Banner is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Oriola.
Oriola takes one to the chin there.
Banner throws a hook but Oriola avoids it easily.
Banner lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Oriola moves out of range as Banner strikes.
Banner checks a low kick from Oriola.
Oriola steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Banner .
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Oriola crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Banner - the referee stops the clock and Oriola gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Banner . Oriola manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Banner connects with a jab.
Banner looks to land a left hand but Oriola moved out of range nicely.
Oriola attempts a counter takedown but Banner avoids it well and moves away.
Banner throws a lazy right hand but Oriola sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Banner misses with a left hand

and Oriola counters with a shoot takedown. Banner fights it but they end up in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Oriola distracts Banner with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Oriola passes into half guard.
Oriola is thwarting Banner 's attempts to control the position.
Banner has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Oriola throwing shots but Banner is blocking nicely.
Banner has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Oriola is working away from the top position though.
Banner holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Banner keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Banner tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Oriola has advanced to mount. Uh oh.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oriola unloads with some shots from mount but Banner bucks and avoids them well.
Banner is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Oriola jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Banner is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Banner and Oriola has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Oriola postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

Oriola looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Banner avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Oriola.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Oriola swings around for an armbar but Banner sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Oriola's guard.
Oriola looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Banner puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Banner seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.

Banner gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Banner misses with a hook. Oriola ducked under it nicely.
Oriola tries to counter with a takedown but Banner is quick to defend against it.
A big left from Banner misses.
Oriola half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Banner clobbers Oriola with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Banner misses with a straight left.
Oriola attempts a counter takedown but Banner avoids it well and moves away.
Banner paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Banner lands with a straight right. Oriola didn't see that one coming.
No luck for Oriola with that takedown attempt.
Oriola avoids a punch combination nicely.
Oriola tries to counter with a takedown but Banner is quick to defend against it.
A jab from Banner finds it's way through Oriola's defenses.
Banner jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Banner works the jab nicely.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Banner throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Banner moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Banner throws a lazy right hand but Oriola sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Banner throws an overhand right that lands on Oriola's shoulder, as Oriola tries to avoid the shot.
Banner connects with a right hand. Oriola shakes it off.
Banner throws out a loose jab but Oriola uses good head movement to avoid it.
Banner looks to throw the jab but Oriola is out of range.
Oriola appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Banner connects with a looping right hand.
Banner misses with a straight left.
Lamont Banner seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Banner throws a right hand that misses

and Oriola counters with a takedown into side control.
Oriola sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Banner is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Oriola trying to control the position but Banner is working away.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Oriola working the ground and pound from side control.
Oriola grinds an elbow into Banner 's temple.
Oriola works to advance to full mount. Banner defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Diego Oriola overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Banner tries to hold on but Oriola pushes him away.
Oriola can't control as he wanted to and Banner manages to get the fight back to his half guard.
Oriola throwing shots but Banner is blocking nicely.
Oriola wants to take a breather but Banner is having none of it.
Banner wants to get back to his feet.
Banner is holding on to half guard well.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Banner is looking to control Oriola's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Banner avoid being mounted?
Banner is trying to stand up here but Oriola is controlling him well.
Oriola sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Banner defending well though.
Oriola trying to pass the guard but Banner defending well.

Oriola is looking for a kimura here.
Oriola throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Diego Oriola has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lamont Banner is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Banner is trying to maintain the position but Oriola is very close to passing his half guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Banner misses with a hook. Oriola ducked under it nicely.
Oriola tries to counter with a takedown but Banner is quick to defend against it.
Oriola shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Banner as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Diego Oriola. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Oriola moves out of range as Banner strikes.
Oriola drops down looking for a counter takedown but Banner sprawls and moves away.
Banner throws a hook but Oriola blocks it.
Oriola with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Banner to score with a decent uppercut.
Banner cracks Oriola with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Banner lands with an overhand left.
Banner works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lamont Banner comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Banner 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 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight for Lamont Banner !
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight for Lamont Banner !
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight for Lamont Banner !

Lamont Banner wins by unanimous decision!
Lamont Banner seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.