PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Farboleous Ricard (ranked 128 p4p, 255 weight class) and Lamont Banner (ranked 15 p4p, 33 weight class). Ricard comes to the cage accompanied by Vibe Killer. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Lamont Banner was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Ricard
vs
Banner

172 cm
36
155
34 - 18 - 1

171 cm
28
160
17 - 8 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing
PWNAGE

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 34 - 18 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Farboleous Ricard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Lamont Banner !
The judges for this bout are Percy O'Donnell, Timothy Bukovac and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Banner throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Banner scores with a jab to the body.
Lamont Banner seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ricard misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Banner .
Banner throws an overhand right that lands on Ricard's shoulder, as Ricard tries to avoid the shot.
Banner throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
The crowd cheers as Banner lands an impressive looking overhand right. Ricard doesn't seem phased though.
Banner misses with a wild combination.
Ricard misses with a body shot.
Banner throws a poor cross that misses
and Ricard counters with a good low kick that Banner was not able to check.
Ricard blocks a jab.

Ricard gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Banner 's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A nice leg kick lands there from Ricard.
Banner misses with a looping left.
Banner throws a jab but it's blocked by Ricard.
Ricard showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Banner .
Banner misses with a looping right.
Ricard has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Chakuriki LA Gym in the buildup to the fight.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ricard checks a leg kick.
Some bone on bone action there as Ricard checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banner moves out of range of the strikes.
Banner shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Ricard uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Banner .
Banner misses with a low kick.
Nice defenses there by Banner .
Ricard ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Banner slips under a jab.
Banner moves out of range of the strikes.
Banner lunges at Ricard with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Ricard's hand.
Banner with a jab.
Lamont Banner is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ricard misses with a body kick.
Banner swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Ricard.
Banner checks a low kick from Ricard.
Banner scores with a jab.
Ricard throws a hook but Banner blocks it.
Banner misses with a wild body shot.
Banner lands a right hook to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ricard displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Banner throws out the jab.
Good leg kick by Banner .
A solid leg kick lands there for Ricard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Banner walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Banner dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Banner missing with a left hand there. Ricard was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Ricard throws a shot from downtown. Banner moves away and avoids it.
Ricard pushes Banner away with a front kick.
Banner misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Banner throws the left hand but Ricard avoids the punch easily.
Ricard checks a leg kick.
Ricard checks a low kick from Banner .
Ricard jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Banner connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Ricard's hands.
Ricard lands a front kick.
Ricard throws an overhand right that lands on Banner 's shoulder, as Banner tries to avoid the shot.
Ricard goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Banner lands with an uppercut that bounces Ricard off the cage and back into range.
Banner throws a right hand that misses
and Ricard counters with a left and a right that stings Banner .
Ricard avoids the body shot from Banner .
A slow jab from Ricard misses its intended target.
Ricard lands a lovely overhand right.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ricard thuds his shin into the meat of Banner 's side.
A head kick misses from Banner .
Banner loads up on a big right hand but Ricard slips the punch.
Ricard darts in looking for a takedown but Banner gets double underhooks and turns Ricard into the cage.
Banner fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
A jab lands there for Banner .
Banner moves out of range of the body kick.
Ricard misses the shot to the body.
Banner lands a leg kick that knocks Ricard off balance momentarily.
Ricard throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Banner is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Ricard had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Ricard throws a shot from downtown. Banner moves away and avoids it.
Ricard fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Nice body kick there by Ricard.
Ricard lands with a thumping leg kick.
Banner cracks Ricard with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Banner throws a poor cross that misses
and Ricard cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A looping hook to the body misses from Banner . Ricard does a little dance to reset his feet.
Banner throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Banner slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Banner tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ricard was well out of range. Poor timing from Banner .
Banner lands a jab to the head.
A slow jab from Ricard misses its intended target.
The fighters circling - Banner throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Ricard throws a hook to the side of Banner 's head but Banner sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ricard moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Ricard finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Banner was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Ricard throws a hook but Banner blocks it.
Ricard ducks under a wild hook from Banner .
A lazy left from Banner finds it's target.
Banner on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Good work by Ricard as he checks the leg kick.
Banner misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ricard.
Good leg kick by Banner .
Ricard moves away from the strike by Banner .
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A cross from Ricard lands.
Ricard gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Banner pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Banner blocks a head kick by Ricard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Lamont Banner will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Banner misses with a straight right.
Banner swings for the body but Ricard moves out of range.
Banner throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ricard sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A low kick lands for Banner .
Ricard bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Ricard takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Ricard staying out of range there.
It looked like Ricard wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Nice body kick from Ricard.
Banner lands with a good body shot.
Banner misses the shot to the body.
Ricard is looking to counter punch.
Ricard with the inside leg kick.
Banner takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Banner pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Banner uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Ricard.
Banner misses with a low kick as Ricard jumps back.
Ricard is looking to counter punch.
Banner throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Ricard on the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A looping hook to the body misses from Ricard. Banner does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ricard connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
A clash of legs there as Ricard blocks the low kick.
Ricard fails to land with a series of punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horrible takedown attempt by Ricard or perhaps it was just good defense by Banner , which made it look bad.
Ricard connects with a body shot.
A nice inside leg kick there by Banner . That's going to slow Ricard down.
Banner misses with a straight right.
Banner ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ricard moves away.
A head kick misses from Banner .
A nice leg kick from Ricard, right into the meat of the thigh.
Ricard keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Banner scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Ricard feints and then cracks Banner 's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Banner down.
Banner dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
That kick from Ricard tenderised Banner 's leg. Banner is trying to keep his angry face on.
Ricard throws a shot from downtown. Banner moves away and avoids it.
Banner blocks a leg kick.
Ricard ducks under a wild hook from Banner .
Ricard was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Banner steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ricard.

That's two 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!
Banner throws a good cross that connects.
Ricard uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Banner .
Banner ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Banner misses with a straight right.
A jab from Ricard misses.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Banner waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ricard.
Banner keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Banner scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Ricard doesn't seem bothered though.
Ricard doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Ricard throws a front kick that sends Banner stumbling back into the cage.
Ricard ducks under a wild hook from Banner .
Banner fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Ricard ducks under a wild hook from Banner .
Banner throws a jab when Ricard was well out of range.
Banner misses with a straight left.
Ricard uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Banner .
Ricard ducks under a wild hook from Banner .
Banner drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Banner looks to land a combination. Ricard sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ricard throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Ricard is looking to score with low kicks.
Ricard loads up on a big right hand but Banner slips the punch.
Donk. Ricard catches Banner right on the button with a cross.
Banner uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ricard looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Banner misses with a low kick.
Ricard shoots for a takedown but Banner saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Banner has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Ricard.
Ricard scores with a one two! Banner had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Ricard connects with an inside leg kick.
Ricard waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Banner .
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Banner .
Banner feints and then cracks Ricard's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Ricard down.
Banner avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Banner misses the jab.
Banner 's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Ricard slips a straight right by Banner .
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ricard avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Banner looks to land a left hand but Ricard moved out of range nicely.
Banner avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ricard. Banner does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ricard lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Banner throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Ricard throws a quick counter kick to the body but Banner avoids it.
Ricard slips under a jab from Banner .
Ricard looks to throw the jab but Banner is out of range.
Banner fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ricard manages to avoid it.
Banner throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ricard sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Banner slaps away a takedown attempt from Ricard, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Farboleous Ricard. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ricard is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Banner fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Ricard.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Banner uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ricard.
Banner waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ricard.
Banner fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Ricard.
Banner tried to score with a low kick but Ricard checks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lamont Banner showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Banner tries to sprawl but Ricard drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Banner makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Ricard misses the jab.
Banner fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ricard manages to avoid it.
Ricard throws a hook but Banner avoids it easily.
Ricard takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Ricard steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Banner .
Ricard throws a half hearted mid kick.
Ricard uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Banner .
Ricard tries to clinch but Banner moves out of range.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ricard lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Ricard ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Ricard throws a push kick but Banner slaps the foot to one side.
Ricard looks to land a right hand but Banner moved out of range.
Ricard misses with a body shot.
Ricard drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Ricard has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Ricard there as he acknowledges the shot.
Banner lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banner looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Banner swings widly with a right hand
and Ricard counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Ricard gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Banner .
A nice leg kick from Banner , right into the meat of the thigh.
Banner looks to land a right hand but Ricard moved out of range.

Ricard takes the fight into the clinch.
Ricard blocks an uppercut.
Ricard lands a left hand.
Ricard misses with a punch to the body.
Ricard drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Banner blocking some punches.
Ricard gets through Banner 's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Banner wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Banner lands a right hand.
A body shot lands from Ricard.
Ricard has a couple of punches blocked by Banner .
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ricard keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Banner 's efforts to push away.
Farboleous Ricard has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A body shot lands from Ricard.

Ricard escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ricard tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Banner manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Ricard tries to land a body kick
and Banner cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
That kick from Ricard tenderised Banner 's leg. Banner is trying to keep his angry face on.
Banner lands a nice shot that snaps Ricard's head back.
Ricard looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Banner looks to throw the jab but Ricard is out of range.
Banner misses with a straight right.
Ricard ducks under a wild hook from Banner .
Banner takes a swing at Ricard's ribcage but misses.

Ricard closes the distance and pushes Banner back into the cage.

Banner escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Banner misses the jab.
Ricard appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Banner throws a right hand that misses
and Ricard counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Banner throws a poor cross that misses
and Ricard counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Banner loads up on a big right hand but Ricard slips the punch.
A decent looking cross lands there for Banner .

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banner walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Ricard avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ricard takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Ricard misses with an attempted mid kick.
Ricard fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ricard tries to land a front kick but Banner steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Banner moves out of range of the strikes.
Banner fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Banner thuds his right hand into Ricard's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
A telegraphed right hand from Ricard misses the target.
Lamont Banner seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ricard has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Banner .
Ricard needs to keep his hands up - Banner had a free shot at his head there.
Banner takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Banner pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Banner misses with a hook.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Banner misses with a right hand

and Ricard counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Ricard is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Banner defends it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Banner is trying to stand up here but Ricard is controlling him well.
Lamont Banner is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ricard prevents Banner from improving his position.

Ricard wants to work for an arm triangle but Banner is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Ricard thows a huge punch but Banner dodges it nicely.
Banner is looking to control Ricard's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Banner avoid being mounted?
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ricard not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Ricard is thwarting Banner 's attempts to control the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Lamont Banner .
I've got Banner winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lamont Banner !
After winning the bout, Lamont Banner thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.