PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Art Nikisch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bryan Banks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nikisch comes to the ring accompanied by Skillet - Hero. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Nikisch
vs
Banks

198 cm
24
235 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

205 cm
23
270 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Good knees
Experienced

Good takedowns
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Art Nikisch!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Bryan Banks!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Frank Dennis and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
An inside leg kick lands from Nikisch.

Nikisch clinches with his opponent.
Nikisch tries a knee to the head but Banks blocks it.
Nikisch misses with a knee strike.
Nikisch throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Banks blocks it with crossed arms.
Nikisch with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Nikisch gets through Banks's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Banks takes a knee right on the jaw!
Nikisch throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Banks blocks it with crossed arms.
Nikisch throws a knee to the head but misses.
Nikisch lands a nice shot to the body.
Nikisch tries a knee to the head but Banks blocks it.
Nikisch is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Banks is defending well for now.

Nikisch breaks the clinch.
Nikisch tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Bryan Banks seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Banks shoots in but no luck this time.
Nikisch doesn't manage to clinch there - Banks circles away.
Nikisch fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Nikisch throws a head kick that misses.
Nikisch keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Banks blocks a head kick by Nikisch.
Horrible takedown by Banks or perhaps it was just good defense by Nikisch which made him look bad.
Banks misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Art Nikisch has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bryan Banks.
Banks looks gassed!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikisch moves out of range of the body kick from Banks.

Nikisch changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Banks looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Banks can't do much from the bottom here.

Nikisch decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Banks gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Nikisch counters with a slapping leg kick.

Nikisch clinches up against the ropes.

Nikisch escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Banks shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Nikisch counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Nikisch lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A knee to the head by Nikisch.
Banks's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Nikisch creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Nikisch unloads a knee to the mid-section. Banks lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nikisch scores a nice knee to the body.
Nikisch crunches a lovely knee into Banks's ribcage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Nikisch pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nikisch tries a head kick but it misses.

Nikisch rushes Banks and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.

Nikisch breaks from the clinch.
Nikisch throws a nice head kick!
Nikisch wants to clinch.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Nikisch.

Nikisch fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Banks, pushing him back against the ropes.
Nikisch tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Nikisch lands an elbow inside.
Nikisch using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Banks has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Nikisch lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
A short right from Nikisch on the inside.
Banks has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Nikisch is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikisch connects with a nasty looking knee right to Banks's face.
Nikisch lands a nice elbow.
Nikisch scores a nice knee to the body.
Nice elbow from Nikisch.

Nikisch's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nikisch throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Nikisch cracks the inside of Banks's front leg.

Nikisch forces Banks back against the ropes and clinches.
Nikisch tries to land a knee to the head but Banks blocks with his arms.
Banks is trying desperately to land a takedown but Nikisch is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Banks.
Nikisch with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Nikisch throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Banks blocks it with crossed arms.
Nikisch tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Banks avoids it.
Nikisch looking to throw knees to the head but Banks is blocking nicely.
Nikisch crunches a lovely knee into Banks's ribcage.
Nikisch tries to land a knee to the head but Banks blocks with his arms.
Banks can't get the takedown.
Nikisch lands a knee to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikisch throws a knee to the head but misses.
Nikisch tries to land a knee to the head but Banks blocks with his arms.

Banks has picked Nikisch up - he's going for a ride! Banks dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nikisch is looking to escape.
Nikisch is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Banks scores with a couple of nice shots.
Banks lands with a punch from half guard.
Nikisch taking some punishment here, with Banks in his half guard.

Nikisch makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Nikisch works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Nikisch uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Banks has time to react.
Nikisch tries to clinch but Banks is having none of it.
Banks shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Nikisch counters by moving into the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nikisch lands a nice uppercut.
Nikisch with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Nikisch lands a nice elbow.
Nikisch tries to land a knee to the head but Banks blocks with his arms.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Art Nikisch dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Nikisch misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Banks takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Nikisch lands a head shot.
Banks shoots and misses
and Nikisch counters with a series of strikes. Banks will be more careful next time no doubt.
Banks shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Nikisch counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Banks is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Nikisch scores with a head kick.
Nikisch throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Banks's head.
Nikisch goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Banks gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Nikisch counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Art Nikisch has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bryan Banks.

Nikisch closes the distance and clinches.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Nikisch with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

Nikisch's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Banks with a poor takedown
and Nikisch counters with a head kick. That will keep Banks thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Donk. Nikisch catches Banks right on the button with a cross.

Nikisch moves into the clinch successfully.
Nikisch with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikisch is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Banks jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Nikisch walks away with a smile on his face. Banks gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Nikisch throws a head kick that misses.
Banks gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Nikisch connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Banks fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Nikisch is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Banks can do to turn this around?
Banks takes a kick to the side of the head.
Banks avoids the head kick by Nikisch.

Nikisch gets caught flat footed, as Banks shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Nikisch wants to stand and escape but Banks is having none of it.
Banks working some strikes from top position.
Nikisch wants to get back to his feet but Banks is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Banks wants to pass the guard but Nikisch is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nikisch wants to stand up but Banks is controlling him.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Banks changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Nikisch tries to avoid it but Banks manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Nikisch to the ground. Nikisch escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Banks takes a kick to the side of the head.
Banks shoots and misses

and Nikisch counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Nikisch lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Banks backwards.
Banks wants a takedown.
Nikisch scores with a knee to the head.
Nikisch creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Banks's defenses.

Nikisch breaks the clinch.

Nikisch gets caught flat footed, as Banks shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Banks in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Banks is looking to work some ground and pound but Nikisch has wrist control.
Banks working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikisch is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Banks is controlling him.
Banks chips away with some ground and pound.
Banks wants to pass the guard but Nikisch is keeping the position.
Nikisch wants to get back to his feet but Banks is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Banks doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Nikisch holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Nikisch landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Banks drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Nikisch gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Nikisch tries to land a knee to the head but Banks blocks with his arms.
Nikisch tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Banks is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Nikisch throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Banks blocks it with crossed arms.
Nikisch is pressed up against the ropes. Banks has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Nikisch down to the mat. Nikisch avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Nikisch scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Banks shoots in for a takedown but Nikisch shows good takedown defense.
Nikisch scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Banks doesn't seem bothered though.

Nikisch gets a clinch.
Nikisch with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

Nikisch breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Banks closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Banks lands in his opponent's guard.
Banks throws a big right hand that misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nikisch wants to stand but Banks is controlling the position.
Banks landing with the ground and pound.
Nikisch working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Banks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Art Nikisch dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Banks avoids the head kick by Nikisch.
Nikisch connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Banks shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Nikisch as he avoids it easily.
Nikisch lands a high kick!
Banks rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Nikisch moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Nikisch rushes Banks and presses him up against the ropes.
Nikisch misses with a knee strike.
Nikisch using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Nikisch with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Banks tries for a takedown. No joy.
Nikisch using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Banks has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Nikisch using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Banks has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Banks goes for a takedown attempt but Nikisch pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Art Nikisch has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bryan Banks.
Nikisch punishes Banks's body with a nice straight punch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Banks looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Nikisch!
Nikisch really wants to buck Banks off and get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banks cracks Nikisch with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Banks lands a nice shot to the head.
Nikisch wants to get back to his feet.
Banks fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!

Banks is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Nikisch is surviving well by controlling Banks's body position as best he can.
Nikisch is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Nikisch here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Banks raining down shots from the mount!
Banks cracks Nikisch with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.

That's two 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.
Nikisch trying desperately to get to his feet.
Banks has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Banks lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Banks scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Nikisch?
Banks misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Nikisch is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Banks lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Nikisch is trying to stand.
Banks unloading with bombs!
Nikisch wants to try and get back to his feet.
Banks lands a heavy elbow.
Nikisch is trying to get to the ropes to help him get back to his feet.
Nikisch trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Banks lands a big shot there that rocks Nikisch but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Nikisch wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banks landing strikes from the mount.
Banks throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Nikisch because Banks loaded up on that one.
Nikisch squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Banks landing shots from mount.
Banks lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
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.
Nikisch really wants to buck Banks off and get back to his feet.
Banks cracks Nikisch with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Banks with the ground and pound from mount.
Banks throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Nikisch because Banks loaded up on that one.
You get the feeling that Nikisch really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Banks in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Nikisch takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Nikisch really wants to buck Banks off and get back to his feet.
The referee warns Nikisch that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Banks thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Nikisch wants to try and get back to his feet.
Bryan Banks has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Banks landing strikes from the mount and Nikisch is in trouble!
Nikisch tries to buck Banks off but he can't manage it.
Banks looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Banks connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Bryan Banks has got the better of the ground game so far.
You get the feeling that Nikisch really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Nikisch taking shots to the head.
Banks has his opponent pinned against the ropes, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Nikisch's face.
Nikisch is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bryan Banks comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Nikisch 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Art Nikisch!