PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Richard Nixon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marco Banfo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Nixon
vs
Banfo

190 cm
23
195 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

175 cm
23
178 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Big right hand

Dangerous GnP
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Richard Nixon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Marco Banfo!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nixon throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Banfo lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Nixon backs up against the cage.

Banfo gets the takedown into side control.
Sloppy strikes there by Banfo.
Nixon pushes Banfo away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Banfo gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Banfo trying to control the position but Nixon is working away.

Banfo is trying to get an arm triangle but Nixon is defending well.
Nixon is pushing Banfo's head away, looking to escape. Banfo manages to hold on to the position though.
Banfo is working Nixon over with some ground and pound from side control.
Nixon is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Banfo asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Nixon knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Banfo on the ground.
Banfo just content to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banfo trying to control the action but Nixon is working from the bottom.
Nixon takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Banfo working the ground and pound.
Banfo working the ground and pound but Nixon is defending the strikes.
Banfo is working Nixon over with some ground and pound from side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nixon avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Banfo.

Banfo wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Nixon, who protects the arm well.
Banfo misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Banfo working the head and body with strikes.
Nixon wants to get back to his feet but Banfo is dominant here and he's now got Nixon's back!

Nixon showing good submission defense here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Banfo throwing sloppy strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banfo lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns Nixon.

Nixon defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Banfo's arms.

Banfo is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Nixon defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Banfo looks gassed!
Nixon staying busy and making it hard for Banfo to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nixon covering up well and avoiding damage.
Nixon trying to get back to his feet but Banfo is in full control for now.
Banfo thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.
Banfo connects with a series of strikes and the referee is calling for Nixon to escape the position.
Banfo scores with punches and elbows.
Banfo has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Banfo lands punches and elbows.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Even with his hooks in, Banfo manages to miss with strikes from the back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marco Banfo dominated that 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.

Nixon throws a combination that misses
and Banfo counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Nixon throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Banfo sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Nixon misses with a wild body shot.
Nixon swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Nixon throws a nice looking combination but Banfo bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Banfo is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Nixon's half guard.
Banfo stalling away here and it's allowed Nixon to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Banfo throws a big right hand that misses.

Banfo thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Banfo throwing strikes but missing.
Banfo postures up in Nixon's guard and throws a big left but Nixon blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nixon can't keep his opponent in guard - Banfo advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Banfo is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Banfo throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Banfo thows a huge punch but Nixon dodges it nicely.
Banfo wants to lay and pray for a moment but Nixon keeps working.
Banfo is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Banfo missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Nixon is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Banfo scores with a couple of nice shots.

Banfo is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Nixon sees it coming and defends easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Banfo is breathing heavily.
Banfo trying to control the action but Nixon is working from the bottom.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Banfo fails with a takedown attempt.
Nixon lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Nixon misses with a jab, cross combination.
Nixon swinging wildly here.
Nixon getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Nixon lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Banfo closes the distance and clinches up with Nixon, looking for a takedown. Banfo pushes Nixon against the cage but Nixon circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Nixon takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nixon defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Banfo.
Richard Nixon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marco Banfo.
Banfo shoots for a takedown but Nixon saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Nixon lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Nixon throws a series of punches but Banfo moves out of range.
Banfo slips a jab and a cross from Nixon.
Nixon misses with a series of wild punches.
Nixon misses with a double jab
enabling Banfo to counter with a crisp jab.
Some wild striking there from Nixon.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Nixon throws a right and a left that both miss.
Banfo throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Nixon.
Nixon lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Banfo closes the distance and clinches up with Nixon, looking for a takedown. Banfo pushes Nixon against the cage but Nixon circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Banfo.
A jab lands there for Nixon.
Nixon swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Nixon connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
A combination from Nixon does no damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nixon connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Nixon cracks Banfo with an open hand slap.
Nixon rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Banfo moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Banfo looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Nixon is fending him off so far but Banfo persists. Nope, Nixon circles away and we're back to standing.
Nixon throws a combination that misses

so Banfo counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Nixon wants to stand but Banfo is controlling the position.
Banfo throwing strikes from guard but Nixon blocks nicely.
Banfo stops Nixon from standing up.
Nixon working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Banfo.
Banfo lands a couple of elbows.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marco Banfo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Banfo tries to score a power double leg takedown but Nixon sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Banfo somewhat.
Banfo lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Richard Nixon is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Danga de danga de dang - Nixon scores with a four punch combination!
Banfo throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Nixon misses with a wild combination.
Nixon is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Nixon throws a right hand that Banfo ducks under and follows up with a left that Banfo also avoids with ease.
Nixon misses with a jab, cross combination.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Banfo is defended easily by Nixon.
A combination from Nixon does no damage.
Banfo looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Nixon is fending him off so far but Banfo persists. Nope, Nixon circles away and we're back to standing.
Richard Nixon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marco Banfo.
Nixon misses with the combination.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nixon swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Banfo throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Nixon lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Banfo circles away quickly and effectively.
Banfo looks to score with a jab to the body but Nixon is just out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nixon throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

Banfo shoots in and bounces Nixon off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Banfo trying to control but Nixon is working from the bottom.
Nixon wants to stand and escape but Banfo is having none of it.
Banfo throwing strikes from guard but Nixon blocks nicely.
Banfo postures up and lands a big shot to Nixon's brow.
Banfo throwing strikes from guard but Nixon blocks nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Banfo throwing strikes but missing.
Banfo is stalling in the full guard.
Banfo prevents Nixon from getting back to his feet.
Banfo looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Nixon avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banfo prevents Nixon from getting back to his feet.
Banfo trying to control but Nixon is working from the bottom.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Banfo misses with a two punch combination.
Horrible takedown by Banfo or perhaps it was just good defense by Nixon which made him look bad.
Banfo shoots in looking for a takedown. Nixon tries to sprawl out of it but Banfo keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Nixon manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Richard Nixon is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Banfo waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Nixon.
Richard Nixon has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Marco Banfo is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Nixon will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Nixon looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Banfo uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Nixon.
Nice takedown defense from Nixon. No joy for Banfo on that attempt.
Nixon moves away from the strike by Banfo.
Nixon swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Banfo counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Banfo tries to free his leg and advance position but Nixon is retaining full guard.
Banfo wants to control from the top but Nixon keeps moving.
Banfo tries to free his leg and advance position but Nixon is retaining full guard.
Nixon trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Nixon keeping moving, preventing Banfo from controlling successfully.

Nixon is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marco Banfo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Banfo 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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 26:30
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 26:30
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marco Banfo!