PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Steve Galapago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ashley Banjo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Steve Galapago could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Ashley Banjo's chin.

Galapago
vs
Banjo

176 cm
20
170 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

190 cm
22
170 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Great elbows
Good in bed

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Steve Galapago!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Ashley Banjo!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Andrew Berry and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Galapago.
Banjo ducks under a wild hook from Galapago.
Banjo defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Galapago.

Banjo scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Galapago is breathing heavily.
Banjo takes a little break here. Galapago wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.

Banjo stands up.

Banjo is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Galapago's half guard.
Banjo takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banjo is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Ashley Banjo.

Galapago gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Banjo to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Banjo sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Banjo trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Banjo is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Galapago being controlled here, momentarily.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Ashley Banjo.

Banjo drives through with a takedown into guard.

Banjo stands and steps away. Galapago gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Galapago misses with a takedown

and Banjo decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Galapago's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banjo not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Banjo trying to stand up but can't free himself from Galapago's guard.
Galapago can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Banjo controls the pace.

Banjo stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Banjo looks for a takedown but Galapago sprawls well.
Galapago misses with a hook.

Banjo clinches with his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Galapago misses with an elbow over the top.
Banjo tries to pull guard but Galapago won't allow it.
Galapago drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Banjo gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steve Galapago. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Banjo tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Banjo changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Galapago fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Galapago tries to clinch

and Banjo counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Galapago slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Banjo looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Banjo really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Galapago. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Banjo with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ashley Banjo dominated that round.
That's time! Galapago's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Banjo looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Galapago!

Banjo is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Galapago has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Galapago!
Galapago trying to control the position from guard on top but Banjo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Banjo seems keen to control Galapago's posture.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Banjo pushes Galapago off and gets back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Banjo.

Banjo is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Galapago has escaped the position, nice work there.
Banjo is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Galapago's shoulder. That is not cool.

Banjo looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Banjo working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Banjo controlling the position from side mount.
Galapago is looking for a sweep.
Galapago stops Banjo from passing to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Galapago's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Banjo takes a little break here. Galapago wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Banjo tries to advance to mount but Galapago denies him.
Banjo is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Galapago will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Galapago might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Galapago is trying to control Banjo's posture but Banjo avoids it.
Galapago tries to get back to half guard but can't.
You can see the frustration on Galapago's face as Banjo controls the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Ashley Banjo was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Banjo looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Galapago!
Banjo landing strikes from the mount.
Galapago is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ashley Banjo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Banjo shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Galapago's guard.
Banjo sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Galapago wants to sweep here but Banjo controlling him for the moment.
Galapago wants to get back to his feet but Banjo is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Banjo keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Galapago's head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Galapago can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Banjo controls the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banjo's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Ashley Banjo has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Banjo closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Galapago is trying to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Banjo trying to control the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Galapago trying to hold on to Banjo's head to control him but Banjo postures up.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Galapago checks a leg kick.

Banjo feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Banjo wants to stand and escape but instead Galapago has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Galapago avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Banjo is pulling down on Galapago's head to control his posture.
Galapago preventing the sweep.
Banjo doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

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

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.
Banjo looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Galapago trying to control the position from guard on top but Banjo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Banjo wants to get back to his feet but Galapago is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Galapago throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Banjo works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Steve Galapago has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ashley Banjo is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Galapago postures up in Banjo's guard and throws a big left but Banjo blocks it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ashley Banjo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Banjo 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ashley Banjo!