PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Robert Oak (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eric Bana (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Robert Oak has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Oak
vs
Bana

187 cm
23
189 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

195 cm
19
180 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
KO power

Good wrestler
Brawler
Powerful

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 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Robert Oak!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Eric Bana!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Russell Pearce and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bana swats away the attempt to clinch by Oak.
Oak connects with an inside leg kick.
Oak chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Bana will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Bana takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Bana fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
A slapping leg kick lands for Oak.
Oak looks to land a combination. Bana sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Bana on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Bana is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Bana fails to land the takedown.
Robert Oak has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eric Bana.

Bana feints and as Oak raises his hands in defense, Bana changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Bana must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Oak controlling the position.
Bana wants to control from the top but Oak keeps moving.
Bana won't allow Oak to get back to his feet.
Bana wants to pass the guard but Oak is keeping the position.
Bana being controlled here momentarily.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
A combination from Oak does no damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oak lands with an overhand left.
Oak misses with the combination.

Oak forces Bana back against the cage and clinches.
Oak prevents the takedown attempt.
Bana looks gassed!
Oak connects with a knee to the head.
Oak looking to throw knees to the head but Bana is blocking nicely.
Oak connects with a nasty looking knee right to Bana's face.
Oak with a knee to the head.
Oak connects with a knee to the head.
Oak tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Oak manages to break the clinch.
Oak lands with a kick to the ribs.
Oak misses with a few strikes there.
Oak closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Oak blocks the body kick.
Oak fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Oak lands a nice leg kick that just misses Bana's sensitive parts.
Bana ducks right into an uppercut from Oak.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bana takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Oak lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Bana at a distance.
Oak lands with a nice body punch.
Oak fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Bana has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Oak scores with a leg kick.
A slapping body kick lands there for Oak.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bana takes a kick to the side of the head.
A left and a right from Oak both land. Nice combination.
Oak moves into range and connects with a jab.
Oak moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Oak throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Oak displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Oak scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Oak cracks the inside of Bana's front leg.
Oak listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Oak lands a jab to the nose.
Oak connects with a solid leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oak pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Bana back to the cage. Oak follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Bana moves forwards but Oak connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Oak lands a head kick!
Oak lands a nice leg kick that just misses Bana's sensitive parts.
Oak is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Oak uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Danga de danga de dang - Oak scores with a four punch combination!
Bana walks into a stiff left hand from Oak.
Oak feints and then cracks Bana's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Bana down.
Oak lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Oak lands a body shot.
Bana is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Oak.
Oak lands a two punch combo.
Oak works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Bana has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Jab by Oak.
Oak lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
A chopping leg kick lands by Oak.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Oak turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
The fighters circle momentarily. Oak darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Left hook, right uppercut from Oak.
Bana looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
A good leg kick by Oak.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Oak lands a jab-cross combination.
Oak goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Oak bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

Oak closes the distance and clinches.
Oak lands with a left to the head.
Bana's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Oak with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Oak landing knees to the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bana throws an elbow that misses.

Oak breaks the clinch.
Oak is working the combinations to good effect here.
Oak jabs Bana to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Bana takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Bana tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Oak manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robert Oak dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Oak moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

Bana bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Bana is looking to take a break and control but Oak is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Oak gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Bana throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Oak is trying to control but can't.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Bana trying to control from half guard but Oak is working away.
Oak trying to control here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Oak is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Bana pulls his head out easily.
Oak trying to hold on to Bana's head to control him but Bana postures up.

Oak kicks off Bana and gets to his feet.
Bana takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

Bana scores a takedown into full mount!
Oak tries to hold on but Bana postures up.
Poor strikes thrown by Bana there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Bana won't let Oak get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Oak tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Oak is working hard here to advance position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bana lands a big elbow.
Oak is looking to get to half guard.
Bana can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Oak is looking to escape.
Oak sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Bana is looking to take a break and control but Oak is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Bana prevents Oak from standing back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oak controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Bana trying to control the action but Oak is working from the bottom.

Oak actively working from the bottom here.
Bana is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Eric Bana was stalling too much, according to the referee.
A good leg kick by Oak.
Bana moves forwards but Oak connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Robert Oak is winning the standup battle so far.
Oak tries to bum rush Bana with a series of wild strikes but Bana uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Bana takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Bana shoots in for a takedown but Oak shows good takedown defense.
Oak connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

That's four 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.
Oak scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Oak lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Oak looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Oak lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Oak rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Bana moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Oak stuffs the takedown.

Oak has closed the distance and engaged Bana in a clinch.
Oak tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Oak tries to land a knee to the head but Bana blocks with his arms.
Oak gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Bana.
Robert Oak has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eric Bana.
Oak scores with a knee to the head.
Bana wants to break free but Oak has control.
Oak with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Oak with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Oak obliges.
Bana looking to stall.
Oak tries a knee to the head but Bana blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Robert Oak will probably get the nod.
That's time! Oak's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Bana fails to land the takedown.
Bana fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Oak manages to avoid it.
Good standup being displayed there by Oak as he connects with a hook.
Bana shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Oak but Oak pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Oak moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Oak scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

Oak gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A knee to the head by Oak.
Oak throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Bana blocks it with crossed arms.
Oak with a knee to the head.
A knee to the head by Oak.
Bana has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Oak avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Robert Oak has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eric Bana.
Oak misses with a knee strike.
Oak keeps control of Bana as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Oak throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Bana blocks it with crossed arms.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Oak tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Bana tries to pull guard but Oak won't allow it.
Oak connects with a knee to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oak tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Bana tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Oak just stands there and leans against the cage.
Oak can't break the clinch.
Oak tries a knee to the head but Bana blocks it.
Oak tries to land a knee to the head but Bana blocks with his arms.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Oak lands a good knee to the midsection. Bana won't want to take too many of those.
Bana is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Bana changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Oak fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Robert Oak seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Oak lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Bana backs up against the cage.

Bana decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Bana wants to control but Oak is keeping him busy.
Oak pushes Bana off looking to stand but Bana dives back in and keeps control.
Oak is trying to maintain the position but Bana is very close to passing his half guard.
Robert Oak is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oak is doing well to control the position and prevent Bana from advancing to side control.

Oak manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Oak looks to land a combination but Bana avoids it well.
Bana shoots in for a takedown but Oak shows good takedown defense.
Oak turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Oak moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Oak rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Bana moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Bana misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Oak displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

Oak instigates a clinch.
Oak connects with a nasty looking knee right to Bana's face.
Oak looking to throw knees to the head but Bana is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bana goes for a takedown in the clinch but Oak prevents it.
Oak lands a knee to the head.
Oak prevents a takedown attempt there.
Oak scores a nice knee to the body.
Oak lands a knee to the head.
Oak connects with a knee to the head.
Bana has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Oak putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Bana in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Oak tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
A knee to the head by Oak.
Oak lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

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.
Oak tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Bana looking to stall.
Bana fails to pull guard.
Oak landing knees to the head.
Bana tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Oak's elbow.
Bana wants to break the clinch but can't.
Oak landing knees to the head.
A knee to the head by Oak.
Bana throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Oak connects with a nasty looking knee right to Bana's face.
Eric Bana has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Oak connects with a nasty looking knee right to Bana's face.
Oak landing knees to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Robert Oak showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Oak, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 John Roberts scores the fight 30:28
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 30:26
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Robert Oak!