PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Wayne Banner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mateus Allen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mateus Allen has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Banner
vs
Allen

171 cm
24
136 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

165 cm
25
149 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

Decent wrestler
Decent elbows
Very quick

Good wrestler
Brawler
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Wayne Banner!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mateus Allen!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Cecil Peabody and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Allen shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Banner is trying to defend but Allen finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Allen controlling the action here.
Allen seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Allen sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Banner trying to hold on to Allen's head to control him but Allen postures up.
Allen is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banner tries to roll over but Allen keeps him under control.
Banner is refusing to be controlled, as Allen sits in half guard.
Allen lands with a punch from half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Allen lands a nice short elbow.
Allen sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Banner avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Allen.
Banner is looking to control Allen's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Banner avoid being mounted?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Allen tries to pass the half guard into mount. Banner knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Allen missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Allen not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Allen throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Allen throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Banner blocking the ground and pound attempt from Allen.
Allen thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Banner's head.
Banner is breathing heavily.
Allen thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Banner's head.
Banner is staying active underneath Allen, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Allen not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Allen not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Allen tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Banner.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Allen sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Banner defending well though.
Allen controlling the pace.
Allen is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Allen sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Banner defending well though.

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.
Allen tries to stand but can't do so whilst Banner controls his leg.
Banner is refusing to be controlled, as Allen sits in half guard.
Allen keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Allen thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Banner's head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
It looks like Allen is going to stand back up.
Allen not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mateus Allen dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Allen shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Banner's guard.
Allen thows a big elbow that misses.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Allen accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Allen thows a big elbow that misses.
Allen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Allen trying to control the position from guard on top but Banner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Allen throws a big right hand that misses.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Allen wants to stand but Banner has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Allen trying to control but Banner is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Allen throwing strikes from guard but Banner blocks nicely.
Banner tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Allen wants to control from the top but Banner keeps moving.
Allen is working Banner over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Allen is looking to work some ground and pound but Banner has wrist control.
Allen postures up in Banner's guard and throws a big left but Banner blocks it.
Allen is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Allen working some strikes from top position.
Allen missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Allen lands a couple of digs.
Allen wanted to stand there but Banner had control of the position.
Allen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Allen throwing strikes from guard but Banner blocks nicely.
Allen thows a big elbow that misses.
Allen trying to control the position from guard on top but Banner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Allen's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Allen trying to control the position from guard on top but Banner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Allen looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Allen loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Allen thows a big elbow that misses.
Banner is trying to keep Allen in close.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Allen engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Mateus Allen has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Allen gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Banner counters with a straight right hand.

Allen 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.

Allen stands up and waves to Banner to follow him.
Allen shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Banner counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Allen misses with a takedown
and Banner counters with a stiff right hand.
Wayne Banner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mateus Allen.
Allen doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

Banner shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mateus Allen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Banner fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Allen sprawls well initially but Banner persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Banner is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Banner prevents Allen from standing back up.
Banner throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Banner drops an elbow to the side of Allen's head.
Allen pushes Banner off looking to stand but Banner dives back in and keeps control.
Banner scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Allen looks like he's trying to stand up.
Banner looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Allen with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Banner drops an elbow to the side of Allen's head.
Allen is trying to stand.
Banner is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Banner lands a nice short elbow.
Allen has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Allen wants to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Allen won't allow Banner to pass to mount.

Allen has one foot on Banner's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Allen is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Banner.
Allen misses with a takedown attempt

and Banner counters with a shoot takedown. Allen fights it but they end up in guard.
Banner postures up in Allen's guard and throws a big left but Allen blocks it.
Banner has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Allen wants to stand up but Banner is controlling him.
Banner throwing strikes from guard but Allen blocks nicely.
Allen utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Allen scrambles and gets back to his feet.

Banner changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Allen looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Mateus Allen has got the better of the ground game so far.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Allen is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Banner lands a few punches from side control.
Banner is putting a hurting on Allen here, landing some big shots from side control.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Banner misses with the ground and pound.
Allen is pushing Banner's head away, looking to escape. Banner manages to hold on to the position though.
Banner lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Banner scores with a couple of short elbows.
Allen is trying to get back to his feet.
Banner trying to control the action but Allen is working from the bottom.
Allen tries to escape but Banner is in control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banner is working Allen over with some ground and pound from side control.

Allen throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!

Banner shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Allen is trying to defend but Banner finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Banner prevents Allen from standing back up.

Allen kicks off Banner and gets to his feet.
Allen with a poor takedown

and Banner counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Allen tries to kick Banner off but Banner keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Allen is staying active underneath Banner, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Banner missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Banner throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Allen has one foot on Banner's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Mateus Allen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Allen shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Banner decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Allen's guard.
Wayne Banner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mateus Allen.

Allen pushes Banner off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Allen with a lazy takedown attempt
and Banner counters with a three punch combo that has Allen backing up. Allen nods at Banner to acknowledge the strikes.
Allen tries for a takedown but Banner circles away easily

and Banner counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Banner sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Allen defending well though.

Allen makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!

Allen shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Allen showed some decent athleticism there.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Allen not landing any meaningful shots this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wayne Banner clearly takes 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.

Banner gets a takedown into half guard.
Allen tries to kick Banner off but Banner keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Banner lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Banner throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Allen tries to kick Banner off but Banner keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Allen avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Banner.
Allen wants to get back to his feet.
Banner wants to lay and pray for a moment but Allen keeps working.
Allen wants to get back to his feet.
Banner throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Banner seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Banner lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Banner scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Allen avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Banner.
Banner stops Allen from getting back to his feet.
Banner working Allen over with strikes.
Banner prevents Allen from standing back up.
Banner drops an elbow to the side of Allen's head.
Allen pushes Banner off looking to stand but Banner dives back in and keeps control.
Allen is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Banner is trying to control the action in half guard but Allen is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Banner prevents Allen from standing back up.
Allen avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Banner.
Allen wants to get back to his feet.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Allen can do anything to dispel that myth.
Banner slips a nice elbow through Allen's hands, connecting with Allen's forehead.
Allen wants to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Banner missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Banner prevents Allen from standing back up.
Banner thows a huge punch but Allen dodges it nicely.
Banner missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Banner missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Allen keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Allen kicks Banner off and gets back to his feet.
Banner scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

Allen scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Allen throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Allen misses with a head shot. Banner uses the momentum to regain guard.
Allen trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banner working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Allen.
Banner is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Allen is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Allen thows a big elbow that misses.
Allen scoring with some ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Allen accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Allen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Allen postures up in Banner's guard and throws a big left but Banner blocks it.
Allen chips away with some ground and pound.
Allen trying to control but Banner is working from the bottom.
Allen postures up in Banner's guard and throws a big left but Banner blocks it.
Allen with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Allen throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Banner works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Banner preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Allen content to stall in guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Mateus Allen will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Allen closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Banner did well to prevent Allen getting side control.
Allen trying to control the action but Banner is working from the bottom.
Allen perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Allen is looking to take a break and control but Banner is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Mateus Allen hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Allen gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Allen is looking to stand up but Banner isn't so interested in that idea.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banner is stalling in the full guard.
Allen is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Banner with a flurry of punches that miss.
Banner throws a big right hand that misses.
Banner is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Banner postures up in Allen's guard and throws a big left but Allen blocks it.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Banner accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Allen wants to get back to his feet but Banner is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Banner accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Banner is looking to work some ground and pound but Allen has wrist control.
Allen wants to stand but Banner is controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Mateus Allen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Banner tries to free his leg and advance position but Allen is retaining full guard.
Banner won't allow Allen to get back to his feet.
Banner is in close to Allen's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Banner prevents Allen from getting back to his feet.
Banner in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Banner postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Allen wants to stand but Banner is controlling the position.
Allen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Allen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Banner.
Allen wants to stand but Banner is controlling the position.
Banner controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Allen wants to stand and escape but Banner is having none of it.
Banner working some strikes from top position.
Banner won't allow Allen to get back to his feet.
Banner scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Allen wants to get back to his feet but Banner is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Banner chips away with some ground and pound.
Banner forces his way into half guard.
Banner drops an elbow to the side of Allen's head.
Banner not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Banner throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Banner prevents Allen from standing back up.
Banner drops an elbow to the side of Allen's head.
Allen tries to kick Banner off but Banner keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Banner scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Allen is trying to stand back up but Banner is controlling him
Banner passes to full mount!
Banner landing strikes from the mount and Allen is in trouble!
Wayne Banner has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Poor strikes thrown by Banner there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Allen is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Wayne Banner showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Allen has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 47:48
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 47:48
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mateus Allen!
Mateus Allen is the new bantamweight champion!