PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jamii Banana (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan IV (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jamii Banana had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Banana
vs
IV

175 cm
21
179 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

177 cm
20
180 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

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 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jamii Banana!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan IV!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Konstantin Menshow and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
IV tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Banana swivels and escapes.

IV fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Banana, pushing him back against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Banana fails to land.

Banana's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Banana misses with a straight right.
IV with a lazy takedown attempt
and Banana counters with a stiff right hand.
A slow jab from Banana misses its intended target.

Banana gets caught napping as IV dives in and scores a takedown. Banana manages to retain guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

Banana is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
IV wants to control from the top but Banana keeps moving.

Banana is looking for a triangle but IV pushes his legs off easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
This has been an exciting period of action!
IV scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Banana is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Banana has his foot on IV's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. IV works his way back into a safe position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Banana is looking for a triangle but IV pushes his legs off easily.

IV gets to his feet - Banana follows without any prompting.
Banana misses with a looping left.
IV lands a right hook to the body.
Banana looks to land a right hand but IV moved out of range.
Banana fakes high and swings low for a body shot but IV manages to avoid it.
IV misses with a wild body shot.
Banana waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract IV.
Banana misses with an uppercut.
Banana throws a combination but it was largely blocked by IV.
Banana misses with a hook
and IV counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Banana throws an off balance right hand
and IV connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Banana connects with a right hand. IV shakes it off.
Nice shot lands for Banana.
Banana is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
IV paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Jamii Banana is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
IV avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Jamii Banana seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Banana lands a nice shot that snaps IV's head back.
IV fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Banana manages to avoid it.
Banana takes a swing at IV's ribcage but misses.
Banana throws a shot from downtown. IV moves away and avoids it.
Danga de danga de dang - Banana scores with a four punch combination!

IV closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Banana to the mat! Banana manages to get full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
IV throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Banana works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

IV avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
IV trying to control but Banana is working from the bottom.
Banana is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
IV has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Banana is working away from the top position though.

Banana is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Banana missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
IV is looking to control Banana's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can IV avoid being mounted?
Banana prevents IV from improving his position.

Banana is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Banana is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so IV is just riding it out for now. Banana eventually gives up the hold.
IV moves into full guard.
Banana trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Banana looking to pass the guard.

Banana is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
IV is pulling down on Banana's head to control his posture.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jamii Banana dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

IV doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Banana getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Banana throws a combination that misses
and IV counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Banana moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Banana rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but IV moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
IV is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Banana rather than just go for the knockout.
Banana fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
IV shoots in for a takedown but Banana shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Banana throws a jab but it's blocked by IV.
Banana uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from IV.
Banana misses with a left hand
and IV cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
IV shoots in looking for a takedown but Banana manages to keep the fight standing, pushing IV's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Banana closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Banana throws a poor cross that misses
and IV counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
IV fails with a takedown attempt.
Jamii Banana has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ivan IV.
Banana sizes up IV with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
IV walks into a straight right hand from Banana.
Banana connects with a single shot there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
IV works over Banana's head and body with a nice combination.
IV has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from IV there as he acknowledges the shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Banana misses the jab.
Banana loads up on a big right hand but IV slips the punch.
Banana lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Banana throws a big shot that misses.
IV tries to clinch there but Banana circles away.
Banana works over IV's head and body with a nice combination.
IV throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Banana's waist but Banana gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing IV off to one side.
A jab from Banana misses.
Banana fakes a jab and throws a low kick but IV checks it well.
IV moves out of range of the strikes.
IV slips under a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banana throws a nice looking combination but IV bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Banana paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Banana throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Banana misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from IV.
Banana throws a good cross that connects.
IV displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Banana throws out the jab.
IV misses with a double jab
and Banana counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Banana misses with a straight left.
Banana lands with an overhand left.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
IV keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Banana scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Banana goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Banana lands a jab to the head.
IV stuns Banana with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Banana connects with a crisp jab.

IV clinches up with Banana and pushes him back against the cage.
IV tries to stall but Banana uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Banana stalling in the clinch but IV improves position.
A short left from Banana.
Banana lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jamii Banana dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

IV tries to move into range but Banana moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Banana misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Banana throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
IV jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Banana lands a nice looking body shot.
Nice shot lands for Banana.
Banana misses with a body shot.
IV tries to clinch there but Banana circles away.
Banana looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Banana throws a hook to the side of IV's head but IV sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
IV has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
IV takes one to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banana throws a good cross that connects.
Banana throws out a loose jab but IV uses good head movement to avoid it.
Banana swings and misses with a hook to the body.
IV will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Banana throws a combination that misses
and IV counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Banana connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
IV pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
IV showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Banana.
IV avoids the body shot from Banana.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Banana misses with a lunging right hand

and IV counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Banana keeping moving, preventing IV from controlling successfully.

Banana is looking for a triangle but IV pushes his legs off easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Banana trying to control the position.
IV wants to control from the top but Banana keeps moving.
Banana avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
IV wants to pass the guard but Banana is keeping the position.
IV trying to control but Banana is working from the bottom.
Banana wants to sweep but no luck.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
IV trying to control the position from guard on top but Banana is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ivan IV has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Banana misses with a series of wild punches.
Jamii Banana is winning the standup battle so far.
Banana throws a lazy right hand but IV sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
IV closes the distance and clinches up with Banana, looking for a takedown. IV pushes Banana against the cage but Banana circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Ivan IV has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
IV tries to clinch
and Banana counters with a straight right hand.
Banana scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Banana works IV's body with a nice hook.
Banana uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before IV has time to react.
IV takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Jamii Banana is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

IV gets the takedown into side control.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
IV takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
IV in the domination position with Banana hanging on.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Banana is trying to control IV's posture but IV avoids it.
Banana is looking to regain half guard here but IV keeps moving and retains side control.
Banana wants to control but IV postures up.
Banana sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Banana is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of IV's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take IV's back!

Banana is looking for the choke from the back position but IV is controlling his hands well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Banana is working the back position looking for the choke. Oh, he's slid into an armbar! Beautiful transition and IV taps out! Fantastic Jiu Jitsu from Banana.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Jamii Banana!
A victorious Jamii Banana thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.