PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Scott Banks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rodniel Romero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Banks's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Tech N9ne- Slacker . Romero has chosen Kanye West - Amazing as his entrance music. Scott Banks has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Banks
vs
Romero

187 cm
30
181 lbs
13 - 10 - 0

176 cm
29
180 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 13 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Scott Banks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rodniel Romero!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Paulo Santos and Luis Engracia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Banks will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Banks throws a body punch but Romero moves out of range.
A combination from Romero does no damage.
Romero fails to land with a series of punches.
The crowd cheers as Banks lands an impressive looking overhand right. Romero doesn't seem phased though.

It looks like Rodniel Romero has been cut.
A combination from Romero does no damage.
Romero misses with a head kick.
Romero misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Banks. Romero does a little dance to reset his feet.
Romero takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Banks tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Romero was well out of range. Poor timing from Banks.
Banks misses with the combination.
Banks walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Romero checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Romero looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Banks is fending him off so far but Romero persists. Nope, Banks circles away and we're back to standing.
Romero getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Romero checks a low kick from Banks.
Romero moves out of range of the strikes.
Banks swinging wildly here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banks listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Banks sizes up Romero with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Romero misses with a takedown attempt - Banks sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Romero gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Romero tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Romero wants a takedown.
Scott Banks has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rodniel Romero.
Banks is trying to force a seperation but Romero has the dominant position.
Banks is looking to break free of the clinch but Romero has double underhooks.
Banks is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Romero misses with a knee to the head.
Romero misses with a short punch on the inside.
Banks tries to break free but Romero pushes him back against the cage.
Banks has had enough of the clinch but Romero keeps him there for the moment.

Romero breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Romero fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Romero uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Banks.
Romero throws a head kick that misses.
Banks misses with an uppercut. Romero saw that one coming.
No luck for Romero with that takedown attempt.
Romero blocks a head kick by Banks.
Romero tests Banks's chin there with a solid looking shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A looping hook to the body misses from Banks. Romero does a little dance to reset his feet.
Banks is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Banks tries a low kick but Romero avoids it.
Banks ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Romero moves away.
Romero throws a jab when Banks was well out of range.
Romero lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Banks circles away quickly and effectively.
Banks misses with an uppercut. Romero saw that one coming.
Banks misses with a hook.
Romero throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banks misses with a few strikes there.
Banks circles away from the clinch attempt.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Romero.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Romero tries for a kimura but Banks is defending well.

Romero tries for a kimura but Banks is defending well.
Romero working away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Banks tries to bench press Romero off him but Romero keeps the position.

Romero tries for a kimura but Banks is defending well.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Banks is looking to reverse the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Banks wants to control but Romero postures up.
Banks tries to improve position but can't.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
A lull in the action here as Romero stalls from top position.
Romero cracks Banks with a big right hand but Banks just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Romero cracks Banks with a big right hand but Banks just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Banks is not content to let Romero control the position.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Banks wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Banks on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Banks tries to get out of the position.
Romero works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Romero wants to control but Banks is keeping him busy.

Romero is trying to get an arm triangle but Banks is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rodniel Romero dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Rodniel Romero's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Banks stuffs the takedown.
Banks throws a lazy head kick
and Romero counters with a low kick, right behind Banks 's knee.
Romero tries to clinch up.
Romero fails with a takedown attempt.
Banks moves out of range of the body kick.
Banks thows a body shot but no joy.
Banks showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Romero.
Romero scores with a head kick. Banks tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Banks looks to land a right hand but Romero moved out of range.
Banks looks to throw the jab but Romero is out of range.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Banks crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Romero - the referee stops the clock and Banks gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Romero. Banks manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Romero avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Romero darts in and clinches Banks up against the cage.
Banks on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Banks gets underhooks to prevent Romero's takedown attempt.
Scott Banks has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rodniel Romero.
Romero is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Banks pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Banks wants to break free but Romero has control.
Banks can't break the clinch.
Romero throws an elbow but it misses.
Banks wants to get back to striking at distance but Romero won't allow it.
Romero keeps control of Banks as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Romero breaks the clinch.
Banks slips a straight right by Romero.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Banks crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Romero - the referee stops the clock and Banks gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Romero. Banks manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Romero is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Banks scores with a nice strike.
Banks misses the shot to the body.
Banks bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Romero's head backwards.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Banks slaps away a takedown attempt from Romero, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Romero misses with an uppercut. Banks saw that one coming.
Scott Banks is winning the standup battle so far.
Romero looks to score with a jab to the body but Banks is just out of range.
Banks fails to land with a series of punches.
Banks will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Banks swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Banks throws a shot to the body.

Romero clinches with his opponent.

Romero breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A looping hook to the body misses from Romero. Banks does a little dance to reset his feet.

Romero has closed the distance and engaged Banks in a clinch.

Romero manages to break the clinch.
Scott Banks is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Banks looks to land a left hand but Romero moved out of range nicely.
Banks misses with a body shot.

Romero closes the distance and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banks wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Romero has him pressed against the cage.

Romero manages to break the clinch.
Romero looks for a takedown but Banks sprawls well.
Romero tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Banks manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Romero shoots for a double leg takedown but Banks sprawls well. He's pushed Romero's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Banks blocks a head kick by Romero.
Banks throws a low kick, looking for Romero's leg but Romero calmly moves out of range.
Romero tries to work over Banks's front leg with a kick but Banks checks it.
Romero misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Romero slips a straight right by Banks.
Banks throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Scott Banks is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A low kick from Banks misses
and Romero counters with a left and a right that stings Banks.
Romero defending well as Banks loads up on a big left hand.
The fighters circling - Banks throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Banks looks to throw the jab but Romero is out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Romero scores with a jab.
Romero tries a head kick but it misses.
Romero lands with a thumping leg kick.
Romero misses with a hook. Banks ducked under it nicely.
Romero fails with the takedown.
Banks is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Banks avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Jab from Banks.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Romero throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Banks.

Romero feints and as Banks raises his hands in defense, Romero changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Romero advances position into side control!
Banks taking punishment in the form of punches.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Banks struggling a bit here.
Banks is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Romero asserts his dominance and retains side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rodniel Romero showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Rodniel Romero's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. 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.

Romero fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Romero shoots for a takedown but Banks saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Romero wants to clinch.
Banks defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Romero.
Romero throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Banks on the side of the head.
Romero slips a straight right by Banks.
Romero shoots in but no luck this time.
Scott Banks has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rodniel Romero.
Banks thuds a left hand into Romero's body.
Romero feints a jab promting Banks to slip. Romero then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Banks slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Banks pivots, looking for a leg kick but Romero is out of range and Banks settles back down.
Banks pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Banks attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banks avoids the head kick by Romero.
Banks throws a leg kick but Romero checks it.
Romero tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Banks swats away the attempt to clinch by Romero.
Banks slaps away a takedown attempt from Romero, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Romero fails to land with a series of punches.
Banks throws a head kick but Romero moves out of range.
Romero walks into a jab.
Romero swinging wildly here.
Romero pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Romero takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Romero tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Banks cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Romero throws a right and a left that Banks avoids nicely.
Banks defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Romero.
Banks throws a series of punches but Romero moves out of range.

Romero gets a clinch.
Banks has had enough of the clinch but Romero keeps him there for the moment.
Romero keeps control of Banks as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Romero breaks from the clinch.
Romero pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Romero bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Banks misses with a wild combination.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The fighters circle momentarily. Banks darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Romero slips under a jab.
Crunch! Romero slams his shin into Banks's torso.
Romero misses with a few strikes there.
Banks waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Romero.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Banks.
Romero tries to close the distance and clinch but Banks swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Banks swats away the attempt to clinch by Romero.
A jab from Banks misses.
Banks takes a swing at Romero's ribcage but misses.

Romero rushes Banks and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Banks looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Romero keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Banks's efforts to push away.
Banks wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Romero misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Banks.
Romero drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Banks gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Romero throws an elbow but it misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Romero breaks from the clinch.
Romero moves out of range of the leg kick from Banks.
Banks moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Romero tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Banks paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Scott Banks has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Romero tries a head kick but it misses.
Banks throws a series of punches but Romero moves out of range.
Banks swats away the attempt to clinch by Romero.
A clash of legs there as Romero blocks the low kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Banks misses with the combination.
Romero displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Banks throws out the jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Scott Banks.
I think Romero 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 28:30
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rodniel Romero!
Rodniel Romero spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.