PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Jon Jones (ranked 6134 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jerrick Banks (ranked 3810 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Jones might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Kygo ft. Ellie Goulding - Summer Love. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Jones
vs
Banks

153 cm
21
135 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

160 cm
18
130 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jon Jones!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jerrick Banks!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Robert Twigg and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Banks drives through with a takedown into Jones's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jones looking to hit a scissor sweep but Banks is one step ahead there.
Banks missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Banks with a flurry of punches that miss.
Banks looking to pass the guard.
Banks postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Jones on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Jones tries to get out of the position.
Banks missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Banks forces his way into half guard.
Banks is looking to advance position but Jones won't allow it.

Banks is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Jones has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banks looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Jones with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Banks thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Jones's head.
Banks misses with a head shot. Jones uses the momentum to regain guard.
Jones preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Jones knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Banks on the ground.
Banks is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Banks throws a big elbow that misses.
Banks is working Jones over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's two 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.

Banks 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.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Banks stands up over Jones, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Banks passes Jones's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Banks throwing shots but Jones is blocking nicely.
Banks throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Jones to regain full guard.
Banks pushing down on Jones's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Banks is trying to work for a kimura but Jones is defending well.
Banks looks winded!

Banks wants to work for an arm triangle but Jones is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banks wants to pass the guard but Jones is defending well.
Jones wants to get back to full guard.
Banks throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Banks is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Banks is nestled in close to Jones, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

Banks is working for a kimura here but Jones manages to reverse the position and he's now in Banks's guard.
Jones lands a couple of digs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Jones throws a strike but Banks rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Banks working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Banks preventing the sweep.
Banks throws a strike but Jones rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Jones is in close to Banks's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Jones keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Banks's head.
Jones cracks Banks with a solid left hand.
Banks has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Banks avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Jones postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Banks avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Jones postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Jones with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Jones has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Jones cracks Banks with a solid left hand.
Jones connects with a couple of short punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jerrick Banks will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Jones gets a takedown into half guard.
Jones misses with a head shot. Banks uses the momentum to regain guard.
Jones content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Jones wants to pass the guard but Banks is keeping the position.
Banks is trying to control the position but Jones postures up.
Jones throws a strike but Banks rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Jones wants to sweep here but Banks controlling him for the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Banks accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Banks scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banks working some strikes from top position.
Banks throws a strike but Jones rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Jones cracks Banks with a solid left hand.
Jones lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Jones postures up and lands a big shot to Banks's brow.
Jones working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Banks's head.
Jones postures up.
Jones lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Jones lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Jones scoring with some ground and pound.
Jones postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Banks 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.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Jones accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Banks is breathing heavily.
Jones is in close to Banks's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Banks has momentary wrist control but Jones slips an elbow through the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Jones lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Banks controls Jones momentarily but Jones frees himself.
Jones throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Banks works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Jones postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Jones connects with a couple of short punches.
Jones missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Jones lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Banks trying to control the position.
Jones working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Banks's head.
Jones is working Banks over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Jones stopping the sweep attempt from Banks.
Jones lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Jones scoring with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Jon Jones overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Banks utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Jones postures up in Banks's guard and throws a big left but Banks blocks it.
Jones postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Jones working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Banks's head.
Jones lands a couple of digs.
Jones makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Jones landing with the ground and pound.
Jones throws a big right hand that misses.
Jones is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Jones scoring with some ground and pound.
Jones chips away with some ground and pound.
Banks is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Jones stopping the sweep attempt from Banks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Jones throwing strikes from guard but Banks blocks nicely.
Jones is in close to Banks's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Jones's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Jones postures up and lands a big shot to Banks's brow.
Jones postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Jones lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Jones is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Banks can do to turn this around?
Jones keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Banks's head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Jones is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Jones preventing the sweep.
Jones stands up over Banks, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Banks trying to keep a closed guard but Jones is proving a slippery customer.
Jones scoring with some ground and pound.
Banks has momentary wrist control but Jones slips an elbow through the middle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jon Jones dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

Jones throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Banks was covering up waiting for the punch and Jones finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Jones preventing the sweep.
Banks not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Jones postures up in Banks's guard and throws a big left but Banks blocks it.
Jones working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Jones won't allow Banks to sweep him here.
Jones works over Banks with some ground and pound from guard.
Jones postures up and lands a big shot to Banks's brow.
Jones is working Banks over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Banks looking to hit a scissor sweep but Jones is one step ahead there.
Banks takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Jones in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Jones is working Banks over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Banks has momentary wrist control but Jones slips an elbow through the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Banks's head.
Jones trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Jones with a flurry of punches that miss.
Banks trying to keep a closed guard but Jones is proving a slippery customer.
Jones postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Jones is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Jones's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Jones scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Jones with a nice head shot there.
Banks seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Jones scoring with some ground and pound.
Jones keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Banks's head.
Jones works over Banks with some ground and pound from guard.
Jones working some strikes from top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Jones accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Banks has momentary wrist control but Jones slips an elbow through the middle.
Jones with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Jones postures up.
Jones lands a couple of elbows.
Banks is pulling down on Jones's head. It's preventing any offense from Jones, at least for the moment.
Jones keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Banks's head.
Jones postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Banks not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Jones lands a couple of digs.
Jones stands up over Banks, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Jones could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Banks has momentary wrist control but Jones slips an elbow through the middle.
Jones works over Banks with some ground and pound from guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Jones lands a couple of elbows.
Jones working some strikes from top position.
Jones lands a couple of digs.
Jones content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Jones is working Banks over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Jones postures up and lands a big shot to Banks's brow.
Jones is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Jones is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Jones postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Banks trying to control the position.
Jones is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Jones working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Jones working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Banks's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Jones connects with a couple of short punches.
Jones chips away with some ground and pound.
Jones working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Banks's head.
Jones scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Jones stands up over Banks, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jones makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Jones landing with the ground and pound.
Jones lands a couple of digs.
Jones scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Jones postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Banks utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Jones lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Jerrick Banks has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jones working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Banks's head.
Jones with a nice head shot there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jon Jones showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Jones has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight for Jon Jones!
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight for Jon Jones!
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight for Jon Jones!

Jon Jones wins by unanimous decision!
After winning the bout, Jon Jones thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.