PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tim Labbe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jo Banza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jo Banza is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Labbe
vs
Banza

186 cm
23
185 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

190 cm
18
185 lbs
0 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tim Labbe!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jo Banza!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Robert Douchet and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Labbe looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Labbe blocks a jab.
Labbe throws a right and a left that Banza avoids nicely.
Banza avoids a punch combination nicely.
Labbe tries to bum rush Banza with a series of wild strikes but Banza uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Banza looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Labbe is fending him off so far but Banza persists. Nope, Labbe circles away and we're back to standing.
Labbe looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A left lands for Banza.
Labbe will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Horrible takedown by Banza or perhaps it was just good defense by Labbe which made him look bad.
Banza avoids a punch combination nicely.
Labbe looks to land a combination but Banza avoids it well.
Banza avoids a punch combination nicely.

Banza moves into the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Banza.
Banza working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

Labbe manages to break the clinch.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Banza fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Labbe manages to avoid it.
Labbe fails to land with a series of punches.
Labbe is breathing heavily.
Labbe swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Banza digs a good body shot into Labbe's ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banza throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Labbe.
Jab by Banza.
Banza cracks a nice hook into Labbe's ribs.
Banza lands a jab.
Banza scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Banza shoots in looking for a takedown. Labbe tries to sprawl out of it but Banza keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Labbe manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Tim Labbe has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jo Banza.
Banza uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Labbe has time to react.
Labbe swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Banza counters with a lovely shot to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Banza throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Banza moves into the clinch.

Banza breaks the clinch.
Banza cracks Labbe with a right hand to the side of the head.
A left lands for Banza.

Labbe is rocked!

Banza decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Oh Labbe is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Banza with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Labbe tries to kick Banza off but Banza keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Labbe seems to have got his legs back now.

Banza decides to stand up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Labbe walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Banza shoots in for a takedown but Labbe shows good takedown defense.
Labbe misses with a double jab

and Banza counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Labbe breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Labbe misses with a jab, cross combination.
Tim Labbe is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Banza misses with a jab, cross combination.
Labbe throws a left and a right that both miss
and Banza counters with a nice body shot.
Banza is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Labbe.
Banza's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Banza duly obliges.
Labbe misses with a series of wild punches.
Labbe will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Banza throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Labbe misses with a jab, cross combination.
A left and a right from Banza both land. Nice combination.
Labbe lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Banza circles away quickly and effectively.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Labbe misses with a combination
and Banza counters with a three punch combo that has Labbe backing up. Labbe nods at Banza to acknowledge the strikes.
Labbe throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Labbe takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Banza scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Labbe throws a right hand that Banza ducks under and follows up with a left that Banza also avoids with ease.
A lazy left from Banza finds it's target.
Labbe throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Labbe swinging wilding here.
Labbe throws a series of punches but Banza avoids them all with ease.
Banza scores with a nice head shot.
Labbe swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Banza counters with a nice uppercut.
Labbe misses with a two punch combination.
Labbe misses with a jab, cross combination.
Labbe misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Labbe lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Banza circles away quickly and effectively.
Labbe misses with a series of wild punches.

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.
Banza throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Banza swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Labbe lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Labbe.
Banza is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round!Labbe had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Banza throws a nice looking combination but Labbe bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Labbe falls off balance throwing a combination
and Banza counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Banza clinches up against the cage.
Labbe is looking to break free of the clinch but Banza has double underhooks.
Labbe wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Labbe breaks the clinch.
Labbe will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
No joy there for Labbe, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Banza is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Labbe lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Banza circles away quickly and effectively.
Banza tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Labbe swivels and escapes.
Labbe throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Banza lands a nice looking body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jo Banza dominated that round.
That's time! Labbe's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

No joy there for Labbe, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Banza lands a nice shot that snaps Labbe's head back.
Banza throws a combination. Labbe tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Banza misses with a double jab.
Banza's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Banza duly obliges.
Labbe throws a combination that misses
and Banza counters with a stiff right hand.
Banza lands with a nice body punch.
Banza shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Labbe as he jumps to the side.
Labbe misses with a series of wild punches.
Labbe swinging wilding here.

Banza gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Banza wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Labbe escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Labbe misses with a wild combination.
Labbe throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Banza counters with an inside leg kick.
Banza scores with a nice strike.
Labbe throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Banza counters with a two punch combo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Labbe doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Banza dodges the punch combination from Labbe.
Labbe misses with a double jab.
Banza tries to clinch there but Labbe circles away.
No joy there for Labbe, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Labbe lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Labbe's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Labbe duly obliges.

Labbe tries to keep at a distance but Banza has taken the fight into the clinch.
Labbe is looking to break free of the clinch but Banza has double underhooks.
Labbe wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Labbe breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Labbe fails to land with a series of punches.
Labbe tries to bum rush Banza with a series of wild strikes but Banza uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Jo Banza seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Banza scores with a jab to the head.
Labbe tries to bum rush Banza with a series of wild strikes but Banza uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Banza cracks Labbe with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Some wild striking there from Labbe.
Labbe throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's two 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.
Labbe throws a right hand that Banza ducks under and follows up with a left that Banza also avoids with ease.
Labbe throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Labbe takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Labbe swinging wilding here.
Labbe throws a series of punches but Banza avoids them all with ease.
Banza slips a jab and a cross from Labbe.
Labbe fails to land with a series of punches.
Labbe misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Banza lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Labbe circles away quickly and effectively.
Labbe misses with a two punch combination.
Labbe throws a left and a right that both miss
and Banza counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Banza misses with a two punch combination.
Labbe misses with a combination
and Banza counters with a one-two to the body.
Tim Labbe seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
No joy there for Labbe, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Labbe on the wrong end of a nice jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Labbe fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Banza wants to clinch.
Labbe throws a series of punches but Banza avoids them all with ease.
Banza throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Labbe tries to bum rush Banza with a series of wild strikes but Banza uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Labbe rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Banza moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Labbe lands a two punch combo.
Labbe swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Banza counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Banza shoots in and drives through. Labbe sprawls well.
Labbe tries to bum rush Banza with a series of wild strikes but Banza uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Labbe misses with a two punch combination.
Labbe throws a left and a right that both miss
and Banza counters with a left to the body.
Banza connects with a jab.
Banza showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Labbe.
Labbe swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

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.
Banza throws out a loose jab but Labbe uses good head movement to avoid it.
Some wild striking there from Labbe.
Banza tries to clinch but Labbe moves out of range.
Labbe misses with a series of wild punches.
Labbe throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Labbe takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Labbe falls off balance throwing a combination
and Banza counters with a straight right hand.
Labbe misses with a few strikes there.
Labbe looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Labbe swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Banza cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Labbe falls off balance throwing a combination
and Banza counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Banza has Labbe up against the cage in a clinch.
Banza prevents Labbe from breaking the clinch.
Banza prevents Labbe from breaking the clinch.

Labbe breaks the clinch.
Labbe swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Banza counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Labbe has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Labbe there as he acknowledges the shot.
Labbe throws a nice looking combination but Banza bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jo Banza showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Banza throws a hook but Labbe blocks it.
Labbe takes one to the side of the head.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Banza.
Some wild striking there from Labbe.
Labbe fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Banza misses with a hook.
Banza works the jab nicely.
Labbe swinging wilding here.
Labbe misses with a two punch combination.
Banza bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Labbe's head backwards.
Labbe misses with a combination
and Banza counters with a nice uppercut.
Banza with a nice cross.
Labbe on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Banza throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Labbe stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Nice straight punches there by Banza. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Banza.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Labbe throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Banza counters with a nice body shot.
Labbe looks to land a combination but Banza avoids it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banza is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Labbe swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Banza counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Banza showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Labbe.

Banza clinches with his opponent.

Labbe's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Labbe falls off balance throwing a combination
and Banza counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Banza lands the left hand.
Banza connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Labbe throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Labbe fails to land with a series of punches.
Labbe tries to bum rush Banza with a series of wild strikes but Banza uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Banza throws the left hand but Labbe avoids the punch easily.
Labbe lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Banza circles away quickly and effectively.

Banza closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Labbe to the mat! Labbe manages to get full guard.
Banza wants to get up but he can't break Labbe's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Labbe wants to sweep but no luck.
Labbe wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Banza manages to pass to side control.
Banza prevents Labbe from improving his position.
Labbe throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Labbe wants to improve his position but Banza is controlling well.
Labbe manages to get to full guard.

Banza gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Banza tries to bum rush Labbe with a series of wild strikes but Labbe uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Labbe swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Banza counters with a stiff right hand.
Labbe defending well as Banza loads up on a big left hand.
Labbe slips a jab and a cross from Banza.
Banza has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Banza dodges the punch combination from Labbe.
Banza throws out a powerful jab.
Labbe swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Banza holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Labbe wants to break free but Banza has control.
Banza keeps control of Labbe as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Labbe breaks from the clinch.
Banza misses with a hook. Labbe ducked under it nicely.
Labbe throws a one two combo.
Banza swings for the body but Labbe moves out of range.
Labbe misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Jo Banza is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Nice jab there from Banza.
A punch combination from Labbe misses.
Labbe throws a series of punches but Banza moves out of range.
Banza shoots in looking for a takedown. Labbe tries to sprawl out of it but Banza keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Labbe manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Banza will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

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.
Labbe misses with a wild combination.

Banza drives through and clinches with Labbe against the cage.

Labbe manages to break the clinch.
Labbe misses with a combination

and Banza holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Labbe is looking to break free of the clinch but Banza has double underhooks.

Labbe breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
No joy there for Banza, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Banza misses with a looping right.
Banza tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Labbe swivels and escapes.
Labbe throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
enabling Banza to counter with a crisp jab.
Banza dodges the punch combination from Labbe.
Banza showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Labbe.
Tim Labbe has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Banza lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jo Banza comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Banza has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Steve Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jo Banza!