PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rodrigo Marquez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Banks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Michael Banks is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Marquez
vs
Banks

180 cm
18
200 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

190 cm
22
208 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Rodrigo Marquez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Michael Banks!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, James Ackerman and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Marquez closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Marquez perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Banks tries to roll over but Marquez keeps him under control.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Banks can do anything to dispel that myth.
Marquez stops Banks from getting back to his feet.

Banks is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Marquez pulls his head out easily.
Banks is pressing down on Marquez's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Marquez throwing strikes from guard but Banks blocks nicely.
Banks keeping full guard, as Marquez tries to pass.
Marquez wants to control from the top but Banks keeps moving.
Banks seems keen to control Marquez's posture.

Marquez stands up and waves to Banks to follow him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banks keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Marquez.
Banks is not content to let Marquez control the position.
Banks tries to strike but it doesn't land.
Banks is trying to control Marquez's posture but Marquez avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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Marquez wants to lay and pray for a moment but Banks keeps working.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Marquez is really struggling to control Banks but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Banks manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Banks is not content to let Marquez control the position.
Banks controlling the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banks on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Banks is trying to stand up here but Marquez is controlling him well.
Banks is not content to let Marquez control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Banks trying to control here.
Banks flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Marquez has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Banks really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Marquez. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Marquez can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Banks is looking to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Banks can't escape the position.
Banks wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Marquez.
Marquez raining down shots from the mount!
Banks wants to hold on but Marquez pushes him away.
Banks has given up his back here. Will Marquez look for the submission or keep pounding away?
Banks trying to control the action but Marquez just sinks the hooks in.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rodrigo Marquez dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Marquez doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
The fight stays on the outside here - Marquez looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Marquez looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Banks is fending him off so far but Marquez persists. Nope, Banks circles away and we're back to standing.
Marquez shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Banks but Banks pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Banks stuffs the takedown attempt from Marquez. Marquez gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rodrigo Marquez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Banks closes the distance looking to clinch

and Marquez holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Marquez is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Banks prevents a takedown attempt there.
Banks goes for a takedown attempt but Marquez pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marquez avoids a punch combination nicely.
Banks lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Banks throws a head kick but Marquez moves out of range.
Banks throws a series of punches but Marquez avoids them all with ease.
Banks tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Banks stuffs the takedown.
Banks throws a head kick that misses

and Marquez counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Banks!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Banks tries to hold on but Marquez postures up.
Banks gives up his back whilst trying to strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good control from Marquez.
Banks trying to control but not successfully.
Marquez has Banks flattened out and is raining down punches.
Marquez struggling to keep hold of the position.
Banks can't escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Marquez has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Marquez avoiding Banks 's attempts to control his hands.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Marquez's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Banks tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Banks is in all sorts of trouble here.
Banks is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Banks tries to lock up and control but Marquez gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Banks in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Marquez trying to control but Banks is having none of it.
Banks is wriggling around trying to escape.
Marquez avoids the attempt from Banks to control.
A nice elbow there by Marquez.
Marquez scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Banks?
Marquez wants to control the pace but Banks is squirming around nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Banks showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

The fight stays on the outside here - Banks looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Banks throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Marquez's head.

Marquez darts in and clinches Banks up against the cage.
Banks taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Marquez goes for a takedown attempt but Banks pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Banks throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Marquez closes this distance looking for a takedown but Banks circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Marquez looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marquez moves out of range as Banks throws a body kick.

Banks moves into the clinch successfully.
Marquez throws a punch but it's blocked by Banks.
Marquez gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Banks.
Banks tries to pull guard but Marquez holds him up against the cage and eventually Banks drops back down to his feet.
Banks tries to pull guard but Marquez holds him up against the cage and eventually Banks drops back down to his feet.
Rodrigo Marquez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Banks.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

Banks pulls guard effortlessly.
Banks manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Marquez manages to get himself to full guard.
Marquez working a defensive guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marquez wants to stand up but Banks is controlling him.
Marquez is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Marquez is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

Banks's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Marquez wants to clinch but Banks slips to the side
and Banks counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Marquez is lucky that one didn't land flush.

Marquez gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Banks fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Banks is trying to drag Marquez to the mat but Marquez just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marquez is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Banks pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Banks drops down looking for an ankle pick but Marquez pulls his leg out and moves away.
Marquez closes the distance looking to clinch
and Banks counters with a left and a right that stings Marquez.
Marquez closes this distance looking for a takedown but Banks circles away.
Banks tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Marquez was well out of range. Poor timing from Banks.

Banks has taken the fight to the clinch.

Marquez successfully pulls guard.
Marquez looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Marquez is trying to keep Banks in close.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Banks trying to control but Marquez is working from the bottom.

Marquez has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Banks can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Banks throwing strikes but missing.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Marquez is on top in guard.
Marquez pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Banks is keeping the position for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michael Banks comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Banks 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 28:29
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 28:29
Judge James Glass scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michael Banks!