PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lexington Banda (ranked 5157 p4p, 392 weight class) and Mike Blaston (ranked 24795 p4p, 497 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Banda might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to DMX - We Right Here. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Banda
vs
Blaston

174 cm
25
270 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

196 cm
26
255 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Lexington Banda!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Mike Blaston!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Marco Blurström and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Banda closes the distance and clinches.
Blaston is trying to pull guard but Banda turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Blaston has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Banda is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Blaston misses with a punch on the inside.

Blaston ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Blaston no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Banda drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Blaston manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Banda has Blaston in his guard.

Blaston scoring with some ground and pound.
Blaston wants to control from the top but Banda keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Banda looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Blaston has picked Banda up and slammed him! Banda can't keep hold of the triangle and Blaston manages to pass to side control!
Banda knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Blaston on the ground.
Banda tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Blaston is looking to take a break and control but Banda is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
You can see the frustration on Banda's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blaston trying to control the position but Banda is working away.
Banda struggling a bit here.
Blaston is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Banda misses with a strike from the bottom.
Banda tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Banda being controlled for a moment.
Banda might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Blaston is trying to get an arm triangle but Banda is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Banda is looking for a sweep.
Banda is working hard here to advance position.
Blaston landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Banda tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Blaston has an Americana. Banda didn't react quickly enough there and he's in big trouble now! He tries to squirm out but is forced to tap! Blaston is delighted and gyrates in front of the ring girls. They seem to like the attention - it'll be interesting to see if Blaston hooks up with any of them at the after show party.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:50 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Mike Blaston!
Lexington Banda spoke after the fight, saying 'You got lucky! See you next time!'.