PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Lamont Banner (ranked 5092 p4p, 5120 weight class) and Mandla Ibubesi (ranked 515 p4p, 517 weight class). Mandla Ibubesi is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Banner
vs
Ibubesi

179 cm
25
152
1 - 1 - 0

176 cm
18
165
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Good chin

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Lamont Banner!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Mandla Ibubesi!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Paul Tew and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Banner.

Ibubesi closes the distance and clinches.
Ibubesi lands a shot to the body.
Ibubesi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Banner wants to take the fight to the mat but Ibubesi manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Ibubesi lands with a right to the head.
Ibubesi digs a right hand underneath Banner's ribcage. Banner let out a lung full of air as it connected.
A shot in the inside from Ibubesi.
Ibubesi doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ibubesi working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ibubesi just leaning against Banner, taking a breather.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Banner.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ibubesi.
Ibubesi lands a left hand that snaps the head of Banner backwards.
Ibubesi gets underhooks to prevent Banner's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lamont Banner. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ibubesi gets through Banner's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Ibubesi.
Banner is breathing heavily.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ibubesi.
Banner blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ibubesi will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Banner up against the cage.
Ibubesi lands a shoulder strike.
A right handed body shot lands from Ibubesi.
Ibubesi misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ibubesi misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ibubesi misses with the head strike.
Banner goes for a takedown in the clinch but Ibubesi prevents it.
Banner blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ibubesi stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Ibubesi scores with a nice hook to the head.
Ibubesi taking a breather.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A left hand lands to the body for Ibubesi.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Ibubesi creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Ibubesi lands a nice uppercut.
Ibubesi stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Ibubesi working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Banner blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ibubesi pushes Banner back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Ibubesi lands a nice uppercut.
Ibubesi lands with a light punch inside.
Ibubesi lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A short right from Ibubesi.
Ibubesi working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Ibubesi has Banner pushed against the cage.
Ibubesi throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Banners head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ibubesi lands a nice uppercut.
Ibubesi misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ibubesi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ibubesi lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Ibubesi takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Banner has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Ibubesi after a bit of a struggle.
Ibubesi lands with a short shot to the head.
Ibubesi lands with a right to the head.
A short right from Ibubesi.
Ibubesi working aggressively here.
Ibubesi lands a body punch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ibubesi.
A short uppercut from Ibubesi.
Ibubesi digs a right hand into Banner's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Banner's gas tank.
Ibubesi lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Ibubesi lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nice body punch from Ibubesi - that landed with a thud.
Banner blocking some punches.
Ibubesi lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Banner blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ibubesi lands a left hand that snaps the head of Banner backwards.
Ibubesi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ibubesi lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Ibubesi lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Ibubesi dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Ibubesi scores with a nice hook to the head.
Ibubesi slows down the pace here.
Ibubesi lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Banner backwards.
Ibubesi lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Banner backwards.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mandla Ibubesi dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Ibubesi moves into the clinch.
Ibubesi lands with a short shot to the head.
Ibubesi has a couple of punches blocked by Banner.
Ibubesi lands a shoulder strike.
Ibubesi misses with some punches.
Ibubesi lands a right hand.
Ibubesi working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Ibubesi has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Ibubesi lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Ibubesi pushes Banner back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Ibubesi throws a head punch that misses.
Nice body punch from Ibubesi.
Banner has Ibubesi pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Ibubesi manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Banner looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ibubesi.
Come on Ibubesi - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Ibubesi misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ibubesi misses with the head strike.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice right hand lands inside from Ibubesi.
Ibubesi lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Ibubesi lands a hook that snaps the head of Banner backwards.
A nice right hand lands inside from Ibubesi.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ibubesi.
Ibubesi lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
The referee calls for Ibubesi to work.
Ibubesi lands a hook to the side of the head.
Ibubesi scores with a shot to the side of Banner's head.
Ibubesi misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ibubesi misses with a body punch.
Banner takes a shot to the head.
Mandla Ibubesi seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Banner blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ibubesi scores with a shot to the side of Banner's head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Banner.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ibubesi taking a breather.
A short uppercut from Ibubesi.
Ibubesi lands a hook to the side of the head.
Ibubesi doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ibubesi tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Ibubesi in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Ibubesi lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Banner backwards.
Ibubesi swings wildly with an uppercut but Banner uses good head movement to avoid it.
Banner drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Ibubesi gets the underhooks and prevents it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ibubesi.
Banner tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lamont Banner. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Banner blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ibubesi lands a right hand that snaps the head of Banner backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ibubesi lands a hook to the side of the head.
Ibubesi lands a body punch.
Nice body punch from Ibubesi.
Ibubesi throws a head punch that misses.
Banner tries for a takedown but Ibubesi manages to get underhooks.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Banner.
Ibubesi misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ibubesi misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ibubesi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A short body shot lands from Ibubesi as the two fighters clinch.
Ibubesi makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Ibubesi lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Banner backwards.
Ibubesi lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Ibubesi lands with a short shot to the head.
Banner blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ibubesi lands a hook that snaps the head of Banner backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Ibubesi.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ibubesi lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Ibubesi scores with a nice hook to the head.
Ibubesi lands a nice uppercut.
Ibubesi scores with a shoulder strike.
Ibubesi can't find room to land a body shot as Banner controls the action.
Ibubesi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ibubesi scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Banner is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Ibubesi gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Ibubesi throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Ibubesi taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Ibubesi scores with a shot to the side of Banner's head.
Banner blocks an uppercut.
Ibubesi lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ibubesi.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mandla Ibubesi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Ibubesi darts in and clinches Banner up against the cage.
Ibubesi misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ibubesi digs a right hand underneath Banner's ribcage. Banner let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Ibubesi lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Ibubesi lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Banner backwards.
Ibubesi throws a head punch that misses.
A short right from Ibubesi on the inside.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Ibubesi creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A left hand lands to the body for Ibubesi.
Banner blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ibubesi lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Banner backwards.
Nice body punch from Ibubesi.
Ibubesi misses with the head strike.
A head punch on the inside from Ibubesi fails to land.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Ibubesi creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ibubesi is working Banner over against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ibubesi lands a nice uppercut.
Still in the clinch, Ibubesi scores with a nice short uppercut.
Ibubesi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ibubesi scores with a shoulder strike.
Ibubesi misses with the head strike.
Ibubesi presses Banner against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Ibubesi scores with a shoulder strike.
Ibubesi working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Ibubesi tries to throw a body punch but Banner avoids it by throwing Ibubesi back against the cage.
Banner blocks a body shot from Ibubesi.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Banner.
Ibubesi misses with a short punch on the inside.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Ibubesi.
Banner's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Ibubesi misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ibubesi lands a right hand that snaps the head of Banner backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ibubesi misses with some punches.
Ibubesi tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ibubesi misses with some punches.
Ibubesi lands with a short shot to the head.
Ibubesi lands a right hand that snaps the head of Banner backwards.
Ibubesi stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
A nice left hand lands by Ibubesi.
Ibubesi scores with a shoulder strike.
Ibubesi digs a right hand into Banner's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Banner's gas tank.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Ibubesi.
Well,Banner is on his way to losing a decision here. Can he use his experience to pull something off in the closing minutes?
A shot in the inside from Ibubesi.
Ibubesi lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Banner backwards.
Ibubesi holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Ibubesi lands a body punch in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ibubesi lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Banner backwards.
Ibubesi lands a right hand that snaps the head of Banner backwards.
A head punch on the inside from Ibubesi fails to land.
Ibubesi lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Ibubesi lands with a right to the head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Ibubesi.
Ibubesi can't find room to land a body shot as Banner controls the action.
Ibubesi lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Ibubesi lands with a short shot to the head.
Ibubesi is leaning against Banner and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Ibubesi.
A left hand lands to the body for Ibubesi.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Ibubesi.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Banner blocking some punches.
Ibubesi's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Banner blocks an uppercut.
Ibubesi softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Banner blocks a body shot from Ibubesi.
Ibubesi scores with a shoulder strike.
Banner takes a shot to the head.
Ibubesi lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Ibubesi lands with a light punch inside.
Ibubesi lands a body punch.
Ibubesi working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Ibubesi tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Banner wants a takedown but no success here.
Ibubesi misses with a body punch.
Lamont Banner has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mandla Ibubesi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ibubesi.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Banner.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mandla Ibubesi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Ibubesi 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight for Mandla Ibubesi!
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight for Mandla Ibubesi!
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight for Mandla Ibubesi!

Mandla Ibubesi wins by unanimous decision!