PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Abdi Hassan (ranked 1774 p4p, 2035 weight class) and Olu Banjo (ranked 121 p4p, 139 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Hassan
vs
Banjo

177 cm
22
146
4 - 1 - 1

169 cm
23
136
4 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Very quick

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Champion Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Abdi Hassan!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Olu Banjo!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Valeri Chadov and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Banjo thows a left - swing and a miss!
Banjo misses with a hook. Hassan ducked under it nicely.
Hassan scores with the left hand. Banjo knows he should have avoided that one.
Olu Banjo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Banjo misses with a hook

and Hassan counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Hassan.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Banjo can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Hassan controls the pace.

Banjo is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Hassan defends well.

Banjo is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Hassan is aware though and is defending well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hassan passes Banjo's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Hassan is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Banjo doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Hassan.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Banjo looking for submissions off his back.

Banjo looking for subs from the bottom but Hassan mounts him!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Hassan looking to control and managing it successfully.
Hassan avoids the attempt from Banjo to control.

Hassan is working for a guillotine from mount but Banjo frees his head quite easily.
Hassan avoids the attempt from Banjo to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banjo is squirming around, avoiding Hassan's attempts to control the action.
Banjo is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Hassan looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Banjo tries to lock up and control but Hassan gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

Hassan goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Banjo turns into him and now he's in Hassan's guard.
Banjo wants to control from the top but Hassan keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hassan working a defensive guard here.
Banjo engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Banjo avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Banjo wants to control from the top but Hassan keeps moving.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Abdi Hassan dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Hassan on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Hassan avoids the body shot from Banjo.
Banjo looks to land a right hand but Hassan moved out of range.
Banjo throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hassan half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Jab from Banjo.
Hassan throws a shot to the body.
Hassan swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hassan throws a lazy uppercut
and Hassan takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

It looks like Abdi Hassan has been cut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Banjo displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hassan throws out the jab.
Banjo takes a swing at Hassan's ribcage but misses.
Hassan looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Banjo blocks a jab.
Banjo jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hassan shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Banjo manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Hassan stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Banjo swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Banjo had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Hassan defends it easily.
Hassan tries to free his leg and advance position but Banjo is retaining full guard.
Hassan engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Hassan trying to control the position from guard on top but Banjo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hassan passes into half guard.

Banjo looking for submissions off his back.

Banjo is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hassan pulls his head out easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hassan is trying to control the action in half guard but Banjo is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Banjo is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Banjo won't allow Hassan to pass to mount.
Abdi Hassan overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Banjo is looking to improve his position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Banjo throws a hook but Hassan blocks it.
Hassan is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Banjo can do to turn this around?
Banjo scores with a punch to the head.
Banjo throws a series of punches but Hassan moves out of range.
Banjo uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hassan.
Banjo lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Banjo misses with a double jab.
Nice cross by Hassan.
Hassan looks to land a right hand but Banjo moved out of range.
Banjo fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Hassan ducks under a wild hook from Banjo.
Banjo throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Hassan counters with a stiff right hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hassan on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Banjo misses with a lunging right hand

and Hassan counters with a single leg into guard. Banjo didn't expect that.
Hassan showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Banjo is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Olu Banjo will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Abdi Hassan's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Banjo connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Hassan shoots in for a takedown but Banjo shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Banjo looks to land a left hand but Hassan moved out of range nicely.
Banjo moves away from the strike by Hassan.
Hassan throws a jab when Banjo was well out of range.
Banjo changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Hassan displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Banjo throws out the jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hassan throws a looping overhand right but Banjo ducks down to avoid it.

Hassan shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Banjo looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Banjo looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Hassan takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Banjo looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Hassan seems to be looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
The fighters are battling for position here. Banjo manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Banjo has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hassan can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Banjo is looking for a triangle but Hassan pushes his legs off easily.
Hassan wants to control from the top but Banjo keeps moving.
Our spies down at at EMP WORLDCLASS inform us that Banjo has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Banjo has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Hassan is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Banjo.

Hassan tries for a kimura but Banjo is defending well.
Banjo is trying to control Hassan's posture but Hassan avoids it.
Banjo is looking to reverse the position.

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.
You can see the frustration on Banjo's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Banjo holds on tight, trying to prevent any damage.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Banjo wants to control but Hassan postures up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Hassan slips under a jab.
Hassan throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Banjo's waist but Banjo gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Hassan off to one side.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Banjo throws a right and a left that both miss.
Hassan was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Nice uppercut lands for Hassan. That snapped Banjo's head back.
Banjo scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Abdi Hassan did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The cut man is working on Abdi Hassan's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Banjo looks to land a left hand but Hassan moved out of range nicely.
Banjo cracks Hassan with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Banjo throws a looping overhand right but Hassan ducks down to avoid it.
Banjo leaves Hassan with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Hassan throws out a loose jab but Banjo uses good head movement to avoid it.
A left lands for Banjo.
Olu Banjo seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Banjo throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Banjo fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hassan manages to avoid it.
A little feinted left hand from Hassan on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Banjo lands with a good body shot.
Hassan ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Banjo moves away.
Hassan misses with a right hand
and Banjo counters with a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banjo looks to land a combination but Hassan avoids it well.
Good exchange - Hassan coming out on top.
Hassan jabs Banjo to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Hassan slips a straight right by Banjo.
Banjo throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hassan is looking to counter punch.
A combination from Banjo does no damage.
Hassan shoots in and drives through. Banjo sprawls well.
Hassan avoids the body shot from Banjo.
Hassan misses with a looping left.
Banjo swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Hassan counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Banjo can't keep his opponent in guard - Hassan advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hassan is working for a submission of some sort.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Hassan seems to be looking for submissions.
Hassan slows the pace down in half guard.

Hassan is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Banjo defends it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hassan has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Banjo wants to control but Hassan is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Hassan trying to control but Banjo is having none of it.
Banjo sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Banjo trying to control from the bottom.

Hassan is trying to work for a kimura but Banjo is defending well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Banjo looking for subs from the bottom but Hassan mounts him!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Abdi Hassan will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Abdi Hassan's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Banjo slips a straight right by Hassan.
Banjo looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Banjo throws a jab but it's blocked by Hassan.
Hassan shoots for a takedown but Banjo saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Banjo throws out a counter right but Hassan avoids it with no problem.
Banjo moves out of range as Hassan strikes.
Hassan throws a hook but Banjo blocks it.
Banjo throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Hassan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Banjo.
Banjo jabs at Hassan's body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big right from Banjo misses.
Banjo misses with a right hand

and Hassan counters with a single leg into guard. Banjo didn't expect that.

Banjo throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banjo has Hassan pulled in close to control his posture.

Banjo looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Hassan got a little sloppy there for a moment and Banjo has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Hassan has managed to get both his arms back between Banjo's legs - danger averted.
Hassan stands and throws Banjo's legs to the side, diving into side control.

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.
Banjo tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Hassan wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Hassan tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Hassan content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Banjo is trying to control Hassan's posture but Hassan avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banjo manages to get back to half guard.
Hassan working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Banjo's thigh. Banjo counters though and makes it back to full guard.

Banjo working for a triangle but Hassan defends it easily.

Banjo looking for a guillotine here but Hassan defends easily.

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.

Banjo has an active guard here but Hassan has managed to pass into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Hassan is looking for a kimura here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Abdi Hassan showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Hassan has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 50:45
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 49:48
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Abdi Hassan!
Abdi Hassan is the new bantamweight champion!
Our winner, Abdi Hassan, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.