PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ken Banners (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andrus Orlhovki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Orlhovki has chosen Rolling Stones - Paint it black as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Banners
vs
Orlhovki

194 cm
20
265 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

187 cm
21
248 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
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 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ken Banners!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Andrus Orlhovki!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Damien Edna and Bruno Hogan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Orlhovki swinging wildly here.
Orlhovki slips under a jab.
Banners lands a nice shot to the body.
Banners rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Orlhovki moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Orlhovki misses with a looping left.
Banners misses the jab.
Banners throws a nice looking combination but Orlhovki bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Banners throws a leg kick but Orlhovki sees it coming and moves out of range.
Banners ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Banners moves out of range of the body kick.
Orlhovki misses with a low kick as Banners jumps back.
Orlhovki misses with a looping right.
Banners throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Andrus Orlhovki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Orlhovki throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Orlhovki throws a series of strikes that have Banners backpedaling.
Orlhovki swings for the body but Banners moves out of range.
Orlhovki misses with a double jab
and Banners makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banners throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Orlhovki sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Orlhovki gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Banners escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Banners takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Orlhovki avoids a punch combination nicely.
Orlhovki walks into a stiff left hand from Banners.
Banners waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Orlhovki.
Orlhovki throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Banners looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Orlhovki pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Banners lands a right hook to the body.
Banners on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Orlhovki throws a lazy right hand but Banners sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Orlhovki misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Banners.
Orlhovki ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Orlhovki tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Banners slips a jab and a cross from Orlhovki.
Banners lands with a thumping leg kick.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Orlhovki throws a jab but it's blocked by Banners.
Orlhovki throws a body kick the misses
and Banners counters with a nice uppercut.
Orlhovki looks gassed!
Banners throws a hook but Orlhovki avoids it easily.
Banners misses the shot to the body.
Banners throws a low kick but it's checked well by Orlhovki.
Banners keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Banners throws a big shot that misses.
Good exchange - Banners coming out on top.
Orlhovki thows a body shot but no joy.
Banners slips under a jab.
Banners scores with a sloppy right hand. Orlhovki should have avoided that one.
Orlhovki steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Banners.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banners throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Orlhovki lands a glancing blow to the side of Banners's head.
Orlhovki ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Orlhovki throws a shot to the body.
Orlhovki misses with a straight right.
Nice uppercut there from Orlhovki.
Banners takes a jab right on the kisser.
Banners slips a straight right by Orlhovki.
Banners steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Orlhovki.
Banners throws a right hand that Orlhovki ducks under and follows up with a left that Orlhovki also avoids with ease.
Orlhovki throws a left and a right that both miss
and Banners counters with a left to the body.
A slow jab from Banners misses its intended target.
Orlhovki misses with a kick to the body.
Banners throws a leg kick but Orlhovki moved away.
Jab from Orlhovki.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Orlhovki misses with a few strikes there.
Banners takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Banners throws a right and a left that Orlhovki avoids nicely.
Orlhovki looks to score with a jab to the body but Banners is just out of range.
Orlhovki checks a low kick from Banners.
Banners comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Orlhovki looks to score with a jab to the body but Banners is just out of range.
Orlhovki misses with a wild combination.
Banners feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Orlhovki's calf.
Orlhovki slips a jab from Banners.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Banners tries to bum rush Orlhovki with a series of wild strikes but Orlhovki uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Banners moves out of range as Orlhovki strikes.
Orlhovki fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Banners on the side of the head.
Banners throws out a leg kick but Orlhovki moves out of range and Banners only half commits.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ken Banners dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Orlhovki falls off balance throwing a combination
and Banners counters with a nice low kick that buckles Orlhovki's knee momentarily.
Orlhovki throws a half hearted mid kick.
Orlhovki throws a right and a left that Banners avoids nicely.
Banners throws a hook to the side of Orlhovki's head but Orlhovki sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Orlhovki doesn't manage to clinch there - Banners circles away.
Banners circles away from the clinch attempt
and Banners cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Banners throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Orlhovki sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Orlhovki steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Banners.
Orlhovki throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Banners sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Banners staying out of range there.
A shot to the body from Orlhovki misses
and Banners counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A jab from Orlhovki does it's job there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Orlhovki throws a right and a left that both miss.
Banners takes a swing at Orlhovki's ribcage but misses.
Ken Banners is winning the standup battle so far.
Orlhovki looks to throw the jab but Banners is out of range.
Orlhovki swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Orlhovki missing with a left hand there. Banners was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Banners with a jab.
Banners connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Orlhovki's hands.
Banners throws a hook to the side of Orlhovki's head but Orlhovki sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Banners connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Orlhovki wants to clinch
and Banners counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Banners tries to work over Orlhovki's front leg with a kick but Orlhovki checks it.
Orlhovki fails to land with a series of punches.
Banners throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Nice uppercut there from Banners.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Banners slips a straight right by Orlhovki.
Orlhovki misses with a straight left.
Banners pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Banners throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Orlhovki sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Banners throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Orlhovki throws the left hand but Banners avoids the punch easily.
Banners throws a right hand that Orlhovki ducks under and follows up with a left that Orlhovki also avoids with ease.
Orlhovki throws a low kick, looking for Banners's leg but Banners calmly moves out of range.
Banners avoids a punch combination nicely.
A big right from Banners misses.
Banners steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Orlhovki.
Orlhovki dips to his left and cracks Banners with an uppercut!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Banners throws out a loose jab but Orlhovki uses good head movement to avoid it.
Orlhovki takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Banners missing with a left hand there. Orlhovki was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Orlhovki slips a jab from Banners.
Banners uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Orlhovki.
Orlhovki misses with a leg kick
and Banners counters with a thumping low kick.
Banners scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Orlhovki throws a hook but Banners blocks it.
Orlhovki throws a leg kick but Banners checks it.
Orlhovki throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A telegraphed right hand from Banners misses the target.
Orlhovki throws a shot from downtown. Banners moves away and avoids it.
Banners throws a looping overhand right but Orlhovki ducks down to avoid it.
Orlhovki thuds a left hand into Banners's body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Orlhovki dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Orlhovki throws a hook to the side of Banners's head but Banners sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Orlhovki throws a quick inside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Orlhovki throws a big shot that misses.
Orlhovki throws a jab but it's blocked by Banners.
Orlhovki thows a body shot but no joy.
Orlhovki throws a hook to the side of Banners's head but Banners sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Orlhovki lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Orlhovki ducks under a wild hook from Banners.
Orlhovki misses the body punch
and Banners counters with a three punch combo that has Orlhovki backing up. Orlhovki nods at Banners to acknowledge the strikes.
Orlhovki throws a body kick that misses.
A decent looking cross lands there for Orlhovki.
Orlhovki uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Orlhovki tries a low kick but Banners avoids it.
Banners avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Banners misses with a straight right.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Banners swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
The fighters circle momentarily. Orlhovki darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Andrus Orlhovki will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Orlhovki throws a body punch but Banners moves out of range.
Orlhovki misses with a low kick.
Jab, jab by Orlhovki - just one landing.
Orlhovki doesn't manage to clinch there - Banners circles away.
Orlhovki cracks Banners with an open hand slap.
Orlhovki with a jab.
Banners uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Orlhovki.
Banners misses with a low kick.
Orlhovki blocks a jab.
Banners displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Orlhovki throws out the jab.
Banners uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Orlhovki.
Orlhovki fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Banners moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Orlhovki looks to land a combination but Banners avoids it well.
Banners moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Orlhovki uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Banners.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Orlhovki throws a low kick but Banners avoids it.
Orlhovki dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Orlhovki looks to land a right hand but Banners moved out of range.
Orlhovki uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Banners.
Orlhovki lands an overhand right.
Banners takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Banners lands with an uppercut that bounces Orlhovki off the cage and back into rage.
Orlhovki throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Banners looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Orlhovki throws a looping overhand right but Banners ducks down to avoid it.
Orlhovki fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Banners with a jab.
Banners throws a wild body kick that Orlhovki sees coming a mile off.
Banners waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Orlhovki.
Orlhovki moves away from the strike by Banners.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Orlhovki is looking to land body kicks.
Banners moves out of range as Orlhovki strikes.
Orlhovki throws a predictable looking body shot
and Banners counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Orlhovki lands a jab to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A left lands for Orlhovki.
Orlhovki is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Banners.
Orlhovki needs to keep his hands up - Banners had a free shot at his head there.
Banners looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Orlhovki throws a wild body kick that Banners sees coming a mile off.
Orlhovki throws a head kick but Banners moves out of range.
Orlhovki catches Banners with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Orlhovki with a jab.
Banners showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Orlhovki.
Banners moves out of range of the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Orlhovki throws a shot from downtown. Banners moves away and avoids it.
Banners drops his hands momentarily and Orlhovki takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Orlhovki misses with an uppercut. Banners saw that one coming.
Banners takes a swing at Orlhovki's ribcage but misses.
The crowd cheers as Banners lands an impressive looking overhand right. Orlhovki doesn't seem phased though.
Orlhovki pivots, looking for a leg kick but Banners is out of range and Orlhovki settles back down.
Orlhovki lunges at Banners with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Banners's hand.
Orlhovki throws a leg kick but Banners moved away.
Orlhovki bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Orlhovki checks the leg kick nicely there.
Banners misses with a series of wild punches.
Orlhovki misses the shot to the body.
Orlhovki throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Orlhovki throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Banners on the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Orlhovki closes the distance but Banners moves to the side
and Banners counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Orlhovki throws a good cross that connects.
Orlhovki swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Orlhovki misses with a hook. Banners ducked under it nicely.
Banners misses with a few strikes there.
A swing and a miss from Orlhovki.
A looping hook to the body misses from Banners. Orlhovki does a little dance to reset his feet.
Orlhovki uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Banners.
No joy there for Banners, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Orlhovki throws a leg kick that misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Orlhovki fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Banners moves out of range of the strikes.
Orlhovki throws a jab but it's blocked by Banners.

And that's the end of the fight!
Andrus Orlhovki comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Orlhovki 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 Skip Squint scores the fight 29:29
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 28:29
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Andrus Orlhovki!