PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Armando Reyes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Maxim Banajev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Reyes comes to the cage accompanied by Crank Dat. Banajev has chosen Arcana - Autumnal as his entrance music. Armando Reyes has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Reyes
vs
Banajev

190 cm
23
205 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

180 cm
20
218 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Skinshop (LOTS OF GIF`S!)

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 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Armando Reyes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Maxim Banajev!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Igor Prikhodko and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Banajev does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Banajev misses the jab.
Reyes uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Banajev.
Reyes misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Banajev scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Reyes tries a low kick but Banajev avoids it.
Reyes fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Banajev checks it well.
Banajev throws an overhand right that lands on Reyes's shoulder, as Reyes tries to avoid the shot.
Banajev is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Reyes.
A head kick misses from Reyes.

Banajev rushes Reyes and presses him up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Banajev drops down looking for an ankle pick but Reyes pulls his leg out and moves away.
Reyes lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reyes jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Reyes throws a low kick but Banajev avoids it.
Banajev avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Banajev moves out of range of the body kick.
Good standup being displayed there by Banajev as he connects with a hook.
A decent looking cross lands there for Reyes.
Reyes thows a body shot but no joy.
Armando Reyes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Reyes displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Banajev throws out the jab.
Banajev is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Reyes.
Banajev jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Armando Reyes is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Reyes misses with a wild body shot.
Reyes fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Banajev looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Reyes looks to land a combination but Banajev avoids it well.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Reyes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reyes dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Reyes moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Reyes moves out of range of the strikes.
Reyes lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Reyes ducks right into an uppercut from Banajev.
A jab from Reyes finds it's way through Banajev's defenses.
Banajev throws a low kick, looking for Reyes's leg but Reyes calmly moves out of range.
Banajev sizes up Reyes with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Reyes is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Banajev.
Reyes misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Banajev.
Reyes cracks Banajev with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Banajev blocks a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Reyes, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Banajev shoots for a double leg takedown but Reyes sprawls well. He's pushed Banajev's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Banajev throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Reyes stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Banajev tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Reyes swivels and escapes.
Armando Reyes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Maxim Banajev.
Reyes tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Banajev was well out of range. Poor timing from Reyes.
Reyes throws a head kick but Banajev moves out of range.
A nice combination there by Banajev.

Banajev feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
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.
Reyes is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Banajev is looking to work some ground and pound but Reyes has wrist control.
Reyes can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Banajev controls the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reyes working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Banajev.
Reyes avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Reyes not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Banajev stays in close to Reyes's body and controls the position.
Banajev won't allow Reyes to get back to his feet.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Nice uppercut there from Banajev.
Banajev connects with a good right hand that stumbles Reyes. Reyes circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Reyes slips a jab from Banajev.
Banajev dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Reyes displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Banajev throws out the jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Maxim Banajev will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Banajev uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Reyes.
Reyes lands a nice shot to the body.
Reyes misses with a few strikes there.
Reyes just misses with a punch to the body.
Reyes misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Banajev dives in and grabs Reyes's left leg, looking for a takedown. Reyes pushes down on Banajev's head and hops out.
Reyes falls off balance throwing a combination

so Banajev counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Reyes wants to sweep but no luck.

Reyes has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Banajev off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Banajev takes a swing at Reyes's ribcage but misses.
Reyes throws a sloppy head kick and Banajev moves out of range easily.
Reyes is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reyes ducks under a wild hook from Banajev.
Banajev misses with a few strikes there.
Reyes blocks a jab.
Reyes misses with a hook to the body

and Banajev counters with a takedown into side control.
Reyes is trying to get back to half guard.
Reyes on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Reyes tries to get out of the position.
Banajev throwing strikes but Reyes manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Banajev is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Reyes wants to stand but Banajev has him controlled and pulls him back into his guard.

Banajev scrambles and gets back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reyes swings for the body but Banajev moves out of range.
Banajev shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Reyes as he jumps to the side.
Banajev fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Armando Reyes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Maxim Banajev.
Banajev misses with a combination
and Reyes counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Banajev shoots in looking for a takedown. Reyes tries to sprawl out of it but Banajev keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Reyes manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Banajev is breathing heavily.
Reyes misses with a two punch combination.
A jab lands there for Banajev.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banajev fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Banajev takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Reyes keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Reyes goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Some wild striking there from Reyes.
Reyes looks to land a left hand but Banajev moved out of range nicely.
Armando Reyes is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A low kick from Reyes is predictable there

and Banajev counters with a shoot takedown. Reyes fights it but they end up in guard.
Banajev trying to control but Reyes is working from the bottom.
Reyes being controlled here, momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reyes is pulling down on Banajev's head to control his posture.
Reyes knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Banajev on the ground.
Reyes is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Banajev pushing down on Reyes's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Reyes avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Banajev.
Banajev has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Reyes is trying to maintain the position but Banajev is very close to passing his half guard.
Reyes is looking to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maxim Banajev showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Reyes's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Banajev stalks Reyes and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Reyes's face. Reyes staggers backwards, shaken.
Reyes throws a push kick but Banajev slaps the foot to one side.
Reyes lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Banajev circles away quickly and effectively.
A lazy left from Reyes finds it's target.
Banajev avoids the body shot from Reyes.
Banajev throws a shot to the body.
Banajev misses the shot to the body.
Banajev misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A head kick misses from Reyes.
Reyes defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Banajev.
A head kick from Reyes lands but Banajev takes it in his stride.
Banajev misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reyes throws a left and a right that both miss
enabling Banajev to counter with a crisp jab.
Reyes stuns Banajev with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Reyes tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Banajev was well out of range. Poor timing from Reyes.
Reyes is looking to wear down Banajev with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Reyes throws a leg kick but Banajev sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Reyes throws a leg kick but Banajev sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Banajev throws an overhand right that lands on Reyes's shoulder, as Reyes tries to avoid the shot.
Reyes looks to land a left hand but Banajev moved out of range nicely.
Banajev misses with a takedown attempt
and Reyes counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Banajev thinking.
Banajev throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Reyes will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Banajev slips under a jab.
Some wild striking there from Reyes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Banajev tests Reyes's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Reyes scores with a hook to the body. Banajev takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Banajev throws out a loose jab but Reyes uses good head movement to avoid it.
Banajev walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Reyes throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Banajev.
Some wild striking there from Reyes.
Reyes lands with a nice body punch.
Reyes waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Banajev.
Reyes misses with a double jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reyes leaves Banajev with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Armando Reyes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Maxim Banajev.
No joy there for Reyes, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Armando Reyes is winning the standup battle so far.
Reyes scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Reyes misses with a two punch combination.
A head kick misses from Reyes.
Reyes thows a body shot but no joy.
Armando Reyes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Banajev misses with a jab, cross combination.
Banajev swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
enabling Reyes to counter with a crisp jab.
Reyes misses with the combination.
Reyes moves out of range as Banajev strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Banajev avoids the head kick by Reyes.
Banajev thows a left - swing and a miss!
Banajev throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Banajev swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Reyes lands with an uppercut that bounces Banajev off the cage and back into rage.
Reyes throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Reyes defending well as Banajev loads up on a big left hand.
Reyes swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Banajev counters with a stiff right hand.
Reyes throws a jab when Banajev was well out of range.
Nice body kick there by Reyes.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Reyes misses with a wild combination.

And that's the end of the fight!
Armando Reyes showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Banajev 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 Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 29:29
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!