PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Wayne Banner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ethan Perry (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Ethan Perry was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Banner
vs
Perry

171 cm
22
136 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

167 cm
24
137 lbs
2 - 0 - 1

Decent wrestler
Solid Muay Thai
Very quick

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Wayne Banner!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ethan Perry!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Wesley Smith and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Perry scores with a takedown into Banner's guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Perry accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Perry with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Perry throwing strikes but missing.
Perry trying to control the position from guard on top but Banner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Perry pushing down on Banner's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Banner is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Perry thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Banner to regain full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Perry looking to sit in guard and control but Banner gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Banner keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Perry's head.
Banner throws a big right hand that misses.
Banner is working Perry over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Banner stops Perry from standing up.

Perry is looking for a triangle but Banner pushes his legs off easily.
Perry utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Banner postures up in Perry's guard and throws a big left but Perry blocks it.
Perry has momentary wrist control but Banner slips an elbow through the middle.
Banner trying to control the position from guard on top but Perry is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Perry is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Banner is controlling him.
Banner throwing strikes from guard but Perry blocks nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Perry throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Perry is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Banner distracts Perry with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Perry has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Banner is in close to Perry's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Banner makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Banner throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Perry works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Perry wants to stand but Banner is controlling the position.
Banner is in close to Perry's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Banner postures up and lands a big shot to Perry's brow.
Perry keeping full guard, as Banner tries to pass.
Banner scoring with punches to the head and body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Wayne Banner will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Banner tries for a takedown but Perry circles away easily

and Perry counters with a takedown into side control.
Banner takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Perry sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Banner is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Perry creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Banner parries the strikes from Perry easily there. Perry is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Banner to escape.
Banner parries the strikes from Perry easily there. Perry is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Banner to escape.

Perry is trying to get an arm triangle but Banner is defending well.
Banner dodges the ground and pound from Perry.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Perry is trying to ground and pound but Banner uses the momentary lack of control by Perry to regain half guard.
Perry missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Banner manages to get to full guard.
Perry missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

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.
Perry throwing strikes from guard but Banner blocks nicely.
Banner preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Perry throws and elbow that misses. Banner uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Perry's guard. Nice move by Banner!
Banner throws a big right hand that misses.
Perry has momentary wrist control but Banner slips an elbow through the middle.
Banner is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Perry bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Banner's guard.
Perry works a leg free and moves into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ethan Perry showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Perry gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Banner counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Perry wants to get back to his feet but Banner is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Perry looking to hit a scissor sweep but Banner is one step ahead there.

Perry working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Banner doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Banner manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Banner is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Banner trying to control but Perry is working from the bottom.
Banner landing with the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banner scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Banner wants to pass the guard but Perry is keeping the position.
Banner is pushing down on Perry's leg trying to pass to half guard. Perry is fighting to maintain full guard but Banner has managed to sneak the leg through.
Perry blocking the ground and pound attempt from Banner.
Banner has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
A nice elbow there by Banner.
Banner scoring with strikes but Perry is staying in there.
Banner is in the full mount, landing strikes.

Banner with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Perry wants to try and get back to his feet.
Banner dominating with strikes here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Perry tries to reverse the position but Banner maintains control.
Perry is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Perry tries to buck Banner off but he can't manage it.
Banner cracks Perry with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Banner unloading with bombs!
Perry is looking to get to half guard.
Perry in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Perry is in all sorts of trouble here.
Banner working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Banner working Perry over with strikes here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Banner lands a nice shot to the head.
Perry is bucking up trying to escape but Banner cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Banner lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Perry hang on?
Perry is in a horrible position here. Banner smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wayne Banner clearly takes that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Perry shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Perry is working Banner over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Banner has control of Perry's left arm, preventing Perry from doing any damage.
Perry missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Banner utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Perry makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Perry won't allow Banner to sweep him here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Perry throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Banner works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Perry preventing the sweep.
Banner avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Perry passes Banner's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Perry seems to be working for a kimura but Banner defends the submission attempt.
Perry is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Perry throwing shots but Banner is blocking nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Perry is nestled in close to Banner, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Perry winds up and cracks Banner with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Banner has hold of Perry's hands but Perry slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Perry sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Banner defending well though.
Wayne Banner overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Banner is staying active underneath Perry, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Perry not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Banner avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Perry.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ethan Perry dominated that fourth round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Perry takes a shot to the body in his stride.

Perry looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Banner!
Banner on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Banner tries to get out of the position.
Banner regains half guard.
Perry not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Perry seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Banner does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Banner is looking to improve his position.
Banner keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Perry missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Banner avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Perry.
Perry not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Perry seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Banner does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Banner looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Banner throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Perry is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Banner's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Banner's back!

Banner is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Perry is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Banner covering up well under a series of strikes from Perry.
Perry not allowing Banner to control his hands.
Perry missing with punches from the back.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Wayne Banner.
Well Banner has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 48:47
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 48:47
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Wayne Banner!