PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Bruce Alvarez Banner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andy Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Banner kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Metallica's Ride The Lightning . The crowd seem to be enjoying Johnson's choice of entrance music: It's A Fight. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Alvarez Banner
vs
Johnson

180 cm
38
185 lbs
28 - 15 - 1

180 cm
31
169 lbs
20 - 11 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

BeastMode
Sex Panther! (160q recovery $149)

Fury Nutrition Inc.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 28 - 15 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Bruce Alvarez Banner!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Andy Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Damien Edna and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Banner stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Johnson.
Banner misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Banner closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Johnson looks to score with a jab to the body but Banner is just out of range.
The crowd cheers as Banner lands an impressive looking overhand right. Johnson doesn't seem phased though.
Johnson misses with a leg kick

and Banner counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Banner.
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!
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Johnson is on top in guard.
Banner throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Johnson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Banner manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Banner sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson wants to control but Banner is having none of it.
Johnson is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Banner is staying active.
Banner lands with some strikes.
Banner lands a nice shot to the head.
Banner throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.

Johnson defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Banner.
Banner working the ground and pound effectively.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Johnson tries to hold on but Banner postures up.
BOOM! Banner connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Banner is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Johnson can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Johnson tries to hold on but Banner pushes him away.
Banner landing strikes from the mount.
Johnson is looking to improve his position but Banner isn't that keen on the idea.
Banner dominating with strikes here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson avoids a series of strikes thrown by Banner.
Banner has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Johnson tries to hold on but Banner pushes him away.
Banner sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Johnson 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.
Banner looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Banner throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Johnson trying to hold on to Banner's head to control him but Banner postures up.
Banner drops an elbow to the side of Johnson's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is pressing down on Banner's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Johnson managing to control the position.
Johnson trying to control the position.

Johnson looking for a guillotine here but Banner defends easily.
Banner throwing strikes from guard but Johnson blocks nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bruce Alvarez Banner dominated that round.
That's time! Banner's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Johnson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Banner tries to avoid it but Johnson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Banner to the ground. Banner escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Banner sprawls well. Banner wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Johnson gets slowly back to his feet.
Banner staying out of range there.
Johnson looks for a takedown but Banner sprawls well.
Bruce Alvarez Banner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andy Johnson.

Johnson shoots in and bounces Banner off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Banner looking for a guillotine here but Johnson defends easily.
Bruce Alvarez Banner overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson trying to control but Banner is working from the bottom.

Banner is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Johnson is aware though and is defending well.
Johnson trying to control but Banner is working from the bottom.
Johnson is looking to work some ground and pound but Banner has wrist control.
Johnson content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Johnson lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Johnson throws a strike but Banner rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Johnson controls Banner momentarily but Banner frees himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Banner pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Johnson is keeping the position for now.
Banner postures up.
Banner throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Banner trying to move into half guard but instead Johnson has managed to sweep!
Johnson cracks Banner with a solid left hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Banner is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Johnson is aware though and is defending well.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Johnson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Johnson throws a strike but Banner rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banner stopping the sweep attempt from Johnson.
Johnson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Banner passes Johnson's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Johnson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Banner.
Johnson wants to control but Banner is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Banner scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Banner is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Johnson sees it coming and defends easily.
Johnson trying to control from the bottom.
Banner works his way into side control.
Banner sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Johnson is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Banner throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Johnson struggling a bit here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Banner fails to land a wild elbow strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Andy Johnson will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Banner avoids the body shot from Johnson.
Johnson tries to clinch but Banner moves out of range.
Johnson stuffs the takedown.
Johnson walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Johnson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Banner.

Banner clinches up against the cage.

Banner is trying to trip Johnson. He has hold of a leg but Johnson is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Banner persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Johnson wants to sweep but no luck.
Johnson trying to keep a closed guard but Banner is proving a slippery customer.
Banner throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Johnson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Johnson might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Banner haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Johnson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Andy Johnson hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Johnson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Banner on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Johnson. Johnson obviously looking to wear him down.
Banner shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Johnson as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bruce Alvarez Banner. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Banner keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Johnson.
Banner takes one on the chin but seems OK.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Banner defends it nicely.
Banner doesn't succeed with the takedown
letting Johnson counter with a right hand.
Johnson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Johnson takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Banner lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Banner shoots for a double leg takedown but Johnson sprawls well. He's pushed Banner's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
The fight stays on the outside here - Banner looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Johnson throws a lazy uppercut

and Banner counters by clinching up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Johnson misses with a punch to the body.
Banner looking for a takedown.
Banner blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Johnson stalling in the clinch but Banner improves position.
Johnson is pressed up against the cage. Banner has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Johnson down to the mat. Johnson avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Johnson clinches up against the cage.
Johnson throws a punch but it's blocked by Banner.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Banner is trying to trip Johnson. He has hold of a leg but Johnson is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Banner persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Johnson wants to stand and escape but Banner is having none of it.
Banner loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Banner is looking to work some ground and pound but Johnson has wrist control.
Banner won't allow Johnson to sweep him here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson working a defensive guard but Banner passes into half guard.
Johnson holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Johnson wants to control but Banner is keeping busy.
Johnson has hold of Banner's hands but Banner slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Johnson has his hands clasped together around Banner's back. He's all about the action.
Banner seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Banner wants to pass the guard but Johnson is defending well.

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 Bruce Alvarez Banner.
I think Banner 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 30:27
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 29:28
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bruce Alvarez Banner!
Bruce Alvarez Banner very nearly forgot to thank BeastMode amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.