PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Austin Fowler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bruce Banner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Fowler might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to "On The Hunt" by Lynyrd Skynyrd. Banner has chosen Pump Up The Jam as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Fowler
vs
Banner

196 cm
31
182 lbs
17 - 15 - 0

180 cm
34
175 lbs
17 - 7 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
Powerful

Tokyo United Fightwear

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 17 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Austin Fowler!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Bruce Banner!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Paulo Santos and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fowler waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Banner.
Fowler uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Banner.
Banner throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Fowler stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Banner throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Fowler stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Fowler lands with a hook. Banner tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

Fowler shoots in and bounces Banner off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Fowler throwing strikes but missing.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Banner working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Fowler.
Fowler will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Fowler tries to free his leg and advance position but Banner is retaining full guard.
Fowler trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Fowler throwing strikes but missing.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Banner keeping full guard, as Fowler tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banner keeping moving, preventing Fowler from controlling successfully.

Banner is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Fowler trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Fowler is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Fowler throws a big right hand that misses.
Fowler throws a big elbow that misses.
Fowler makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Fowler working some strikes from top position.
Fowler postures up in Banner's guard and throws a big left but Banner blocks it.
Fowler wants to pass the guard but Banner is keeping the position.
Fowler connects with a couple of short punches.
Fowler throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Fowler accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Fowler in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Banner is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Banner has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Fowler can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Fowler slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Banner wants to sweep here but Fowler controlling him for the moment.
Fowler trying to control the position from guard on top but Banner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fowler lands a couple of elbows.
Fowler pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Banner is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banner looking to control.
Fowler chips away with some ground and pound.
Fowler postures up in Banner's guard and throws a big left but Banner blocks it.
Fowler throwing strikes from guard but Banner blocks nicely.
Fowler slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Fowler scoring with punches and elbows.
Fowler lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.

Fowler goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Banner has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Fowler but great work by Banner.
Banner tries to move to mount but Fowler blocks the move with his legs.
Fowler can't do much from the bottom here.
Fowler really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Fowler regains half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Banner wants to pass to mount but Fowler is defending the position.

Banner is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Banner is thwarting Fowler's attempts to control the position.
Fowler works his way to full guard. Good work.
Fowler bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Banner's guard.
Banner has momentary wrist control but Fowler slips an elbow through the middle.
Banner trying to control the position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Fowler tries to free his leg and advance position but Banner is retaining full guard.
Banner looking to control.
Fowler in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Austin Fowler dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Fowler lands with a shot to the body.
Nice jab there from Fowler.

Banner shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Fowler napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Fowler manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Fowler looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Fowler thows a huge punch but Banner dodges it nicely.
Fowler drops an elbow to the side of Banner's head.
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!
Nice strikes from Fowler there.
Fowler is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Banner has hold of Fowler's hands but Fowler slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Fowler is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Banner avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Fowler.
Banner blocking the ground and pound attempt from Fowler.

Banner looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Fowler.
Fowler working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Fowler throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Fowler thows a huge punch but Banner dodges it nicely.
Fowler thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Banner's head.
Fowler throwing shots but Banner is blocking nicely.
Fowler wants to pass the guard but Banner is defending well.
Banner tries to roll over but Fowler keeps him under control.
Fowler throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Fowler lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Banner looking for submissions off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fowler scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Banner blocking the ground and pound attempt from Fowler.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fowler not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Fowler prevents Banner from improving his position.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Fowler lands a nice short elbow.
Fowler is looking to take a break and control but Banner is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Banner is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Fowler pulls his head out easily.
Fowler not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Banner tries to roll over but Fowler keeps him under control.

Fowler is looking for a kimura but Banner is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Fowler to get the leverage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fowler looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Banner has hold of Fowler's hands but Fowler slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Fowler with the ground and pound but Banner uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Fowler with a flurry of punches that miss.
Banner manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Fowler is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Fowler is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Banner can do to turn this around?
Fowler tries to hold on but Banner pushes him away.
Banner fails to advance to Fowler's back.
Banner lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fowler bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fowler stands and throws Banner's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Banner is trying to improve his position.
Fowler is working Banner over with some ground and pound from side control.
Fowler lands an elbow.
Banner regains half guard there - taking advantage of Fowler's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.

Banner is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Fowler pulls his head out easily.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Banner gets back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Austin Fowler dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Fowler shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Banner as he jumps to the side.
Banner bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Fowler tries to move into range but Banner moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Fowler shoots in but Banner avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Fowler takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Fowler.
Fowler will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Austin Fowler. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Banner scores with a nice head shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fowler thows a left - swing and a miss!
Fowler misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Banner counters with a shoot takedown. Fowler fights it but they end up in guard.
Fowler wants to sweep but no luck.
Fowler keeping moving, preventing Banner from controlling successfully.
Banner passes Fowler's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Fowler wants to improve his position but Banner is controlling well.

Fowler looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Banner is keen to just control but Fowler is a slippery customer.

Fowler has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Banner escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Banner!
Banner has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Bruce Banner has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Fowler really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Banner landing shots from mount.
Banner takes his opponent's back. Perhaps a chance to lock up a rear naked choke here.
Banner is looking to control Fowler but Fowler is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Fowler breaks Banner's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Fowler working some strikes from top position.
Fowler preventing the sweep.
Austin Fowler overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Fowler in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Fowler throws a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banner looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Banner has his foot on Fowler's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Fowler works his way back into a safe position though.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Fowler accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Fowler postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Fowler postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Banner keeping moving, preventing Fowler from controlling successfully.
Fowler postures up in Banner's guard and throws a big left but Banner blocks it.
Fowler postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Fowler has a momentary lapse of concentration, allowing Banner to throw up a leg and lock on what appears to be a pretty tight triangle! Fowler is fighting it off but it's all too little too late - Banner pulls down on the head and he's put Fowler to sleep! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Bruce Banner!
During a confident post fight interview, Bruce Banner thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.