Fight Log
Loading Fight Log...
More Fantasy News
Experiences defeat for the first time in his MMA career
Banks lost to Adam Piccolotti via submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:41 of Round 3 at Bellator 199 on Saturday in San Jose, Calif.
ANALYSIS
Banks came into this fight with an undefeated 7-0 record. Despite starting his career with an impressive string of victories, there was still criticism that he was overly reliant on his wrestling. The former collegiate wrestler has not finished a bout since his second professional fight in 2012. Banks tried to use to wrestling again to dominate this fight. Things got off to a positive start, but Piccolotti had answers on the floor. He won the position battle and continually threatened with submissions. In the final round, Piccolotti took the back and finished the fight with a rear-naked choke. Banks falls to 7-1 overall and 3-1 in Bellator. At this level, he will need to refine his secondary skills, because wrestling alone is not enough to win fights.
Banks came into this fight with an undefeated 7-0 record. Despite starting his career with an impressive string of victories, there was still criticism that he was overly reliant on his wrestling. The former collegiate wrestler has not finished a bout since his second professional fight in 2012. Banks tried to use to wrestling again to dominate this fight. Things got off to a positive start, but Piccolotti had answers on the floor. He won the position battle and continually threatened with submissions. In the final round, Piccolotti took the back and finished the fight with a rear-naked choke. Banks falls to 7-1 overall and 3-1 in Bellator. At this level, he will need to refine his secondary skills, because wrestling alone is not enough to win fights.
Dominates with wrestling against Steve Kozola at Bellator 184
Banks defeated Steve Kozola via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-25, 30-25) at Bellator 184 on Friday in Thackerville, Okla.
ANALYSIS
Banks was a junior college national champion and a two-time Division III All-American wrestler. So far in his MMA career, he has mostly relied on his wrestling skills. That was once again the case here. He scored takedowns in all three rounds. These were dominating takedowns and slams. However, he also showed signs of evolution into a complete MMA fighter. He scored with a few hard overhand rights and passed guard a few times on the ground. In the third round, Banks nearly finished with an arm-triangle choke, but he just could not lock it up. He still has a ways to go, but he is clearly learning on the job and improving. With this victory, Banks improves to 7-0 overall and 3-0 in Bellator.
Banks was a junior college national champion and a two-time Division III All-American wrestler. So far in his MMA career, he has mostly relied on his wrestling skills. That was once again the case here. He scored takedowns in all three rounds. These were dominating takedowns and slams. However, he also showed signs of evolution into a complete MMA fighter. He scored with a few hard overhand rights and passed guard a few times on the ground. In the third round, Banks nearly finished with an arm-triangle choke, but he just could not lock it up. He still has a ways to go, but he is clearly learning on the job and improving. With this victory, Banks improves to 7-0 overall and 3-0 in Bellator.
To take on Steve Kozola at Bellator 184
Banks will face Steve Kozola in a lightweight contest at Bellator 184 on October 6 in Thackerville, Dave Doyle of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Banks doesn't have many stoppage wins, but he is 6-0 in his career. The American claims four unanimous decision victories including one over Jake Roberts, who his opponent for this fight knocked out in 28 seconds. "Jetsetter" has proven that he can go the distance in a fight but his endurance might not help against a heavy hitter like Kozola.
Banks doesn't have many stoppage wins, but he is 6-0 in his career. The American claims four unanimous decision victories including one over Jake Roberts, who his opponent for this fight knocked out in 28 seconds. "Jetsetter" has proven that he can go the distance in a fight but his endurance might not help against a heavy hitter like Kozola.
Takes workmanlike decision over Jake Roberts
Banks defeated Jake Roberts via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27) at Bellator 165 on Saturday in San Jose, Calif.
ANALYSIS
Banks stunned Roberts inside the first minute of the fight. He swarmed to finish the fight but most of his follow up punches missed. He then went into wrestling mode and worked for a takedown. After finishing a takedown in the middle of the cage, Banks really struggled to pass Roberts' butterfly guard or do very much damage from the top. In the second round, Roberts started doing a lot of damage to the lead led with low kicks, but Banks was still landing hard right hands. In the final round, Banks went back to his wrestling to ensure the decision.
Banks stunned Roberts inside the first minute of the fight. He swarmed to finish the fight but most of his follow up punches missed. He then went into wrestling mode and worked for a takedown. After finishing a takedown in the middle of the cage, Banks really struggled to pass Roberts' butterfly guard or do very much damage from the top. In the second round, Roberts started doing a lot of damage to the lead led with low kicks, but Banks was still landing hard right hands. In the final round, Banks went back to his wrestling to ensure the decision.