Where did Jerome LeBanner go?

[Cracked_Knuckle]

I love watching this guys fights as you know he puts his balls on the line every time and either wins, or goes out in spectacular fashion. His reckless style with increadible power and punches pretty much means we are in for a great ride whatever the outcome.

Against Abidi though, he was different. I mean, all props to him for going in with a gameplan and fighting smart, but it just wasn't "LeBanner" out there.

He was powerful as usual, but seemed rather intent on covering his jaw big time and taking the shots when they presented themselves rather than walking over his opponent like he used to. How often have we ever seen LeBanner pushing people with his head and fighting in close? He was always the power bomber from medium range which is probably one reason Abidi withstood the punches he was hit with.

It was a great performance and heart shown by both fighters, and a smart one by Jerome. It just wasn't the LeBanner I am used to seeing and kind of hope turns up again in his next fight.

[sparkles]

I think he looked pretty good during the first 3 rounds. The reason he wasn't so deadly is probably because it was a scheduled 5 rounder and that's a lot for a 120 kg guy so he took his time eventually getting the down in round 3. Abidi has troubles when he is pressured that's why JLB walked in like a tank.

[heckyl]

all i can think of, is that Abidi KO him in the gym fight and JLB was going all out that time. with some people that just isnt the best gameplan.

[krs]

I think it's Lavally (who used to train Cyril) who asked him to fight that way. Maybe in order to avoid risks? During the training little video, you can hear Lavally say that he knows Cyril very well and that he told everyday Lebanner to fight him carefully and not underestimate him.
Anyway he was right to fight that way because it really paid off.

To know if Lebanner has changed or if it was just a gameplan, we'll have to wait for hs next fight.

[( o Y o )]

I guess it is easy to think LeBanners new found defensive stance comes from actually having been hurt (KO'd or otherwise) in their gym fight. We could say he was just fighting smart as Abidi does have the ability to KO him, but that same ability never bothered JLB when he fought the likes of Hunt, Aerts, Hoost, Bernardo so there is something more to it than that.

Who knows....it was definitely a new way for him though, and while not as exciting as usual, would do him well these days against the likes of Botha etc....

Next fight at the Eliminations will we see LeBanner vs Abidi II, or LeBanner vs Kaoklai.

[sparkles]

I wonder if abidi will be selected for the eliminations ... There weren't too many wild cards if I remember. JLB will probably get one of them...

[( o Y o )]

If FEG wants them both in, they'll get them in.

[Anjew]

Even if there was just one wild card JLB would get it after this fight, I'm quite sure...

[( o Y o )]

I'm not 100% sure of that. There is something about Abidi that really gets the crowd fired up. Remember last Eliminations they were chanting his name against Musashi.

[-=[DM]=-]

Maybe he worried about his forearm.. this was the first time since 2002 he was actually fighting someone who could throw nice hard kicks.

[K1power]

I'm not 100% sure of that. There is something about Abidi that really gets the crowd fired up. Remember last Eliminations they were chanting his name against Musashi.
I think it's his fighting style combined with his attitude/aura of street mentality that just gushes out of him (in my opinion anyways). He never holds back and usually goes all out against any opponent. He doesn't care who he fights and he accepts fights against anybody. Win or lose, he always puts up an exciting match. He even stopped turning his back in his more recent fights - one of his habits that irritated a LOT of people.

[gane]

I'm not 100% sure of that. There is something about Abidi that really gets the crowd fired up. Remember last Eliminations they were chanting his name against Musashi.
That's because the Japanese were happy to get a foreign fighter's name right for a change (lol)

[pirespece]

all i can think of, is that Abidi KO him in the gym fight and JLB was going all out that time. with some people that just isnt the best gameplan.

is someone able to describe what exactly happened into this gym ???
I did not know abidi KO'd JLB...
So....
What's the true version ????

[sparkles]

there we go again ...

[Titan]

is someone able to describe what exactly happened into this gym ???
I did not know abidi KO'd JLB...
So....
What's the true version ????
Search the forums, and see http://kakutougi.info/content/view/136/2/. We're all tired of talking about it because it always gets nasty so please don't bring it up. LOL.