PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kennedy Thompson (ranked 5052 p4p, 4316 weight class) and Jack Benson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Thompson
vs
Benson

177 cm
25
220
1 - 2 - 0

185 cm
18
205
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kennedy Thompson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Jack Benson!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, John Kavanagh and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thompson fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Benson on the side of the head.
Thompson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Benson circles away quickly and effectively.
Thompson lands a nice shot that snaps Benson's head back.
Benson wants to clinch.
Thompson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Benson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Thompson scores with a crisp jab that stopped Benson in his tracks.
Thompson really is a fat lump.
Thompson fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Benson on the side of the head.
Thompson scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Thompson fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Benson looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Benson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Benson walks into a left hand.
A jab from Thompson finds it's way through Benson's defenses.
Thompson throws a shot to the body.
Benson on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Benson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benson misses with a hook. Thompson ducked under it nicely.
Thompson misses with a jab, cross combination.
Benson moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Thompson cracks Benson with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Thompson's corner calls for a 1-2. Thompson obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Thompson jabs Benson right on the nose. Benson blinks but takes it well.

Thompson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Thompson wants to control from the top but Benson keeps moving.
Benson is looking to stand up but Thompson isn't so interested in that idea.
Thompson trying to control the position from guard on top but Benson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Benson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Benson keeping moving, preventing Thompson from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thompson controls from within his opponent's guard.
Benson throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Thompson looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Thompson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Thompson seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Benson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thompson thows a huge punch but Benson dodges it nicely.
Benson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Thompson.
Benson is staying active underneath Thompson, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson is really struggling to control Benson but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Thompson controlling the action here.
Thompson scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Benson works his way to full guard. Good work.
Benson wants to sweep here but Thompson controlling him for the moment.
Thompson stops Benson from standing up.
Benson looks winded!
Benson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Thompson throwing strikes from guard but Benson blocks nicely.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Benson can do anything to dispel that myth.
Benson is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Thompson wants to control from the top but Benson keeps moving.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Thompson shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Thompson showed some decent athleticism there.
Thompson looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Thompson is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Benson on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Thompson perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kennedy Thompson dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Thompson lands with a nice combination. Benson backs away looking to recover.
Thompson scores with a crisp jab that stopped Benson in his tracks.

Thompson decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Benson gets back to full guard.
Thompson preventing the sweep.
Thompson throws a big elbow that misses.
Benson is trying to keep Thompson in close.
Thompson throwing strikes but missing.
Thompson working some strikes from top position.
Thompson trying to control the position from guard on top but Benson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thompson lands a couple of digs.
Benson is breathing heavily.
Thompson passes Benson's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Benson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Benson is looking for a sweep. Thompson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Benson preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Benson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Thompson.
Thompson trying to control the action but Benson is working from the bottom.
Benson tries to roll over but Thompson keeps him under control.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Thompson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benson wants to get back to full guard.
Thompson is keen to just control but Benson is a slippery customer.
Thompson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Thompson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Thompson seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Benson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Thompson 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.
Thompson performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Benson is staying active underneath Thompson, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Thompson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Benson can do to turn this around?
Thompson is taking a breather. Benson says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Thompson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Thompson 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson throwing shots but Benson is blocking nicely.
Benson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Thompson.
Thompson content to control rather than advance.
Thompson looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Benson with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Thompson lands a nice short elbow.
Ground and pound from Thompson.
Thompson slips a nice elbow through Benson's hands, connecting with Benson's forehead.
Thompson is nestled in close to Benson, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Thompson connects with a nice short shot to Benson's temple.
Benson on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Still in half guard, Thompson seems content to control.
Thompson seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Benson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Kennedy Thompson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Thompson lands with a punch from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thompson seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Thompson looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Benson with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Benson taking some punishment here, with Thompson in his half guard.
Thompson lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Benson is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Thompson scores with a couple of nice shots.
Nice strikes from Thompson there.

Benson is rocked!
Thompson is nestled in close to Benson, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Benson is still in real trouble! Can Thompson finish him?
Thompson not doing much here.
Thompson lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Thompson lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kennedy Thompson dominated that second round.
That's time! Thompson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

Thompson cracks Benson with a big right hand and Benson goes down!
Benson seems to have recovered his senses.
Benson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Thompson throws an elbow that misses. Benson uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Thompson's guard. Nice move by Benson!

Benson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Thompson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Benson is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thompson keeping moving, preventing Benson from controlling successfully.
Benson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Benson trying to control the position from guard on top but Thompson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Benson throws a strike but Thompson rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Thompson lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Benson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kennedy Thompson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thompson is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Benson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Thompson postures up in Benson's guard and throws a big left but Benson blocks it.
Benson throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Thompson throws a big elbow that misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thompson slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Benson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Thompson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Thompson is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Benson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Thompson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Thompson works over Benson with some ground and pound from guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benson controls Thompson momentarily but Thompson frees himself.
Benson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Thompson wants to control from the top but Benson keeps moving.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Benson takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Benson walks into a straight right hand from Thompson.
Benson has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Thompson finds it's way round the side to connect with Benson's head.
Nice jab there from Thompson.
Thompson scores with a hook.
Thompson scores with a jab to the body.
Thompson swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Benson.
Thompson scores with a one two! Benson had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

That's four 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!
Thompson lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Thompson scores with the left hand. Benson knows he should have avoided that one.
Thompson with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Thompson scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
A slow jab from Benson misses its intended target.
Thompson scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Thompson scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Thompson throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Benson on the side of the head.
Nice straight punches there by Thompson. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Thompson.

Thompson scores with a takedown into Benson's guard.
Benson striking off his back but it's not causing Thompson any problems.
Thompson controlling from the top position.
Jack Benson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Thompson trying to control the position from guard on top but Benson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kennedy Thompson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Thompson 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 30:27
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kennedy Thompson!