PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ispa Perkele (ranked 234 p4p, 245 weight class) and Rafael Benedetti (ranked 36 p4p, 38 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Perkele
vs
Benedetti

179 cm
31
165
27 - 13 - 3

175 cm
30
155
17 - 9 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Brooklyn Threads
Brooklyn Apothecary

Bondi MMA 🏝️

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 27 - 13 - 3, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ispa Perkele!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Rafael Benedetti!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Chris Edwards and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Benedetti tries to clinch but Perkele is having none of it.
Benedetti paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Benedetti scores with a body shot.
Perkele has been working on his boxing with his coaches at The Rubber Guard Emporium in the buildup to the fight.
Perkele attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Perkele throws a body punch but Benedetti moves out of range.
Benedetti fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Perkele checks it well.
Perkele moves out of range as Benedetti strikes.
Perkele lands a nice leg kick that just misses Benedetti's sensitive parts.

Perkele has Benedetti up against the cage in a clinch.
Perkele takes a shot to the head.
A right handed body shot lands from Benedetti.
Benedetti tries a body shot but Perkele blocks it.
Perkele lands a shoulder strike.

Perkele escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Perkele checks a low kick from Benedetti.
Perkele throws out a leg kick but Benedetti moves out of range and Perkele only half commits.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Perkele rushes Benedetti and presses him up against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Perkele breaks the clinch.
A nice leg kick lands there from Benedetti.
Rafael Benedetti seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Benedetti throws a low kick but it's checked well by Perkele.
A punch lands to the side of Perkele 's head but he takes it in his stride.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benedetti thumps Perkele with a low kick.
Perkele throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Perkele wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Benedetti listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Perkele throws a leg kick but Benedetti sees it coming and moves out of range.
A swing and a miss from Perkele.
Perkele checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Perkele throws a leg kick but Benedetti moved away.
Benedetti will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Perkele takes a swing at Benedetti's ribcage but misses.
Perkele on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Benedetti throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Perkele on the side of the head.
Perkele fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Perkele looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Benedetti lands a front kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Perkele tries to clinch up.
Perkele throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Benedetti is looking to clinch.
Perkele fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Benedetti manages to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Perkele on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Perkele tries to clinch there but Benedetti circles away.
Benedetti misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Benedetti throws a good cross that connects.
An inside leg kick lands from Benedetti.
Benedetti tries a low kick but Perkele avoids it.
Benedetti throws a right and a left that Perkele avoids nicely.
Benedetti will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
A telegraphed right hand from Benedetti misses the target.
Perkele bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

Benedetti moves into the clinch successfully.
Benedetti working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Benedetti blocking some punches.
Benedetti goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Perkele digs a right hand into Benedetti's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Benedetti's gas tank.

Perkele breaks the clinch.
Benedetti throws a head kick that Perkele semi-blocks.
A chopping leg kick lands by Perkele.
Benedetti checks a leg kick nicely.
Perkele ducks right into an uppercut from Benedetti.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benedetti jabs Perkele to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Benedetti misses with a hook.
Perkele is looking to counter punch.

Benedetti takes the fight into the clinch.
A short uppercut from Benedetti.
Benedetti fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Perkele fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Perkele lands a left hand.
Perkele blocking some punches.
Perkele lands a nice uppercut.
Benedetti misses with a body punch.
A right handed body shot lands from Perkele.
A right handed body shot lands from Perkele.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Perkele.
Perkele lands an elbow inside.

It looks like Rafael Benedetti has been cut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Perkele scores with a shot to the side of Benedetti's head.
Perkele blocks an uppercut.
Perkele scores with a nice hook to the head.
Benedetti misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Perkele lands with a light punch inside.
Benedetti lands an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benedetti misses with a hook to the ribs.
Benedetti misses with a hook to the ribs.
Perkele misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Benedetti blocking some punches.

Benedetti pulls guard.
Perkele pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Benedetti is keeping the position for now.
Perkele controls from within his opponent's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Perkele won't allow Benedetti to get back to his feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Rafael Benedetti will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Rafael Benedetti's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Benedetti circles away from the clinch attempt.
A telegraphed right hand from Perkele misses the target.
Benedetti scores with a push kick.
Rafael Benedetti seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nice defenses there by Perkele.
Benedetti jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Perkele gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Benedetti tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Benedetti lands a body punch.
Perkele misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ispa Perkele has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Benedetti tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Perkele blocks a body shot from Benedetti.
Benedetti scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Perkele works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Benedetti lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Perkele.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Benedetti works on Perkele's body with a couple of short punches.
Benedetti misses with some punches.
Perkele tries a knee to the head but Benedetti blocks it.
Benedetti tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Perkele scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Perkele working aggressively here.
Benedetti taking a breather.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benedetti lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Perkele or not.
A nice right hand lands inside from Benedetti.
A nice left hand lands by Benedetti.
Benedetti lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Benedetti.
Benedetti lands a right hand.
Nice body punch from Benedetti - that landed with a thud.
Benedetti lands a nice shot to the body.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Perkele creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Benedetti creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Perkele is trying to force a seperation but Benedetti has the dominant position.
Perkele swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Benedetti misses with a hook to the ribs.
A body shot lands from Benedetti.
Perkele blocks a body shot from Benedetti.
Perkele blocks a body shot from Benedetti.
Benedetti misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Benedetti misses with a short punch on the inside.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Benedetti tries a body shot but Perkele blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benedetti tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Perkele's elbow.
Perkele looks to throw an elbow but misses.
A right handed body shot lands from Benedetti.
Perkele prevents a body shot from Benedetti.
A nice right hand lands inside from Perkele.
Benedetti doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Perkele has a couple of punches blocked by Benedetti.
Perkele missing with knees to the body.
A right hand to the body from Benedetti.
Benedetti misses with a punch to the body.
Benedetti has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Perkele seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Benedetti can turn it around.
Benedetti is looking to control Perkele's arms but Perkele gets an underhook and turns him. Now Benedetti has his back to the cage.
Benedetti swings wildly with an uppercut but Perkele uses good head movement to avoid it.
Benedetti struggles to land a body shot inside as Perkele controls his hands.
A short left from Benedetti.
Benedetti lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Perkele.
Benedetti can't find room to land a body shot as Perkele controls the action.
Perkele blocking some punches.
Perkele lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Benedetti misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benedetti misses with a hook to the ribs.
Perkele blocks an uppercut.
Benedetti scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Benedetti lands with a short shot to the head.
Benedetti fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Benedetti misses with a short punch on the inside.
Nice body punch from Benedetti - that landed with a thud.
Perkele missing with knees to the body.
A right hand to the body from Benedetti.
Perkele is looking to control Benedetti's arms but Benedetti gets an underhook and turns him. Now Perkele has his back to the cage.
Perkele throws an elbow but it misses.
A nice left hand lands by Benedetti.
Benedetti is pushing Perkele up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Perkele tries a body shot but Benedetti blocks it.
Benedetti lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Perkele throws an elbow but misses.
Benedetti lands a right hand.
Benedetti misses with a punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benedetti misses with a hook to the ribs.
Perkele is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Benedetti has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A head punch on the inside from Benedetti fails to land.
Benedetti can't find room to land a body shot as Perkele controls the action.
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!
Benedetti tries a body shot but Perkele blocks it.
Benedetti doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Perkele working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Benedetti lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Perkele backwards.
Perkele lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.

Perkele breaks the clinch.
Benedetti walks into a stiff left hand from Perkele.
Perkele throws a nice outside leg kick.
Perkele is looking to score with low kicks.
Benedetti uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Perkele.

Benedetti has taken the fight to the clinch.
Perkele throws a punch but it's blocked by Benedetti.
A head punch on the inside from Benedetti fails to land.
Perkele tries a body shot but Benedetti blocks it.
Benedetti is struggling to control the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Rafael Benedetti showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Rafael Benedetti's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Perkele looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Perkele misses with a low kick.
It seemed like Benedetti was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Perkele moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Benedetti feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Perkeles jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Perkele misses with a low kick.
Benedetti throws a lazy right hand but Perkele sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Benedetti throws a body punch but Perkele moves out of range.

Benedetti closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Benedetti tries a body shot but Perkele blocks it.
Benedetti tries to throw a body punch but Perkele avoids it by throwing Benedetti back against the cage.
Benedetti blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Benedetti lands a body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Benedetti lands a body shot.
Perkele is working Benedetti over against the cage.
Benedetti tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Perkele creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Perkele tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Benedetti's elbow.
Nice body punch from Benedetti.
The referee calls for Benedetti to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Perkele blocking some punches.
Benedetti struggles to land a body shot inside as Perkele controls his hands.
Benedetti prevents a body shot from Perkele.
Perkele doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Benedetti misses with a body punch.
Benedetti misses with a body punch.
Perkele struggles to land a body shot inside as Benedetti controls his hands.
Perkele misses with a punch to the body.
A right hand to the body from Perkele.
Benedetti misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Benedetti throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Benedetti takes a knee right on the jaw!
Benedetti tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Perkele blocks a body shot from Benedetti.

Perkele's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Benedetti paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Benedetti throws a hook but Perkele avoids it easily.
Benedetti takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benedetti blocks a leg kick.
A slow jab from Benedetti misses its intended target.
Perkele jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Perkele throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Benedetti throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Perkele is looking to counter punch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Benedetti. Perkele does a little dance to reset his feet.
Perkele works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Perkele just misses with a punch to the body.
Benedetti throws a lazy right hand but Perkele sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Perkele looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Perkele connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Perkele throws a body shot but no joy.
Benedetti throws a leg kick which misses Perkele's front leg but catches the back leg as Perkele tries to avoid it.
Perkele checks the leg kick.
Benedetti throws a one two combo.
Benedetti misses the shot to the body.
Benedetti scoring well with a low kick there.
Perkele throws out a leg kick but Benedetti moves out of range and Perkele only half commits.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benedetti scores with a crisp jab that stopped Perkele in his tracks.
Perkele tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Benedetti wants to clinch up but Perkele keeps it at a distance.
An attempted straight right counter from Perkele misses the target.
Perkele throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Perkele looks to land a left hand but Benedetti moved out of range nicely.
Benedetti with a nice calf kick.
Perkele throws a looping overhand right but Benedetti ducks down to avoid it.
Perkele moves out of range as Benedetti strikes.
Perkele is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A bone on bone clash there as Perkele blocks the leg kick.
Perkele throws a solid leg kick but Benedetti takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Perkele.
Perkele throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Benedetti sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Perkele avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Benedetti lands a leg kick that knocks Perkele off balance momentarily.
Perkele scores with a jab. Benedetti acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
A leg kick checked by Perkele.
Perkele is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Perkele misses the jab.
Perkele wants to clinch but Benedetti slips to the side
and Benedetti counters with a left and a right that stings Perkele.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The fighters circling - Perkele throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Benedetti slips under a jab.
Perkele lands a lovely overhand right.
Benedetti scores with a nice body kick.
Perkele scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Some wild striking there from Benedetti.
Perkele fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Benedetti checks it well.
Benedetti appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Benedetti throws a shot from downtown. Perkele moves away and avoids it.
Perkele wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Benedetti lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Benedetti jabs Perkele to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Ispa Perkele has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Benedetti doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Benedetti scores with a nice right hand.
Perkele checks a leg kick.
Benedetti takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rafael Benedetti comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Benedetti has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 William Gold scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rafael Benedetti!
During a confident post fight interview, Rafael Benedetti thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
Ispa Perkele was interviewed post fight and said 'Back to the gym I guess.'.