PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rafael Benedetti (ranked 160 p4p, 153 weight class) and Johnny Billabong (ranked 25 p4p, 24 weight class). There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Benedetti
vs
Billabong

175 cm
30
155
20 - 10 - 0

171 cm
28
155
22 - 8 - 2

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Conviction
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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 20 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Rafael Benedetti!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 8 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, Johnny Billabong!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Donald Grub and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Billabong digs a good hook to Benedetti's body.
We've been told by Benedetti's head coaches at Canadian Elite Bruins Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Benedetti fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Billabong checks it well.
Danga de danga de dang - Billabong scores with a four punch combination!
Billabong fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Benedetti manages to avoid it.
Benedetti throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Benedetti lands with a right hand.
Billabong looks to throw the jab but Benedetti is out of range.

Billabong throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Benedetti tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Billabong is in Benedetti's guard.
Benedetti trying to control the position.
Benedetti seems keen to control Billabong's posture.
Billabong stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Benedetti swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Billabong is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Benedetti wants to stand and escape but Billabong is having none of it.
Billabong is working Benedetti over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Billabong stopping the sweep attempt from Benedetti.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benedetti managing to control the position.
Billabong throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Benedetti works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Benedetti looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Billabong working his ground and pound in the gym.
Benedetti is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Billabong content to stall in guard here.
Benedetti pulls Billabong in close to prevent any damage.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Benedetti fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Billabong checks it well.
Benedetti throws a body punch but Billabong moves out of range.
And Billabong tries to counter it with a takedown but Benedetti pushes his down on his head and steps out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Billabong misses with a wild body shot.
Benedetti jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A swing and a miss from Benedetti.

Benedetti clinches with his opponent.
Billabong tries to throw a body punch but Benedetti avoids it by throwing Billabong back against the cage.

Billabong decides to pull guard.
Benedetti tries to free his leg and advance position but Billabong is retaining full guard.
Billabong pulls Benedetti in close to prevent any damage.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Billabong is on top in guard.

Benedetti has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Billabong throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Benedetti is on top in guard.

Benedetti decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Billabong, up you get!
Billabong ducks under a wild hook from Benedetti.
Billabong just misses with a punch to the body.
Billabong moves into range and connects with a jab.
Billabong misses with an uppercut. Benedetti saw that one coming.
Billabong throws a body shot but no joy.
Billabong is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Benedetti rather than just go for the knockout.
Billabong lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Billabong avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Billabong moves out of range of the body kick from Benedetti.
Benedetti misses with a low kick.
Billabong tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Billabong showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Benedetti.
A nice side step and Billabong releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Benedetti displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Billabong throws out the jab.
Benedetti appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Benedetti fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Billabong manages to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benedetti uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Billabong.
Billabong throws a hook but Benedetti avoids it easily.
Benedetti throws a jab when Billabong was well out of range.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Benedetti throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Billabong on the side of the head.
Rafael Benedetti is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Benedetti tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Billabong manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Billabong drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Benedetti defends it well.
Billabong staying out of range there.
Benedetti works Billabong's body with a nice hook.
Billabong throws a jab when Benedetti was well out of range.
Benedetti misses with a looping right.
Billabong loads up on a big right hand but Benedetti slips the punch.
Billabong throws a hook but Benedetti blocks it.
Benedetti looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Billabong looks to land a right hand but Benedetti moved out of range.
Nice shot lands for Benedetti.
Benedetti throws a lazy right hand but Billabong sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Billabong looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Benedetti is fending him off so far but Billabong persists. Nope, Benedetti circles away and we're back to standing.
Billabong lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Benedetti at a distance.
Billabong throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Benedetti's waist but Benedetti gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Billabong off to one side.
Benedetti throws a body punch but Billabong moves out of range.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Johnny Billabong will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Benedetti ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Billabong moves away.
Billabong swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Billabong cracks a nice hook into Benedetti's ribs.
Billabong works the jab nicely.
Benedetti throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Billabong ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Benedetti moves away.
Benedetti throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Benedetti misses with a low kick.
Benedetti jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Decent striking displayed by Billabong there.
Johnny Billabong seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Benedetti slips a jab from Billabong.
Benedetti tries to score with a low kick but Billabong moves his leg out of the way.

Billabong shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Benedetti is trying to defend but Billabong finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Billabong trying to control the action but Benedetti is working from the bottom.
Johnny Billabong has got the better of the ground game so far.
Benedetti is trying to stand back up but Billabong is controlling him

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benedetti trying to hold on to Billabong's head to control him but Billabong postures up.
Benedetti manages to get to full guard.
Benedetti is adopting a defensive guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Benedetti is on top in guard.

Benedetti stays in close to Billabong's body and controls the position.
Billabong has his hands on Benedetti's head, controlling the position.
Benedetti controls from within his opponent's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Billabong is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Billabong is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Billabong working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Benedetti doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Benedetti manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Benedetti tries to free his leg and advance position but Billabong is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benedetti controls from within his opponent's guard.
Benedetti has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Benedetti trying to control the position from guard on top but Billabong is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Benedetti wants to pass the guard but Billabong is keeping the position.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Billabong looking to control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Billabong throws a shot from downtown. Benedetti moves away and avoids it.
Billabong circles away from the clinch attempt.
Billabong looks like he wants to counter punch here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Benedetti uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Billabong misses with an uppercut.
Benedetti fires out a quick counter leg kick but Billabong just manages to avoid it.
Jab by Benedetti.
Benedetti misses the jab.
Benedetti throws a looping overhand right but Billabong ducks down to avoid it.
A little jabbing left from Billabong on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Benedetti moves in looking to clinch but Billabong pushes him off.
Billabong misses with a looping left.
Benedetti scores with a sloppy right hand. Billabong should have avoided that one.
Benedetti sizes up Billabong with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Benedetti misses with a low kick.
Benedetti throws the left hand but Billabong avoids the punch easily.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Billabong checks a leg kick.
Billabong uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Benedetti.
Rafael Benedetti seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Billabong feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Benedettis jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Billabong wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Benedetti looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Billabong throws out a counter right but Benedetti avoids it with no problem.
Benedetti scores with a leg kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Rafael Benedetti will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Benedetti misses with the combination.
Billabong swings for the body but Benedetti moves out of range.
Billabong needs to keep his hands up - Benedetti had a free shot at his head there.
Benedetti with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Billabong to score with a decent uppercut.
Billabong looks for a takedown but Benedetti sprawls well.
Benedetti misses with a body kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Benedetti.
Billabong takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Billabong avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Billabong avoids the body shot from Benedetti.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Benedetti moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Benedetti throws a shot from downtown. Billabong moves away and avoids it.
Benedetti takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Billabong connects with a crisp jab.
Billabong takes one to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Benedetti wants to slow Billabong down by chopping away at his legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benedetti moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Billabong cracks Benedetti with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Benedetti lands with an uppercut that bounces Billabong off the cage and back into range.
Billabong slips under a jab.
Benedetti bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Billabong avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Benedetti closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Billabong waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Benedetti.
Benedetti takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Billabong shoots in and drives through. Benedetti sprawls well.
Benedetti gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Billabong counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Billabong looks to land a right hand but Benedetti moved out of range.
Billabong bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Billabong misses with a hook.
Billabong throws a shot from downtown. Benedetti moves away and avoids it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Benedetti throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Benedetti throws a lazy uppercut
and Billabong counters with a stiff right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benedetti misses the shot to the body.
Billabong misses with a body shot.
Billabong throws the left hand but Benedetti avoids the punch easily.
Benedetti throws a leg kick but Billabong checks it.
Billabong drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Benedetti defends it well.
Benedetti doesn't manage to clinch there - Billabong circles away.
A shot to the liver by Benedetti. Beautiful body shot.
Benedetti throws a body shot but no joy.
Benedetti swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Benedetti, as that shot connected.
Billabong throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Benedetti counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Billabong throws a big shot that misses.
Billabong checks a low kick from Benedetti.
Benedetti misses with a body kick.
A cross from Benedetti lands.
A cross from Billabong lands.
Benedetti pivots, looking for a leg kick but Billabong is out of range and Benedetti settles back down.
A nice leg kick lands there from Benedetti.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benedetti tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Billabong paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Benedetti feints and then cracks Billabong's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Billabong down.
Billabong is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Benedetti.
Billabong avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Benedetti keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Billabong.
Billabong moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Billabong lands with a straight right. Benedetti didn't see that one coming.
Billabong slips under a jab from Benedetti.
Benedetti throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Billabong.
Billabong is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Benedetti with a body shot.
Billabong fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Benedetti on the side of the head.
Billabong moves out of range as Benedetti throws a body kick.
Benedetti waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Billabong.
Billabong tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Benedetti was well out of range. Poor timing from Billabong.
Billabong thuds a left hand into Benedetti's body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A slow jab from Billabong misses its intended target.
Benedetti doesn't manage to clinch there - Billabong circles away.
Benedetti slips a straight right by Billabong.
Benedetti half committed to a counter leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Billabong circles away from the clinch attempt.
Benedetti scores with a crisp jab that stopped Billabong in his tracks.
Billabong dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Benedetti throws a leg kick that is checked

and Billabong counters with a single leg into guard. Benedetti didn't expect that.
Benedetti preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Billabong is looking to work some ground and pound but Benedetti has wrist control.
Benedetti has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Billabong trying to control but Benedetti is working from the bottom.
Benedetti wants to stand but Billabong is controlling the position.
Benedetti tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Benedetti is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Johnny Billabong.
I think Billabong has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 29:28
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 28:29
Judge James Glass scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Johnny Billabong!
A less than humble Johnny Billabong misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.