PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Anthone Joshua (ranked 4321 p4p, 2619 weight class) and Andy Benjamin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Andy Benjamin will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Joshua
vs
Benjamin

150 cm
25
155
0 - 0 - 0

178 cm
25
155
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Anthone Joshua!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Andy Benjamin!
The judges for this bout are Winston Alpacca, Michael Johnstone and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Joshua takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Benjamin just misses with a punch to the body.

Benjamin closes the distance and clinches.
Joshua goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Joshua tries to work over Benjamin's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Benjamin lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Joshua tries to throw a body punch but Benjamin avoids it by throwing Joshua back against the cage.
Joshua misses with a body punch.
Benjamin looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

Benjamin breaks the clinch.
Benjamin connects with a nice looking jab.
Benjamin connects with a single shot there.
Andy Benjamin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Benjamin clinches.
Joshua tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Benjamin lands a right hand that snaps the head of Joshua backwards.
Joshua lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Benjamin blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Nice body punch from Benjamin - that landed with a thud.
Joshua tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joshua tries to throw a body punch but Benjamin avoids it by throwing Joshua back against the cage.
A short right from Joshua on the inside.
A short right from Benjamin on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Joshua.
Benjamin lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Benjamin misses with a punch to the body.
Joshua digs a right hand into Benjamin's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Benjamin's gas tank.
Joshua looking to slow down the pace here.
Benjamin misses with a hook to the ribs.
Benjamin trying to land knees to the body.
Benjamin stalling in the clinch.
Joshua works on Benjamin's body with a couple of short punches.
Joshua blocks a body shot from Benjamin.
Joshua blocks a body shot from Benjamin.
Joshua misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Benjamin.
Benjamin tries to work over Joshua's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Joshua tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Joshua lands a nice uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Joshua blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Benjamin misses with a body punch.
Benjamin pushes Joshua back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Benjamin throws a head punch that misses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Benjamin can't find room to land a body shot as Joshua controls the action.
Joshua fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Joshua blocks an uppercut.
Benjamin lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Benjamin struggles to land a body shot inside as Joshua controls his hands.
Benjamin misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A hook to the body from Joshua.
Benjamin tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Benjamin blocks an uppercut.
Benjamin misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Benjamin misses with a body punch.
Joshua makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Joshua cracks Benjamin with a nice body shot.
Joshua misses with a body punch.
Benjamin blocks an uppercut.
Joshua scores with a nice hook to the head.
A right hook to the body lands for Joshua.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benjamin tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Benjamin lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Benjamin misses with a punch to the body.
Benjamin doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Good body shot from Benjamin.
Joshua misses with a hook to the ribs.
Joshua is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Benjamin lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Benjamin tries a body shot but Joshua blocks it.
Benjamin tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Joshua's elbow.
Joshua tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Joshua tries to work over Benjamin's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A right hand to the body from Joshua.
Joshua lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Joshua tries to throw a body punch but Benjamin avoids it by throwing Joshua back against the cage.
Benjamin misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Benjamin doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Joshua tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Joshua blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Joshua blocks a body shot from Benjamin.
Benjamin scores with a hook to the body.
Benjamin lands an uppercut.
A short right from Joshua on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Joshua fails to land.
Benjamin has a couple of punches blocked by Joshua.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Benjamin lands with a light punch inside.
Benjamin has a couple of punches blocked by Joshua.
Joshua struggles to land a body shot inside as Benjamin controls his hands.
Nice body punch from Benjamin - that landed with a thud.
Benjamin prevents a body shot from Joshua.
Benjamin struggles to land a body shot inside as Joshua controls his hands.
Joshua tries a body shot but Benjamin blocks it.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Benjamin blocks an uppercut.
Benjamin misses with a punch to the body.
Benjamin stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Joshua lands a right hand that snaps the head of Benjamin backwards.
Joshua taking a breather.
Joshua lands a body shot in the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Andy Benjamin dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Benjamin moves into the clinch.
Benjamin tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Benjamin scores with a nice hook to the head.
Benjamin tries to land knees in the clinch but Joshua avoids the damage to the body.
Joshua blocking some punches.
Benjamin lands a right hand.
Benjamin presses Joshua against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Joshua tries a body shot but Benjamin blocks it.
Joshua lands an uppercut.
Benjamin lands an uppercut.
Benjamin lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Benjamin blocks a body shot from Joshua.
Benjamin lands a right hand that snaps the head of Joshua backwards.
Joshua takes a shot to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Joshua blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Joshua lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Benjamin throws a punch but it's blocked by Joshua.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Joshua creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Benjamin misses with the head strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joshua misses with the head strike.
Benjamin taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for Joshua.
Joshua tries to work over Benjamin's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Joshua lands with a right to the head.
Benjamin misses with a hook to the ribs.
Joshua struggles to land a body shot inside as Benjamin controls his hands.
Benjamin blocking some punches.
Joshua blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Joshua taking a breather.
Joshua lands a body punch in the clinch.
Benjamin lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Joshua or not.
Benjamin goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Benjamin doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Benjamin blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Benjamin tries to throw a body punch but Joshua avoids it by throwing Benjamin back against the cage.
Benjamin tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Benjamin throws a punch but it's blocked by Joshua.
Benjamin swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Joshua misses with the head strike.
Benjamin tries to throw a body punch but Joshua avoids it by throwing Benjamin back against the cage.
Joshua trying to control the position but instead, Benjamin has worked for underhooks and has pushed Joshua into the cage.
Benjamin tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Joshua avoids it.
Joshua misses with a shot to the kidneys.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Benjamin in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Benjamin blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Joshua is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Benjamin is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Joshua can't find room to land a body shot as Benjamin controls the action.
Benjamin struggles to land a body shot inside as Joshua controls his hands.

Benjamin breaks the clinch.
Benjamin feints a jab promting Joshua to slip. Benjamin then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Joshua slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Benjamin digs a good hook to Joshua's body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benjamin wants to clinch up but Joshua keeps it at a distance.
Benjamin tries to clinch but Joshua moves out of range.
A counter left hand to the body from Joshua misses its target.
Benjamin bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Joshua's head backwards.
Benjamin falls off balance throwing a combination
and Joshua counters with a nice body shot.
A big right from Benjamin misses.
Benjamin has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Joshua showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Benjamin.
An attempted straight right counter from Joshua misses the target.
Joshua slips a jab and a cross from Benjamin.
Joshua seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice uppercut there from Benjamin.
Benjamin tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Joshua counters with a three punch combo that has Benjamin backing up. Benjamin nods at Joshua to acknowledge the strikes.
Benjamin lands a head shot.
Benjamin has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Benjamin attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
A counter left hand to the body from Joshua misses its target.
Benjamin loads up on a big right hand but Joshua slips the punch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Benjamin scores with a decent looking hook.
Benjamin is looking to clinch.
Joshua appears to be looking for a big counter.
Andy Benjamin seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Benjamin throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Joshua swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

Joshua gets tackled into the cage by Benjamin. Benjamin maintains the clinch.
Joshua lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Benjamin or not.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Andy Benjamin showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Joshua's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Benjamin fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Joshua throwing a counter right hand but Benjamin manages to avoid it.
Benjamin wants to clinch up but Joshua keeps it at a distance.
It looked like Joshua was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Benjamin.
Benjamin throws a lazy uppercut

and Joshua counters with a combination of strikes to the head and body that crumple Benjamin!

Benjamin is rocked!
Benjamin tries to kick Joshua off but Joshua keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Benjamin is still in real trouble! Can Joshua finish him?
Joshua tries to stand but can't do so whilst Benjamin controls his leg.
Benjamin seems to have recovered his senses.
Benjamin is not content to let Joshua control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Benjamin is trying to stand.
Joshua not doing much here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benjamin is looking to escape.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Benjamin clinches.
Benjamin scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Joshua tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Joshua works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Joshua digs a right hand into Benjamin's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Benjamin's gas tank.
Benjamin takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Benjamin blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Benjamin tries to throw a body punch but Joshua avoids it by throwing Benjamin back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Joshua misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Joshua throws a head punch that misses.
Joshua swings wildly with an uppercut but Benjamin uses good head movement to avoid it.
Joshua fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Joshua tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Benjamin blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Andy Benjamin seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Joshua blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Benjamin lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Joshua backwards.
Joshua tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Benjamin's elbow.
Joshua tries to throw a body punch but Benjamin avoids it by throwing Joshua back against the cage.
Joshua is working Benjamin over against the cage.
Benjamin swings wildly with an uppercut but Joshua uses good head movement to avoid it.
Joshua pushes Benjamin back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Benjamin lands a nice uppercut.
Benjamin tries a body shot but Joshua blocks it.
Benjamin misses with a hook from the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Joshua tries to work over Benjamin's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Benjamin has a couple of punches blocked by Joshua.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benjamin blocks an uppercut.
Joshua lands with a light punch inside.
Joshua swings wildly with an uppercut but Benjamin uses good head movement to avoid it.
Joshua scores with a shot to the side of Benjamin's head.
Joshua struggles to land a body shot inside as Benjamin controls his hands.
Joshua goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Joshua tries to throw a body punch but Benjamin avoids it by throwing Joshua back against the cage.
Benjamin misses with some punches.
Joshua has a couple of punches blocked by Benjamin.
Joshua blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Joshua tries to work over Benjamin's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Joshua lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Joshua tries to work over Benjamin's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Benjamin tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Benjamin goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Benjamin blocks a body shot from Joshua.
Benjamin throws a head punch that misses.
Joshua misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Joshua tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Joshua tries to stall but Benjamin uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Joshua goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Benjamin gets through Joshua's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Joshua misses with some punches.
Joshua doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Joshua working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Benjamin escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Benjamin!
Benjamin scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

Benjamin clinches with his opponent.
Joshua blocks a body shot from Benjamin.
Joshua can't find room to land a body shot as Benjamin controls the action.
Benjamin tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Anthone Joshua has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Joshua swings away with an uppercut that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Andy Benjamin.
I've got Benjamin winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Winston Alpacca scores the fight 27:30
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 27:30
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andy Benjamin!
Andy Benjamin decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.