PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kenny Bennett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dharaman Sabdulalaika (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bennett comes to the cage accompanied by Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody. Dharaman Sabdulalaika has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Bennett
vs
Sabdulalaika

180 cm
23
185 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

183 cm
23
200 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Intelligent

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Takomo

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kenny Bennett!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Dharaman Sabdulalaika!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Marco Blurström and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bennett misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sabdulalaika shoots in for a double leg but Bennett sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Sabdulalaika slips a jab and a cross from Bennett.
Bennett defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sabdulalaika.
Dharaman Sabdulalaika seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sabdulalaika looks to land a left hand but Bennett moved out of range nicely.
Bennett ducks under a wild hook from Sabdulalaika.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bennett throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sabdulalaika.
Sabdulalaika fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Kenny Bennett has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dharaman Sabdulalaika.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sabdulalaika swings for the body but Bennett moves out of range.
Kenny Bennett is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Bennett throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sabdulalaika.
Sabdulalaika throws a jab but it's blocked by Bennett.
Sabdulalaika throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bennett misses with a series of wild punches.
A punch combination from Bennett misses.

That's two 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.
Bennett misses with a jab, cross combination.
Sabdulalaika throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Sabdulalaika throws a big shot that misses.
Sabdulalaika looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Bennett misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Bennett does no damage.
Sabdulalaika takes a swing at Bennett's ribcage but misses.
Bennett uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sabdulalaika.
Sabdulalaika looks to score with a jab to the body but Bennett is just out of range.
Sabdulalaika throws a combination that misses
and Bennett counters with a series of strikes. Sabdulalaika will be more careful next time no doubt.
Bennett lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sabdulalaika circles away quickly and effectively.
Sabdulalaika throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bennett misses with the combination.
Bennett swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Sabdulalaika counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Sabdulalaika throws a jab when Bennett was well out of range.
Bennett looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sabdulalaika shoots in but no luck this time.
Sabdulalaika shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Bennett as he avoids it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Dharaman Sabdulalaika will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Bennett throws a right hand that Sabdulalaika ducks under and follows up with a left that Sabdulalaika also avoids with ease.

Sabdulalaika feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Bennett is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Sabdulalaika defends well.

Sabdulalaika got a little sloppy there for a moment and Bennett has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Sabdulalaika has managed to get both his arms back between Bennett's legs - danger averted.
Sabdulalaika stands up over Bennett, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Bennett preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sabdulalaika accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Bennett doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

Bennett has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Sabdulalaika can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Sabdulalaika prevents Bennett from getting back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Sabdulalaika moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Sabdulalaika misses the shot to the body.
Sabdulalaika shoots in and drives through. Bennett sprawls well.
Kenny Bennett is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sabdulalaika falls off balance throwing a combination
and Bennett counters with a one-two to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sabdulalaika misses with a hook.
Bennett uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Sabdulalaika.
Bennett throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Bennett throws a right and a left that both miss.
A combination from Bennett does no damage.
Bennett displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sabdulalaika throws out the jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sabdulalaika fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bennett manages to avoid it.
Bennett swinging wilding here.
Sabdulalaika misses with an uppercut. Bennett saw that one coming.
Bennett avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

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.
Some wild striking there from Bennett.
Bennett moves away from the strike by Sabdulalaika.
Sabdulalaika loads up on a big right hand but Bennett slips the punch.
Sabdulalaika misses with a body shot
letting Bennett counter with a right hand.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sabdulalaika throws the left hand but Bennett avoids the punch easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dharaman Sabdulalaika showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Bennett throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Sabdulalaika counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Bennett!
Sabdulalaika lands with some strikes.
A nice elbow there by Sabdulalaika.
A nice elbow there by Sabdulalaika.
Bennett knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Sabdulalaika on the ground.
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!
Sabdulalaika putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!

Sabdulalaika working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Sabdulalaika cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

Bennett is rocked!
Bennett can't escape the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sabdulalaika putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Dharaman Sabdulalaika has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bennett is desperately trying to improve his position but Sabdulalaika has a good base and remains in mount.
Sabdulalaika landing strikes, looking to finish!
Bennett throwing hammer fists to the chest of Sabdulalaika. What's that going to do exactly?
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Sabdulalaika looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Bennett can't escape the position.
Sabdulalaika landing punches.
Bennett tries to reverse the position but Sabdulalaika maintains control.
Sabdulalaika can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Bennett is looking to escape.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Bennett is bucking up trying to escape but Sabdulalaika cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Sabdulalaika blocks Bennett's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bennett in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Sabdulalaika is landing with some decent strikes but Bennett is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Bennett is working to get back to half guard.
Sabdulalaika landing punches.
Sabdulalaika avoids the attempt from Bennett to control.
Sabdulalaika trying to control but Bennett is having none of it.
Bennett gets back to half guard.
Bennett tries to get to full guard but Sabdulalaika has control of the leg.
Bennett misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Sabdulalaika looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sabdulalaika missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Bennett on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Bennett is trying to get back to full guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Bennett manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Sabdulalaika pushing down on Bennett's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Sabdulalaika is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Bennett is trying to get back to full guard.
Sabdulalaika is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Sabdulalaika is looking to take a break and control but Bennett is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Sabdulalaika not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Dharaman Sabdulalaika is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Bennett is looking for a sweep. Sabdulalaika is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Sabdulalaika controlling the action here.
Sabdulalaika is keen to just control but Bennett is a slippery customer.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Bennett throws a nice looking combination but Sabdulalaika bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Bennett uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sabdulalaika.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sabdulalaika dodges the punch combination from Bennett.
Kenny Bennett has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sabdulalaika's corner calls for a 1-2. Sabdulalaika obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dharaman Sabdulalaika comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Sabdulalaika 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dharaman Sabdulalaika!