PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Alirovo Benjum (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pete Drago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Benjum comes to the ring accompanied by Boxing my life!. Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Benjum
vs
Drago

177 cm
25
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
24
188 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Good knees
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Alirovo Benjum!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Pete Drago!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Benjum tries to clinch there but Drago circles away.
Benjum lands a slapping body shot.
Nice uppercut there from Drago.
Benjum misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Drago.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Drago misses with a series of wild punches.
Benjum is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Benjum tries to clinch up but Drago circles away and keeps his distance.
Nice shot by Drago.

It looks like Alirovo Benjum has been cut.

Benjum closes the distance and clinches.
Benjum scores a nice knee to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Benjum tries a knee to the head but Drago blocks it.
Benjum landing knees to the head.
Drago wants to break free but Benjum has control.
Drago wants to get back to striking at distance but Benjum won't allow it.
Benjum misses with an elbow over the top.
Benjum throws a knee to the head but misses.
Benjum looking to throw knees to the head but Drago is blocking nicely.
Benjum using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Drago has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Benjum's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Drago circles away from the clinch attempt.
Drago stuns Benjum with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Benjum is breathing heavily.
Benjum fails in his attempt to clinch.
Benjum moves in looking to clinch but Drago pushes him off.
Alirovo Benjum seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Drago bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Drago throws a series of punches but Benjum moves out of range.
Benjum tries to clinch up but Drago circles away and keeps his distance.
Drago swats away the attempt to clinch by Benjum.
A combination from Drago does no damage.
Benjum rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Drago moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Drago misses with a few strikes there.
Drago connects with a body shot that sends Benjum's belly button to the back.
Drago ducks under a wild hook from Benjum.
Good standup being displayed there by Drago as he connects with a hook.
Drago lands a nice looking body shot.
Drago fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Drago throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Drago throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Benjum dodges the punch combination from Drago.
Drago throws a right hand that Benjum ducks under and follows up with a left that Benjum also avoids with ease.
Drago misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Drago swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Drago does no damage.
Benjum tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
The fight stays on the outside here - Benjum looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Benjum tries to clinch there but Drago circles away.
Benjum fails in his attempt to clinch.
Benjum is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Drago throws a nice looking combination but Benjum bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Drago swats away the attempt to clinch by Benjum.
Drago takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Benjum tries to clinch but Drago moves out of range.
Drago fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Benjum tries to clinch up.
Benjum tries a head kick but it misses.
Benjum tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in the close the distance. Drago manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Benjum wants to clinch.
Benjum tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Drago paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benjum slips a jab and a cross from Drago.
Drago throws a right and a left that Benjum avoids nicely.
Drago misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Benjum tries to close the distance and clinch up but Drago swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Benjum tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Drago paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Benjum fails with an attempt to clinch.
Benjum chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Benjum tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Benjum tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Benjum avoids a punch combination nicely.
A punch combination from Benjum misses.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Benjum using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Drago has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Drago wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Benjum has him pressed against the ropes.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benjum tries a knee to the head but Drago blocks it.
Benjum working hard to break the clinch.
Drago wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Drago is trying to break the clinch but Benjum has him pressed against the ropes.
Benjum misses with a knee strike.
Benjum unloads a knee to the mid-section. Drago lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Benjum keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Drago's efforts to push away.
A shot in the inside from Benjum.
Drago wants to break free but Benjum has control.
Benjum connects with a knee to the head.
Benjum tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
A frustrated look appears on Drago's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Benjum's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Drago keeps the fight on the outside.
Drago fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Drago throws a right and a left that both miss.
Benjum tries to close the distance and clinch up but Drago swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Benjum fails to land with a series of punches.
Benjum tries to close the distance and clinch up but Drago swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Drago misses with a jab, cross combination.
Drago is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Benjum looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Benjum fails with an attempt to clinch.
Drago circles away from the clinch attempt.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Benjum tries a knee to the head but Drago blocks it.
Drago takes a knee right on the jaw!
Benjum looking to throw knees to the head but Drago is blocking nicely.
Benjum trying to control the position but instead, Drago has worked for underhooks and has pushed Benjum into the ropes.
Benjum looking to throw knees to the head but Drago is blocking nicely.
Drago wants to break the clinch but can't.
Drago looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Drago is trying to push Benjum away but Benjum has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
Benjum keeps control of Drago as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Benjum with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Benjum misses with a knee strike.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Drago tries to circle away but Benjum has him pinned against the ropes.
Benjum throws a knee to the head but misses.
Drago has had enough of the clinch but Benjum keeps him there for the moment.
A frustrated look appears on Drago's face as he tries to break the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Drago's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Benjum pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Drago lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Drago.
Benjum lands with a slapping head kick.
Drago misses with a few strikes there.
Drago lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Benjum circles away quickly and effectively.
Benjum tries to clinch but Drago moves out of range.
Drago misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Drago keeps the fight on the outside.
Benjum wants to clinch.
Benjum misses with a body punch
and Drago counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Drago moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Drago throws a right hand that Benjum ducks under and follows up with a left that Benjum also avoids with ease.
A combination from Drago does no damage.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Benjum tries to clinch up but Drago circles away and keeps his distance.
Benjum throws a head kick that misses.
Drago works over Benjum's head and body with a nice combination.
Benjum tries to close the distance and clinch but Drago swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Benjum throws a head kick that misses.
Benjum moves in looking to clinch but Drago pushes him off.
Drago looks to land a combination. Benjum sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Drago misses with a two punch combination.
Benjum doesn't manage to clinch there - Drago circles away.
Drago fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Drago avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Drago swats away the attempt to clinch by Benjum.
Benjum tests Drago's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A swing and a miss from Benjum.
Benjum tries to clinch there but Drago circles away.
Benjum misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's eight 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.
Benjum showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Drago.
Benjum tries to clinch up.
Benjum tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Drago paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A punch combination from Drago misses.
The crowd cheers as Benjum lands an impressive looking overhand right. Drago doesn't seem phased though.
The fight stays on the outside here - Benjum looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Benjum throws a head kick that Drago semi-blocks.

Benjum rushes Drago and presses him up against the ropes.
Drago wants to break free but Benjum has control.
Benjum connects with a nasty looking knee right to Drago's face.
Benjum lands an elbow inside that Drago shrugs off.
Benjum misses with a knee strike.
Benjum working hard to break the clinch.
Drago tries to break the clinch but Benjum is controlling the position.
Drago wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Drago wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Benjum has him pressed against the ropes.
Benjum scores with a knee to the head.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Drago can't break the clinch.
Benjum misses with a knee to the head.
Benjum throws a knee to the head but misses.
Drago has had enough of the clinch but Benjum keeps him there for the moment.
A frustrated look appears on Drago's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Benjum is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Drago is keeping busy.
Drago is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Benjum tries to land a knee to the head but Drago blocks with his arms.
Benjum tries to land a knee to the head but Drago blocks with his arms.
Benjum prevents Drago from breaking the clinch.
Drago wants to break free but Benjum has control.
Benjum throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Drago blocks it with crossed arms.
Benjum tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Benjum tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Benjum using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Drago has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Drago tries to break the clinch but Benjum is controlling the position.
Benjum misses with a knee to the head.
Drago has had enough of the clinch but Benjum keeps him there for the moment.
Benjum keeps control of Drago as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Pete Drago will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Alirovo Benjum's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Drago scores with a hook.
Benjum tries to close the distance and clinch but Drago swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Drago throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Benjum counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Benjum creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Drago wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Benjum tries to land a knee to the head but Drago blocks with his arms.
Drago blocks an elbow strike.
Benjum misses with a knee to the head.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Drago is trying to break the clinch but Benjum is controlling him.

Benjum breaks the clinch.
Drago throws a series of punches but Benjum avoids them all with ease.
Drago fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Drago throws a right hand that Benjum ducks under and follows up with a left that Benjum also avoids with ease.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Benjum tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Drago paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Drago misses with a series of wild punches.
Pete Drago seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Benjum goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Benjum dodges the punch combination from Drago.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Benjum tries to clinch but Drago moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benjum tries to clinch but Drago moves out of range.
Benjum shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Drago eats them both and turns towards Benjum to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Drago misses with a combination
and Benjum counters with a three punch combo that has Drago backing up. Drago nods at Benjum to acknowledge the strikes.
Benjum avoids a punch combination nicely.

Benjum drives through and clinches with Drago against the ropes.
Benjum tries to land a knee to the head but Drago blocks with his arms.
Benjum keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Drago's efforts to push away.
Benjum utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Benjum lands a hook that snaps the head of Drago backwards.
Benjum tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Benjum looking to throw knees to the head but Drago is blocking nicely.
Drago is trying to break free.
Benjum tries a knee to the head but Drago blocks it.
Benjum scores with a knee to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benjum throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Drago blocks it with crossed arms.
Benjum trying to control the position but instead, Drago has worked for underhooks and has pushed Benjum into the ropes.
Drago is trying to break the clinch but Benjum has him pressed against the ropes.
Benjum has Drago pressed against the ropes, preventing Drago from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Benjum tries to circle away but Drago has him pinned against the ropes.

Benjum escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Drago circles away from the clinch attempt.
Drago blocks a head kick by Benjum.
Drago throws a right hand that Benjum ducks under and follows up with a left that Benjum also avoids with ease.
Drago throws a right and a left that Benjum avoids nicely.

Benjum moves into range and clinches up with Drago.
Benjum misses with a knee to the head.
Drago looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Benjum using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Drago has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Benjum throws a knee to the head but misses.
Benjum prevents Drago from breaking the clinch.
Benjum tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benjum keeps control of Drago as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Benjum prevents Drago from breaking the clinch.
Benjum connects with a knee to the head.
Benjum with a knee to the head.
Benjum keeps control of Drago as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Benjum connects with a nasty looking knee right to Drago's face.
Benjum using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Drago has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Drago wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Drago blocks an elbow strike.
Benjum with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Benjum throws a knee to the head but misses.
Drago wants to break free but Benjum has control.
Drago has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Benjum is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Benjum with a knee to the head.
Drago is trying to push Benjum away but Benjum has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
Drago is trying to break the clinch but Benjum is controlling him.
The referee is keeping an eye on Benjum - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Benjum with a knee to the head.

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.
Benjum is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
A knee to the head by Benjum.
Benjum wants to stall.
Drago tries to break free but Benjum pushes him back against the ropes.
Drago wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Benjum has him pressed against the ropes.
Drago wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Benjum has him pressed against the ropes.
Benjum scores with a knee to the head.
Benjum has had enough of the clinch but Drago keeps him there for the moment.
Drago has had enough of the clinch but Benjum keeps him there for the moment.
Benjum is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Benjum using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Drago has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Drago is trying to break the clinch but Benjum has him pressed against the ropes.
Benjum misses with a knee strike.
Drago wants to break the clinch but can't.
Benjum misses with a knee to the head.
Drago is trying to force a seperation but Benjum has the dominant position.
Benjum using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Drago has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Benjum is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Drago working hard to break the clinch.
Benjum with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Benjum tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Benjum throws a knee to the head but misses.
Drago tries to circle away but Benjum has him pinned against the ropes.
Benjum misses with a knee to the head.
Drago wants to break the clinch but can't.
Benjum keeps control of Drago as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Benjum breaks the clinch.
Benjum takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Benjum scores with a kick to the midsection.
Drago throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Benjum.
Benjum doesn't manage to clinch there - Drago circles away.
Benjum tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Benjum wants to clinch up but Drago keeps it at a distance.
Drago lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Alirovo Benjum is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Drago misses with a few strikes there.
Benjum fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's six 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.
Drago avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Benjum avoids the body shot from Drago.
Benjum is looking to clinch.
Benjum bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Drago's head.
Benjum wants to clinch up but Drago keeps it at a distance.
Benjum tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Benjum showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Drago.
Benjum wants to clinch up but Drago keeps it at a distance.
Drago throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Benjum counters with a two punch combo.
Some wild striking there from Benjum.
Drago swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Benjum tries to clinch but Drago moves out of range.
Benjum tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Benjum looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Drago throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Benjum on the side of the head.
Benjum moves in looking to clinch but Drago pushes him off.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Drago throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Benjum tries to clinch there but Drago circles away.
Benjum tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Benjum doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Benjum misses with a double jab.
Benjum tries to clinch but Drago moves away
letting Drago counter with a right hand.
The fight stays on the outside here - Benjum looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Benjum throws a sloppy head kick and Drago moves out of range easily.
Drago has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Benjum avoids a punch combination nicely.
Benjum tries to close the distance and clinch but Drago swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Benjum is looking to clinch.
Drago circles away from the clinch attempt
and Drago counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
A combination from Drago does no damage.
Benjum doesn't manage to clinch there - Drago circles away.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Benjum doesn't manage to clinch there - Drago circles away.

Benjum closes the distance and clinches.
Benjum with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Drago is trying to break the clinch but Benjum is controlling him.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Drago as Benjum tries to tie him up.
Benjum using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Drago has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Benjum has Drago pressed against the ropes, preventing Drago from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Benjum prevents Drago from breaking the clinch.
Benjum connects with a nasty looking knee right to Drago's face.

Benjum escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Drago misses with a two punch combination.
Benjum tries to close the distance and clinch up but Drago swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Drago keeps the fight on the outside.
Drago throws a left and a right that both miss
and Benjum counters with a head kick. That will keep Drago thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Drago is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Benjum rather than just go for the knockout.
Benjum misses with a jab to the body
and Drago counters with a left and a right that stings Benjum.
Benjum tries to clinch up.
Jab, jab by Drago - just one landing.
The fight stays on the outside here - Benjum looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Benjum wants to clinch up but Drago keeps it at a distance.
Benjum slips a jab and a cross from Drago.
Benjum with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Drago is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Benjum.
Benjum fails in his attempt to clinch.
Drago tests Benjum's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Drago rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Benjum moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Benjum with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Drago misses with a series of wild punches.
Benjum is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Benjum fails in his attempt to clinch.
Benjum throws a combination that misses
and Drago counters with a left to the body.
The fight stays on the outside here - Benjum looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alirovo Benjum dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Alirovo Benjum's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A looping hook to the body misses from Drago. Benjum does a little dance to reset his feet.
Drago fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Benjum moves in looking to clinch but Drago pushes him off.
Benjum dodges the punch combination from Drago.
Benjum lands with a nice combination. Drago backs away looking to recover.
Benjum throws a head kick that Drago semi-blocks.
Benjum wants to clinch up but Drago keeps it at a distance.
Benjum fails with an attempt to clinch.
Drago ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Drago displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Benjum throws out the jab.
Benjum fails to land with a series of punches.
Benjum tries to clinch up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Drago bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Drago misses with a jab, cross combination.
Benjum scores with a jab.
Benjum is looking to clinch but Drago is avoiding it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benjum fails with an attempt to clinch.
Benjum fails in his attempt to clinch.
Drago misses with a jab, cross combination.
Benjum displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Benjum is looking to clinch.
Drago fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Drago throws a series of punches but Benjum moves out of range.
Benjum fails in his attempt to clinch.
Benjum lands a head kick. Drago smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Benjum misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Drago.
Drago jabs at Benjum's body.
Drago rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Benjum moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Drago swats away the attempt to clinch by Benjum.
Benjum tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in the close the distance. Drago manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Drago swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Benjum counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Left hook, right uppercut from Benjum.
Benjum tries to clinch up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Drago lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Benjum backs up against the ropes.
Benjum fails with an attempt to clinch.
A combination from Benjum does no damage.
Benjum misses with a head kick.
Drago scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
No joy there for Drago, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Benjum throws a head kick that half lands.
Drago scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Benjum doesn't manage to clinch there - Drago circles away.
Drago walks forward, straight into a front kick from Benjum.
Benjum is looking to clinch but Drago is avoiding it.
Benjum throws a sloppy head kick and Drago moves out of range easily.
Benjum has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Benjum swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Drago.
Benjum moves in looking to clinch but Drago pushes him off.
Drago swats away the attempt to clinch by Benjum.
Drago connects with a body shot that sends Benjum's belly button to the back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benjum tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Drago paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Benjum is looking to clinch.
Benjum is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Benjum dodges the punch combination from Drago.
Drago thows a body shot but no joy.
Benjum fails with an attempt to clinch.
Drago swats away the attempt to clinch by Benjum.
The fight stays on the outside here - Benjum looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Benjum tries to clinch there but Drago circles away.
Benjum throws a right and a left that Drago avoids nicely.

Benjum closes the distance and clinches.
Benjum connects with a knee to the head.
Drago is trying to force a seperation but Benjum has the dominant position.
Drago wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

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.

Benjum breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Benjum tries to clinch but Drago moves out of range.
Drago avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Drago misses with a double jab
and Benjum counters with a slapping leg kick.
Benjum throws a series of strikes that have Drago backpedaling.
Drago throws a right hand that Benjum ducks under and follows up with a left that Benjum also avoids with ease.
Benjum moves in looking to clinch but Drago pushes him off.
Benjum is looking to clinch but Drago is avoiding it.
Drago scores with a sloppy right hand. Benjum should have avoided that one.
Benjum doesn't manage to clinch there - Drago circles away.
Drago circles away from the clinch attempt.
Drago avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Drago misses with a wild combination.
Benjum wants to clinch up but Drago keeps it at a distance.
Benjum tries to clinch but Drago is having none of it.
Drago throws a looping overhand right but Benjum ducks down to avoid it.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Drago fails to land with a series of punches.
Benjum tries to clinch there but Drago circles away.
Benjum throws a head kick that misses.
Drago bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Benjum is looking to clinch.
Drago looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Benjum has Drago up against the ropes in a clinch.
Benjum tries to land a knee to the head but Drago blocks with his arms.
Benjum is trying to stall.
Benjum misses with a knee strike.
Drago tries to circle away but Benjum has him pinned against the ropes.
Drago is trying to force a seperation but Benjum has the dominant position.
Benjum with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Benjum looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
A frustrated look appears on Drago's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Benjum throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Drago blocks it with crossed arms.
Benjum tries to land a knee to the head but Drago blocks with his arms.
Benjum throws a knee to the head but misses.

That's six 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.
Benjum throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Drago blocks it with crossed arms.
Benjum with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Benjum misses with a knee strike.
Drago wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Benjum has him pressed against the ropes.
Benjum lands a good knee to the midsection. Drago won't want to take too many of those.
Drago wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Drago looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Drago wants to break free but Benjum has control.
Benjum throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Drago blocks it with crossed arms.
Drago wants to break free but Benjum has control.
Benjum lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Benjum throws a knee to the head but misses.
Benjum tries to land a knee to the head but Drago blocks with his arms.
Benjum working hard to break the clinch.
Drago avoids the elbow strike from Benjum, against the ropes.
Drago wants to get back to striking at distance but Benjum won't allow it.
A frustrated look appears on Drago's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Benjum with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Drago is trying to break the clinch but Benjum is controlling him.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Benjum just misses with a elbow thrown towards Drago's brow.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Benjum pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the ropes.
Drago wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Benjum has him pressed against the ropes.
Benjum using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Drago has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Drago keeps control of Benjum as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Benjum has Drago pressed against the ropes, preventing Drago from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Drago is trying to push Benjum away but Benjum has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
Drago wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Benjum has him pressed against the ropes.
Drago takes a knee right on the jaw!
Benjum misses with a knee to the head.
Benjum prevents Drago from breaking the clinch.
Benjum tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Benjum scores a nice knee to the body.
Benjum working aggressively here.
Benjum keeps control of Drago as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Benjum with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Drago tries to break free but Benjum pushes him back against the ropes.
Benjum with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Drago wants to break the clinch but can't.
Drago is trying to force a seperation but Benjum has the dominant position.
Drago tries to circle away but Benjum has him pinned against the ropes.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Drago wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Benjum lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
A frustrated look appears on Drago's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Benjum misses with a knee strike.
Benjum misses with a knee strike.
Drago takes a knee right on the jaw!
Drago is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Drago is trying to break the clinch but Benjum has him pressed against the ropes.
Benjum with a knee to the head.
Benjum working Drago over with knees to the body.
Benjum throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Drago blocks it with crossed arms.
Benjum has Drago pressed against the ropes, preventing Drago from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Drago has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Benjum with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Benjum with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Benjum looking to throw knees to the head but Drago is blocking nicely.
Drago wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Benjum misses with a knee to the head.

Benjum escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Drago scores with a jab to the body.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Drago keeps the fight on the outside.
Drago getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Benjum goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Benjum throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Benjum fails in his attempt to clinch.
Benjum takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Benjum fails with an attempt to clinch.
Benjum showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Drago.
Benjum throws a head kick that Drago semi-blocks.
Benjum doesn't manage to clinch there - Drago circles away.
Drago circles away from the clinch attempt.
Some wild striking there from Drago.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Benjum doesn't manage to clinch there - Drago circles away.
Benjum doesn't manage to clinch there - Drago circles away.
A combination from Benjum does no damage.
Drago misses with a two punch combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alirovo Benjum clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Alirovo Benjum's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Benjum doesn't manage to clinch there - Drago circles away.
Benjum keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Benjum showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Drago.
Drago circles away from the clinch attempt.
Drago misses with a jab, cross combination.
Benjum throws a combination that misses
and Drago counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Drago avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Benjum throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Drago.
Drago feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Benjums jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
No joy there for Drago, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Benjum tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Drago paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Benjum moves into the clinch.
Benjum misses with a knee to the head.
Drago wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Drago takes a knee right on the jaw!
Benjum keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Drago's efforts to push away.
Benjum with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Drago wants to break free but Benjum has control.

Benjum manages to break the clinch.
Benjum doesn't manage to clinch there - Drago circles away.
Drago swats away the attempt to clinch by Benjum.
Benjum misses with a body shot.
Benjum is looking to clinch.
Drago feints a jab promting Benjum to slip. Drago then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Benjum slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Benjum tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in the close the distance. Drago manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Benjum tries to clinch but Drago moves out of range.
Benjum scores with a three punch combo!
Benjum throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Drago scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Benjum is looking to clinch.
Benjum throws a nice head kick!
Drago will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Drago throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Benjum wants to clinch.
Benjum is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Drago swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A punch combination from Benjum misses.
Benjum wants to clinch up but Drago keeps it at a distance.
Drago throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Benjum tries to close the distance and clinch but Drago swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Benjum throws a series of punches but Drago avoids them all with ease.
Benjum tries to clinch there but Drago circles away.
Drago scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Benjum doesn't manage to clinch there - Drago circles away.
Drago throws a left and a right that both miss

and Benjum counters by moving into the clinch.
Benjum scores with a knee to the head.
Benjum misses with a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benjum tries a knee to the head but Drago blocks it.
Benjum is trying to break the clinch but Drago is controlling him.
Drago is looking to break free of the clinch but Benjum has double underhooks.
Drago can't break the clinch.
Benjum with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Benjum throws a knee to the head but misses.
Drago takes a knee right on the jaw!
Benjum tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Drago wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Benjum wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Drago can't break the clinch.
Drago takes a knee right on the jaw!
Drago is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Benjum tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Drago looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Drago tries to circle away but Benjum has him pinned against the ropes.
Benjum has Drago pressed against the ropes, preventing Drago from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Benjum lands a knee to the head.
Benjum is looking to break free of the clinch but Drago has double underhooks.
Drago working hard to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Benjum connects with a nasty looking knee right to Drago's face.
Drago blocks the elbow strike.
Benjum using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Drago has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Benjum throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Drago blocks it with crossed arms.
Benjum is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Drago is keeping busy.
A frustrated look appears on Drago's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Benjum misses with a knee strike.
Drago is trying to push Benjum away but Benjum has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
Drago is trying to break free.
Drago wants to get back to striking at distance but Benjum won't allow it.
Benjum with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Drago is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Drago wants to break free but Benjum has control.
Drago is looking to break free of the clinch but Benjum has double underhooks.
Benjum lands a knee to the head.
Benjum misses with a knee to the head.
Benjum tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Drago is looking to break free of the clinch but Benjum has double underhooks.
Benjum looking to throw knees to the head but Drago is blocking nicely.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Benjum tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Drago is trying to break free.
Benjum lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Benjum misses with a knee to the head.
Drago tries to circle away but Benjum has him pinned against the ropes.
Drago wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Benjum scores with a knee to the head.
Drago is trying to break the clinch but Benjum has him pressed against the ropes.
Benjum with a knee to the head.

Benjum's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Drago!
Benjum doesn't manage to clinch there - Drago circles away.
Drago swats away the attempt to clinch by Benjum.
Benjum tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Drago paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Drago looks to land a combination but Benjum avoids it well.
Benjum tries to close the distance and clinch but Drago swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Benjum tries to clinch up but Drago circles away and keeps his distance.
Benjum lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Drago scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Benjum is looking to clinch.
Drago falls off balance throwing a combination
and Benjum counters with a three punch combo that has Drago backing up. Drago nods at Benjum to acknowledge the strikes.
A punch combination from Benjum misses.
A left and a right from Drago both land. Nice combination.
Benjum tries to close the distance and clinch up but Drago swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Drago throws a series of punches but Benjum avoids them all with ease.
Benjum throws a nice looking combination but Drago bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Drago lands a jab to the nose.
Benjum tries to clinch there but Drago circles away.
Benjum tries to clinch but Drago is having none of it.
Benjum is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A combination from Drago does no damage.
Benjum is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Benjum tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Drago. Those never looked like landing.
Drago takes a swing at Benjum's ribcage but misses.
Benjum wants to clinch up but Drago keeps it at a distance.

Benjum fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Drago, pushing him back against the ropes.
Benjum connects with a knee to the head.
Drago has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Benjum takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Drago is trying to break the clinch but Benjum has him pressed against the ropes.
Benjum misses with a knee to the head.

Benjum manages to break the clinch.
Benjum takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Benjum is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Benjum is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Drago.
Drago showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Benjum.
Drago will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Benjum lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Benjum tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Drago throws a combination that misses
and Benjum counters with a nice uppercut.
Benjum tries to clinch there but Drago circles away.
Benjum fails in his attempt to clinch.
Benjum throws a head kick that misses.
Drago lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Benjum backs up against the ropes.
Benjum tries to close the distance and clinch but Drago swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Benjum throws an overhand right that lands on Drago's shoulder, as Drago tries to avoid the shot.
Drago cracks Benjum with a right hand to the side of the head.
The fight stays on the outside here - Benjum looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Drago throws a right hand that Benjum ducks under and follows up with a left that Benjum also avoids with ease.
Benjum moves in looking to clinch but Drago pushes him off.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Drago crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Benjum - the referee stops the clock and Drago gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Benjum. Drago manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Benjum moves out of range as Drago strikes.
Benjum lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Drago will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Benjum closes the distance and clinches.
Benjum tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Drago has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Drago can't break the clinch.
Benjum tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Benjum tries to land a knee to the head but Drago blocks with his arms.
Drago has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Benjum lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Benjum tries a knee to the head but Drago blocks it.
Benjum tries to land a knee to the head but Drago blocks with his arms.
Benjum throws an elbow that misses.
Benjum throws a knee to the head but misses.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Benjum tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Benjum looking to throw knees to the head but Drago is blocking nicely.
Drago is trying to break the clinch but Benjum has him pressed against the ropes.
A frustrated look appears on Drago's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Drago looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alirovo Benjum had his way with Pete Drago in that round.
The cut man is working on Alirovo Benjum's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Benjum falls off balance throwing a combination
enabling Drago to counter with a crisp jab.
Drago listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Benjum is looking to clinch but Drago is avoiding it.
Drago swinging wildly here.
Benjum fails in his attempt to clinch.
Benjum tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Drago paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A slow jab from Benjum misses its intended target.
Benjum wants to clinch.
Benjum takes a shot to the body in his stride.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Drago avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Benjum wants to clinch up but Drago keeps it at a distance.
Drago throws a nice looking combination but Benjum bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Drago misses with a series of wild punches.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Drago throws a combination that misses
and Benjum connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Drago swats away the attempt to clinch by Benjum.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good standup being displayed there by Benjum as he connects with a hook.
Benjum tries to close the distance and clinch up but Drago swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Benjum swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Drago counters with a left and a right that stings Benjum.

Benjum instigates a clinch.
Benjum throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Drago blocks it with crossed arms.
Drago wants to get back to striking at distance but Benjum won't allow it.
Drago is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
A knee to the head by Benjum.
Benjum throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Drago blocks it with crossed arms.
Benjum looking to throw knees to the head but Drago is blocking nicely.
Drago wants to break the clinch but can't.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Benjum obliges.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Drago wants to get back to striking at distance but Benjum won't allow it.
Benjum misses with a knee strike.
Benjum misses with a knee strike.
Drago has had enough of the clinch but Benjum keeps him there for the moment.
Benjum throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Drago blocks it with crossed arms.

That's two 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.
Benjum tries to land a knee to the head but Drago blocks with his arms.
Benjum with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Benjum keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Drago's efforts to push away.
Drago wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Benjum crunches a lovely knee into Drago's ribcage.
Benjum tries to land a knee to the head but Drago blocks with his arms.
Drago tries to break the clinch but Benjum is controlling the position.

Benjum breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Drago moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Benjum is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Drago fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Benjum doesn't manage to clinch there - Drago circles away.
Benjum lands a leg kick that knocks Drago off balance momentarily.
Benjum fails with an attempt to clinch.
Drago swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Benjum counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Benjum.
Benjum connects with a knee to the head.
Benjum tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Drago avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drago wants to get back to striking at distance but Benjum won't allow it.
Benjum tries to land a knee to the head but Drago blocks with his arms.
Benjum with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Benjum tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Benjum tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Drago wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Benjum looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Drago working hard to break the clinch.
Benjum throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Drago blocks it with crossed arms.
Benjum tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Drago tries to circle away but Benjum has him pinned against the ropes.
Drago tries to break the clinch but Benjum is controlling the position.
Benjum misses with a knee to the head.
Benjum with a knee to the head.
Benjum tries a knee to the head but Drago blocks it.

Drago breaks the clinch.
Drago avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Drago misses with a combination
and Benjum counters with a stiff right hand.
Benjum goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

That's four 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.
Drago throws a nice looking combination but Benjum bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Benjum tries to clinch but Drago moves out of range.
Benjum tries to clinch but Drago is having none of it.
Benjum tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Benjum tries to clinch up but Drago circles away and keeps his distance.
Drago throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Benjum.
Benjum tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in the close the distance. Drago manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Benjum throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Drago's head.
Drago misses with a combination
and Benjum counters with a three punch combo that has Drago backing up. Drago nods at Benjum to acknowledge the strikes.
Drago fails to land with a series of punches.
Drago circles away from the clinch attempt.

Benjum clinches.
Benjum is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Benjum lands a knee to the head.
Benjum with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Drago tries to break the clinch but Benjum is controlling the position.
Drago is trying to break the clinch but Benjum has him pressed against the ropes.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Benjum stalling in the clinch but Drago improves position.
Benjum throws a knee to the head but misses.
Drago has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Knees to the body from Benjum.
Benjum throws a knee to the head but misses.
Benjum tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Drago is looking to break free of the clinch but Benjum has double underhooks.
Benjum misses with a knee strike.
Benjum tries to land a knee to the head but Drago blocks with his arms.
Drago working hard to break the clinch.
Benjum throws a knee to the head but misses.
Benjum keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Drago's efforts to push away.
Drago looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Benjum with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Drago wants to break the clinch but can't.
Benjum is trying to stall.
Benjum using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Drago has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Benjum with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's six 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.
Drago is trying to break free.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Drago is looking to break free of the clinch but Benjum has double underhooks.
Drago is trying to break free.
Drago takes a knee right on the jaw!
Drago has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Drago is trying to break free.
A short right from Benjum on the inside.
Benjum tries a knee to the head but Drago blocks it.
Benjum lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Benjum keeps control of Drago as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
A frustrated look appears on Drago's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Benjum keeps control of Drago as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Benjum scores with a knee to the head.
Drago is trying to force a seperation but Benjum has the dominant position.
Benjum with a knee to the head.
Benjum tries to land a knee to the head but Drago blocks with his arms.
Benjum looking to throw knees to the head but Drago is blocking nicely.
Drago takes a knee right on the jaw!
Benjum misses with a knee strike.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Benjum with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Benjum throws a knee to the head but misses.
Benjum prevents Drago from breaking the clinch.
Benjum scores with a knee to the head.
Benjum with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Benjum throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Benjum prevents Drago from breaking the clinch.

Benjum breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Benjum pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Drago misses with a double jab.
Drago with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Benjum throws a combination that misses
and Drago counters with a lovely shot to the body.
The fight stays on the outside here - Benjum looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Drago changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Drago keeps the fight on the outside.
Benjum slips a jab and a cross from Drago.
Benjum doesn't manage to clinch there - Drago circles away.
Benjum tries to close the distance and clinch but Drago swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Benjum fails with an attempt to clinch.
Drago takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Drago misses with the combination.
Benjum misses with a two punch combination.
Drago misses with the combination.
Drago tries to bum rush Benjum with a series of wild strikes but Benjum uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Benjum tries to clinch but Drago is having none of it.
Benjum tries to close the distance and clinch up but Drago swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Benjum tries to clinch but Drago is having none of it.
Benjum has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Benjum tries to close the distance and clinch up but Drago swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Benjum falls off balance throwing a combination
and Drago counters with a series of strikes. Benjum will be more careful next time no doubt.
Drago is working the combinations to good effect here.
Benjum feints a jab promting Drago to slip. Benjum then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Drago slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Benjum tries a head kick but it misses.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Drago avoids the head kick by Benjum.
Benjum showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Drago.
Benjum tries to clinch but Drago is having none of it.
Drago swinging wildly here.
Drago circles away from the clinch attempt.
Benjum tries to clinch there but Drago circles away.
Benjum fails in his attempt to clinch.
Benjum tries to clinch there but Drago circles away.
Drago swats away the attempt to clinch by Benjum.
Benjum tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in the close the distance. Drago manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Benjum tries to clinch but Drago is having none of it.
Benjum tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in the close the distance. Drago manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Drago lands a jab to the head.
Drago lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Benjum circles away quickly and effectively.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Alirovo Benjum.
I think Benjum has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight for Alirovo Benjum!
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight for Alirovo Benjum!
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight for Alirovo Benjum!

Alirovo Benjum wins by unanimous decision!