PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Lars Fightmann (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mercutio Benvolio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mercutio Benvolio acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Fightmann
vs
Benvolio

170 cm
27
179 lbs
11 - 7 - 0

194 cm
21
183 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
World class MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, Lars Fightmann!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mercutio Benvolio!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fightmann on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Benvolio. Benvolio obviously looking to wear him down.
Fightmann listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Fightmann will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Benvolio tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Fightmann counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Benvolio seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Fightmann is in close to Benvolio's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Fightmann postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Fightmann lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Benvolio keeping moving, preventing Fightmann from controlling successfully.
Benvolio is trying to keep Fightmann in close.
Fightmann postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Benvolio is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Benvolio is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Fightmann is controlling him.
Benvolio controlling Fightmann's posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Mercutio Benvolio.
A big right from Fightmann misses.
Benvolio keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Benvolio attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Fightmann fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Benvolio uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Fightmann.
Fightmann throws a predictable looking body shot
and Benvolio counters with a stiff right hand.
Fightmann throws a shot to the body.

Benvolio closes the distance and clinches.
Fightmann tries to score a body lock takedown but Benvolio shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Benvolio looks to throw an elbow but misses.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Fightmann on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Fightmann drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lars Fightmann. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benvolio has Fightmann pressed against the cage, preventing Fightmann from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Benvolio just leaning against Fightmann, taking a breather.
Benvolio missing with knees to the body.
Benvolio gets underhooks to prevent Fightmann's takedown attempt.
Benvolio lands a nice elbow.

It looks like Lars Fightmann has been cut.
Benvolio tries to stall but Fightmann uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Benvolio stalling against the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Mercutio Benvolio.
Benvolio finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benvolio throws a leg kick but Fightmann sees it coming and moves out of range.
Benvolio moves out of range as Fightmann strikes.
Fightmann fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Fightmann falls off balance throwing a combination
and Benvolio counters with a slapping leg kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Benvolio.
Benvolio throws a nice inside leg kick.
Benvolio defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Fightmann.
Fightmann lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Fightmann.
Fightmann lands a right hook to the body.
Fightmann pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Benvolio back to the cage. Fightmann follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Fightmann throws a left and a right that both miss
and Benvolio counters with a leg kick.
Benvolio throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Fightmann throws a predictable looking body shot

and Benvolio counters by moving into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Benvolio obliges.
Benvolio misses with an elbow over the top.
Benvolio is struggling to control the position.
Fightmann trying to control the position but instead, Benvolio has worked for underhooks and has pushed Fightmann into the cage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Benvolio misses with an elbow over the top.
Fightmann drops down looking for an ankle pick but Benvolio pulls his leg out and moves away.
Benvolio lands a leg kick that knocks Fightmann off balance momentarily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Lars Fightmann will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Lars Fightmann's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Fightmann avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Benvolio lands with a kick to the temple. Fightmann shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Benvolio scoring well with a low kick there.
Fightmann misses the body punch
and Benvolio counters with a thumping low kick.
Fightmann misses the body punch
and Benvolio counters with a slapping leg kick.
Fightmann tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Benvolio was well out of range. Poor timing from Fightmann.
Fightmann shoots in looking for a takedown but Benvolio manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Fightmann's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Fightmann has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Benvolio.
Fightmann looks to throw the jab but Benvolio is out of range.
A shot to the liver by Fightmann. Beautiful body shot.
Nice uppercut lands for Benvolio. That snapped Fightmann's head back.

Benvolio has taken the fight to the clinch.
Fightmann looking to slow down the pace here.
Benvolio dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Fightmann dodges an elbow strike from Benvolio.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benvolio stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Benvolio throws an elbow but it misses.
Benvolio tries to stall but Fightmann uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Nice elbow from Benvolio.
Fightmann taking a breather.
Benvolio taking a breather.
Benvolio throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Fightmann is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Benvolio lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Benvolio pushes off an throws an elbow but Fightmann leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Benvolio.
Benvolio effectively controlling the action here.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Fightmann avoids a wild elbow strike from Benvolio.
Benvolio throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

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.
Fightmann looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Fightmann is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Benvolio leaning his opponent against the cage.
Benvolio misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Fightmann.
Benvolio stops a takedown attempt from Fightmann.
Benvolio displaying some good clinch control by pressing Fightmann up against the cage.
Benvolio is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Fightmann is defending well for now.
With the fighters up against the cage, Benvolio throws an elbow but misses.
Benvolio lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

Lars Fightmann's cut is getting worse.
Benvolio throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Come on Benvolio - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Benvolio tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Fightmann avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benvolio pushes off an throws an elbow but Fightmann leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Fightmann dodges an elbow strike from Benvolio.
Fightmann stalling against the cage.
Benvolio lands a knee to the body.
Benvolio is looking to control Fightmann's arms but Fightmann gets an underhook and turns him. Now Benvolio has his back to the cage.
Fightmann working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Fightmann wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lars Fightmann. That's going to take a lot out of him.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Benvolio just misses with a elbow thrown towards Fightmann's brow.
Benvolio missing with knees to the body.
Benvolio stalling against the cage.
Fightmann taking a breather.
Benvolio looking to stall.

That's four 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.
Fightmann blocks an elbow strike from Benvolio.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Benvolio as Fightmann tries to tie him up.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Benvolio just misses with a elbow thrown towards Fightmann's brow.
Benvolio creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Fightmann's defenses.
Benvolio unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Fightmann taking a breather.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Fightmann taking a breather.
Fightmann tries for a takedown. No joy.
Fightmann managing to block the knees to the body from Benvolio.
Benvolio tries to land knees in the clinch but Fightmann avoids the damage to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mercutio Benvolio showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Lars Fightmann's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Fightmann scores with a sloppy right hand. Benvolio should have avoided that one.

Fightmann fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Benvolio to the ground. Fightmann is now in Benvolio's guard.
Fightmann lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Fightmann is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Benvolio has his feet on Fightmann's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

Benvolio gets a clinch.
Fightmann dodges an elbow strike from Benvolio.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Benvolio looking to slow down the pace here.
Benvolio taking a breather.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benvolio creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Fightmann avoids the elbow strike from Benvolio, against the cage.
Benvolio tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Fightmann avoids it.
Benvolio unloads a knee to the mid-section. Fightmann lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Benvolio lands an elbow inside that Fightmann shrugs off.
Benvolio trying to stall but Fightmann improves his position.
Benvolio tries to land knees in the clinch but Fightmann avoids the damage to the body.
Fightmann makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Benvolio stalling in the clinch but Fightmann improves position.
Fightmann blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Benvolio takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Fightmann is trying to stall.
Benvolio gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Fightmann.
Fightmann wants a takedown but no success here.
Fightmann stalling in the clinch but Benvolio improves position.

That's two 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.
Benvolio avoiding damage.
Benvolio gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Benvolio misses with an elbow over the top.
Benvolio lands a damaging elbow.
Benvolio manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Fightmann stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Fightmann avoiding damage as Benvolio throws knees to the body.
Fightmann takes an elbow to the temple.

Lars Fightmann's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Fightmann tries to stall but Benvolio uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Fightmann blocks the elbow strike.
Benvolio trying to land knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fightmann stalling in the clinch but Benvolio improves position.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Benvolio.
Benvolio prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lars Fightmann. That's going to take a lot out of him.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Benvolio just misses with a elbow thrown towards Fightmann's brow.
Fightmann avoiding damage.
Fightmann takes an elbow to the forehead.

Jeez, Lars Fightmann's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.
Benvolio creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Benvolio unloads a knee to the mid-section. Fightmann lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Benvolio blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Benvolio throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Fightmann blocks an elbow strike from Benvolio.
Benvolio is pushing Fightmann up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Benvolio dodges an elbow strike from Fightmann.

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.
Benvolio content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Benvolio creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Benvolio misses with an elbow strike.
Benvolio throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Benvolio tries to stall but Fightmann uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Fightmann blocks an elbow strike.
Fightmann managing to block the knees to the body from Benvolio.
Fightmann avoids the elbow strike from Benvolio, against the cage.
Fightmann has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Benvolio avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Benvolio pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Fightmann blocks the elbow strike.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Benvolio misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Fightmann.
Benvolio throws an elbow but it misses.
Benvolio tries to land knees in the clinch but Fightmann avoids the damage to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mercutio Benvolio comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Benvolio has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mercutio Benvolio!