PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Steve Bennett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sasha Fyodorov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Bennett
vs
Fyodorov

181 cm
18
215 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
200 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Steve Bennett!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sasha Fyodorov!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Igor Prikhodko and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Bennett lands with a right to the head.
Bennett lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Fyodorov is trying to break the clinch but Bennett is controlling him.
Bennett keeps control of Fyodorov as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Bennett manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Bennett looking to hit a scissor sweep but Fyodorov is one step ahead there.

Bennett has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Fyodorov off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Bennett wants to clinch.
Bennett keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
A head kick misses from Fyodorov.
Bennett could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Fyodorov shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Bennett napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Bennett gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Bennett controlling the position well.
Bennett gets back to full guard.
Fyodorov looking to sit in guard and control but Bennett gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bennett stands up and waves to Fyodorov to follow him.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Fyodorov has had enough of the clinch but Bennett keeps him there for the moment.
Fyodorov wants to break free but Bennett has control.
Bennett is struggling to control the position.
Bennett landing knees to the body.
Fyodorov looks gassed!

Bennett manages to break the clinch.

Bennett scores with a takedown into Fyodorov's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Bennett stands up and waves to Fyodorov to follow him.
Bennett shoots in for a double leg but Fyodorov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bennett closes the distance and clinches.

Bennett pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Bennett throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Fyodorov's head.
Bennett closes the distance and clinches up with Fyodorov, looking for a takedown. Bennett pushes Fyodorov against the cage but Fyodorov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Bennett clinches up with Fyodorov and pushes him back against the cage.
Bennett crunches a lovely knee into Fyodorov's ribcage.
Bennett stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

Bennett manages to break the clinch.

Fyodorov gets tackled into the cage by Bennett. Bennett maintains the clinch.
Bennett landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Bennett tries to score a body lock takedown but Fyodorov shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steve Bennett. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bennett lands a knee to the head.

Bennett breaks from the clinch.

Bennett takes the fight into the clinch.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

Bennett breaks from the clinch.

Bennett closes the distance and pushes Fyodorov back into the cage.

Bennett breaks from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bennett fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Fyodorov, pushing him back against the cage.

Fyodorov is fighting off a takedown attempt but Bennett is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Fyodorov to the mat. Fyodorov regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Bennett stands and steps away. Fyodorov gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Bennett wants to clinch up but Fyodorov keeps it at a distance.
Bennett fails with an attempt to clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Bennett manages to break the clinch.

Fyodorov instigates a clinch.

Bennett pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Bennett drives through and clinches with Fyodorov against the cage.
Bennett is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Fyodorov pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Bennett pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Fyodorov scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Fyodorov has decided to stand back up but his arm is trapped. Whilst he's worrying about his arm, Bennett works to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Bennett dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Fyodorov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Bennett as he jumps to the side.
Fyodorov shoots in but no luck this time.

Bennett takes the fight into the clinch.
Bennett gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Bennett working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Bennett is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Fyodorov gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Bennett manages to break the clinch.
Bennett throws a head kick but Fyodorov moves out of range.

Bennett clinches up against the cage.
Bennett comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

Bennett breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Bennett swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Fyodorov lands a jab-cross combination.

Bennett closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Bennett manages to break the clinch.
Fyodorov slaps away a takedown attempt from Bennett, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bennett clinches.
Fyodorov is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Bennett manages to break the clinch.
Bennett doesn't manage to clinch there - Fyodorov circles away.
Bennett moves in looking to clinch but Fyodorov pushes him off.

Bennett clinches up with Fyodorov and pushes him back against the cage.
Bennett is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Fyodorov pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steve Bennett. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Bennett decides to pull guard.
Bennett is adopting a defensive guard.
Fyodorov looking to sit in guard and control but Bennett gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bennett stands up from Fyodorov's guard - Bennett perhaps looking for a knockout.
Steve Bennett is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bennett wants to clinch.

Bennett drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Bennett won't allow Fyodorov to sweep him here.

Bennett gets to his feet. Fyodorov looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Bennett shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Fyodorov is trying to defend but Bennett finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bennett controlling the action here.
Bennett's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

We're going to have a standup here because Steve Bennett wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Bennett darts in and clinches Fyodorov up against the cage.

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.

Bennett manages to break the clinch.

Fyodorov gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Bennett to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Bennett gets to his feet. Fyodorov looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Bennett gets tackled into the cage by Fyodorov. Fyodorov maintains the clinch.
Bennett slowing the pace effectively.
Steve Bennett has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Bennett turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Bennett manages to end up in side control.

Bennett decides to stand back up.

Bennett fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Fyodorov, pushing him back against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bennett lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

Bennett successfully pulls guard.
Fyodorov is looking to stand up but Bennett won't let him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Bennett dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Bennett moves into the clinch successfully.
Fyodorov wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Bennett wants a takedown.
Bennett connects with a nasty looking knee right to Fyodorov's face.

Bennett escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Steve Bennett seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fyodorov jabs Bennett to the body, keeping him at a distance.

Bennett gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Fyodorov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Fyodorov lands an elbow just above Bennett 's eye.
Bennett lands an elbow that stopped Fyodorov in his tracks for a moment.

Bennett breaks the clinch.
Bennett shoots in but no luck this time.
Fyodorov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Bennett as he jumps to the side.
The fight stays on the outside here - Bennett looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Bennett darts in and clinches Fyodorov up against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bennett creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Fyodorov's defenses.
Bennett stalling in the clinch.
Bennett is trying to drag Fyodorov to the mat but Fyodorov just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steve Bennett. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bennett avoids a wild elbow strike from Fyodorov.

Bennett breaks the clinch.
Fyodorov takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Bennett fails with a takedown attempt.
Bennett is looking to clinch but Fyodorov is avoiding it.
Bennett tries to clinch but Fyodorov moves out of range.
Fyodorov misses with a takedown attempt

and Bennett counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Bennett.

Bennett breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Bennett is looking to clinch but Fyodorov is avoiding it.
Bennett throws a head kick but Fyodorov moves out of range.

Bennett has closed the distance and engaged Fyodorov in a clinch.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Bennett is trying to drag Fyodorov to the mat but Fyodorov just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bennett escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Fyodorov misses with a takedown attempt
and Bennett counters with a nice kick to the body.
Bennett slaps away a takedown attempt from Fyodorov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Fyodorov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Bennett but Bennett pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Bennett wants to clinch.

Bennett fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Fyodorov, pushing him back against the cage.

Bennett's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Bennett instigates a clinch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Bennett.

Bennett's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Bennett wants to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bennett moves into range and clinches up with Fyodorov.
Fyodorov can't break the clinch.
Fyodorov misses with an elbow over the top.
Bennett is working for takedown but Fyodorov is calmly controlling the position for now.
Bennett is struggling to control the position.
Fyodorov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Fyodorov pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
The referee is keeping an eye on Bennett - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Fyodorov is trying to push Bennett away but Bennett has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Bennett taking a breather.
Bennett has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Fyodorov avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Fyodorov has had enough of the clinch but Bennett keeps him there for the moment.
Fyodorov is looking to break free of the clinch but Bennett has double underhooks.

Bennett decides to pull guard.
Bennett bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Fyodorov's guard.

Bennett decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bennett tries to clinch up but Fyodorov circles away and keeps his distance.

Bennett pushes Fyodorov up against the cage in a clinch.
Bennett lands an elbow just above Fyodorov 's eye.

Bennett gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Fyodorov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Fyodorov is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Steve Bennett is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Fyodorov is working an open guard so Bennett takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
The fight stays on the outside here - Bennett looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Fyodorov walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Bennett checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.

And that's the end of the fight!
Steve Bennett showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Bennett has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Steve Bennett!