PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Saleel Qaasim (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Derrick Bennett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Qaasim
vs
Bennett

188 cm
22
196 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

194 cm
18
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Saleel Qaasim!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Derrick Bennett!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Damien Edna and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Qaasim closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Bennett to the mat! Bennett manages to get full guard.
Qaasim trying to control but Bennett is working from the bottom.

Qaasim drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Bennett dives on top into guard.
Bennett stops Qaasim from standing up.
Bennett stopping the sweep attempt from Qaasim.
Qaasim is trying to control the position but Bennett postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bennett drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Bennett jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Bennett stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Qaasim swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Qaasim wants to stand but Bennett is controlling the position.
Qaasim is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Bennett with a lazy takedown attempt

and Qaasim counters with a nice double leg into side control. Bennett won't be happy with that.
Bennett looks gassed!
Bennett is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Qaasim knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Bennett on the ground.
Qaasim wants to control but Bennett is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Qaasim goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Bennett has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Qaasim but great work by Bennett.
You can see the frustration on Qaasim's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Qaasim bucks up and tries to throw Bennett off but instead Bennett has got his back!
Bennett keeps control of the position as Qaasim tries to break free.

Bennett working from the back looking to end the fight with a rear naked choke. Qaasim is doing well to defend. Bennett seems to have got his hand under the chin though and he's sunk the choke in! Qaasim is forced to tap and this one is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:18 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Derrick Bennett!