PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Charles Bennett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mahmoud Izrani (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mahmoud Izrani will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Bennett
vs
Izrani

180 cm
29
222 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

190 cm
20
220 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid Muay Thai
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

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 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Charles Bennett!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mahmoud Izrani!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Edson Gomes and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Izrani takes the fight into the clinch.
Izrani scores with a knee to the head.

It looks like Charles Bennett has been cut.
Izrani keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Bennett's efforts to push away.
Izrani using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Bennett has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Bennett pulls guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Izrani is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Let's hope that Izrani has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Bennett keeping moving, preventing Izrani from controlling successfully.
Bennett looking to hit a scissor sweep but Izrani is one step ahead there.

Mahmoud Izrani has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Bennett shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Izrani defends it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Izrani tries to keep at a distance but Bennett has taken the fight into the clinch.
Bennett swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Bennett goes for a takedown attempt but Izrani pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Bennett tries to keep at a distance but Izrani has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Izrani tries to land a knee to the head but Bennett blocks with his arms.
Izrani with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Izrani with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Izrani gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Bennett.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Charles Bennett. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Izrani missing with knees to the body.
Bennett blocks an elbow strike from Izrani.
Bennett creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Bennett tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Izrani avoids it.
Izrani lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Izrani effectively controlling the action here.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Izrani is trying to slow the pace down but that's a couple of times in a row that he's tried to get underhooks and Bennett has denied him.
Izrani misses with a knee strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Izrani controlling the action here for a moment.
Izrani wants to stall.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Mahmoud Izrani.

Bennett instigates a clinch.
Izrani gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Bennett.
Izrani tries to land a knee to the head but Bennett blocks with his arms.
Izrani with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Knees to the body from Izrani.
Izrani is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Izrani working Bennett over with knees to the body.
Bennett is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Bennett blocks an elbow strike.
Izrani avoiding damage.
Izrani is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Bennett is looking to break free of the clinch but Izrani has double underhooks.
Izrani tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Izrani is stalling here.
Izrani gets underhooks to prevent Bennett's takedown attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Izrani looking to throw knees to the head but Bennett is blocking nicely.
Izrani throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Bennett blocks it with crossed arms.
Bennett is looking to break free of the clinch but Izrani has double underhooks.
Bennett goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mahmoud Izrani dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Charles Bennett's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Bennett drives through and clinches with Izrani against the cage.
Izrani putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Bennett in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

Bennett escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Izrani takes the fight into the clinch.
Bennett is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Izrani gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Izrani looking to throw knees to the head but Bennett is blocking nicely.
A knee to the head by Izrani.

Bennett has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Izrani regains guard immediately.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bennett throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Izrani keeping full guard, as Bennett tries to pass.
Izrani bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Bennett's guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Izrani wants to pass the guard but Bennett is keeping the position.

Bennett pushes Izrani off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Izrani throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Izrani takes the fight into the clinch.
Izrani stalling in the clinch but Bennett improves position.
Izrani controlling the action here for a moment.
Izrani is defending well against a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bennett takes a knee right on the jaw!
Izrani tries a knee to the head but Bennett blocks it.
Bennett tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Izrani smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Charles Bennett. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bennett shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Izrani holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Izrani throws an elbow but it misses.
Izrani manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Mahmoud Izrani seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Izrani lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Izrani has Bennett pushed against the cage.
Izrani with a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Izrani leaning against his opponent.
Bennett jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Izrani walks away with a smile on his face. Bennett gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Izrani has Bennett up against the cage in a clinch.
Izrani lands a good knee to the midsection. Bennett won't want to take too many of those.
Izrani tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Izrani throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Bennett blocks it with crossed arms.
Izrani with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Bennett takes an elbow to the forehead.
Bennett wants to get back to striking at distance but Izrani won't allow it.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Bennett as Izrani tries to tie him up.
Izrani throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Bennett blocks it with crossed arms.
Bennett tries to circle away but Izrani has him pinned against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bennett wants to get back to striking at distance but Izrani won't allow it.
Bennett is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Bennett is working for takedown but Izrani is calmly controlling the position for now.
Bennett drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Izrani gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Bennett has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bennett has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Izrani avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Izrani utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Izrani with a knee to the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Izrani scores with a knee to the head.
Izrani looking to throw knees to the head but Bennett is blocking nicely.
Izrani misses with a knee strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mahmoud Izrani showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Charles Bennett's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Izrani clinches up against the cage.
Izrani prevents a takedown attempt there.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Izrani with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Bennett wants to get back to striking at distance but Izrani won't allow it.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Izrani tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Bennett is trying to stall.
Bennett wants a takedown.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Izrani gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Bennett.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Charles Bennett. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Izrani misses with a knee to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Izrani tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Izrani with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Bennett takes a knee to the side of the body.
The referee is keeping an eye on Izrani - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Izrani lands a knee to the head.
Izrani throws a knee to the head but misses.
Izrani connects with a nasty looking knee right to Bennett's face.
Bennett misses with a punch to the body.
Izrani gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Bennett wants a takedown.
Izrani stalling in the clinch.
Izrani landing knees to the head.
Bennett taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Izrani with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Bennett misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Izrani.
Bennett throws a knee to the head but misses.
Izrani keeps control of Bennett as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
The referee calls for Izrani to work.
Izrani misses with a knee to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Izrani throws a knee to the head but misses.
Izrani is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Bennett is keeping busy.
Bennett goes for a takedown attempt but Izrani pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Izrani forces Bennett back against the cage and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bennett has clasped his hands together around Izrani's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Izrani is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Bennett off and has taken his back!
Bennett is trying to break free.
Izrani biding his time, looking for the opening.
Izrani is looking to control Bennett but Bennett is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Bennett is in bad spot here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bennett covering up well under a barage of strikes.
Izrani is trying to control but Bennett is trying to escape here - he's now mounted.
Mahmoud Izrani is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Bennett is working to get back to half guard.
Izrani tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Bennett is looking to improve his position but Izrani isn't that keen on the idea.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Izrani controlling the position easily from mount.
Charles Bennett has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bennett is looking to improve his position but Izrani isn't that keen on the idea.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mahmoud Izrani comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Izrani winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Mauricio Rocha scores the fight for Mahmoud Izrani!
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight for Mahmoud Izrani!
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight for Mahmoud Izrani!

Mahmoud Izrani wins by unanimous decision!
Mahmoud Izrani decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.