PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Emile Sauvage (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chuck Bennett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sauvage's entrance music is Chaos Is Me. A fine choice. Chuck Bennett will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Sauvage
vs
Bennett

160 cm
22
145 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

165 cm
22
142 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Aloha Clothing Company

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Emile Sauvage!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Chuck Bennett!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Tiny Johnson and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bennett lands with a cross.
Sauvage takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Bennett comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Bennett throws a right and a left that Sauvage avoids nicely.
A right-left combo lands from Bennett.

Sauvage is rocked!
Bennett throws a right and a left that both miss.
Oh Sauvage is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Bennett keeps the fight on the outside.
Bennett fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Sauvage on the side of the head.
Sauvage takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Bennett clinches with his opponent.

Bennett breaks the clinch.
Bennett swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sauvage seems to have got his legs back now.
Sauvage doesn't manage to clinch there - Bennett circles away.

Bennett pushes Sauvage up against the cage in a clinch.

Bennett breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nice shot lands for Bennett.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab by Bennett.
Bennett throws a nice looking combination but Sauvage bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Bennett clobbers Sauvage with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

Sauvage shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Bennett wants to get back to his feet but Sauvage is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Bennett keeping full guard, as Sauvage tries to pass.
Sauvage trying to control but Bennett is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sauvage trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sauvage trying to control the position from guard on top but Bennett is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sauvage advances position into side control!

Sauvage working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Sauvage is breathing heavily.
Sauvage is looking to take a break and control but Bennett is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Bennett parries the strikes from Sauvage easily there. Sauvage is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Bennett to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sauvage wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Bennett, who protects the arm well.
Sauvage in side control, throwing shots but Bennett defends.
Sauvage working the ground and pound but Bennett is defending the strikes.
Bennett wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Bennett is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Bennett scores with a crisp jab that stopped Sauvage in his tracks.

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.
Bennett misses with a few strikes there.
Bennett tests Sauvage's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Sauvage takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Bennett tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sauvage paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Bennett lands a nice hook to Sauvage's body. Sauvage takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Bennett moves out of range of the strikes.
Bennett swings for the body but Sauvage moves out of range.
Chuck Bennett seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice uppercut lands for Sauvage. That snapped Bennett's head back.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bennett lands a nice looking body shot.
Bennett keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Bennett lands a jab to Sauvage's midsection.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chuck Bennett dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Sauvage shoots in for a takedown but Bennett shows good takedown defense.
Emile Sauvage is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sauvage takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Sauvage fails to land the takedown.
Bennett scores with a decent looking hook.
Bennett lands a slapping body shot.

Bennett moves into range and clinches up with Sauvage.

Bennett breaks the clinch.

Bennett moves into the clinch successfully.
Bennett's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

Bennett breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nice takedown defense from Bennett. No joy for Sauvage on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Emile Sauvage. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bennett scores with a body shot.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sauvage is looking to clinch.

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

Bennett breaks from the clinch.

Bennett clinches up against the cage.

Bennett breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Bennett is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Sauvage rather than just go for the knockout.
Bennett misses with a few strikes there.
Bennett swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Bennett has taken the fight to the clinch.

Bennett breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Bennett scores with a hook to the body. Sauvage takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Bennett lands the left hand.
Bennett throws a nice looking combination but Sauvage bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A punch combination from Bennett misses.
Bennett lands a nice shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bennett moves into the clinch successfully.
Bennett gets underhooks to prevent Sauvage's takedown attempt.

Bennett breaks from the clinch.
Sauvage shoots in for a takedown but Bennett shows good takedown defense.
Bennett connects with a body shot.
Bennett looks to score with a jab to the body but Sauvage is just out of range.
Sauvage fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Sauvage shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Bennett pinned against the cage. Bennett gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Bennett will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Sauvage avoids the body shot from Bennett.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bennett tries to clinch but Sauvage is having none of it.
Some wild striking there from Bennett.
Bennett scores with a punch to the head.
Bennett looks to land a combination but Sauvage avoids it well.
The fight stays on the outside here - Bennett looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Bennett stuffs the takedown attempt from Sauvage. Sauvage gets slowly back to his feet.
Bennett tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A combination from Bennett does no damage.
Bennett throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Chuck Bennett seems to be getting the better of the standup.

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.
Bennett misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A combination from Bennett does no damage.
Bennett tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Bennett swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Bennett looks to score with a jab to the body but Sauvage is just out of range.
Bennett swats away the attempt to clinch by Sauvage.
Bennett takes a swing at Sauvage's ribcage but misses.
Bennett ducks under a wild hook from Sauvage.
Bennett just misses with a punch to the body.
Bennett tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sauvage paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Sauvage fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chuck Bennett showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Sauvage has a takedown stuffed.

Sauvage shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.

Sauvage is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Bennett has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Bennett!
Sauvage working a defensive guard here.

Bennett gets to his feet - Sauvage follows without any prompting.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sauvage gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Bennett.
Bennett lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

Sauvage drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sauvage working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Bennett wants to get back to his feet.

Sauvage looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Bennett is not content to let Sauvage control the 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.
Sauvage is really struggling to control Bennett but he's trying to hold on to the position.

Sauvage wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Bennett, who protects the arm well.
Bennett gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Bennett avoids a series of strikes thrown by Sauvage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bennett wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Sauvage.
Bennett avoids a series of strikes thrown by Sauvage.

Sauvage moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Bennett has worked his arm free - good work by Bennett!
Sauvage tries to move into full mount but can't pass Bennett's legs.
Sauvage looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Bennett is avoiding damage well.

That's four 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.
Sauvage wants to lay and pray for a moment but Bennett keeps working.

Sauvage is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Bennett is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Sauvage taking a breather here.
Sauvage trying to control the position but Bennett is working away.
Bennett defending against the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Emile Sauvage clearly takes that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Bennett clinches.

Bennett escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Bennett throws a right hand that Sauvage ducks under and follows up with a left that Sauvage also avoids with ease.
Sauvage throws out a loose jab but Bennett uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bennett looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Bennett lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Bennett throws a series of punches but Sauvage avoids them all with ease.
Bennett connects with a body shot.
Sauvage shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Bennett as he jumps to the side.
Sauvage shoots in but Bennett avoids the takedown attempt easily.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

Bennett moves into the clinch successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bennett manages to break the clinch.
Bennett wants to clinch up but Sauvage keeps it at a distance.

Bennett takes the fight into the clinch.
Sauvage has Bennett pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Bennett manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Emile Sauvage. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Bennett manages to break the clinch.
Bennett fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sauvage manages to avoid it.
Bennett misses with a series of wild punches.
Bennett throws a right and a left that both miss.
Sauvage slips a jab and a cross from Bennett.
Bennett lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Sauvage tries to clinch but Bennett moves away
and Bennett counters with a right hand to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bennett scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Bennett lands a lovely overhand right.
Sauvage fails with the takedown
and Bennett connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Some wild striking there from Bennett.
Sauvage shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Bennett closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Bennett has had enough of the clinch but Sauvage keeps him there for the moment.
Sauvage can't get the takedown.
Bennett prevents a takedown attempt there.
Sauvage has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Bennett avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sauvage closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Sauvage goes for a takedown attempt but Bennett pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Sauvage swats away the attempt to clinch by Bennett.

Bennett gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Sauvage has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Bennett regains guard immediately.
Bennett keeping moving, preventing Sauvage from controlling successfully.
Bennett is looking to stand up but Sauvage isn't so interested in that idea.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sauvage trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sauvage trying to control but Bennett is working from the bottom.
Bennett wants to stand and escape but Sauvage is having none of it.
Sauvage trying to control the position from guard on top but Bennett is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sauvage pushes down on Bennett's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Sauvage trying to control the action but Bennett is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chuck Bennett dominated that fourth round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Sauvage slips a jab and a cross from Bennett.
Bennett lands with an overhand left.
Sauvage walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Sauvage is looking to clinch.
Sauvage walks into a left hand.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sauvage.
Bennett moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Bennett lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Bennett misses with the combination.
Sauvage shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Bennett but Bennett pushes him off and we're back to square one.
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.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bennett closes the distance and clinches.
A right hand to the body from Bennett.

Bennett manages to break the clinch.
Bennett throws a series of punches but Sauvage moves out of range.
Bennett throws a series of punches but Sauvage moves out of range.
Sauvage tries to clinch up
and Bennett counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Bennett misses with a two punch combination.
Sauvage looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Bennett is fending him off so far but Sauvage persists. Nope, Bennett circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Emile Sauvage. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Nice shot lands for Bennett.
Bennett doesn't manage to clinch there - Sauvage circles away.
Chuck Bennett is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sauvage takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Sauvage with a poor takedown
and Sauvage takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Bennett clobbers Sauvage with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
A choreographed right hand from Bennett misses the target.
Sauvage shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Bennett as he avoids it easily.
Bennett stuffs the takedown.
Sauvage has a takedown stuffed.
Danga de danga de dang - Bennett scores with a four punch combination!
Bennett ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bennett gets a clinch.

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

Bennett has closed the distance and engaged Sauvage in a clinch.
Sauvage drops down looking for an ankle pick but Bennett pulls his leg out and moves away.
Bennett lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Bennett fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Sauvage looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Bennett ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sauvage moves away.
Bennett tries to bum rush Sauvage with a series of wild strikes but Sauvage uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Bennett just misses with a punch to the body.
Nice takedown defense from Bennett. No joy for Sauvage on that attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bennett looks to land a combination but Sauvage avoids it well.
Emile Sauvage has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sauvage tries for a takedown but Bennett circles away easily
and Bennett counters with a nice uppercut.
Bennett lands a slapping body shot.
Sauvage fails with a takedown attempt.

Sauvage shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Sauvage works his way into side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chuck Bennett comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Bennett 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 45:49
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 45:49
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 45:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chuck Bennett!
Chuck Bennett is the new bantamweight champion!