PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Harold Benedez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sauli Niinisto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Benedez
vs
Niinisto

179 cm
32
180 lbs
7 - 4 - 1

190 cm
29
178 lbs
16 - 2 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Great elbows
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 7 - 4 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Harold Benedez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sauli Niinisto!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Illya Tyunina and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Benedez has a takedown stuffed.
Benedez takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Niinisto tries a low kick but Benedez avoids it.

Benedez gets tackled into the cage by Niinisto. Niinisto maintains the clinch.
Benedez is working for takedown but Niinisto is calmly controlling the position for now.
Niinisto stalling against the cage.
Benedez blocks the elbow strike.
Niinisto scores a nice knee to the body.
Niinisto is defending well against a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Harold Benedez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Niinisto creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Benedez's defenses.
Benedez tries for a takedown. No joy.
Benedez tries to circle away but Niinisto has him pinned against the cage.
Niinisto lands an elbow inside.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Benedez takes an elbow to the temple.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benedez is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Benedez avoids a wild elbow strike from Niinisto.
Niinisto lands an elbow just above Benedez 's eye.
Niinisto lands a nice elbow.
Benedez can't break the clinch.
Niinisto crunches a lovely knee into Benedez's ribcage.
Benedez has had enough of the clinch but Niinisto keeps him there for the moment.
Nice elbow from Niinisto.
Niinisto unloads a knee to the mid-section. Benedez lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Benedez is breathing heavily.
Niinisto crunches a lovely knee into Benedez's ribcage.
Niinisto is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Niinisto lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Niinisto working Benedez over with knees to the body.
Niinisto creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Benedez's defenses.
Niinisto comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Niinisto obliges.
Niinisto lands a nice elbow.
Niinisto creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Benedez's defenses.
Niinisto unloads a knee to the mid-section. Benedez lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benedez takes a knee to the side of the body.
Benedez takes a knee to the side of the body.
Niinisto gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Benedez takes an elbow to the temple.
Niinisto crunches a lovely knee into Benedez's ribcage.
Niinisto lands an elbow just above Benedez 's eye.
Niinisto landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Niinisto lands an elbow inside that Benedez shrugs off.
Niinisto lands an elbow just above Benedez 's eye.
Niinisto lands an elbow that stopped Benedez in his tracks for a moment.
Benedez takes an elbow to the temple.
Niinisto unloads a knee to the mid-section. Benedez lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Niinisto lands an elbow inside that Benedez shrugs off.
Niinisto lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Niinisto.
Niinisto lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Niinisto lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Niinisto stalling against the cage.
Niinisto landing knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Niinisto obliges.
Niinisto lands an elbow inside that Benedez shrugs off.
Niinisto working Benedez over with knees to the body.
Niinisto stalling against the cage.
Niinisto landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Niinisto creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Benedez's defenses.
Niinisto using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Niinisto creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Benedez's defenses.
Niinisto gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Niinisto lands an elbow inside.
Benedez tries for a takedown but Niinisto manages to get underhooks.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Niinisto obliges.
Niinisto gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Niinisto comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Benedez tries to break the clinch but Niinisto is controlling the position.
Niinisto is struggling to control the position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Benedez wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Niinisto lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Niinisto crunches a lovely knee into Benedez's ribcage.
A bit of stalling here from Niinisto.
Benedez is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Niinisto pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Niinisto lands an elbow just above Benedez 's eye.
Benedez takes a knee to the side of the body.
Niinisto lands a nice knee to the body.
Niinisto lands a nice knee to the body.
Niinisto working Benedez over with knees to the body.
Niinisto lands an elbow inside that Benedez shrugs off.
Benedez tries to pull guard but Niinisto forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Benedez takes an elbow to the forehead.
Niinisto comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Niinisto lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Nice elbow from Niinisto.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Benedez tries to pull guard but Niinisto holds him up against the cage and eventually Benedez drops back down to his feet.
Niinisto lands a damaging elbow.
Niinisto lands an elbow that stopped Benedez in his tracks for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sauli Niinisto dominated 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.

Benedez fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Benedez fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Nice shot by Niinisto.
Niinisto fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Niinisto feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Benedez's calf.

Niinisto gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Benedez breaks the clinch.

Niinisto moves into range and clinches up with Benedez.
Benedez wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Harold Benedez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Benedez is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Niinisto gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Benedez is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Niinisto pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Niinisto lands an elbow that stopped Benedez in his tracks for a moment.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Niinisto obliges.
Niinisto landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Niinisto lands an elbow that stopped Benedez in his tracks for a moment.
Niinisto content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Niinisto lands an elbow inside.
Niinisto creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Benedez's defenses.
Niinisto landing knees to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Niinisto lands a nice knee to the body.
Niinisto lands a nice knee to the body.
Niinisto has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Niinisto landing knees to the body.
Niinisto creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Benedez's defenses.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Niinisto.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Niinisto is struggling to control the position.
Sauli Niinisto seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Benedez takes a knee right on the jaw!
Niinisto lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Niinisto lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Niinisto landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Niinisto comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Niinisto prevents a takedown attempt there.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Niinisto.
Benedez tries to score a body lock takedown but Niinisto shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Niinisto unloads a knee to the mid-section. Benedez lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Niinisto slows down the pace here.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Niinisto.
Niinisto lands a knee to the body.
Niinisto dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Niinisto lands an elbow just above Benedez 's eye.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benedez drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Niinisto gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Niinisto putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Benedez in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Niinisto putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Benedez in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Niinisto lands a nice knee to the body.
Niinisto lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Benedez takes an elbow to the forehead.
Benedez takes an elbow to the temple.
Niinisto lands an elbow just above Benedez 's eye.
Benedez looking to slow down the pace here.
Niinisto stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Niinisto lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Benedez wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Niinisto unloads a knee to the mid-section. Benedez lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Niinisto gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Niinisto lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Niinisto stalling against the cage.
Niinisto lands a good knee to the midsection. Benedez won't want to take too many of those.
Niinisto scores a nice knee to the body.
Niinisto lands an elbow that stopped Benedez in his tracks for a moment.
Benedez takes an elbow to the temple.
Benedez fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Benedez is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Niinisto pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Niinisto lands an elbow inside.
Niinisto utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Niinisto lands a good knee to the midsection. Benedez won't want to take too many of those.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Niinisto.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Niinisto lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Niinisto gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Niinisto landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Niinisto lands an elbow inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sauli Niinisto showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Niinisto feints and then cracks Benedez's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Benedez down.
Niinisto defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Benedez.
Niinisto attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Niinisto throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Benedez throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Niinisto's waist but Niinisto gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Benedez off to one side.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Benedez.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Harold Benedez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Niinisto lands with a slapping head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Niinisto clinches up with Benedez and pushes him back against the cage.
Nice elbow from Niinisto.
Niinisto putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Benedez in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Benedez takes an elbow to the temple.
Benedez is looking for a takedown.
Niinisto lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Nice elbow from Niinisto.
Niinisto lands an elbow that stopped Benedez in his tracks for a moment.
Niinisto utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Niinisto lands a knee to the body.
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!
Niinisto slows down the pace here.
Benedez takes a knee right on the jaw!
Harold Benedez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benedez is working for takedown but Niinisto is calmly controlling the position for now.
Niinisto lands a nice elbow.
Niinisto lands an elbow inside.
Niinisto gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Niinisto landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Niinisto is struggling to control the position.
Niinisto lands an elbow just above Benedez 's eye.
Niinisto lands an elbow just above Benedez 's eye.
Niinisto landing knees to the body.
Benedez jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Niinisto walks away with a smile on his face. Benedez gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Niinisto misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Benedez blocks a head kick by Niinisto.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Niinisto thows a body kick. Benedez tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Benedez shoots in looking for a takedown. Niinisto tries to sprawl out of it but Benedez keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Niinisto manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Niinisto throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Benedez.
Niinisto misses with a low kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Niinisto tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Benedez is able to avoid easily.
Sauli Niinisto is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Niinisto misses with a body kick.
Niinisto connects with a leg kick. Benedez looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

Benedez drives through with a takedown into Niinisto's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Niinisto is pulling down on Benedez's head to control his posture.
Benedez has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Niinisto looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Benedez throwing strikes but missing.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sauli Niinisto comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Niinisto 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 Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 27:30
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sauli Niinisto!
A very excited looking Sauli Niinisto made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.