PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Pj Benn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rik Spahn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Benn comes to the cage accompanied by Darude- Sandstorm. Spahn is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Slap my elbow. 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.

Benn
vs
Spahn

189 cm
35
210 lbs
17 - 18 - 1

168 cm
25
219 lbs
13 - 7 - 0

Good takedowns
Solid boxing
Good chin

Good wrestler
Solid Muay Thai
Granite 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 17 - 18 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Pj Benn!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rik Spahn!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Cecil Peabody and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Benn fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Spahn sprawls well initially but Benn persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Benn looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Spahn is trying to maintain the position but Benn is very close to passing his half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Benn works his way into full mount!
Spahn working to try and regain half guard.
Benn fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Spahn can't escape the position.
Spahn takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Spahn is desperately trying to improve his position but Benn has a good base and remains in mount.
Benn will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Spahn is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benn is landing with some decent strikes but Spahn is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Spahn is in a horrible position here. Benn smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Spahn keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Spahn tries to hold on but Benn pushes him away.
Benn punishing his opponent with strikes.
Spahn is trying to escape the mount.
Spahn is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Benn landing strikes from the mount.
Spahn is looking to improve his position but Benn isn't that keen on the idea.
Benn has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Benn lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Spahn hang on?
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Spahn sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spahn moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Spahn trying to control the position.
Spahn looking for a sweep. Not yet Spahn, not yet.
Benn pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Spahn is keeping the position for now.
Benn is working hard here to advance position.
Spahn tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Spahn throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Benn escapes and throws Spahn's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Benn has control of an arm but Spahn manages to advance to Benn's back!
Benn breaks Spahn's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Spahn looking for a sweep. Not yet Spahn, not yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spahn is trying to control the position but Benn postures up.
Benn trying to control but Spahn is working from the bottom.
Spahn lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Benn!
Benn is in all sorts of trouble here.
Spahn working Benn over with strikes here.
Spahn scores with a couple of good head shots there.

It looks like Pj Benn has been cut.
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!
Spahn looking to finish Benn with some ground and pound. This is bad for Benn!
Spahn unloads with some vicious shots from mount and Benn wants out - he looks towards the referee who steps in to save him! Spahn celebrates on the cage and the crowd goes wild!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Rik Spahn!
After the fight, Rik Spahn was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.