PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Shayne Cairncross (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Benito Acero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Benito Acero was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Cairncross
vs
Acero

190 cm
19
175 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

182 cm
26
180 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Shayne Cairncross!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Benito Acero!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Ben Watson and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Acero takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

It looks like Benito Acero has been cut.

Acero has taken the fight to the clinch.
Cairncross jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Acero walks away with a smile on his face. Cairncross gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Acero tries to clinch but Cairncross is having none of it.

Acero clinches up with Cairncross and pushes him back against the cage.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Acero can't find room to land a body shot as Cairncross controls the action.
Cairncross looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Cairncross is trying to break the clinch but Acero has him pressed against the cage.
Acero gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Acero managing to block the knees to the body from Cairncross.

Acero pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Cairncross swings for the body but Acero moves out of range.

Acero drives through and clinches with Cairncross against the cage.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Acero lands an elbow inside that Cairncross shrugs off.
Acero taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Cairncross misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Acero is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Cairncross is trying to push Acero away but Acero has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Acero lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Acero is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Cairncross is defending well for now.
Acero told us before the fight that he's been working on his elbows. An under utilised technique these days - let's see if it can sway the outcome of the fight.
Acero doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Cairncross jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Acero walks away with a smile on his face. Cairncross gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Cairncross moves into the clinch.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Acero takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cairncross blocks a body shot from Acero.
Cairncross is trying to break the clinch but Acero is controlling him.
Cairncross jumps guard but Acero turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shayne Cairncross. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Acero pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Acero throws a head kick but Cairncross moves out of range.
Cairncross throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Cairncross fails to land with a series of punches.

Acero fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Cairncross, pushing him back against the cage.
Acero connects with a knee to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Acero lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Cairncross.
Acero tries to land knees in the clinch but Cairncross avoids the damage to the body.
Cairncross misses with a short punch on the inside.
Cairncross tries to stall but Acero uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Acero managing to block the knees to the body from Cairncross.
Cairncross has been working on his balance at The Iron Works $800 Elite Coaches, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Acero.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cairncross is trying to break the clinch but Acero has him pressed against the cage.
Cairncross drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Cairncross has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Acero is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Acero connects with a nasty looking knee right to Cairncross's face.
Cairncross misses with a knee strike.
Cairncross has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Cairncross using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Acero has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Acero slowing the pace effectively.

Acero breaks the clinch.
Acero keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A left and a right from Cairncross both land. Nice combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Acero tries to clinch
and Cairncross counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Acero tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Cairncross paws at him with a jab and circles away.
As Acero tries to get set, Cairncross tries to push him back and clinch up but Acero manages to avoid the attempt.
Cairncross misses with a head kick.
Cairncross throws a nice looking combination but Acero bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Acero is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.

Acero closes the distance and pushes Cairncross back into the cage.
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!
Acero has Cairncross pressed against the cage, preventing Cairncross from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Cairncross lands a left hand.
Cairncross is trying to push Acero away but Acero has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
A short body shot lands from Acero as the two fighters clinch.
Acero lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Cairncross wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Acero holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Cairncross tries to land a knee to the head but Acero blocks with his arms.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Benito Acero dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Benito Acero's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Acero avoids the head kick by Cairncross.
Acero tries to clinch but Cairncross moves out of range.
Acero misses with a body kick.

Cairncross gets tackled into the cage by Acero. Acero maintains the clinch.
Acero lands an elbow that stopped Cairncross in his tracks for a moment.
Acero using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
A hook to the body from Acero.
Cairncross tries to pull guard but Acero holds him up against the cage and eventually Cairncross drops back down to his feet.
Acero'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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cairncross will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Acero up against the cage.
Acero has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Cairncross with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Acero pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Acero moves into the clinch.

Cairncross manages to break the clinch.

Acero has managed to clinch.
Cairncross is trying to break the clinch but Acero is controlling him.
Cairncross fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Cairncross lands with a left to the head.
Acero with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Acero's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Cairncross throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Cairncross throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Acero tries to clinch there but Cairncross circles away.
Cairncross misses with a kick to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cairncross pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Acero moves into the clinch.
Acero trying to land knees to the body.
Cairncross avoiding damage as Acero throws knees to the body.
Cairncross is trying to break the clinch but Acero has him pressed against the cage.
Cairncross doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Acero breaks the clinch.
A head kick misses from Cairncross.
Acero with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Cairncross throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

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

Acero's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Acero clinches up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Acero tries to land knees in the clinch but Cairncross avoids the damage to the body.
Cairncross is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Acero throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Cairncross blocks it with crossed arms.
The referee is keeping an eye on Acero - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
The referee is keeping an eye on Acero - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Cairncross tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shayne Cairncross. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Acero content to slow the pace in the clinch.

Acero breaks from the clinch.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Acero in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Cairncross lands with a straight right. Acero didn't see that one coming.
Cairncross throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

Acero takes the fight into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cairncross goes for a takedown in the clinch but Acero prevents it.
Acero misses with a short punch on the inside.
Cairncross is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Acero to keep the fight standing.
Cairncross is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Acero is keeping busy.

Acero breaks the clinch.
Cairncross throws a series of punches but Acero avoids them all with ease.

Acero gets a clinch.
Acero lands an elbow that stopped Cairncross in his tracks for a moment.
Cairncross wants a takedown but no success here.
Knees to the body from Acero.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Acero misses with a knee strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Acero closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Acero avoids a wild elbow strike from Cairncross.

Acero breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Cairncross cracks Acero with a right hand to the side of the head.

Cairncross moves into the clinch successfully.
Acero lands an elbow that stopped Cairncross in his tracks for a moment.

Acero breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Cairncross misses with a few strikes there.

Acero has managed to clinch.
Acero tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Cairncross's elbow.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Acero doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Cairncross tries to score a body lock takedown but Acero shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
The referee is keeping an eye on Acero - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Acero comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cairncross is trying to break free.
Acero lands a shot to the body.
Acero lands an elbow just above Cairncross 's eye.
Acero will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Cairncross up against the cage.

Acero breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Acero tries to clinch there but Cairncross circles away.

Acero closes the distance and clinches.
Acero pushes Cairncross back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Cairncross trying to control the position but instead, Acero has worked for underhooks and has pushed Cairncross into the cage.
Acero creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Cairncross's defenses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Acero landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Acero blocks the elbow strike.

Acero breaks the clinch.

Acero clinches with his opponent.
Acero stalls.
Acero has Cairncross pushed against the cage.
Acero'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.
Cairncross throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Acero blocks it with crossed arms.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cairncross prevents a body shot from Acero.
Acero connects with a nasty looking knee right to Cairncross's face.
Cairncross jumps guard but Acero stands there with Cairncross around his waist. Cairncross gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Acero pressing his opponent against the cage.
Benito Acero seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Cairncross on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Acero throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Cairncross blocks it with crossed arms.
Acero scores with a hook to the body.
Acero keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Cairncross's efforts to push away.
Acero manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Acero lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

Acero breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Cairncross misses with the combination.
Acero wants to clinch.
Acero doesn't manage to clinch there - Cairncross circles away.
As Acero looks to move away, Cairncross throws a big counter combo bu Acero just gets out of the way.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Acero fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Cairncross, pushing him back against the cage.
Acero struggles to land a body shot inside as Cairncross controls his hands.
Cairncross jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Acero walks away with a smile on his face. Cairncross gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Shayne Cairncross has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Benito Acero is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shayne Cairncross. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Acero instigates a clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Benito Acero comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Acero 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 Hugh Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ben Watson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Benito Acero!
During a confident post fight interview, Benito Acero thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.