PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Matthew Stevenson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Isaac Bennett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Isaac Bennett struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 147.6lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. 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 Isaac Bennett was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Stevenson
vs
Bennett

170 cm
25
155 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

180 cm
29
155 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Good chin

Good takedowns
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Matthew Stevenson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Isaac Bennett!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Phil Schofield and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stevenson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Stevenson throws a lazy right hand but Bennett sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Stevenson throws a good cross that connects.
Bennett throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Nice defenses there by Bennett.
Stevenson throws a shot from downtown. Bennett moves away and avoids it.
Stevenson works Bennett's body with a nice hook.
Stevenson connects with a jab.
Stevenson misses with a double jab.
Bennett walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

Bennett shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Bennett showed some decent athleticism there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stevenson keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bennett looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Bennett tries to pass to full mount but Stevenson defends it.
Stevenson knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Bennett on the ground.
Stevenson tries to roll over but Bennett keeps him under control.

That's two 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.
Stevenson keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Stevenson is looking to improve his position.
Bennett seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Stevenson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Bennett wants to stand up but Stevenson is controlling the position.

Bennett is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Bennett prevents Stevenson from standing back up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Stevenson is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Bennett jumps into side control!
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Stevenson wants to get back to his feet.
Stevenson is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Bennett wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Stevenson, who protects the arm well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Bennett in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Stevenson is looking for a sweep.
Bennett moves into full mount!
Stevenson takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Stevenson has given up his back. Will we see Bennett going for some submissions?
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Stevenson is trying to defend against the choke here but Bennett has an arm under his chin. This one might not last much longer. Bennett Tightens the hold and Stevenson taps out furiously! Bennett displays superior BJJ to win the fight.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Isaac Bennett!