PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Benny Paul (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Katsuo Fujikage (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Katsuo Fujikage has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Benny Paul's chin.

Paul
vs
Fujikage

182 cm
20
205 lbs
5 - 6 - 0

185 cm
19
216 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
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 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Benny Paul!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Katsuo Fujikage!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Robert Twigg and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Paul shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Fujikage pinned against the cage. Fujikage gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Paul pushes Fujikage up against the cage in a clinch.

Paul's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Paul fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Fujikage manages to avoid it.
Paul avoids a kick to the body.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Fujikage fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Paul will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Fujikage shoots in but no luck this time.

Paul closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Fujikage to the mat! Fujikage manages to get full guard.

Paul stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Fujikage tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Paul is looking to chop away at Fujikage's legs.

Fujikage knocks Paul to the floor with a head kick! Can he finish him!?

It looks like Benny Paul has been cut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Paul tries to buck Fujikage off but Fujikage is having none of it.
Fujikage wants to stand but Paul has his arm trapped.

Fujikage is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Paul knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Fujikage trying to control the action but Paul is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Fujikage wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Paul, who protects the arm well.
Fujikage looks gassed!
Paul is trying to get back to his feet.
Fujikage wants to lay and pray for a moment but Paul keeps working.
Paul is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Paul is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Fujikage shoots in for a double leg but Paul sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Benny Paul has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Katsuo Fujikage.
Paul shoots in but no luck this time.

That's two 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.
Fujikage shoots for a double leg takedown but Paul sprawls well. He's pushed Fujikage's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Paul.

Paul shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Fujikage wants to control but Paul is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Fujikage is looking for a sweep. Paul is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Paul is thwarting Fujikage's attempts to control the position.
Paul missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Fujikage has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Paul is working away from the top position though.
Paul wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fujikage taking some punishment here, with Paul in his half guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
No luck for Paul with that takedown attempt.
Paul moves in looking to clinch but Fujikage pushes him off.

Fujikage lands a head kick that stumbles Paul and the fighters go to the mat.
Fujikage won't allow Paul to sweep him here.
Fujikage looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Fujikage drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Fujikage jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Fujikage trying to control but Paul is working from the bottom.
Paul pulls Fujikage in to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fujikage trying to control the position from guard on top but Paul is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Paul looking for a guillotine here but Fujikage defends easily.
Fujikage trying to control but Paul is working from the bottom.

Fujikage drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Fujikage jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Paul seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Paul looking for a sweep. Not yet Paul, not yet.
Fujikage looking to pass the guard.
Fujikage sitting in guard, not really doing much.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Katsuo Fujikage dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Benny Paul's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

No luck for Paul with that takedown attempt.
Fujikage has a takedown stuffed.
Fujikage fails with the takedown

and Paul moves into the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Fujikage fails to land.

Paul has Fujikage pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Paul pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Fujikage tumbling to the mat - Paul dives into Fujikage's guard.
Paul stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Fujikage swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Fujikage not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Fujikage looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Paul passes into side control.
Fujikage is breathing heavily.
Fujikage prevents Paul from improving position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paul looks up at the clock and then as Fujikage takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Paul smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!

Paul working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Fujikage can't do much from the bottom here.
Paul scoring with punches and elbows.
Fujikage wants to control but Paul postures up.
Paul in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.

Paul stands up and we're back to a striking position.

Paul decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Fujikage blocking the ground and pound attempt from Paul.
Paul takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paul is thwarting Fujikage's attempts to control the position.
Paul passes to side control.
You can see the frustration on Fujikage's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Paul has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Fujikage misses with a takedown
and Paul counters with a one-two to the body.
Benny Paul has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Katsuo Fujikage.
Fujikage closes this distance looking for a takedown but Paul circles away.

Fujikage gets caught flat footed, as Paul shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Fujikage working a defensive guard here.
Paul trying to control but Fujikage is working from the bottom.

Fujikage manages to escape and get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paul fails to land the takedown.
Benny Paul seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Paul shoots in looking for a takedown. Fujikage tries to sprawl out of it but Paul keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Fujikage manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Fujikage fails with the takedown.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Paul.
Fujikage avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Paul.
Fujikage manages to work his way to half guard, despite Paul's best efforts.
Fujikage wants to control but Paul is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Paul looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

Fujikage looking for submissions off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fujikage wants to improve his position but Paul is controlling well.
Paul is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

Fujikage is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Paul pulls his head out easily.
Fujikage is looking to escape.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Paul drives through with a takedown into guard.
Paul trying to control but Fujikage is working from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Paul accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Fujikage looking for a guillotine here but Paul defends easily.
Fujikage keeping full guard, as Paul tries to pass.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Benny Paul dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Benny Paul'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. This is the final round!

Fujikage tries to clinch but Paul moves out of range.
Paul thuds his right hand into Fujikage's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Fujikage has a takedown stuffed.
Paul shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Fujikage pinned against the cage. Fujikage gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Fujikage misses with a takedown
and Paul counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Paul gets the takedown into side control.
Fujikage gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Paul working the ground and pound effectively.
Fujikage 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.

Paul is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Paul 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.
Paul wants to take a breather but Fujikage is having none of it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fujikage trying to control here.

Fujikage looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Fujikage looking for submissions off his back.

Fujikage looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Well, if Paul is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Paul lands strikes from half guard.

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.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A head kick misses from Fujikage.
Fujikage fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Benny Paul has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Katsuo Fujikage.

Paul scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Fujikage is trying to control Paul's posture but Paul avoids it.
Fujikage is looking for a sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fujikage is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Fujikage throwing some weak shots from the bottom that do no damage.

Paul tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Paul is looking to take a break and control but Fujikage is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fujikage manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Fujikage is looking to improve his position.
Paul tries to pass the half guard into mount. Fujikage knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Paul seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Paul wants to take a breather but Fujikage is having none of it.

Fujikage looking for submissions off his back.
Paul is taking a breather. Fujikage says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Fujikage is looking to control Paul's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Fujikage avoid being mounted?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Fujikage misses with a kick to the body.

Paul closes the distance and clinches.

Paul escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Paul is looking to clinch but Fujikage is avoiding it.
Fujikage with a lazy takedown attempt

and Paul counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Fujikage!
Fujikage is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Paul has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Fujikage's face.
Benny Paul overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Fujikage bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Fujikage must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Fujikage has gone for a leg lock! Paul slips out almost immediately though and dives into Fujikage's guard.

Paul avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Benny Paul showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Paul has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 29:28
Judge George Francis scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Benny Paul!