PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Merle Pace (ranked 24948 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ben Benson (ranked 5965 p4p, 0 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Pace
vs
Benson

174 cm
19
140 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

157 cm
23
135 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Merle Pace!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Ben Benson!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, James Ackerman and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Benson gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Pace escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Pace gets tackled into the cage by Benson. Benson maintains the clinch.
Benson is looking to break free of the clinch but Pace has double underhooks.

Pace gets control of Benson's arms and successfully pulls guard. Pace will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Benson is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Benson stands and throws Pace's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Benson looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Pace is avoiding damage well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Benson swings around for an armbar but Pace sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Benson's guard.

Benson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Pace is aware though and is defending well.
Benson pulls Pace in close to his closed guard and prevents Pace from doing any damage or advancing position.

Benson escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Pace gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Benson holds on and takes a little breather.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Pace's guard.

Benson looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Benson decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Pace, up you get!

Benson clinches up with Pace and pushes him back against the cage.

Benson has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Pace clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Benson slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
It looks like Benson might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pace has his hands over his head blocking the strikes from Benson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Benson controlling the positon.

Benson is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Pace defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Benson is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Benson is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ben Benson dominated that round.
That's time! Pace's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Benson moves into the clinch.
Pace missing with knees to the body.
Benson stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Benson just leaning against Pace, taking a breather.
Benson tries to break the clinch but Pace is controlling the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pace wants to stall.

Benson pulls guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pace throws an elbow that misses. Benson uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Pace's guard. Nice move by Benson!

Benson advances to half guard.
Benson not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Benson is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

Benson jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Pace manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Pace is trying to control Benson's posture but Benson avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Benson stands up.

Benson shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Benson trying to mount his opponent but Pace defends it.

Benson stands up out of the half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Benson has taken the fight to the clinch.

Benson has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Pace regains guard immediately.
Pace wants to get back to his feet but Benson passes into half guard.

Benson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Pace is looking to escape.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Benson in particular looking to stall.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Benson is continuing to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pace wants to control but Benson is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Benson controlling the action here.

Benson is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Pace has managed to free his arm - good work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ben Benson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Pace's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Pace darts in looking for a takedown but Benson gets double underhooks and turns Pace into the cage.
Pace takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Pace misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Benson shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Benson was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Benson staying calm.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pace is looking to regain half guard here but Benson keeps moving and retains side control.
Benson controls the position.

Benson is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Pace has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Benson throws an elbow but Pace slips to the side and avoids it well.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.

Benson has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

Benson feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Benson showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Benson advances position into side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Benson is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Pace has escaped the position, nice work there.
Pace parries the strikes from Benson easily there. Benson is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Pace to escape.
Benson throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Pace dodges the ground and pound from Benson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Benson advances nicely into full mount.
Benson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Benson content just to control the position here.
Benson throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Pace because Benson loaded up on that one.
Pace avoids a series of strikes thrown by Benson.

Benson working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Benson controlling from mount.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Pace is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ben Benson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Benson has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 William Gold scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ben Benson!