PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kenny Bennett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Emil Costas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kenny Bennett could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Emil Costas's chin.

Bennett
vs
Costas

180 cm
22
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

190 cm
22
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kenny Bennett!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Emil Costas!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Roosa Järviläinen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Costas walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Bennett checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Costas tries to clinch up.
A head kick misses from Costas.
A punch combination from Costas misses.
Kenny Bennett seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Costas is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Costas tries to close the distance and clinch but Bennett swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Costas pivots, looking for a leg kick but Bennett is out of range and Costas settles back down.
A chopping leg kick lands by Costas.
Bennett lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Bennett ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Bennett throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bennett misses with a double jab
and Costas counters with a good low kick that Bennett was not able to check.
Bennett throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Costas.
Costas is looking to clinch.
Bennett is looking to clinch but Costas is avoiding it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Costas with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Costas wants to clinch but Bennett slips to the side
letting Bennett counter with a right hand.
Bennett circles away from the clinch attempt

and Bennett moves into the clinch.
Bennett throws a knee to the head but misses.
Costas lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Bennett tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Costas misses with a knee to the head.
Bennett misses with a knee strike.
The is referee keeping an eye on Bennett - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
A nice right hand lands inside from Costas.
Costas swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Costas throws a head punch that misses.
Costas using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Bennett stalling in the clinch.
Bennett misses with a knee strike.
Bennett landing knees to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Costas connects with a nasty looking knee right to Bennett's face.
Bennett with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Bennett throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Costas blocks it with crossed arms.
Costas missing with knees to the body.
Bennett with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Bennett is breathing heavily.
Bennett tries a knee to the head but Costas blocks it.
Bennett using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Costas has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Costas misses with a knee to the head.
Bennett throws a knee to the head but misses.
Bennett throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Costas blocks it with crossed arms.
Costas using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Bennett has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Costas working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Costas lands a body shot in the clinch.
Bennett with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Bennett blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Bennett blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Bennett managing to block the knees to the body from Costas.
Costas holding his opponent close, against the ropes.
Bennett has had enough of the clinch but Costas keeps him there for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Costas escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Costas.

Costas darts in and clinches Bennett up against the ropes.
Costas connects with a nasty looking knee right to Bennett's face.
Costas with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Costas with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Costas makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Bennett with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Costas tries to land a knee to the head but Bennett blocks with his arms.
Bennett throws a knee to the head but misses.
Bennett being controlled against the ropes.
Costas using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Bennett has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Costas lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Costas throws a knee to the head but misses.
Bennett throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Costas blocks it with crossed arms.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bennett trying to control the position but instead, Costas has worked for underhooks and has pushed Bennett into the ropes.
Bennett wants to break free but Costas has control.
Costas tries a knee to the head but Bennett blocks it.
Bennett blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Costas prevents Bennett from breaking the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Costas.
Costas throws a knee to the head but misses.
Costas throws a knee to the head but misses.
Bennett with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Costas lands with a light punch inside.
Bennett using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Costas has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Bennett misses with a knee strike.
A shot in the inside from Costas.
Costas lands a nice knee to the body.
Costas misses with a knee to the head.
Costas controlling the action here for a moment.

Costas manages to break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Emil Costas dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Costas throws out a leg kick but Bennett moves out of range and Costas only half commits.
A combination from Bennett does no damage.
Costas tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Bennett counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Costas tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Bennett counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Bennett throws a right hand that Costas ducks under and follows up with a left that Costas also avoids with ease.
Some wild striking there from Bennett.
Costas tries to clinch but Bennett moves away
and Bennett counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Bennett lands a jab to Costas's midsection.
Kenny Bennett is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bennett connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Costas momentarily.
Costas misses with a two punch combination.
Bennett misses with a combination
and Costas counters with a nice low kick that buckles Bennett's knee momentarily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Bennett throws a series of punches but Costas avoids them all with ease.
Costas moves away from the strike by Bennett.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Costas fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Bennett, pushing him back against the ropes.
Bennett blocks an uppercut.
Costas is trying to maintain a safe position but Bennett gets an underhook and turns Costas into the ropes.
Bennett throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Costas blocks it with crossed arms.
Costas using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Bennett has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Bennett tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Bennett with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Costas takes a knee right on the jaw!
Bennett tries to land a knee to the head but Costas blocks with his arms.
Bennett is trying to maintain a safe position but Costas gets an underhook and turns Bennett into the ropes.
Costas tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Costas creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Costas throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Bennett blocks it with crossed arms.
Bennett misses with a knee strike.
Costas using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Bennett has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Bennett throws a knee to the head but misses.
Costas looking to throw knees to the head but Bennett is blocking nicely.
Bennett wants to get back to striking at distance but Costas won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Costas with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Costas throws a knee to the head but misses.
Costas with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Costas tries a knee to the head but Bennett blocks it.
Costas using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Bennett has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Costas with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Costas breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Bennett wants to clinch.
Costas slips a jab and a cross from Bennett.
Costas works the jab nicely.
Costas tries to clinch up
and Bennett counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Costas moves out of range of the strikes.
Bennett lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Costas circles away quickly and effectively.
Bennett misses with a two punch combination.
Costas tries to clinch up
and Bennett counters with a right hand to the body.
Costas tries to clinch up but Bennett circles away and keeps his distance.
Costas scoring well with a low kick there.
Bennett takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Costas.
Costas wants to clinch
and Bennett counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Costas throws a series of punches but Bennett avoids them all with ease.
Costas wants to clinch
and Bennett cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Costas showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Bennett.
Costas throws a leg kick but Bennett sees it coming and moves out of range.
Costas tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Bennett counters with a straight right hand.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Costas throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Some wild striking there from Bennett.
Costas darts in trying to clinch
letting Bennett counter with a right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenny Bennett dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Bennett tries to clinch but Costas is having none of it.
Bennett throws a jab when Costas was well out of range.
Costas does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Bennett scores with a nice strike.
Costas tries to clinch but Bennett moves away
and Bennett cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Bennett swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Costas counters with a straight right hand.
Bennett throws a right and a left that Costas avoids nicely.
Costas tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Bennett counters with a three punch combo that has Costas backing up. Costas nods at Bennett to acknowledge the strikes.
Costas fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Bennett checks it well.
Bennett misses with a combination

and Costas counters by clinching up.
Stalling in the clinch from Costas.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bennett tries to land a knee to the head but Costas blocks with his arms.
Costas taking a breather.
Bennett tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Costas with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Bennett with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bennett leaning his opponent against the ropes.
Costas misses with a knee to the head.
Bennett is looking to break free of the clinch but Costas has double underhooks.
Costas looking to throw knees to the head but Bennett is blocking nicely.
Bennett with a knee to the head.
Bennett tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Costas holding his opponent close, against the ropes.
Bennett blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Bennett misses with a knee to the head.
Costas with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Costas scores with a shot to the side of Bennett's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Costas keeps control of Bennett as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Bennett stalling the fight.
Bennett is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Costas tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Costas as Bennett tries to tie him up.
Bennett wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Costas looking to slow down the pace here.
Costas using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Costas landing knees to the head.
Bennett wants to break free but Costas has control.
Bennett misses with a knee strike.
Bennett tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Costas with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Costas with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Costas connects with a nasty looking knee right to Bennett's face.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Costas creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Bennett using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Costas has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Costas tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Costas lands a knee to the body.
Bennett tries a knee to the head but Costas blocks it.
Costas scores a nice knee to the body.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Costas.
Costas lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Good body shot from Costas.
Costas landing knees to the head.
Costas connects with a nasty looking knee right to Bennett's face.
Costas tries a knee to the head but Bennett blocks it.

Costas escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Bennett will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Bennett swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Bennett misses with a body shot.
Bennett tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bennett misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Bennett instigates a clinch.
Costas is trying to stall.
Costas tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Costas tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Bennett on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Bennett misses with a knee strike.
Costas tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Bennett with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Bennett with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Costas taking a breather.
Bennett tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Bennett is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Costas using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Bennett has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Costas with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Bennett misses with a knee strike.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Emil Costas.
I think Costas has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:29
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Emil Costas!