PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Zdravko Saric (ranked 232 p4p, 25 weight class) and Giacomo Benvenuti (ranked 944 p4p, 102 weight class). Benvenuti has chosen Pantera - Goddamn Electric as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Saric
vs
Benvenuti

195 cm
28
275 lbs
15 - 8 - 0

204 cm
38
269 lbs
39 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Dauntless
Arcticus University: London

Arcticus University: London
Aspire Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Zdravko Saric!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 39 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, Giacomo Benvenuti!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, William Gold and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saric swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Benvenuti misses with a body kick.
Saric moves out of range as Benvenuti throws a body kick.
Saric feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Benvenuti's calf.
Saric throws a sloppy body shot
letting Benvenuti counter with a right hand.
Benvenuti has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Saric moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Saric crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Benvenuti - the referee stops the clock and Saric gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Benvenuti. Saric manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Benvenuti checks a leg kick nicely.
Benvenuti looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Saric avoids a kick to the body.
Saric throws a leg kick but Benvenuti sees it coming and checks it nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saric throws a body punch but Benvenuti moves out of range.
Saric throws a sloppy body shot
and Benvenuti counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A lazy left from Benvenuti finds it's target.
Benvenuti throws the kick towards the body but Saric avoids it.
Saric throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Benvenuti steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saric dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Saric lands a nice hook to Benvenuti's body. Benvenuti takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Benvenuti keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Saric throws a body shot but no joy.
Benvenuti loads up on a big right hand but Saric slips the punch.
Saric throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Saric throws a leg kick that is checked
and Benvenuti counters with a stiff right hand.
Saric misses the body punch
and Benvenuti counters with a leg kick.

Benvenuti clinches up with Saric and pushes him back against the cage.
Saric blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Benvenuti lands with a left to the head.
Benvenuti working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Saric tries to break the clinch but Benvenuti is controlling the position.
Saric blocking some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benvenuti lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Saric escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A looping hook to the body misses from Saric. Benvenuti does a little dance to reset his feet.
Benvenuti sizes up Saric with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Saric misses the jab.
Benvenuti looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
A decent looking cross lands there for Benvenuti.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Benvenuti.
Benvenuti chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Saric can pounce on him.
Benvenuti uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Saric.
Saric uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Benvenuti.
Benvenuti moves away from the strike by Saric.
Benvenuti only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Saric throws a body punch but Benvenuti moves out of range.
Benvenuti uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Saric.
Benvenuti dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saric misses the shot to the body.
Benvenuti throws a sloppy head kick and Saric moves out of range easily.
Saric throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Benvenuti only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Benvenuti uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Saric.
Saric wants to slow Benvenuti down by chopping away at his legs.
Benvenuti comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Benvenuti lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Saric at a distance.
Saric is breathing heavily.
Saric is looking to score with low kicks.
Saric fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Saric moves out of range of the body kick.
Saric feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Benvenuti lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Saric tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Benvenuti was well out of range. Poor timing from Saric.
Saric lands a right hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saric tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Benvenuti is able to avoid easily.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Benvenuti! But no joy.
Benvenuti scores with a nice head shot.
Saric moves out of range of the strikes.
Zdravko Saric seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Saric throws a chopping leg kick but Benvenuti manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Saric throws a body shot but no joy.
Saric tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Benvenuti was well out of range. Poor timing from Saric.
A chopping leg kick lands by Benvenuti.
Saric thumps Benvenuti with a low kick.
Saric gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Saric throws a predictable looking body shot
and Benvenuti counters with a good low kick that Saric was not able to check.
Benvenuti is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Saric had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Saric tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Saric throws a body punch but Benvenuti moves out of range.
Benvenuti stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Saric.
Benvenuti throws a hook but Saric avoids it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Saric misses with a left hand
and Benvenuti makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Benvenuti will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Saric wants to land a leg kick but Benvenuti is out of range.
Benvenuti scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Saric doesn't seem bothered though.
Saric throws a low kick, looking for Benvenuti's leg but Benvenuti calmly moves out of range.
Benvenuti appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
A shot to the liver by Benvenuti. Beautiful body shot.
Saric misses with a wild body shot.
Saric dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Jab, jab by Benvenuti - just one landing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saric misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Benvenuti.
Saric looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
A good leg kick by Saric.
Benvenuti uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Saric.
Benvenuti has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Saric takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Saric throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saric blocks the body kick.
Benvenuti throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Benvenuti lands with a hook. Saric tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Benvenuti dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Saric. That did some damage!
Saric fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Benvenuti on the side of the head.

It looks like Giacomo Benvenuti has been cut.
Benvenuti takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Saric connects with an inside leg kick.

Benvenuti moves into the clinch.
Saric wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Benvenuti breaks from the clinch.
Benvenuti has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Benvenuti pivots, looking for a leg kick but Saric is out of range and Benvenuti settles back down.
Saric is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Benvenuti's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
A shot to the body from Saric misses
and Benvenuti cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A slapping leg kick lands for Saric.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saric throws a leg kick that is checked
and Benvenuti counters with a body kick.
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!
Benvenuti bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Benvenuti throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Benvenuti ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Saric takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Benvenuti misses with a kick to the body.
Benvenuti's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Benvenuti connects with a jab.
Benvenuti swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Benvenuti tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Saric was well out of range. Poor timing from Benvenuti.
Benvenuti pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Saric moves out of range of the body kick.
Saric misses the shot to the body.
Benvenuti misses with a body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benvenuti keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Saric.
Saric ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Benvenuti moves away.
Saric throws a leg kick
and Benvenuti counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Benvenuti fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Saric, pushing him back against the cage.
Benvenuti scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Saric blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Saric pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Saric throws a predictable looking body shot
and Saric takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Benvenuti keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Saric ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Benvenuti moves away.
Benvenuti waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Saric.
Saric throws out a leg kick but Benvenuti moves out of range and Saric only half commits.
Benvenuti is trying to counter with his kicks.
Saric swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Benvenuti cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Saric misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Benvenuti swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saric misses with a shot to the body
and Benvenuti counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A combination from Benvenuti does no damage.
Saric swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Benvenuti counters with a crisp right hand that drops Saric! Benvenuti lets Saric back up to his feet, looking for a finish!
Saric is looking to wear down Benvenuti with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Benvenuti scores with a hook to the body. Saric takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Saric drops his hands momentarily and Benvenuti takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Today's fight clock is brought to you by... OOOH that's a huge shot by Benvenuti! Saric is in big trouble here - the ref steps in to save him and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:34 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Giacomo Benvenuti!
After winning the bout, Giacomo Benvenuti thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.