PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Yoshi Fujiwara (ranked 466 p4p, 58 weight class) and Roy Benavidez (ranked 975 p4p, 122 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Fujiwara
vs
Benavidez

184 cm
23
185 lbs
9 - 1 - 0

180 cm
24
197 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Arcticus University: London
RAGS of a RONIN

Voodoo Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Yoshi Fujiwara!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Roy Benavidez!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Roosa Järviläinen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fujiwara connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Benavidez momentarily.
Fujiwara misses with a hook
and Benavidez counters with a straight right hand.
Benavidez scores with a body shot.
Fujiwara fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Benavidez manages to avoid it.
Fujiwara keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Benavidez connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Benavidez lands the left hand.
Fujiwara swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Benavidez counters with a nice uppercut.
Fujiwara lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Fujiwara swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Benavidez misses with a straight right.
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!
Fujiwara leaves Benavidez with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benavidez swings for the body but Fujiwara moves out of range.
Fujiwara staying out of range there.
Benavidez throws an ugly left hook that misses
enabling Fujiwara to counter with a crisp jab.
Fujiwara avoids the body shot from Benavidez.
A big right from Benavidez misses.
Benavidez uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Fujiwara.
Benavidez doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Benavidez misses with an uppercut.
Benavidez scores with a nice right hand.
Benavidez misses with a hook. Fujiwara ducked under it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Benavidez shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Fujiwara is trying to defend but Benavidez finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Benavidez trying to control from half guard but Fujiwara is working away.
Benavidez is thwarting Fujiwara's attempts to control the position.
Fujiwara tries to roll over but Benavidez keeps him under control.
Fujiwara is positioning himself well to prevent Benavidez advancing to mount.
Fujiwara trying to hold on to Benavidez's head to control him but Benavidez postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benavidez looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Fujiwara is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Benavidez trying to control the action but Fujiwara is working from the bottom.
Fujiwara gets full guard.
Fujiwara wants to sweep here but Benavidez controlling him for the moment.
Benavidez controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Fujiwara has his hands on Benavidez's head, controlling the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Fujiwara swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Benavidez counters with a left to the body.
Benavidez throws a good cross that connects.
Benavidez digs a good body shot into Fujiwara's ribs.
Benavidez throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Fujiwara counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Fujiwara misses with a right hand
and Fujiwara takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Fujiwara tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Benavidez was well out of range. Poor timing from Fujiwara.
Benavidez appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Fujiwara lands a lovely overhand right.
Benavidez takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Nice body punch from Benavidez.
Benavidez throws a hook to the side of Fujiwara's head but Fujiwara sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roy Benavidez dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Fujiwara keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Benavidez.
Nice body punch from Fujiwara.
Fujiwara throws a body punch but Benavidez moves out of range.
Fujiwara is looking to wear down Benavidez with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Fujiwara cracks Benavidez with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

It looks like Roy Benavidez has been cut.
Fujiwara misses the body punch
and Benavidez makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Fujiwara looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Benavidez tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Fujiwara was well out of range. Poor timing from Benavidez.
Benavidez avoids the body shot from Fujiwara.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Benavidez takes one on the button.
Benavidez throws a hook but Fujiwara blocks it.
Fujiwara is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Benavidez.
Benavidez fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benavidez ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Fujiwara throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Benavidez counters with a stiff right hand.
Benavidez loads up on a big right hand but Fujiwara slips the punch.
Fujiwara rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Benavidez counters with a straight right hand.
Benavidez throws a big shot that misses.
Benavidez scores with the left hand. Fujiwara knows he should have avoided that one.
Benavidez throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Benavidez looks to score with a jab to the body but Fujiwara is just out of range.
Benavidez waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Fujiwara.
Fujiwara rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Benavidez counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benavidez takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Fujiwara jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Fujiwara walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
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!
Benavidez fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Benavidez misses with a wild body shot.
Benavidez throws a big shot that misses.
Fujiwara ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Benavidez works the jab nicely.
Fujiwara connects with a nice looking jab.
Fujiwara ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Benavidez moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benavidez listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Fujiwara slips under a jab.
Fujiwara was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Fujiwara misses with a body punch
and Benavidez connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Fujiwara just misses with a punch to the body.
Fujiwara swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Benavidez looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Benavidez slips under a jab from Fujiwara.
Fujiwara lands a nice looking body shot.
Fujiwara misses with a hook
letting Benavidez counter with a right hand.
Benavidez lands with a right hand.
Fujiwara on the wrong end of a nice hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fujiwara looks to land a right hand but Benavidez moved out of range.
Benavidez now looks to counter with a shot at the body.

Benavidez dives in and scores a takedown into Fujiwara's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Fujiwara is pulling down on Benavidez's head. It's preventing any offense from Benavidez, at least for the moment.
Benavidez trying to control but Fujiwara is working from the bottom.
Benavidez being controlled here momentarily.
Fujiwara is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Benavidez showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roy Benavidez showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Roy Benavidez's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Benavidez scores with a jab to the body.
Benavidez takes one on the button.
Benavidez throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Fujiwara throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Fujiwara takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Benavidez just misses with a punch to the body.
Fujiwara swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Fujiwara clinches up with Benavidez and pushes him back against the cage.
Benavidez misses with a body punch.
Fujiwara lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Benavidez backwards.
Benavidez misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Fujiwara misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benavidez swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Benavidez has a couple of punches blocked by Fujiwara.
Benavidez blocks a body shot from Fujiwara.
Fujiwara stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Fujiwara lands a right hand that snaps the head of Benavidez backwards.
Benavidez scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Fujiwara lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Benavidez misses with a punch on the inside.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Fujiwara.
Benavidez blocking some punches.
Benavidez fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Fujiwara doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Fujiwara blocking some punches.
Fujiwara blocking some punches.
Benavidez misses with a punch on the inside.
Fujiwara struggles to land a body shot inside as Benavidez controls his hands.
Benavidez prevents a body shot from Fujiwara.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Benavidez fails to land.
Fujiwara fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Benavidez wants to take the fight to the mat but Fujiwara manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Benavidez misses with a punch on the inside.
Benavidez presses Fujiwara against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Fujiwara tries a body shot but Benavidez blocks it.
Fujiwara is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Fujiwara is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Benavidez is keeping busy.
Fujiwara taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Benavidez.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Fujiwara lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Yoshi Fujiwara has scored more points in the clinch so far.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Fujiwara.
Fujiwara swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Fujiwara lands an uppercut.
Fujiwara taking a breather.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fujiwara working aggressively here.
Fujiwara tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Benavidez scores with a shot to the side of Fujiwara's head.
Benavidez has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Fujiwara misses with some punches.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Benavidez creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

Benavidez has Fujiwara pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Benavidez pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Fujiwara tumbling to the mat - Benavidez dives into Fujiwara's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fujiwara keeping moving, preventing Benavidez from controlling successfully.
Benavidez being controlled here momentarily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fujiwara keeping full guard, as Benavidez tries to pass.
Benavidez sitting in guard here, content to control.
Fujiwara tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Fujiwara not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Fujiwara wants to sweep here but Benavidez controlling him for the moment.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Fujiwara is on top in guard.

Benavidez seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Roy Benavidez just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Roy Benavidez's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Benavidez throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Benavidez connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Fujiwara tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Benavidez slips under a jab.
Fujiwara misses with a looping left.
Benavidez misses the shot to the body.
Fujiwara misses with a body punch
letting Benavidez counter with a right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Benavidez stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Fujiwara takes a swing at Benavidez's ribcage but misses.
Fujiwara scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Benavidez doesn't seem bothered though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fujiwara takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Nice uppercut lands for Fujiwara. That snapped Benavidez's head back.
Benavidez uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Fujiwara.
A little jabbing left from Benavidez on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Fujiwara looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Benavidez misses with a hook
and Fujiwara counters with a right hand to the body.
Benavidez throws a jab but it's blocked by Fujiwara.
Fujiwara swings widly with a right hand
enabling Benavidez to counter with a crisp jab.
Benavidez lands a nice looking body shot.
Benavidez thuds his right hand into Fujiwara's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Fujiwara throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Benavidez tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fujiwara staying out of range there.
Nice jab there from Fujiwara.
Yoshi Fujiwara is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Fujiwara connects with a body shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fujiwara dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Benavidez scores with a nice head shot.
Benavidez thows a left - swing and a miss!
Benavidez misses with a straight left.
Fujiwara is looking to counter punch.
Fujiwara takes a swing at Benavidez's ribcage but misses.
Fujiwara darts in trying to clinch
and Benavidez makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benavidez ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Benavidez bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Fujiwara doesn't manage to clinch there - Benavidez circles away.
Fujiwara throws a poor cross that misses
and Benavidez counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Benavidez misses with a straight right.
Fujiwara uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Benavidez.
Fujiwara misses with a jab to the body
and Benavidez counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benavidez throws a hook to the side of Fujiwara's head but Fujiwara sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Benavidez keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Fujiwara.
Benavidez misses with a wild body shot.
Fujiwara connects with a body shot that sends Benavidez's belly button to the back.
Benavidez looks to throw the jab but Fujiwara is out of range.
Fujiwara keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

Fujiwara gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Fujiwara looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Fujiwara trying to keep a closed guard but Benavidez is proving a slippery customer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roy Benavidez dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Roy Benavidez's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Fujiwara ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Benavidez has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Fujiwara displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Benavidez throws out the jab.
Fujiwara lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Fujiwara misses the jab.
Benavidez swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Fujiwara tries to clinch but Benavidez moves out of range.
Benavidez smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice cross by Fujiwara.
Benavidez throws a hook to the side of Fujiwara's head but Fujiwara sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Benavidez takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fujiwara moves out of range of the strikes.
Benavidez looks to land a left hand but Fujiwara moved out of range nicely.
Benavidez takes a swing at Fujiwara's ribcage but misses.
Benavidez slips a jab from Fujiwara.
Benavidez slips under a jab from Fujiwara.
Benavidez throws out a counter right but Fujiwara avoids it with no problem.
Benavidez digs a good body shot into Fujiwara's ribs.
A looping hook to the body misses from Benavidez. Fujiwara does a little dance to reset his feet.
Benavidez waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Fujiwara.
Fujiwara fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Yoshi Fujiwara has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Roy Benavidez is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fujiwara tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Benavidez was well out of range. Poor timing from Fujiwara.
Fujiwara throws out a loose jab but Benavidez uses good head movement to avoid it.
A big right from Fujiwara misses.
Benavidez lands a jab.
Benavidez connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Benavidez fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Fujiwara looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Fujiwara throws an off balance right hand
and Benavidez counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Benavidez ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Fujiwara misses its intended target.
A big left from Fujiwara misses.
Benavidez looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Fujiwara misses the body punch
and Benavidez counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Benavidez avoids the body shot from Fujiwara.
It seemed like Benavidez was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Fujiwara moves forwards but Benavidez connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Benavidez throws a hook to the side of Fujiwara's head but Fujiwara sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Fujiwara just misses with a punch to the body.
Fujiwara throws an off balance right hand
and Benavidez connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Fujiwara on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benavidez throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Benavidez throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Fujiwara rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Benavidez counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Fujiwara tries to clinch
and Benavidez makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Benavidez throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Fujiwara misses with a straight left.
Benavidez swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Fujiwara throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Benavidez loads up on a big right hand but Fujiwara slips the punch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Benavidez misses with a looping right.

And that's the end of the fight!
Roy Benavidez comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Benavidez winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 46:49
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 45:50
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Roy Benavidez!
Roy Benavidez is the new middleweight champion!
Roy Benavidez decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.