PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Joey Hatton (ranked 483 p4p, 56 weight class) and Wayne Benning (ranked 881 p4p, 107 weight class). Hatton kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is deadman. Wayne Benning will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Hatton
vs
Benning

190 cm
28
190 lbs
13 - 3 - 0

182 cm
20
193 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Bullet Proof System

Urban Fighter

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 13 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Joey Hatton!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Wayne Benning!
The judges for this bout are Damien Edna, Donatello Bradman and Francis DeMontford.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hatton misses with a right hand
and Benning counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Hatton misses with a lunging right hand
and Benning counters with a straight right hand.
Hatton wants to clinch.
Benning is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Hatton with a body shot.
The crowd cheers as Benning lands an impressive looking overhand right. Hatton doesn't seem phased though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jab from Hatton.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hatton misses with an uppercut. Benning saw that one coming.
Hatton backing away here, and Benning unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Hatton has his takedown stuffed
and Benning counters with a stiff right hand.
Hatton throws a right hand that misses
and Benning counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Benning keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hatton.
Benning dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Hatton shoots and misses
and Benning counters with a stiff right hand.
Hatton tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Benning swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joey Hatton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Benning dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benning scores with a nice right hand.
Hatton misses with a takedown attempt
and Benning connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Benning jabs at Hatton's body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hatton misses with a hook
and Benning counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Hatton is breathing heavily.
Hatton throws a lazy uppercut
letting Benning counter with a right hand.
Benning has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Hatton throws a body punch but Benning moves out of range.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Benning! But no joy.
Hatton swings widly with a right hand
and Benning counters with a nice body shot.
Hatton throws an off balance right hand
and Benning counters with a right hand to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benning connects with a nice looking jab.
Hatton has his takedown stuffed
and Benning finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Benning uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Wayne Benning is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Benning throws a right hand that Hatton ducks under and follows up with a left that Hatton also avoids with ease.
Hatton has his takedown stuffed
and Benning counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Hatton fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benning throws a hook but Hatton avoids it easily.
Hatton changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Hatton throws a sloppy body shot
and Benning counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Hatton misses with a wild body shot.
Hatton throws out a loose jab but Benning uses good head movement to avoid it.
Benning scores with a kick to the midsection.
Hatton shoots and misses
and Benning counters with a nice body shot.
Benning is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Hatton had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Benning uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Hatton has time to react.
Benning thows a body kick. Hatton tries to catch it but that hurt him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Benning loads up on a big right hand but Hatton slips the punch.
Hatton fails with an attempt to clinch.
A nice side step and Benning releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Benning goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Benning missing with a left hand there. Hatton was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hatton looks to clinch
and Benning counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Hatton misses with a hook
and Benning counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hatton misses with a lunging right hand
enabling Benning to counter with a crisp jab.
Benning looks to throw the jab but Hatton is out of range.
Hatton half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Hatton swings widly with a right hand
and Benning counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hatton throws an off balance right hand
and Benning connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Benning bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Hatton takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Hatton avoids the body shot from Benning.
Hatton feinted with a counter takedown.
Hatton misses with a left hand
enabling Benning to counter with a crisp jab.
Benning swats away the attempt to clinch by Hatton.
Benning counters with a body kick.
Benning dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benning slaps away a takedown attempt from Hatton, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Benning throws out a powerful jab.
Hatton throws a looping overhand right but Benning ducks down to avoid it.
A nice side step and Benning releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Hatton connects with a single shot there.
Hatton keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Benning.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hatton darts in trying to clinch
and Benning makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Benning defending well as Hatton loads up on a big left hand.
Wayne Benning seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Benning slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Hatton works the jab nicely.
Benning tests Hatton's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Joey Hatton seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Benning lands with a right hand.
Benning has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hatton scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Hatton tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Benning counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Hatton looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Hatton throws a looping overhand right but Benning ducks down to avoid it.
Benning let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Hatton throws a jab but it's blocked by Benning.
A countering left hand to the body from Benning misses.
Hatton misses with a body shot
letting Benning counter with a right hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hatton tries to move into range but Benning moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wayne Benning showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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.

Hatton misses with a right hand
and Benning counters with a left to the body.
Benning takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Hatton might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Hatton throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Benning counters with a straight right hand.
A shot to the body from Hatton misses
and Benning counters with a nice uppercut.
Hatton doesn't succeed with the takedown
letting Benning counter with a right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hatton rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
enabling Benning to counter with a crisp jab.
Decent striking displayed by Benning there.
Hatton tries for a takedown but Benning circles away easily
and Hatton takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A shot to the liver by Benning. Beautiful body shot.
Hatton takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Benning digs a good body shot into Hatton's ribs.
Benning ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Hatton takes a jab right on the kisser.
Hatton takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Benning with a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hatton misses with an uppercut
and Benning counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Benning punishes Hatton's body with a nice straight punch.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Hatton. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Benning lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Hatton at a distance.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hatton misses the shot to the body.
Benning connects with a body shot that sends Hatton's belly button to the back.
Benning misses the jab.
Benning throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Hatton stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Benning keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A countering left hand to the body from Benning misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Benning throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hatton changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Hatton slips under a jab from Benning.
Hatton misses with a hook
and Benning counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Hatton thinking.
Benning connects with the punch.
Hatton misses with a takedown attempt
and Benning makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joey Hatton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hatton swings away with a body shot that misses
and Benning counters with a straight right hand.
Hatton misses with a hook
and Benning counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Benning slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good shot there by Benning.
Hatton misses with a jab to the body
and Benning counters with a nice body shot.
Benning connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

Hatton is rocked!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Hatton is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Benning's half guard.
Benning is looking for a sweep. Hatton is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Benning makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Benning.
Benning wants to get back to his feet but Hatton is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wayne Benning really dominated that round.
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.

Hatton has his takedown stuffed
and Benning counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A big right from Hatton misses.
The fighters circling - Hatton throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hatton throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Benning counters with a straight right hand.
Hatton throws a lazy uppercut
and Benning counters with a straight right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hatton shoots and misses
and Benning counters with a series of strikes. Hatton will be more careful next time no doubt.
Oh Hatton is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Hatton slips a jab from Benning.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hatton bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Hatton seems to have got his legs back now.
Benning lands the left hand.
Benning circles away from the clinch attempt
and Benning counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Hatton throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Hatton takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Benning feints a jab promting Hatton to slip. Benning then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Hatton slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Hatton moves to clinch but Benning breaks away
and Benning counters with a stiff right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hatton throws an off balance right hand
and Benning counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Hatton scores with a hook.
Hatton looks to clinch
and Benning counters with an outside leg kick.
Hatton looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Benning takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hatton digs a good body shot into Benning's ribs.
Benning works over Hatton's head and body with a nice combination.
Hatton misses with a looping left.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benning throws a nice inside leg kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hatton looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
It seemed like Benning was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Hatton wants to clinch but Benning slips to the side
and Benning counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Hatton tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Benning paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Benning looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Hatton takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

Hatton gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Benning fails to land.
A nice right hand lands inside from Benning.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Benning.
Benning lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Hatton backwards.
Hatton jumps guard but Benning stands there with Hatton around his waist. Hatton gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joey Hatton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A nice right hand lands inside from Benning.
Benning tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Benning misses with some punches.
Benning working some nice short punches in the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Benning lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Hatton backwards.

Hatton pulls guard effortlessly.
Hatton being controlled here, momentarily.
Hatton 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.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Benning trying to stand up but can't free himself from Hatton's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wayne Benning dominated that fourth round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Hatton with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Benning to score with a decent uppercut.
Hatton misses with a left hand
and Benning counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Hatton misses with a shot to the body
enabling Benning to counter with a crisp jab.
Hatton misses with a left hand
and Benning counters with a stiff right hand.
Hatton looks to clinch
letting Benning counter with a right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hatton misses with an uppercut
and Benning counters with a nice uppercut.
Hatton has his takedown stuffed
and Benning scores with a counter punch that sends Hatton to the canvas! Benning smells blood - he's punishing Hatton with more strikes and the ref has stopped it! Hatton has no idea where he is - he's tackled the ref... oh dear, poor guy, the crowd is in hysterics!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:59 of round 5, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Wayne Benning!
Wayne Benning is the new middleweight champion!
A relieved looking Wayne Benning thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.