PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nigel Benn Jr (ranked 2212 p4p, 324 weight class) and Dr A Hedgeh (ranked 2127 p4p, 316 weight class). Hedgeh comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Dr Who? kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Benn Jr
vs
A Hedgeh

185 cm
28
203 lbs
13 - 6 - 0

195 cm
27
217 lbs
12 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Nigel Benn Jr!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Dr A Hedgeh!
The judges for this bout are Ryoma Takatsuka, Roger Salmon and Micheangelo Fripello.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Benn Jr throws a jab but it's blocked by Hedgeh.
Benn Jr has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Cozad MMA LA Elite in the buildup to the fight.

Hedgeh takes the fight into the clinch.
Benn Jr takes a shot to the head.
Hedgeh is trying to pull guard but Benn Jr has him pressed against the cage.
Hedgeh scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Hedgeh swings wildly with an uppercut but Benn Jr uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hedgeh swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Benn Jr working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Benn Jr tries to stall but Hedgeh uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Hedgeh throws a head punch that misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Benn Jr.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A head punch on the inside from Benn Jr fails to land.
Benn Jr misses with the head strike.
Benn Jr blocking some punches.
Hedgeh tries to pull guard but Benn Jr forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Hedgeh tries to pull guard but Benn Jr holds him up against the cage and eventually Hedgeh drops back down to his feet.
Nigel Benn Jr has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dr A Hedgeh.
Hedgeh lands a shoulder strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hedgeh lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Benn Jr backwards.
Hedgeh softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Hedgeh jumps guard but Benn Jr stands there with Hedgeh around his waist. Hedgeh gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Benn Jr tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hedgeh's elbow.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hedgeh.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hedgeh.
Hedgeh has a couple of punches blocked by Benn Jr.
Hedgeh misses with a short punch on the inside.

Benn Jr pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hedgeh tries to clinch but Benn Jr is having none of it.
Benn Jr went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Hedgeh throws a hook but Benn Jr blocks it.
A little feinted left hand from Benn Jr on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

Hedgeh takes the fight into the clinch.
Benn Jr lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Hedgeh working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Hedgeh throws a punch but it's blocked by Benn Jr.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benn Jr blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Benn Jr is trying to force a seperation but Hedgeh has the dominant position.

Benn Jr breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Hedgeh instigates a clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Benn Jr pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
An inside leg kick from Benn Jr misses.
Hedgeh tries to clinch but Benn Jr moves out of range.
Benn Jr was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Benn Jr throws a quick inside leg kick.
Benn Jr lands with an overhand left.

It looks like Dr A Hedgeh has been cut.
Benn Jr swats away the attempt to clinch by Hedgeh.
Hedgeh uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Benn Jr.

Hedgeh has managed to clinch.
Hedgeh misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hedgeh lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Hedgeh tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hedgeh prevents Benn Jr from breaking the clinch.
Hedgeh lands a nice uppercut.
Hedgeh gets through Benn Jr's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Benn Jr throws a punch but it's blocked by Hedgeh.
Hedgeh fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Benn Jr is struggling to control the position.
Benn Jr blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Benn Jr manages to break the clinch.
Hedgeh throws a good cross that connects.
Benn Jr feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Hedgehs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Hedgeh tries to close the distance and clinch up but Benn Jr swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Benn Jr moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

Benn Jr gets tackled into the cage by Hedgeh. Hedgeh maintains the clinch.
Benn Jr is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Hedgeh fails to pull the fight into his guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hedgeh lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Benn Jr lands a body punch in the clinch.
Hedgeh misses with the head strike.
Benn Jr blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hedgeh.
Benn Jr is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hedgeh.

Hedgeh gets control of Benn Jr's arms and successfully pulls guard. Hedgeh will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Hedgeh wants to stand but Benn Jr is controlling the position.

Benn Jr drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Hedgeh manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Benn Jr has Hedgeh in his guard.

Benn Jr throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dr A Hedgeh dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Dr A Hedgeh's cut.
That's time! Benn Jr's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Hedgeh moves into the clinch.
Hedgeh misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hedgeh lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Benn Jr backwards.
Hedgeh jumps guard but Benn Jr stands there with Hedgeh around his waist. Hedgeh gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Hedgeh lands with a short shot to the head.
Benn Jr is trying to push Hedgeh away but Hedgeh has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Hedgeh working aggressively here.
Benn Jr lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Hedgeh tries to pull guard but Benn Jr won't allow it.
Dr A Hedgeh seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Benn Jr slowing the pace effectively.
Hedgeh has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Benn Jr pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Hedgeh instigates a clinch.
Benn Jr blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hedgeh is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Benn Jr to keep the fight standing.
Nigel Benn Jr has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dr A Hedgeh.
Hedgeh lands a hook that snaps the head of Benn Jr backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hedgeh misses with some punches.
Hedgeh lands a right hand that snaps the head of Benn Jr backwards.
Hedgeh lands a hook to the side of the head.
Hedgeh fails to pull guard.
Benn Jr blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hedgeh makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Benn Jr looking to slow down the pace here.
Benn Jr has had enough of the clinch but Hedgeh keeps him there for the moment.

Benn Jr breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hedgeh connects with a body shot that sends Benn Jr's belly button to the back.

Hedgeh drives through and clinches with Benn Jr against the cage.
Hedgeh misses with a punch on the inside.
Hedgeh prevents a body shot from Benn Jr.

Benn Jr pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hedgeh tries to clinch up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hedgeh wants to clinch up but Benn Jr keeps it at a distance.
Dr A Hedgeh seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Hedgeh has managed to clinch.

Benn Jr's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Benn Jr scores with a crisp jab that stopped Hedgeh in his tracks.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Benn Jr misses with the combination.
A decent looking cross lands there for Hedgeh.
Benn Jr circles away from the clinch attempt.
A quick step to the side and Benn Jr tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Benn Jr fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
As Benn Jr backs off Hedgeh throws a huge counter combo but Benn Jr manages to avoid it all.
Benn Jr missing with a left hand there. Hedgeh was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hedgeh uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Benn Jr.
Benn Jr ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hedgeh moves away.

Hedgeh has Benn Jr up against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Benn Jr.
Benn Jr looking to stall.
Hedgeh lands with a right to the head.
Hedgeh scores with a shot to the side of Benn Jr's head.
Hedgeh misses with a short punch on the inside.
Benn Jr takes a shot to the head.
Hedgeh avoids a wild elbow strike from Benn Jr.
Hedgeh working aggressively here.
Benn Jr tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Benn Jr.
A short uppercut from Hedgeh.
Hedgeh lands a right hand that snaps the head of Benn Jr backwards.

Hedgeh ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Hedgeh no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Benn Jr in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Benn Jr gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hedgeh tries to clinch but Benn Jr moves out of range.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Hedgeh gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Hedgeh lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A short right from Benn Jr on the inside.
Hedgeh tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Benn Jr smiles and moves away.
Nigel Benn Jr is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Benn Jr slaps away a takedown attempt from Hedgeh, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Hedgeh misses with a jab, cross combination.
Hedgeh tries to close the distance and clinch up but Benn Jr swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Hedgeh closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Hedgeh sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Benn Jr is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Hedgeh is putting a hurting on Benn Jr here, landing some big shots from side control.
Benn Jr manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Benn Jr on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dr A Hedgeh showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Dr A Hedgeh's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Hedgeh has taken the fight to the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Hedgeh creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Hedgeh fails to land.
A head punch on the inside from Hedgeh fails to land.

Hedgeh jumps guard and drags Benn Jr to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Benn Jr throwing strikes but missing.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Benn Jr gets to his feet - Hedgeh follows without any prompting.
Benn Jr throws a right hand that misses
and Hedgeh counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Hedgeh closes the distance and clinches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hedgeh is trying to pull guard but Benn Jr turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Hedgeh fails to land.
Hedgeh pushes Benn Jr back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Hedgeh working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Hedgeh lands on the inside with an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hedgeh tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Benn Jr just stands there and leans against the cage.

Benn Jr escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hedgeh fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Nigel Benn Jr has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dr A Hedgeh.
Benn Jr circles away from the clinch attempt.
Hedgeh swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hedgeh takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Benn Jr keeps the fight on the outside.
Hedgeh closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Benn Jr fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

Hedgeh moves into the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Benn Jr.
Hedgeh misses with some punches.
A short right from Hedgeh.
Benn Jr holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Nigel Benn Jr has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hedgeh tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Benn Jr smiles and moves away.
A punch lands to the side of Hedgeh 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Nice jab there from Benn Jr.
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!
Benn Jr fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hedgeh manages to avoid it.
Hedgeh tries to clinch up
and Benn Jr counters with a lovely shot to the body.

Hedgeh changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Benn Jr looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Benn Jr is working to avoid the ground and pound but Hedgeh connects with a decent elbow.
Benn Jr is trying to get back to half guard.
Benn Jr is working hard here to advance position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benn Jr struggling a bit here.
Benn Jr wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Hedgeh tries to score with some ground and pound. Benn Jr controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Dr A Hedgeh is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Hedgeh wants to control but Benn Jr is keeping him busy.
Hedgeh landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Benn Jr parries the strikes from Hedgeh easily there. Hedgeh is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Benn Jr to escape.
Benn Jr tries to buck Hedgeh off but Hedgeh is having none of it.
Benn Jr is not content to let Hedgeh control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Hedgeh working the body and head with strikes.
Sloppy strikes there by Hedgeh.
Hedgeh is trying to ground and pound but Benn Jr uses the momentary lack of control by Hedgeh to regain half guard.
Hedgeh throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Benn Jr makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Benn Jr.
Hedgeh landing with the ground and pound.
Dr A Hedgeh has got the better of the ground game so far.
Benn Jr being controlled here, momentarily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dr A Hedgeh comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Hedgeh 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 27:30
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 27:30
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dr A Hedgeh!
Nigel Benn Jr was interviewed post fight and said 'ill be back'.