PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Johnny Rosenthal (ranked 2348 p4p, 209 weight class) and John Michael Benitoy (ranked 3896 p4p, 304 weight class). Johnny Rosenthal could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to John Michael Benitoy's chin.

Rosenthal
vs
Michael Benitoy

168 cm
25
154 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

168 cm
26
155 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
KO power

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Powerful

UnderGround Supplements

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Johnny Rosenthal!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, John Michael Benitoy!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Nard Betker and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Benitoy fails with a takedown attempt.
Benitoy shoots in but no luck this time.
Rosenthal tries to counter by clinching up but Benitoy breaks away and moves out of range.
Benitoy with a poor takedown
and Rosenthal counters with a one-two to the body.
Johnny Rosenthal has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Michael Benitoy.

Benitoy fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Rosenthal sprawls well initially but Benitoy persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Rosenthal trying to get back to full guard but Benitoy takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Rosenthal wants to control but Benitoy is having none of it.
Rosenthal is trying desperately to improve position.
Rosenthal bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Benitoy keeping moving, preventing Rosenthal from controlling successfully.
Rosenthal stops Benitoy from standing up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Rosenthal keeping moving, preventing Benitoy from controlling successfully.

Rosenthal working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Benitoy doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Benitoy manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Rosenthal is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Rosenthal keeping full guard, as Benitoy tries to pass.

Rosenthal looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benitoy postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Benitoy stands up from Rosenthal's guard - Benitoy perhaps looking for a knockout.

Rosenthal gets caught flat footed, as Benitoy shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Benitoy scoring with some ground and pound.
Benitoy cracks Rosenthal with a solid left hand.
Rosenthal strikes from his own guard.
Benitoy is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Rosenthal escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Benitoy gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Rosenthal working for a triangle but Benitoy defends it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but John Michael Benitoy will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Benitoy throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rosenthal's waist but Rosenthal gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Benitoy off to one side.

Benitoy darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Rosenthal is looking to improve his position.
Rosenthal is working hard here to advance position.
Benitoy is nestled in close to Rosenthal, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Benitoy is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Rosenthal looking for submissions off his back.

Rosenthal actively working from the bottom here.
Benitoy working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benitoy landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Rosenthal is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Benitoy pulls his head out easily.

Benitoy postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Rosenthal to stand up.

Benitoy shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Benitoy showed some decent athleticism there.
Benitoy slows the pace down in half guard.
Benitoy working Rosenthal over with strikes.
Benitoy wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rosenthal keeps working.
John Michael Benitoy has got the better of the ground game so far.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Benitoy stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Rosenthal to get to his feet.
John Michael Benitoy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Benitoy feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Rosenthal has his feet on Benitoy's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Benitoy has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Benitoy scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Rosenthal manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Rosenthal trying to hold on to Benitoy's head to control him but Benitoy postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rosenthal wants to get back to full guard.
Benitoy has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Benitoy lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Benitoy not doing much here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Michael Benitoy showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Rosenthal's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Benitoy goes for a double leg but Rosenthal avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Rosenthal continues to drive forward.

Benitoy scores with a takedown into Rosenthal's guard.

Rosenthal pushes Benitoy off and gets back to his feet.
Benitoy fails with a takedown attempt.
Rosenthal seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Rosenthal fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Benitoy shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Benitoy was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Benitoy trying to control the position but Rosenthal is working away.
Rosenthal is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Benitoy's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Benitoy looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benitoy seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Benitoy winds up and cracks Rosenthal with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Benitoy slips a nice elbow through Rosenthal's hands, connecting with Rosenthal's forehead.
Benitoy lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Benitoy is looking to advance position but Rosenthal won't allow it.
Benitoy looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Rosenthal with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Benitoy is controlling the pace.
Rosenthal wants to control but Benitoy is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Johnny Rosenthal has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rosenthal tries to kick Benitoy off but Benitoy keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benitoy lands strikes from half guard.
Benitoy passes to full mount!
Benitoy avoids the attempt from Rosenthal to control.
Rosenthal throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Benitoy looking to control but Rosenthal is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Rosenthal throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Benitoy working Rosenthal over with strikes here.
Benitoy unloading with bombs!
Benitoy trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Benitoy working the ground and pound effectively.
John Michael Benitoy is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Benitoy controlling the pace for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Michael Benitoy comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Benitoy 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 Albert Achterberg scores the fight 27:30
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Michael Benitoy!
John Michael Benitoy gave a mention to UnderGround Supplements in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).