PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mario Benedetti (ranked 64 p4p, 73 weight class) and Dougal McCraken (ranked 12 p4p, 14 weight class). Benedetti comes to the cage accompanied by Bajafondo. McCraken has chosen Bulgine as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. 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.

Benedetti
vs
McCraken

179 cm
34
170
31 - 8 - 1

184 cm
37
164
29 - 16 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

SynCity Fightwear
Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)

Conquer
Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 31 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mario Benedetti!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 29 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dougal McCraken!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Chris Edwards and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McCraken connects with a crisp jab.
Benedetti throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
McCraken turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
McCraken 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.
A nice combination there by McCraken.

McCraken closes the distance and pushes Benedetti back into the cage.
A knee to the head by McCraken.
McCraken tries to work over Benedetti's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A right hook to the body lands for McCraken.
Benedetti wants to break the clinch but can't.
McCraken tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
McCraken misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Benedetti manages to break the clinch.
McCraken throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Benedetti swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Benedetti misses with a straight right.
Benedetti misses with a body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McCraken lands an overhand right.
A jab from McCraken misses.
Benedetti takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Benedetti throws the left hand but McCraken avoids the punch easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benedetti walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
McCraken's jab looks to have found its range, popping Benedetti under the eye.
Benedetti connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
McCraken moves away from the strike by Benedetti.
Benedetti with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling McCraken to score with a decent uppercut.
A jab from Benedetti misses.
McCraken throws a right and a left that Benedetti avoids nicely.
McCraken is looking to land body kicks.
McCraken lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
McCraken digs a good hook to Benedetti's body.
Benedetti will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Benedetti throws a right hand that McCraken ducks under and follows up with a left that McCraken also avoids with ease.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Benedetti throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
McCraken scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benedetti throws a body punch but McCraken moves out of range.
Benedetti misses with a body shot.
Benedetti backing away here, and McCraken unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
McCraken steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Benedetti.
Benedetti misses with the combination.
McCraken tests Benedetti's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A slow jab from McCraken misses its intended target.
McCraken connects with a solid leg kick.
McCraken scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Benedetti thows a left - swing and a miss!
McCraken keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Benedetti scores with a jab. McCraken acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Benedetti swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Dougal McCraken seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A slow jab from McCraken misses its intended target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benedetti takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
A looping hook to the body misses from McCraken. Benedetti does a little dance to reset his feet.
The fighters circling - Benedetti throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Benedetti takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
McCraken lands a jab to the head.
McCraken throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by McCraken.
McCraken avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Benedetti staying out of range there.
McCraken throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Benedetti takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Benedetti throws a leg kick but McCraken sees it coming and checks it nicely.
McCraken keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Benedetti keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from McCraken.
Benedetti throwing a counter right hand but McCraken manages to avoid it.
Benedetti jabs McCraken to the body, keeping him at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A telegraphed right hand from Benedetti misses the target.
McCraken looks to land a left hand but Benedetti moved out of range nicely.
Benedetti swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
McCraken lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
A solid leg kick lands there for McCraken.
A slow jab from Benedetti misses its intended target.
Benedetti throws an off balance right hand
and McCraken counters with a straight right hand.
McCraken throws a body shot but no joy.
Benedetti avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Benedetti cracks McCraken with a right hand to the side of the head.
McCraken checks a leg kick nicely.
Benedetti chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before McCraken can pounce on him.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Benedetti throws a jab but it's blocked by McCraken.
McCraken keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Benedetti.
McCraken throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Benedetti is looking to counter punch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

McCraken displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Benedetti throws out the jab.
McCraken tries to clinch up but Benedetti circles away and keeps his distance.
McCraken jabbing away but nothing is landing.
It looked like Benedetti wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Benedetti throws an overhand right that lands on McCraken's shoulder, as McCraken tries to avoid the shot.
McCraken has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
McCraken lands a nice shot that snaps Benedetti's head back.
Dougal McCraken seems to be getting the better of the standup.
McCraken ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Benedetti moves away.
McCraken scores with a jab.
McCraken tries to clinch but Benedetti moves out of range.
McCraken digs a good hook to Benedetti's body.
Benedetti takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McCraken just misses with a punch to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Benedetti misses the target.
Benedetti showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from McCraken.
McCraken fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Benedetti on the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Benedetti.
Benedetti has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from McCraken finds it's way round the side to connect with Benedetti's head.
McCraken connects with the punch.
McCraken scores with a jab.
A low kick from McCraken misses
letting Benedetti counter with a right hand.
Benedetti tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but McCraken was well out of range. Poor timing from Benedetti.
McCraken lands a nice shot to the body.
McCraken with a nice calf kick.
McCraken keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
McCraken looks to land a left hand but Benedetti moved out of range nicely.
McCraken connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Benedetti momentarily.
Benedetti looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
McCraken throws a front kick that sends Benedetti stumbling back into the cage.
McCraken thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Benedetti if he has to take too many more of those.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Benedetti misses with a lunging right hand
and McCraken counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCraken uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Benedetti has time to react.
McCraken ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Decent striking displayed by McCraken there.
The fight stays on the outside here - McCraken looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A kick lands to the mid section there for McCraken.
Nice cross by McCraken.
McCraken lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Benedetti throws a nice inside leg kick.
McCraken looks to score with a jab to the body but Benedetti is just out of range.
McCraken dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Benedetti connects with a single shot there.
Benedetti uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from McCraken.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCraken lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Benedetti throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from McCraken! But no joy.
McCraken doesn't manage to clinch there - Benedetti circles away.
Benedetti throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
McCraken is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
McCraken cracks Benedetti with a good jab.
McCraken lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
McCraken moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
McCraken turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
McCraken throws an overhand right that lands on Benedetti's shoulder, as Benedetti tries to avoid the shot.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as McCraken checks a leg kick.
McCraken lands a nice shot that snaps Benedetti's head back.
Benedetti will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCraken lands a nice shot to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
McCraken throws a push kick but Benedetti slaps the foot to one side.
McCraken uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Benedetti.
McCraken swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
McCraken connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
McCraken chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Benedetti works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Benedetti slips under a jab.
McCraken goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
McCraken misses the shot to the body.
Benedetti throwing a counter right hand but McCraken manages to avoid it.
Benedetti slips a straight right by McCraken.
A little feinted left hand from Benedetti on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
McCraken's jab looks to have found its range, popping Benedetti under the eye.
McCraken is looking to slow Benedetti down with leg kicks.
Benedetti misses with a hook.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Dougal McCraken showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A telegraphed right hand from McCraken misses the target.
A jab from McCraken does it's job there.
McCraken connects with an inside leg kick.
Benedetti is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Benedetti connects with a crisp jab.
A punch combination from McCraken misses.
McCraken jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Benedetti misses with a hook. McCraken ducked under it nicely.
McCraken wants to counter the offense by Benedetti and move into the clinch position.
Nice uppercut there from Benedetti.
A telegraphed right hand from McCraken misses the target.
Benedetti has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Benedetti pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McCraken ducks under a wild hook from Benedetti.
McCraken is trying to counter with his kicks.
Benedetti walks into a left hand.
McCraken with a nice calf kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nice uppercut there from McCraken.
McCraken fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Benedetti on the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCraken dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Benedetti. That did some damage!
Benedetti just misses with a punch to the body.
Benedetti throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
McCraken scores with a jab. Benedetti acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Benedetti throws a right hand that misses
and McCraken counters with a nice body shot.
McCraken digs a good hook to Benedetti's body.
McCraken throws a body kick that misses.
Benedetti is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
McCraken throws a head kick but Benedetti moves out of range.
A cross from McCraken lands.
Benedetti throws a looping overhand right but McCraken ducks down to avoid it.
McCraken throws a leg kick which misses Benedetti's front leg but catches the back leg as Benedetti tries to avoid it.
A jab from McCraken misses.
McCraken checks the leg kick.
McCraken is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Benedetti with a body shot.
Benedetti swings for the body but McCraken moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benedetti steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from McCraken. That one must have hurt.
McCraken scores with a jab. Benedetti acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McCraken lands a leg kick that knocks Benedetti off balance momentarily.
Benedetti ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Benedetti looks to land a combination but McCraken avoids it well.
McCraken looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Benedetti takes a shot right to the bread basket.
McCraken buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Benedetti slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
McCraken changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
McCraken with a nice calf kick.
Benedetti tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but McCraken was well out of range. Poor timing from Benedetti.
Benedetti throws a lazy right hand but McCraken sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
McCraken misses with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benedetti misses with a two punch combination.
McCraken tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
McCraken misses with an uppercut.
Benedetti misses with an uppercut. McCraken saw that one coming.
McCraken is looking for the big counter here.
Good exchange - McCraken coming out on top.
Benedetti on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
McCraken throws a combination. Benedetti tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
McCraken fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
McCraken connects with a jab.
McCraken lands the left hand.
McCraken bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Benedetti's head backwards.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Benedetti keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
McCraken throws the kick towards the body but Benedetti avoids it.
An attempted straight right counter from Benedetti misses the target.
Benedetti tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but McCraken was well out of range. Poor timing from Benedetti.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benedetti blocks a leg kick.
Benedetti misses with an uppercut.
McCraken lands with a right hand.
Benedetti misses with a lunging right hand
and McCraken counters with a body kick.
Benedetti looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
McCraken tried to score with a low kick but Benedetti checks it.
A low kick from McCraken misses
and Benedetti connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Benedetti uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before McCraken has time to react.
Benedetti steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from McCraken. That one must have hurt.

McCraken drives through and clinches with Benedetti against the cage.
Benedetti is trying to break the clinch but McCraken has him pressed against the cage.

Benedetti escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McCraken connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
McCraken throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Benedetti on the side of the head.
McCraken throws a lazy right hand but Benedetti sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

McCraken bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Jab by McCraken.
Benedetti moves out of range of the body kick.
McCraken lands a front kick.
McCraken throws a push kick but Benedetti slaps the foot to one side.
Benedetti was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
McCraken lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
McCraken lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Benedetti will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
A big left from Benedetti misses.
Benedetti misses with a wild body shot.
McCraken tries to clinch up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McCraken jabbing away but nothing is landing.
McCraken uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Benedetti has time to react.
Benedetti thuds his right hand into McCraken's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Benedetti takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCraken swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Benedetti.
McCraken throws a quick inside leg kick.
McCraken swings for the body but Benedetti moves out of range.
Benedetti walks forward, straight into a front kick from McCraken.
A swing and a miss from Benedetti.
McCraken lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
McCraken is looking to clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - McCraken looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Benedetti steps to the side to avoid the strikes from McCraken.
Benedetti looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
McCraken thuds his shin into the meat of Benedetti's side.
McCraken misses with a looping right.
Nice defenses there by McCraken.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benedetti connects with a body shot.

McCraken takes the fight into the clinch.

Benedetti breaks the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McCraken is looking to land body kicks.
McCraken throws a low kick, looking for Benedetti's leg but Benedetti calmly moves out of range.
Good exchange - McCraken coming out on top.
Mario Benedetti has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
McCraken has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Benedetti finds it's way round the side to connect with McCraken's head.
McCraken buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
A left lands for McCraken.
A low kick lands for McCraken.
A low kick lands for McCraken.
Benedetti ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
McCraken lands with a nice combination. Benedetti backs away looking to recover.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCraken keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
McCraken bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
McCraken throws a big shot that misses.
Benedetti was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Benedetti on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
McCraken throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
McCraken throws a good cross that connects.
Crunch! McCraken slams his shin into Benedetti's torso.
McCraken lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
McCraken lands with a cross.
McCraken wants to clinch.
Benedetti gets cracked with a nice right hand there by McCraken.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCraken throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
McCraken ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
McCraken scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Benedetti throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
McCraken lands a jab to Benedetti's midsection.
McCraken scores with a head kick. Benedetti tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Benedetti takes a swing at McCraken's ribcage but misses.
McCraken lands a leg kick that knocks Benedetti off balance momentarily.
Benedetti throws a body shot but no joy.
McCraken throws a hook to the side of Benedetti's head but Benedetti sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Benedetti lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and McCraken has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from McCraken and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Dougal McCraken dominated that fourth 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. This is the final round!

Benedetti throws a body punch but McCraken moves out of range.
Benedetti with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling McCraken to score with a decent uppercut.
A solid body kick from McCraken.
A slapping body kick lands there for McCraken.
Benedetti throws a shot from downtown. McCraken moves away and avoids it.
Benedetti throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
McCraken throws a good cross that connects.
Benedetti scores with a crisp jab that stopped McCraken in his tracks.
Benedetti on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Benedetti takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Benedetti ducks under a wild hook from McCraken.
McCraken scores with a nice right hand.
McCraken throws a low kick but Benedetti avoids it.
McCraken lands a nice looking kick to the body. Benedetti takes a step back to recover.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCraken works Benedetti's body with a nice hook.
McCraken fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Benedetti scores with a nice head shot.
McCraken misses with a wild body shot.
McCraken misses with a hook. Benedetti ducked under it nicely.
McCraken pivots, looking for a leg kick but Benedetti is out of range and McCraken settles back down.
Benedetti slips under a jab from McCraken.
Nice shot lands for McCraken.
Benedetti misses with a hook
and McCraken connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
McCraken ducks under a wild hook from Benedetti.
Nice defenses there by McCraken.
Benedetti looks to score with a jab to the body but McCraken is just out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCraken has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Benedetti finds it's way round the side to connect with McCraken's head.
Benedetti throws a big shot that misses.
McCraken throws an overhand right that lands on Benedetti's shoulder, as Benedetti tries to avoid the shot.
McCraken misses with a looping left.
McCraken fakes the leg kick and cracks Benedetti in the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McCraken throws a front kick aimed at Benedetti's knee but Benedetti avoids it well.
McCraken throws a right and a left that Benedetti avoids nicely.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts McCraken, as that shot connected.
Benedetti sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Benedetti fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McCraken manages to avoid it.
Benedetti looks to land a left hand but McCraken moved out of range nicely.
McCraken ducks under a wild hook from Benedetti.
McCraken scores with a nice body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCraken fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Benedetti has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
McCraken misses with a body shot.
Benedetti sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Benedetti misses with a body shot.
McCraken works the jab nicely.
McCraken moves away from the strike by Benedetti.
Dougal McCraken is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
McCraken misses with a kick to the body.
McCraken throws a head kick but Benedetti moves out of range.
Benedetti scores with a hook to the body. McCraken takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
McCraken scores with a nice strike.
McCraken checks the leg kick nicely there.
Benedetti scores with a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCraken walks into a straight right hand from Benedetti.
McCraken takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Benedetti takes one on the button.
Benedetti wants to slow McCraken down by chopping away at his legs.
Benedetti shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. McCraken eats them both and turns towards Benedetti to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.

McCraken is rocked!
Benedetti cracks McCraken with a nasty uppercut that draws ooohs from the crowd and sends McCraken tumbling backwards onto the mat. He tries to recover but Benedetti pounces and lands a hail of unanswered strikes that forces the referee to step in to end the fight! McCraken is not happy but he gave the referee no choice!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:29 of round 5, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Mario Benedetti!
Mario Benedetti retains his welterweight title!
Mario Benedetti seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.