PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kalle Kallela (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johan Bensing (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johan Bensing is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Kallela
vs
Bensing

175 cm
18
170 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
20
170 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

CHOKEOUT Fightwear

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kalle Kallela!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Johan Bensing!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kallela fails with the takedown.
Kallela shoots in for a double leg but Bensing sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Kallela is breathing heavily.
Kallela doesn't manage to clinch there - Bensing circles away.
Bensing throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kallela's waist but Kallela gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Bensing off to one side.

Bensing drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Kallela keeping moving, preventing Bensing from controlling successfully.
Bensing throwing strikes from guard but Kallela blocks nicely.
Kallela working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bensing.
Bensing scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Kallela working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Bensing doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Bensing manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Kallela being controlled here, momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bensing has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Kallela keeping moving, preventing Bensing from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Bensing looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Kallela tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Bensing working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Bensing tries to free his leg and advance position but Kallela is retaining full guard.

Kallela is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Kallela not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bensing is stalling in the full guard.
Kallela wants to sweep here but Bensing controlling him for the moment.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Bensing looking to pass the guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kallela can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Bensing controls the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Despite being in the dominant position, Johan Bensing just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Bensing shoots in but no luck this time.
Bensing checks a leg kick.
Kallela on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Bensing. Bensing obviously looking to wear him down.

Bensing clinches up against the cage.

Kallela has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Bensing regains guard immediately.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kallela wants to stand and escape but instead Bensing has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Bensing stands and throws Kallela's legs to the side, diving into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johan Bensing dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Kallela shoots and misses

and Bensing counters by moving into the clinch.

Bensing gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Kallela regains guard.
Bensing throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kallela controls Bensing momentarily but Bensing frees himself.
Kallela preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kallela 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.
Bensing lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Bensing seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Bensing makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bensing looking to pass the guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Kallela closes the distance and clinches.
Bensing unloads a knee to the mid-section. Kallela lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

Kallela's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kallela clinches but Bensing breaks the clinch
enabling Bensing to counter with a crisp jab.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Kallela.
Kallela in side control, just content to control the action for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bensing sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Kallela perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Bensing is trying is best to control the position here.
Kallela wants to control but Bensing is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bensing wants to improve his position but Kallela is controlling well.
Bensing trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Bensing is looking to improve his position but Kallela isn't that keen on the idea.

Kallela moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Bensing has worked his arm free - good work by Bensing!
Kallela working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Bensing is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Kallela is staying active.

Kallela working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Bensing controls the position for a moment.
Bensing is looking to reverse the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Johan Bensing will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Kallela misses with a takedown attempt

and Bensing decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Kallela's guard.
Kallela preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Bensing stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Bensing looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Kallela checks a leg kick.

Bensing moves into the clinch successfully.
Bensing lands a nice uppercut.
Bensing scores with a knee to the head.
Kallela changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Bensing fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Bensing fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kallela clinches but Bensing breaks the clinch
and Bensing makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kallela circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kallela looks to clinch
and Bensing counters with a head kick. That will keep Kallela thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!

Kallela shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Kallela showed some decent athleticism there.
Kallela tries to stand and escape but Bensing is controlling the position.
Bensing moves into full guard.
Kallela controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kallela throws a strike but Bensing rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Kallela keeping full guard, as Bensing tries to pass.
Bensing trying to control the position from guard on top but Kallela is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bensing wants to stand and escape but instead Kallela has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Bensing is trying to keep Kallela in close.
Bensing wants to stand and escape but Kallela is having none of it.
Kallela trying to control but Bensing is working from the bottom.
Kallela controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Johan Bensing has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kallela tries to stand but Bensing is controlling from the bottom.

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.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Bensing is looking to clinch.
Bensing is looking to clinch.
Kalle Kallela seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kallela tries to clinch up

and Bensing counters with a shoot takedown. Kallela fights it but they end up in guard.
Kallela looking to control.
Bensing lands a couple of elbows.
Bensing won't allow Kallela to sweep him here.
Bensing sitting in guard, not really doing much.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johan Bensing really dominated that round.
That's time! Kallela's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Kallela shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Bensing's guard.
Bensing is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Kallela trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bensing seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Bensing 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.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Bensing is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Kallela postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kallela in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Bensing 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bensing trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Bensing looking to sit in guard and control but Kallela gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Bensing has control of Kallela's left arm, preventing Kallela from doing any damage.
Bensing looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kallela is one step ahead there.
Kallela wants to control from the top but Bensing keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kallela trying to move into half guard but instead Bensing has managed to sweep!
Kallela has his hands on Bensing's head, controlling the position.
Kallela being controlled here, momentarily.
Bensing throwing strikes from guard but Kallela blocks nicely.

Kallela looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Bensing passes into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Bensing working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Kallela gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kallela moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Johan Bensing will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Bensing tries for a takedown but Kallela circles away easily

and Kallela counters by clinching up.

Bensing tightens his grip and picks Kallela up, before dumping him to the ground. Kallela manages to land in guard.
Bensing is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Kallela is on top in guard.
Bensing is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Kallela trying to control but Bensing is working from the bottom.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bensing is trying to keep Kallela in close.
Bensing throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Kallela postures up in Bensing's guard and throws a big left but Bensing blocks it.

Kallela decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Bensing, up you get!
Kallela with a lazy takedown attempt
and Bensing counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kalle Kallela is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bensing shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kallela as he jumps to the side.
Kallela closes the distance but Bensing moves to the side

and Bensing moves into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kallela goes for a takedown in the clinch but Bensing prevents it.
Kallela pushes Bensing back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Bensing tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Kalle Kallela has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Johan Bensing.
A right hook to the body lands for Bensing.
Kallela blocks an uppercut.

Kallela breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Bensing.
Kallela shoots and misses

and Bensing counters with a takedown into side control.

Bensing stands up and beckons Kallela to his feet.
Bensing tries to clinch

and Kallela counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Bensing!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bensing bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bensing trying to control but Kallela is working from the bottom.
Bensing's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Kallela keeping moving, preventing Bensing from controlling successfully.
Kallela controlling the position.
Bensing won't allow Kallela to sweep him here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Kallela keeping moving, preventing Bensing from controlling successfully.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Bensing gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Kallela counters by moving into the clinch.
Nice body punch from Kallela - that landed with a thud.

Kallela pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kallela shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Bensing counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bensing is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Kalle Kallela has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Johan Bensing is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Bensing trying to control from Kallela's half guard. Kallela has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Johan Bensing comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Bensing has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 45:50
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 47:48
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Johan Bensing!
Johan Bensing is the new welterweight champion!