PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Amr El Shaarawy (ranked 3969 p4p, 6112 weight class) and Harris Benn (ranked 153 p4p, 186 weight class). 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.

El Shaarawy
vs
Benn

197 cm
21
265
0 - 0 - 0

176 cm
26
265
2 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Amr El Shaarawy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Harris Benn!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Some wild striking there from El Shaarawy.

Benn shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches El Shaarawy napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Benn goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, El Shaarawy rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Benn's guard! Nice work there by El Shaarawy!
El Shaarawy pushes down on Benn's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Benn is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but El Shaarawy pulls his head out easily.

El Shaarawy seems to be working for a kimura but Benn defends the submission attempt.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Benn can do anything to dispel that myth.
El Shaarawy is keen to just control but Benn is a slippery customer.

Benn looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Benn tries to get to full guard but El Shaarawy has control of the leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice strikes from El Shaarawy there.

Benn looking for submissions off his back.
Benn is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Benn is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but El Shaarawy pulls his head out easily.
El Shaarawy passes to side control.

El Shaarawy is trying to get an arm triangle but Benn is defending well.
El Shaarawy misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

El Shaarawy decides to stand up, so the ref orders Benn to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Benn throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. El Shaarawy was covering up waiting for the punch and Benn finishes the takedown easily into guard.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Benn drops back looking for a leg! El Shaarawy is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and El Shaarawy manages to kick Benn off! Benn jumps back into El Shaarawy's guard.
Benn really doesn't want to stay on the ground with El Shaarawy. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
El Shaarawy is trying to control the position from the bottom.
El Shaarawy is breathing heavily.

Benn thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
El Shaarawy not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Benn drops back looking for a leg! El Shaarawy is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and El Shaarawy manages to kick Benn off! Benn jumps back into El Shaarawy's guard.

Benn is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

El Shaarawy has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Benn can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
El Shaarawy trying to keep a closed guard but Benn is proving a slippery customer.

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

Benn throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Benn is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and El Shaarawy defends well.

Benn escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. El Shaarawy gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
El Shaarawy distracts Benn with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Benn keeping moving, preventing El Shaarawy from controlling successfully.

Benn isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. El Shaarawy stacks Benn on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by El Shaarawy!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

El Shaarawy has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Amr El Shaarawy dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Benn crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from El Shaarawy - the referee stops the clock and Benn gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says El Shaarawy. Benn manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
El Shaarawy shoots for a double leg takedown but Benn sprawls well. He's pushed El Shaarawy's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Benn goes for a double leg but El Shaarawy avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as El Shaarawy continues to drive forward.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Benn.
El Shaarawy shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Benn sprawls well. Benn wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. El Shaarawy gets slowly back to his feet.
Benn shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with El Shaarawy but El Shaarawy pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Amr El Shaarawy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Harris Benn.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

El Shaarawy closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
El Shaarawy trying to control the position but Benn is working away.
El Shaarawy will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Benn tries to buck El Shaarawy off but El Shaarawy is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
El Shaarawy is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Benn will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
El Shaarawy is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Benn can do to turn this around?
Benn taking punishment in the form of punches.
An elbow from El Shaarawy crashes against the mat.
Benn is trying to get back to half guard.
El Shaarawy wants to lay and pray for a moment but Benn keeps working.
Benn gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Benn is desperately trying to improve his position but El Shaarawy has a good base and remains in mount.
Benn sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
El Shaarawy is pressing down on Benn's thigh, looking to free his foot. Benn is holding on for now.

Benn looking for submissions off his back.
Benn is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
El Shaarawy seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Benn does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Benn tries to get to full guard but El Shaarawy has control of the leg.

Benn is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but El Shaarawy pulls his head out easily.
Benn tries to roll over but El Shaarawy keeps him under control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

El Shaarawy is working for a kimura but Benn is defending it quite comfortably.
El Shaarawy trying to control the action but Benn is working from the bottom.

Benn looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Benn is pressing down on El Shaarawy's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Benn escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. El Shaarawy gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
El Shaarawy looking to pass the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
El Shaarawy wanted to stand there but Benn had control of the position.

Benn had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. El Shaarawy defends it easily.

Benn pushes a forearm under El Shaarawy's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, El Shaarawy is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:37 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Harris Benn!