PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Braynas Hlervu (ranked 341 p4p, 282 weight class) and Lorenzo Benedetti (ranked 38 p4p, 32 weight class). Benedetti has chosen Gloom, Doom, Heartache & Whiskey - Viking Skull as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Hlervu
vs
Benedetti

168 cm
35
144
20 - 13 - 0

173 cm
29
147
21 - 8 - 4

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

HELLBENT
Bondi MMA 🏝️

Conviction
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

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 20 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Braynas Hlervu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 8 - 4, fighting out of Sydney, Lorenzo Benedetti!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Shigeki Fujiwara and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hlervu moves out of range as Benedetti throws a body kick.
Hlervu throws a jab when Benedetti was well out of range.
Hlervu tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Benedetti paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hlervu moves out of range of the body kick.
Hlervu was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Benedetti 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.
Nice defenses there by Benedetti.
Benedetti throws the kick towards the body but Hlervu avoids it.
Hlervu definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Hlervu connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Lorenzo Benedetti seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Benedetti throws a looping overhand right but Hlervu ducks down to avoid it.
Benedetti scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Hlervu doesn't seem bothered though.
Hlervu throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Hlervu throws a lazy right hand but Benedetti sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
The fighters circle momentarily. Benedetti darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big left from Hlervu misses.
Benedetti lands a jab to the nose.
Benedetti uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hlervu.
Benedetti staying out of range there.
Benedetti swings widly with a right hand
and Hlervu counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Benedetti scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Hlervu doesn't seem bothered though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
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 Hlervu has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Hlervu and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Hlervu swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hlervu lands a nice hook to Benedetti's body. Benedetti takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Benedetti moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Benedetti lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Benedetti takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Hlervu fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Benedetti manages to avoid it.
Hlervu is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Benedetti.
Benedetti uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hlervu.
Hlervu misses the jab.
Benedetti moves away from the strike by Hlervu.
Benedetti listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Hlervu walks into a left hand.
Benedetti throws a leg kick but Hlervu sees it coming and moves out of range.
Hlervu misses with an uppercut. Benedetti saw that one coming.
Hlervu slips under a jab from Benedetti.
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!
Hlervu misses the shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benedetti cracks Hlervu with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Good shot there by Hlervu.
Hlervu looks to land a left hand but Benedetti moved out of range nicely.
Benedetti throws a leg kick that is checked
and Hlervu counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Benedetti thinking.
Nice straight punches there by Hlervu. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Hlervu.
Hlervu lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Benedetti displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hlervu throws out the jab.
Benedetti lands with a right hand.
Hlervu ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Hlervu connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Hlervu throws out a loose jab but Benedetti uses good head movement to avoid it.
A swing and a miss from Hlervu.
Benedetti keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A nice inside leg kick there by Benedetti. That's going to slow Hlervu down.
Hlervu loads up on a big right hand but Benedetti slips the punch.
Benedetti looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Benedetti pushes Hlervu away with a front kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benedetti slips under a jab.
Benedetti misses with an attempted mid kick.
Hlervu avoids a kick to the body.
Benedetti ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Benedetti moves out of range as Hlervu strikes.
Hlervu showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Benedetti.
Benedetti with the inside leg kick.
A jab from Hlervu misses.
Benedetti swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Hlervu misses with a looping left.
Hlervu missing with a left hand there. Benedetti was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Benedetti throws a body punch but Hlervu moves out of range.
Hlervu on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Hlervu is looking to clinch.
Benedetti throws a lazy body kick
and Benedetti takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Benedetti lands a leg kick that knocks Hlervu off balance momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benedetti is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hlervu.
Benedetti avoids the body shot from Hlervu.
Hlervu waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Benedetti.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Benedetti looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A counter left hand to the body from Hlervu misses its target.
Benedetti uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hlervu.
Benedetti lands a body shot.
Hlervu is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Benedetti slips under a jab.
Hlervu misses the jab.
Benedetti pivots, looking for a leg kick but Hlervu is out of range and Benedetti settles back down.
Hlervu misses with an uppercut. Benedetti saw that one coming.
Hlervu throws a shot from downtown. Benedetti moves away and avoids it.
And Benedetti responds with a good body kick, but Hlervu manages to step out the way in time.
Hlervu throws a lazy right hand but Benedetti sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Benedetti tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
The fighters circling - Hlervu throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Benedetti throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Benedetti tests Hlervu's chin there with a solid looking shot.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Braynas Hlervu will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Hlervu on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Hlervu takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Benedetti tries to land a body kick
and Hlervu counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Hlervu misses with a looping right.
A nice inside leg kick there by Benedetti. That's going to slow Hlervu down.
Braynas Hlervu is winning the standup battle so far.
Benedetti throws an overhand right that lands on Hlervu's shoulder, as Hlervu tries to avoid the shot.
Benedetti connects with a leg kick.
Hlervu throws a body punch but Benedetti moves out of range.
Benedetti with a nice calf kick.
Benedetti shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Hlervu jabbing away but nothing is landing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fighters circling - Benedetti throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hlervu misses with a looping right.
Benedetti with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Benedetti moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
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!
Good exchange - Hlervu coming out on top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benedetti ducks under a wild hook from Hlervu.
Benedetti misses with a straight right.
It looked like Hlervu wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
A big left from Hlervu misses.
Hlervu throws the left hand but Benedetti avoids the punch easily.
A swing and a miss from Hlervu.
The fighters circling - Hlervu throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Benedetti misses with a hook. Hlervu ducked under it nicely.
Benedetti takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Benedetti uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hlervu.
Benedetti uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hlervu.
Hlervu misses the jab.
Benedetti moves out of range as Hlervu strikes.
Benedetti looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Benedetti ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Benedetti connects with the punch.
Hlervu throws a good cross that connects.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hlervu walks into a stiff left hand from Benedetti.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hlervu lands a slapping body shot.
Benedetti 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.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Hlervu crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Benedetti - the referee stops the clock and Hlervu gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Benedetti. Hlervu manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Hlervu misses with an uppercut. Benedetti saw that one coming.
Nice defenses there by Benedetti.
Hlervu scores with the left hand. Benedetti knows he should have avoided that one.
A big left from Benedetti misses.
Benedetti swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hlervu moves out of range of the strikes.
Benedetti swings away with a body shot that misses
and Hlervu counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Hlervu misses with a straight left.
Benedetti walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Hlervu checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Hlervu swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Hlervu throws the left hand but Benedetti avoids the punch easily.
Benedetti lands a right hook to the body.
Hlervu slips a straight right by Benedetti.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hlervu throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Benedetti lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Hlervu on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Benedetti displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hlervu throws out the jab.
Benedetti connects with a body shot.
Hlervu 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 lands a head kick. Hlervu smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Benedetti throws a nice head kick!
Benedetti loads up on a big right hand but Hlervu slips the punch.
The fighters circling - Hlervu throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Benedetti misses with a wild body shot.
Hlervu scores with a shot to the body.
Hlervu is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Benedetti.
Benedetti keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hlervu throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Benedetti scores with a body shot.
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!
Benedetti throws a nice outside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benedetti avoids the body shot from Hlervu.
Benedetti fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Hlervu checks it well.
Hlervu lands a head shot.
Benedetti misses with a looping right.
Benedetti moves out of range of the strikes.
Benedetti walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Benedetti throws a hook but Hlervu blocks it.
Benedetti scores with a nice body kick.
Hlervu misses with a looping right.
Hlervu tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Benedetti was well out of range. Poor timing from Hlervu.
Hlervu throws a jab when Benedetti was well out of range.
Benedetti swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hlervu steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Benedetti.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Benedetti on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Benedetti keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Lorenzo Benedetti will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Hlervu's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Hlervu throws a jab but it's blocked by Benedetti.
Hlervu throws a looping overhand right but Benedetti ducks down to avoid it.
Hlervu waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Benedetti.
Hlervu is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Hlervu throws a big shot that misses.
Benedetti lands with a thumping leg kick.
Good leg kick by Benedetti.
Hlervu connects with a body shot that sends Benedetti's belly button to the back.
Benedetti bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Hlervu lands a jab to the head.
Benedetti catches Hlervu with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Benedetti getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Hlervu misses with a left hand
and Benedetti counters with a three punch combo that has Hlervu backing up. Hlervu nods at Benedetti to acknowledge the strikes.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Benedetti throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Hlervu scores with a decent looking hook.
Hlervu checks a leg kick.
Benedetti misses with a straight right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benedetti throws a low kick but it's checked well by Hlervu.
Hlervu misses the shot to the body.
Benedetti displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hlervu throws out the jab.
Hlervu misses with a hook. Benedetti ducked under it nicely.
Hlervu swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Benedetti throws a leg kick but Hlervu moved away.
Donk. Benedetti catches Hlervu right on the button with a cross.
A low kick lands for Benedetti.
Benedetti fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Hlervu tries to clinch but Benedetti moves out of range.
Benedetti swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Benedetti lands a two punch combo.
Benedetti uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hlervu.
Benedetti tries a low kick but Hlervu avoids it.
Hlervu throwing a counter right hand but Benedetti manages to avoid it.
Hlervu jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Hlervu throws the left hand but Benedetti avoids the punch easily.
Benedetti thumps Hlervu with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hlervu moves out of range of the strikes.
Benedetti moves away from the strike by Hlervu.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Good leg kick by Benedetti.
Benedetti throws a leg kick but Hlervu checks it.
Hlervu misses with a looping right.
Benedetti throws a body shot but no joy.
Hlervu tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Benedetti scores with a head kick.
Hlervu 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.
Benedetti defending well as Hlervu loads up on a big left hand.
Benedetti moves into range and connects with a jab.
Hlervu swings widly with a right hand
and Benedetti counters with an outside leg kick.
A big left from Benedetti misses.
Hlervu takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Benedetti keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hlervu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hlervu gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Benedetti.
Benedetti blocks a jab.
Benedetti throws a push kick but Hlervu slaps the foot to one side.
Benedetti ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Benedetti throws out a counter right but Hlervu avoids it with no problem.
Benedetti scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Hlervu doesn't seem bothered though.
A low kick lands for Benedetti.
Hlervu swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Benedetti throws a body punch but Hlervu moves out of range.
Hlervu defending well as Benedetti loads up on a big left hand.
Hlervu needs to keep his hands up - Benedetti had a free shot at his head there.
Benedetti attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Hlervu with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Benedetti keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Benedetti misses with a looping right.
Hlervu swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Benedetti misses.
Benedetti throws a chopping leg kick but Hlervu manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Hlervu throwing a counter right hand but Benedetti manages to avoid it.
Hlervu moves out of range as Benedetti throws a body kick.
Benedetti thumps Hlervu with a low kick.
Hlervu misses with an uppercut
and Benedetti counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A looping hook to the body misses from Benedetti. Hlervu does a little dance to reset his feet.
A slow jab from Hlervu misses its intended target.
Benedetti ducks under a wild hook from Hlervu.
Benedetti fakes the leg kick and cracks Hlervu in the body.
A nice leg kick from Benedetti, right into the meat of the thigh.
Hlervu displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Benedetti throws out the jab.
Hlervu misses with a looping right.
Hlervu tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Hlervu misses with a straight left.
A telegraphed right hand from Benedetti misses the target.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lorenzo Benedetti comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Benedetti 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 28:29
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lorenzo Benedetti!
Lorenzo Benedetti seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.