PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between James Benoit (ranked 2607 p4p, 2177 weight class) and Matteo Chibaclov (ranked 302 p4p, 257 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Benoit
vs
Chibaclov

186 cm
21
195
4 - 3 - 0

187 cm
28
195
11 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Counter fighter
Determined

Champion Apparel

Shadow Realm Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, James Benoit!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Matteo Chibaclov!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Steve Smith and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Benoit moves out of range as Chibaclov strikes.
Chibaclov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Chibaclov throws a predictable looking body shot

and Benoit counters with a shoot takedown. Chibaclov fights it but they end up in guard.
Benoit stopping the sweep attempt from Chibaclov.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Chibaclov is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Benoit trying to hold on to Chibaclov's head to control him but Chibaclov postures up.

Chibaclov is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chibaclov trying to control from half guard but Benoit is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benoit tries to get to full guard but Chibaclov has control of the leg.
Benoit slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Chibaclov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Chibaclov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Chibaclov passes Benoit's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Chibaclov is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Benoit defends it well.
Chibaclov wants to control but Benoit is keeping him busy.

Chibaclov is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Benoit doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Chibaclov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benoit is looking to control Chibaclov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Benoit avoid being mounted?
Chibaclov trying to mount his opponent but Benoit defends it.
Benoit works his way to full guard. Good work.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Benoit looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Benoit keeping full guard, as Chibaclov tries to pass.
Chibaclov advances position into side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chibaclov working away.
Chibaclov trying to control the position but Benoit is working away.

Chibaclov tries for a kimura but Benoit is defending well.

Chibaclov is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Benoit has escaped the position, nice work there.
Benoit manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chibaclov is not content to let Benoit control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Chibaclov actively working from the bottom here.
Benoit lands with a punch from half guard.
Chibaclov is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Benoit scores with a couple of nice shots.

Benoit has hold of the far side arm. He's working for the Kimura, can Chibaclov defend it? Benoit steps over the head and cranks it - Chibaclov is tapping out! That was textbook stuff right there - nice submission victory for Benoit!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:26 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). James Benoit!