PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Wallid Ismail (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Putra Benjy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Wallid Ismail has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Ismail
vs
Benjy

170 cm
22
182 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

185 cm
23
190 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Intelligent

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Enjoys gardening

[MMABR]: TechNutri - Ensuring the quality

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Wallid Ismail!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Putra Benjy!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Emerson Jorge and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Ismail.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ismail throws a strike aimed at the side of Benjy's head but Benjy avoids it well.

Ismail tries for a kimura but Benjy is defending well.
Ismail has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Benjy tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Ismail wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Ismail tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Ismail goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Benjy has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Ismail but great work by Benjy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benjy moves into full mount!

Benjy moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Ismail has worked his arm free - good work by Ismail!
Ismail is looking to reverse the position.

Benjy thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Benjy tries to advance to mount but Ismail instead regains half guard.

Benjy seems to be working for a kimura but Ismail defends the submission attempt.
Benjy looks gassed!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Benjy is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Ismail has managed to free his arm - good work.
Ismail is trying to control but can't.
Ismail missing with punches from the bottom.
Ismail wants to get back to full guard.
Ismail moves into full guard.

Ismail is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Benjy defends well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ismail controls Benjy momentarily but Benjy frees himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ismail keeping full guard, as Benjy tries to pass.

Ismail has his foot on Benjy's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Benjy works his way back into a safe position though.
Benjy stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ismail swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Benjy passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Benjy swings around for an armbar but Ismail sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Benjy's guard.
Ismail might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Benjy working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ismail.

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.

Ismail has gone for a leg lock! Benjy slips out almost immediately though and dives into Ismail's guard.
Benjyis looking to pass into half guard but Ismail pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Ismail is in guard.
Ismail loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Benjy wants to sweep but no luck.
Ismail slips nicely into half guard.

Ismail seems to be looking for submissions.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wallid Ismail dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Ismail waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Benjy.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.

Ismail is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Benjy's half guard.
Benjy avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Ismail.
Ismail looks to land a strike but Benjy avoids it nicely and regains full guard.

Ismail drops back, looking for a kneebar! Benjy looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Benjy looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Benjy!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Benjy tries for a kimura but Ismail is defending well.
Benjy is breathing heavily.

Benjy working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Ismail gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Ismail is trying to control but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Benjy wants to pass the guard but Ismail is defending well.

Benjy is trying to work for a kimura but Ismail is defending well.

Ismail actively working from the bottom here.
Ismail moves into full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Benjy is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Ismail is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Ismail has escaped and now he's on top!

Ismail drops back looking for a leg! Benjy is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Benjy manages to kick Ismail off! Ismail jumps back into Benjy's guard.
Ismail tries to free his leg and advance position but Benjy is retaining full guard.

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.

Ismail has gone for a leg lock! Benjy slips out almost immediately though and dives into Ismail's guard.

Ismail is looking for a triangle but Benjy pushes his legs off easily.
Benjy trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Benjy is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ismail is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wallid Ismail dominated that second round.
That's time! Ismail's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Benjy gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Ismail counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Benjy's guard now.
Ismail 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.
Benjy keeping moving, preventing Ismail from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benjy looking for a sweep. Not yet Benjy, not yet.
Benjy takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Benjy has a closed guard, preventing Ismail from standing up.
Ismail wants to control from the top but Benjy keeps moving.

Ismail postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Benjy is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Ismail, into his guard.

That's two 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.
Ismail keeping full guard, as Benjy tries to pass.
Benjy advances to half guard.

Benjy is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Ismail has managed to free his arm - good work.
Ismail punching from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ismail wants to control but Benjy is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Benjy is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Ismail doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Benjy.
Ismail trying to hold on to Benjy's head to control him but Benjy postures up.

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

Ismail closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ismail misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Ismail wants to control but Benjy is keeping him busy.

Ismail tries for a kimura but Benjy is defending well.

Ismail tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Ismail is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Benjy knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wallid Ismail clearly takes that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Benjy bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Benjy is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Benjy avoids the strikes from the bottom by Ismail.

Benjy goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Ismail has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Benjy but great work by Ismail.
Wallid Ismail overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ismail lands a decent elbow from side control.
Ismail working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Check out the look on Ismail's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!

Ismail tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Ismail working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Ismail working the ground and pound but Benjy is defending the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ismail tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Ismail tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Ismail has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ismail thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Benjy controls the position for a moment.
Ismail tries to score with some ground and pound. Benjy controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

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.
Benjy manages to get back to half guard.
Ismail is trying to control. Benjy wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Benjy wants to get back to full guard.

Ismail is working for a submission of some sort.
Benjy is trying to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wallid Ismail had his way with Putra Benjy in that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Ismail fails with the takedown

and Benjy counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Ismail!

Benjy goes for an armbar but Ismail turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Ismail.
Ismail pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Benjy is keeping the position for now.
Ismail postures up in Benjy's guard and throws a big left but Benjy blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benjy keeping moving, preventing Ismail from controlling successfully.
Benjy is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Benjy looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

Ismail drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Ismail jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Ismail looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Ismail lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Benjy keeping moving, preventing Ismail from controlling successfully.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ismail trying to control but Benjy is working from the bottom.

Ismail thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Ismail fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

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.
Benjy shoots and misses

and Ismail counters with a shoot takedown. Benjy fights it but they end up in guard.
Wallid Ismail is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Benjy keeping moving, preventing Ismail from controlling successfully.
Benjy wants to control but Ismail passes easily into half guard.
Ismail is taking a breather. Benjy says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Putra Benjy has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

And that's the end of the fight!
Wallid Ismail showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Ismail, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 50:45
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 50:45
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Wallid Ismail!
Wallid Ismail retains his middleweight title!