PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jack Kerns (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matthieu Benoit (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kerns comes to the cage accompanied by Johnny Cash - Hurt. 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?

Kerns
vs
Benoit

187 cm
31
197 lbs
23 - 7 - 0

185 cm
27
193 lbs
15 - 9 - 2

Good wrestling
World class MT
Granite chin

ADCC Champion
World class boxer
Good gas tank

BioPharm Nutrition
Malicious Intent Fight Gear

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 23 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jack Kerns!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 9 - 2, fighting out of New York, Matthieu Benoit!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Lou da Vinci and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kerns moves in looking to clinch but Benoit pushes him off.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kerns.
Benoit scores with a jab to the body.

Kerns clinches up against the cage.
Benoit managing to block the knees to the body from Kerns.
A hook to the body from Benoit.
Benoit missing with knees to the body.

Benoit breaks from the clinch.
Kerns throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Benoit.
Kerns tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Benoit was well out of range. Poor timing from Kerns.
A slow jab from Benoit misses its intended target.
A punch lands to the side of Benoit 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Kerns chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Benoit can pounce on him.
Kerns misses with the combination.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kerns lands a slapping body shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Benoit misses the target.
Jack Kerns seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Benoit closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benoit is looking to advance position but Kerns won't allow it.
Kerns is looking for a sweep. Benoit is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Benoit with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Benoit seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kerns does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Ground and pound from Benoit.
Benoit sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Benoit wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kerns keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kerns gets back to full guard.
Benoit trying to control but Kerns is working from the bottom.
Benoit slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Matthieu Benoit.
Kerns throws a right and a left that both miss.
Benoit keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Benoit ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kerns keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Benoit tries to land a leg kick but Kerns saw it coming and moves away.
Kerns misses with a low kick.
Jack Kerns is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kerns throws a hook to the side of Benoit's head but Benoit sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kerns misses with the combination.
Kerns throws a front kick aimed at Benoit's knee but Benoit avoids it well.
Kerns doesn't manage to clinch there - Benoit circles away.
Benoit throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Benoit throws a nice inside leg kick.
Kerns looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

Benoit moves into the clinch.
Benoit goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Benoit drags the fight down to the ground.
Benoit wants to sweep but no luck.
Kerns trying to control but Benoit is working from the bottom.
Benoit pulls Kerns in close to his closed guard and prevents Kerns from doing any damage or advancing position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kerns trying to control the position from guard on top but Benoit is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kerns won't allow Benoit to sweep him here.

We're going to have a standup here because Jack Kerns wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Benoit fails with a takedown attempt.
Danga de danga de dang - Benoit scores with a four punch combination!
Kerns with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Benoit checks a low kick from Kerns.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Benoit keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kerns.
Nice jab there from Kerns.
Kerns throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matthieu Benoit 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.

Kerns throws a body punch but Benoit moves out of range.
Benoit uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kerns.
Benoit scores with a push kick.
Benoit lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Kerns drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Kerns avoids the body shot from Benoit.
Kerns tries to clinch but Benoit is having none of it.
Benoit with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Kerns to score with a decent uppercut.
Kerns misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Benoit counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Kerns on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Benoit looks to land a body kick but Kerns moved away.
Kerns moves out of range as Benoit throws a body kick.
Kerns throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Benoit throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Kerns misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kerns throws a hook but Benoit blocks it.
Benoit throws a jab but it's blocked by Kerns.

Benoit tries to keep at a distance but Kerns has taken the fight into the clinch.
Nice body punch from Benoit.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kerns misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kerns misses with some punches.
Benoit lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Kerns.
Kerns using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Benoit has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Benoit breaks the clinch.
Benoit's corner calls for a 1-2. Benoit obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Benoit thows a body shot but no joy.
Kerns takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kerns throws a lazy head kick
and Benoit counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Kerns thinking.
Benoit throws a leg kick but Kerns sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Benoit swinging wildly here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kerns throws a nice looking combination but Benoit bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Benoit throws a right and a left that Kerns avoids nicely.
A big right from Kerns misses.

Benoit moves into the clinch.
Kerns with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Kerns lands a knee to the body.
Kerns misses with a knee to the head.

Benoit manages to pull guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Benoit is trying to keep Kerns in close.
Benoit looking for a sweep. Not yet Benoit, not yet.
Benoit looking to control.
Benoit is pulling down on Kerns's head to control his posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Matthieu Benoit has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Kerns tries to clinch but Benoit is having none of it.
Matthieu Benoit seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kerns takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Kerns takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Benoit throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kerns throws a big shot that misses.
Kerns misses with a leg kick.
Benoit is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Kerns rather than just go for the knockout.
Kerns closes the distance but Benoit moves to the side
enabling Benoit to counter with a crisp jab.
Kerns throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Kerns looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Benoit sizes up Kerns with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Benoit throws a half hearted mid kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kerns feints a jab promting Benoit to slip. Kerns then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Benoit slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Benoit lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
A slapping body kick lands there for Benoit.
Benoit scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
A looping hook to the body misses from Benoit. Kerns does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kerns wants to clinch up but Benoit keeps it at a distance.
Kerns tries to clinch but Benoit moves away
and Benoit counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Benoit scores with a jab to the body.
Benoit cracks Kerns with a right hand to the side of the head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kerns throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kerns drops his hands momentarily and Benoit takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
A looping hook to the body misses from Benoit. Kerns does a little dance to reset his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matthieu Benoit showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

A looping hook to the body misses from Benoit. Kerns does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kerns takes a swing at Benoit's ribcage but misses.
Kerns swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Kerns is looking to clinch.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Kerns 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 Benoit has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Benoit and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Benoit lands with a nice body punch.
Benoit looks to throw the jab but Kerns is out of range.

Kerns clinches.
Benoit effectively controlling the action here.
Benoit tries to stall but Kerns uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Kerns tries to land a knee to the head but Benoit blocks with his arms.
Benoit can't find room to land a body shot as Kerns controls the action.
Kerns fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kerns prevents a body shot from Benoit.
Benoit blocking some punches.
Benoit blocks a body shot from Kerns.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benoit taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Benoit avoiding damage as Kerns throws knees to the body.
Benoit is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Kerns pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Benoit goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kerns tries to land a knee to the head but Benoit blocks with his arms.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kerns misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Benoit.
A right hand to the body from Benoit.
Benoit tries to work over Kerns's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Benoit cracks Kerns with a nice body shot.
Benoit is looking to control Kerns's arms but Kerns gets an underhook and turns him. Now Benoit has his back to the cage.
Benoit tries to work over Kerns's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kerns goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A short uppercut from Benoit.
Benoit lands a nice uppercut.
Benoit is trying to maintain a safe position but Kerns gets an underhook and turns Benoit into the cage.

Benoit escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Benoit throws a jab when Kerns was well out of range.
Kerns tries to close the distance and clinch up but Benoit swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kerns just misses with a punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benoit jabs Kerns to the body, keeping him at a distance.
No joy there for Benoit, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A bone on bone clash there as Benoit blocks the leg kick.

Benoit clinches with his opponent.
A left hand lands to the body for Benoit.
Benoit fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Benoit lands a body shot.
A right hand to the body from Benoit.
Benoit lands with a right to the head.
Benoit throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Benoit blocks an elbow strike from Kerns.
Kerns is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Benoit is defending well for now.
Benoit is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Kerns is keeping busy.

Benoit jumps guard and drags Kerns to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Jack Kerns has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Benoit looking for a sweep. Not yet Benoit, not yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benoit working a defensive guard here.
Benoit lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Kerns!
Benoit wants to control the pace but Kerns is squirming around nicely.
Kerns is in a horrible position here. Benoit smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Benoit looking to control and managing it successfully.
Matthieu Benoit is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benoit lands a nice shot to the head.
Benoit content just to control the position here.
Benoit has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kerns is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kerns is working hard here to advance position.
Benoit can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Kerns is looking to escape.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matthieu Benoit comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Benoit 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 Dean Styles scores the fight 27:30
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 27:30
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matthieu Benoit!
Matthieu Benoit decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.