PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Matthieu Benoit (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Liam Minard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Minard has chosen Walk as his entrance music. Matthieu Benoit could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Liam Minard's chin.

Benoit
vs
Minard

185 cm
29
196 lbs
21 - 10 - 2

183 cm
28
215 lbs
21 - 10 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

SPARTA FIGHTWARE-GTI

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 10 - 2, fighting out of New York, Matthieu Benoit!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 10 - 0, fighting out of New York, Liam Minard!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Chad Campbell and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Minard misses with an uppercut.
Benoit shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Minard as he jumps to the side.
Benoit ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Benoit throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Minard sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Benoit fails to land with a series of punches.
Minard throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Good leg kick by Minard there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Minard misses with an uppercut.
Minard tries to work over Benoit's front leg with a kick but Benoit checks it.
Minard misses with an uppercut
and Benoit counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Benoit lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Minard finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Minard throws a low kick but Benoit avoids it.
Good shot there by Benoit.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Minard comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

Benoit gets caught flat footed, as Minard shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Benoit utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Benoit trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Benoit avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Benoit is controlling Minard's posture.
Benoit 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.
Benoit's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Benoit manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Minard manages to get himself to full guard.
Minard wants to improve his position but instead Benoit has moved into half guard.
Minard pushes Benoit off looking to stand but Benoit dives back in and keeps control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benoit looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Minard is controlling Benoit's trapped leg to prevent Benoit from advancing to side control.

Minard looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Minard is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Minard has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Benoit is working away from the top position though.

Minard looking for submissions off his back.
Benoit prevents Minard from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Minard actively working from the bottom here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The fighters are battling for position here. Minard manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Benoit works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Benoit is looking to take a break and control but Minard is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Minard wants to control but Benoit passes into side.
Minard is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Benoit off and has taken his back!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Minard lands with a hammerfist to the side of Benoit's head.
Minard doesn't have the hooks in and Benoit manages to turn into his guard.
Minard trying to control the position here.
Benoit with a flurry of punches that miss.
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!
Benoit is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Benoit wants to control from the top but Minard keeps moving.
Minard trying to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Liam Minard dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A left lands for Benoit.
A jab lands there for Benoit.
Liam Minard seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Minard fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Benoit enables Minard to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Benoit manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Minard pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Benoit is keeping the position for now.
Benoit tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Benoit working a defensive guard here.
Minard trying to control but Benoit is working from the bottom.
Minard showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Liam Minard has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Benoit lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Benoit just misses with a punch to the body.
Minard shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Benoit ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Benoit tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Benoit.
Minard missing with a left hand there. Benoit was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Benoit throws a leg kick which misses Minard's front leg but catches the back leg as Minard tries to avoid it.
Minard looks to land a left hand but Benoit moved out of range nicely.
Minard stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Benoit.
Benoit lands with a thumping leg kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Benoit moves out of range of the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Minard takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Benoit lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Benoit ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Benoit wants to land a leg kick but Minard is out of range.

Benoit shoots in and bounces Minard off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Minard trying to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Minard wants to sweep here but Benoit controlling him for the moment.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Minard wants to improve his position but instead Benoit has moved into half guard.
Benoit trying to control from half guard but Minard is working away.
Minard trying to control but Benoit postures up.
Minard pushes Benoit off looking to stand but Benoit dives back in and keeps control.
Minard is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Minard wants to control but Benoit is keeping busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Liam Minard wasn't active enough on the ground.
Benoit throws a leg kick but Minard checks it.
Benoit scores with a decent looking hook.
Minard throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Benoit counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Benoit looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Benoit displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Minard.
Benoit looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Matthieu Benoit is winning the standup battle so far.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Benoit turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Benoit throws a series of punches but Minard avoids them all with ease.
Minard misses the jab.
Benoit checks a leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matthieu Benoit dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Minard shoots for a takedown but Benoit saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Benoit throws a leg kick but Minard sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Minard misses with a straight right.
Benoit ducks under a wild hook from Minard.
Minard with a hook.
Benoit throws a lazy right hand but Minard sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Minard throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Minard.
Minard fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Benoit is out of range.
Minard misses with a looping right.
A swing and a miss from Minard.
Benoit throws an overhand right that lands on Minard's shoulder, as Minard tries to avoid the shot.
Minard throws a jab but it's blocked by Benoit.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Minard doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Benoit counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Matthieu Benoit has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Liam Minard.
Minard takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Minard throws a leg kick but Benoit moved away.
Benoit throws a good cross that connects.
Minard fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Benoit manages to avoid it.
Minard is trying hard to land a takedown here. Benoit sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Minard throws a leg kick
and Benoit counters with a stiff right hand.
Benoit lands with a thumping leg kick.
Minard throws a body punch but Benoit moves out of range.
Minard throws a sloppy head kick
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Benoit lands a slapping body shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Some wild striking there from Benoit.
Benoit misses with a series of wild punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benoit jabs at Minard's body.
Benoit lands a body shot.
Benoit throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Minard's waist but Minard gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Benoit off to one side.

Benoit drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Benoit slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Benoit wants to lay and pray for a moment but Minard keeps working.
Minard is looking to get back to his feet here but Benoit is keeping cool and he's managed to take Minard's back.
Benoit is looking to finish with some ground and pound!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benoit lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns Minard.
Minard tries to roll but Benoit sticks to his back.
Minard rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Benoit is trying to control. Minard wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Minard looking for submissions off his back.

Benoit in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Minard tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Benoit!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Matthieu Benoit!
Matthieu Benoit retains his light heavyweight title!
A very excited looking Matthieu Benoit made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.