PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between José Nabijos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matthieu Benoit (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nabijos's entrance music is IF I DIE TONIGHT. A fine choice. 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?

Nabijos
vs
Benoit

187 cm
30
213 lbs
29 - 6 - 1

185 cm
32
198 lbs
30 - 13 - 2

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

ADCC Champion
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Conviction
Convicted Trap House

Al's Supplements - 160 Q for $150

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 29 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, José Nabijos!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 30 - 13 - 2, fighting out of New York, Matthieu Benoit!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Colin Fray and Roger Salmon.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Benoit avoids the head kick by Nabijos.
Benoit lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Nabijos at a distance.

Benoit closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Benoit in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Nabijos takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Benoit lands some shots froms side control.
Nabijos sneaks back into half guard.
Nabijos wants to get back to full guard.
Nabijos is not content to let Benoit control the position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Benoit drops an elbow to the side of Nabijos's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benoit wants to advance to full mount but Nabijos doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Nabijos keeping moving, preventing Benoit from controlling successfully.
Nabijos working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Benoit.
Benoit throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Benoit works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Benoit is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benoit wants to pass the guard but Nabijos is defending well.
Benoit works his way into full mount!
Nabijos takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Benoit throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Nabijos because Benoit loaded up on that one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benoit looking to ground and pound but Nabijos is blocking nicely.
Benoit throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Benoit scores with a couple of good head shots there.

Benoit goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Nabijos is on top in guard.
Nabijos looking to pass the guard.
Nabijos trying to control but Benoit is working from the bottom.
Benoit looking for a sweep. Not yet Benoit, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nabijos is stalling in the full guard.
Nabijos pushes down on Benoit's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Benoit trying to control but Nabijos postures up.
Benoit has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Nabijos sitting and controlling from the half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Benoit trying to control here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Benoit tries to roll over but Nabijos keeps him under control.
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.

Benoit blocks the body kick.
Benoit catches Nabijos with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Benoit blocks a leg kick.
Benoit has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

It looks like Matthieu Benoit has been cut.
Matthieu Benoit seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A telegraphed right hand from Benoit misses the target.
Nabijos swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Nabijos tries a low kick but Benoit avoids it.
Benoit lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Benoit throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Benoit. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Nabijos throws a lazy body kick
and Benoit counters with a straight right hand.
Benoit throws a wild body kick that Nabijos sees coming a mile off.
Benoit stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Nabijos.

Benoit tries to keep at a distance but Nabijos has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nabijos scores with a hook to the body.
A short right from Nabijos.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Nabijos.
A left hand lands to the body for Benoit.
Benoit wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Nabijos has him pressed against the cage.
Nabijos lands a body shot in the clinch.
Nabijos swings wildly with an uppercut but Benoit uses good head movement to avoid it.
Benoit works on Nabijos's body with a couple of short punches.
Nabijos misses with a body punch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Benoit is looking to control Nabijos's arms but Nabijos gets an underhook and turns him. Now Benoit has his back to the cage.
Nabijos lands a nice shot to the body.
Nabijos softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Nabijos pushes off an throws an elbow but Benoit leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Benoit takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Nabijos content to slow the pace in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benoit has Nabijos pushed against the cage.
Nabijos stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Benoit is breathing heavily.
Nabijos misses with a punch to the body.
Nabijos doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Nabijos tries to land a knee to the head but Benoit blocks with his arms.
Nabijos throws a head punch that misses.
Nabijos wants to stall.
Nabijos can't find room to land a body shot as Benoit controls the action.
Nabijos throws a punch but it's blocked by Benoit.
Nabijos throws a punch but it's blocked by Benoit.
Nabijos lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Nabijos pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Benoit blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benoit has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Nabijos after a bit of a struggle.
Nabijos scores with a shot to the side of Benoit's head.
Nabijos tries to throw a body punch but Benoit avoids it by throwing Nabijos back against the cage.
Benoit swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Nabijos struggles to land a body shot inside as Benoit controls his hands.
Benoit lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Benoit blocking some punches.

Benoit breaks from the clinch.
Benoit shoots in for a takedown but Nabijos shows good takedown defense.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Benoit.
José Nabijos has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matthieu Benoit.
Nabijos throws a head kick that misses.
Benoit explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
José Nabijos is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Benoit fails to land the takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benoit tries for a takedown but Nabijos sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Nabijos fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Benoit manages to avoid it.
Nabijos misses with a wild body shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nabijos does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Benoit misses with a straight left.
Benoit moves out of range of the body kick from Nabijos.
Benoit listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Benoit shoots in but no luck this time.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nabijos lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
José Nabijos is winning the standup battle so far.
Nabijos turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Benoit takes a swing at Nabijos's ribcage but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

José Nabijos dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Matthieu Benoit's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Nabijos tries a head kick but it misses.
Nabijos tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Benoit lands with a shot to the body.
A clash of legs there as Nabijos blocks the low kick.
Nabijos throws a jab when Benoit was well out of range.
Benoit checks a low kick from Nabijos.
Benoit fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Benoit throws the left hand but Nabijos avoids the punch easily.
Nabijos stuffs the takedown attempt from Benoit. Benoit gets slowly back to his feet.
Nabijos misses with a lunging right hand

and Benoit decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Nabijos's guard.
Benoit trying to control the position from guard on top but Nabijos is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Benoit loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benoit is looking to work some ground and pound but Nabijos has wrist control.
Benoit postures up in Nabijos's guard and throws a big left but Nabijos blocks it.
Benoit throwing strikes from guard but Nabijos blocks nicely.
Nabijos not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Benoit throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Benoit trying to control the position from guard on top but Nabijos is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benoit distracts Nabijos with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Benoit throwing strikes from guard but Nabijos blocks nicely.
Benoit trying to control but Nabijos is working from the bottom.
Benoit not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Nabijos works the jab nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nabijos connects with a high kick.
Benoit tries a head kick but it misses.
Nabijos tries to land a leg kick but Benoit saw it coming and moves away.
Nabijos tries to clinch
enabling Benoit to counter with a crisp jab.
Nabijos looks for the body kick but Benoit saw that one coming.
Good leg kick by Benoit there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Nabijos tries to bum rush Benoit with a series of wild strikes but Benoit uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Nabijos lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

Benoit shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Benoit showed some decent athleticism there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Benoit trying to control the action but Nabijos is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Benoit is actively looking for submissions here but good counter grappling here from Nabijos as he works his way to full guard.
Nabijos preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nabijos is pulling down on Benoit's head. It's preventing any offense from Benoit, at least for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matthieu Benoit really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Matthieu Benoit's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Nabijos avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A big left from Nabijos misses.
Nabijos lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Benoit backs up against the cage.
Nabijos blocks the body kick.
Nabijos attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Benoit is trying hard to land a takedown here. Nabijos sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Benoit throws a jab but it's blocked by Nabijos.
Nabijos pivots, looking for a leg kick but Benoit is out of range and Nabijos settles back down.
Nice straight punches there by Nabijos. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Nabijos.
Nabijos displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Benoit throws out the jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Nabijos, as that shot connected.

That has opened up Matthieu Benoit's cut even more.
Benoit fakes the leg kick and cracks Nabijos in the body.
Benoit connects with a nice looking jab.
Nabijos cracks Benoit with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Benoit cracks Nabijos with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Benoit takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Benoit finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Nice sprawl there from Nabijos as Benoit shoots in.
Benoit shoots in looking for a takedown but Nabijos manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Benoit's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
José Nabijos has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matthieu Benoit.
Benoit is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Benoit displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Nabijos throws out the jab.
Nice defenses there by Benoit.
A lazy body kick from Nabijos
and Benoit counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nabijos misses with a kick to the body.
Benoit takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Benoit shoots in for a takedown but Nabijos shows good takedown defense.
Benoit uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Nabijos.
Nabijos fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Benoit manages to avoid it.
Benoit throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Nabijos.
Nabijos throws the kick towards the body but Benoit avoids it.
Nabijos keeps Benoit at a distance using the push kick.
Nabijos throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Nabijos keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nabijos shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Benoit eats them both and turns towards Nabijos to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Nabijos takes a swing at Benoit's ribcage but misses.
Nabijos scores with a push kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Nabijos.
Nabijos's corner calls for a 1-2. Nabijos obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Nabijos misses with an attempted mid kick.
Nabijos is looking to land body kicks.
Nabijos looking to land some kicks to the body here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nabijos throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Benoit takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Nabijos bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nabijos delivers a nice body kick.
Nabijos feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Benoit's calf.
Nabijos lands with a shot to the body.
Benoit misses with a leg kick
and Nabijos counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Benoit walks forward, straight into a front kick from Nabijos.
Benoit dives in and grabs Nabijos's left leg, looking for a takedown. Nabijos pushes down on Benoit's head and hops out.
Nabijos throws a series of punches but Benoit moves out of range.
Benoit on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Nabijos. Nabijos obviously looking to wear him down.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nabijos pushes Benoit away with a front kick.
Benoit shoots in but Nabijos avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Nabijos stuns Benoit with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

José Nabijos had his way with Matthieu Benoit in that round.
The cut man is working on Matthieu Benoit's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Nabijos scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

Benoit shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Nabijos napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Nabijos regains half guard, as Benoit was trying to land strikes.
Benoit not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Benoit is trying to control. Nabijos wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Nabijos blocking the ground and pound attempt from Benoit.
Benoit working over Nabijos with some ground and pound. Nabijos looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benoit sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Nabijos defending well though.
Benoit looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Benoit wants to free his trapped foot but Nabijos is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Benoit throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benoit misses with a head shot. Nabijos uses the momentum to regain guard.
Benoit being controlled here momentarily.
Benoit trying to control but Nabijos is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nabijos preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Nabijos avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Nabijos uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Nabijos scores with a kick to the midsection.
Benoit throws an off balance right hand
and Nabijos counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Benoit takes a swing at Nabijos's ribcage but misses.
Nabijos throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A solid leg kick lands there for Nabijos.
Benoit throws an overhand right that lands on Nabijos's shoulder, as Nabijos tries to avoid the shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Benoit feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nabijos is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Benoit loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Benoit accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Benoit is looking to work some ground and pound but Nabijos has wrist control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Benoit pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Nabijos is keeping the position for now.
Benoit is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matthieu Benoit comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Benoit has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Chris Saunders scores the fight 47:48
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 47:48
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matthieu Benoit!
Matthieu Benoit is the new light heavyweight champion!
A very excited looking Matthieu Benoit rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.