PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ricky Ponting (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tyson Benjamin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Benjamin is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Pastor Troy - It's About To Go Down. 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?

Ponting
vs
Benjamin

170 cm
29
160 lbs
18 - 13 - 0

179 cm
30
156 lbs
16 - 5 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ricky Ponting!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Tyson Benjamin!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Steve Erwin and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ponting throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Benjamin sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Benjamin fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Ponting looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Ponting misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Ponting throws out a powerful jab.
Ponting connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
No luck for Ponting with that takedown attempt.
Ponting throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ponting with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Benjamin misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Ponting motions for Benjamin to come forward. Ponting throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Benjamin uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ponting.

Ponting closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Benjamin did well to prevent Ponting getting side control.
Ponting prevents Benjamin from standing back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ponting takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Ponting sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Benjamin defending well though.
Ponting throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Ponting takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Benjamin manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Benjamin lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Benjamin.
Ponting defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Benjamin.
Benjamin stuffs the takedown attempt from Ponting. Ponting gets slowly back to his feet.

Benjamin manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Ponting on his heels. He'll look to pass Ponting's guard now, I'm sure.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Benjamin is looking to advance position but Ponting has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Ponting avoids the attempt from Benjamin to control.
Ponting lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.

It looks like Tyson Benjamin has been cut.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benjamin tries to hold on but Ponting postures up.
Ponting looking to ground and pound but Benjamin is blocking nicely.
Benjamin tries to reverse the position but Ponting maintains control.
Ponting throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Ponting prevents Benjamin from getting the reversal.
Benjamin holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Ponting tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Benjamin is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Benjamin avoids a series of strikes thrown by Ponting.
Benjamin slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

Benjamin has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Ponting is on him like a limpet, forcing Benjamin back against the cage.
Benjamin tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Benjamin works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

Ponting had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Benjamin defends it easily.
Benjamin trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ponting is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Benjamin wants to pass the guard but Ponting is keeping the position.
Benjamin keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Ponting's head.
Ponting tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Benjamin postures up.
Benjamin throws a big elbow that misses.
Benjamin loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Ponting wants to sweep here but Benjamin controlling him for the moment.
Benjamin scoring with some ground and pound.
Benjamin missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benjamin lands a couple of elbows.
Ponting is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at Thunder Dome that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
Ponting is controlling Benjamin's posture.
Benjamin lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Benjamin trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Ponting manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ponting trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Ponting with a flurry of punches that miss.
Benjamin wants to sweep here but Ponting controlling him for the moment.
Ponting is fighting to break Benjamin's control of his arms but Benjamin is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ponting slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Benjamin wants to get back to his feet but Ponting is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Ricky Ponting will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Tyson Benjamin's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Ponting shoots in for a takedown but Benjamin shows good takedown defense.
Ponting slaps away a takedown attempt from Benjamin, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Ponting looks for a takedown but Benjamin sprawls well.

Benjamin moves into the clinch.
Benjamin misses with a hook to the ribs.
Benjamin lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Benjamin drops down looking for an ankle pick but Ponting pulls his leg out and moves away.
Benjamin shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ponting as he avoids it easily.
Ricky Ponting has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tyson Benjamin.
A combination from Ponting does no damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ponting stuffs the takedown.
Benjamin lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Ponting darts in looking for a takedown but Benjamin gets double underhooks and turns Ponting into the cage.
Ponting is trying to push Benjamin away but Benjamin has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Ponting tries to break the clinch but Benjamin is controlling the position.
Nice body punch from Benjamin.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Ponting is looking for a takedown.
Benjamin tries a body shot but Ponting blocks it.
Benjamin lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Benjamin lands a body punch.
A hook to the body from Benjamin.
Benjamin goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ponting wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Benjamin leaning his opponent against the cage.
Benjamin tries to work over Ponting's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benjamin misses with a body punch.
Ponting tries to break the clinch but Benjamin is controlling the position.
Benjamin will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Ponting up against the cage.
Ponting has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Benjamin is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Benjamin is looking for a takedown.
Ponting tries to break free but Benjamin pushes him back against the cage.

Benjamin breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Benjamin goes for a double leg but Ponting avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Ponting continues to drive forward.
Benjamin lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Ponting.

Benjamin's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Ponting feints and as Benjamin raises his hands in defense, Ponting changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Benjamin manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Ponting manages to get himself to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benjamin working some strikes from top position.

Ponting had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Benjamin defends it easily.
Benjamin landing some decent shots from guard.

Ponting throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Ponting is trying to keep Benjamin in close.
Benjamin looking to pass the guard.
Benjamin throws an elbow that misses. Ponting uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Benjamin's guard. Nice move by Ponting!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benjamin is looking to stand up but Ponting isn't so interested in that idea.
Ponting is looking to advance position but Benjamin has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Benjamin unloads with some shots from mount but Ponting bucks and avoids them well.
Benjamin raining down hammerfists from mount.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ponting is in all sorts of trouble here.
Benjamin raining down hammerfists from mount.
Ponting is bucking up trying to escape but Benjamin cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Benjamin lands a couple of good shots and Ponting has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Benjamin misses with punches from the back.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Benjamin lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
Benjamin lands punches and elbows.
Ponting avoids the strikes from Benjamin.
Benjamin controlling well, preventing Ponting from escaping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tyson Benjamin showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Tyson Benjamin's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Ponting with a poor takedown
and Benjamin counters with a low kick, right behind Ponting 's knee.
Benjamin moves out of range as Ponting strikes.
Benjamin fails with a takedown attempt.
Benjamin fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Benjamin fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Ricky Ponting has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tyson Benjamin.
Benjamin looks for a takedown but Ponting sprawls well.
Benjamin misses with a jab, cross combination.
Ponting throws a lazy uppercut
and Benjamin counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Benjamin wants to clinch up but Ponting keeps it at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Benjamin. Those never looked like landing.
Benjamin tries to clinch but Ponting moves out of range.
Ponting throws a right hand that misses
and Benjamin counters with a right hand to the body.
Benjamin tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ricky Ponting is winning the standup battle so far.
Ponting looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Ponting misses with a few strikes there.
Ponting throws a series of punches but Benjamin moves out of range.
Ponting ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Benjamin moves away.
Benjamin fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Ponting avoids it really well and circles away.
Ponting lands the left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benjamin checks a low kick from Ponting.
Benjamin misses with a takedown attempt
letting Ponting counter with a right hand.
Benjamin throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Benjamin is defended easily by Ponting.
Benjamin uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ponting.
Benjamin wants to clinch up but Ponting keeps it at a distance.
The fight stays on the outside here - Benjamin looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Benjamin has his takedown stuffed
and Ponting counters with a straight right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ponting throws a hook to the side of Benjamin's head but Benjamin sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ponting looks for a takedown but Benjamin sprawls well.
Ponting swinging wildly here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Benjamin tries to clinch up but Ponting circles away and keeps his distance.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Benjamin.
Benjamin shoots in looking for a takedown. Ponting tries to sprawl out of it but Benjamin keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Ponting manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Benjamin moves out of range as Ponting strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ponting throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Benjamin counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Ponting's guard now.
Benjamin has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Benjamin throws an elbow that misses. Ponting uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Benjamin's guard. Nice move by Ponting!
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Ponting's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Ponting throwing strikes but missing.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ponting loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Ponting in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Benjamin is pulling down on Ponting's head. It's preventing any offense from Ponting, at least for the moment.
Benjamin tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Benjamin avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Tyson Benjamin.
I think Benjamin 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tyson Benjamin!
Tyson Benjamin decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.