PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Issac Benton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Smash Stratton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Smash Stratton was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Benton
vs
Stratton

157 cm
22
278 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

215 cm
23
249 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Issac Benton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Smash Stratton!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Skip Squint and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Stratton scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Benton actively working from the bottom here.
Benton might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Benton gets full guard.

Benton looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Stratton wants to stand but Benton is controlling his posture from full guard.
Benton is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Stratton is controlling him.
Benton really is a fat lump.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stratton slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Benton working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Stratton doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Stratton manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Benton keeping full guard, as Stratton tries to pass.

Stratton gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Stratton is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Benton feints and as Stratton raises his hands in defense, Benton changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stratton is trying to control the position from the bottom.

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

Stratton tries to free his leg and advance position but Benton is retaining full guard.

Benton pushes Stratton off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

Benton shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Benton seems to be looking for submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benton prevents Stratton from improving his position.

Benton escapes and gets back to his feet.

Stratton looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Stratton looks winded!
Benton has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Stratton is working away from the top position though.
Stratton wants to lay and pray for a moment but Benton keeps working.

Benton manages to escape and get back to his feet!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Benton gets caught flat footed, as Stratton shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Benton trying to control the position here.
Benton is trying to keep Stratton in close.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Stratton got a little sloppy there for a moment and Benton has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Stratton has managed to get both his arms back between Benton's legs - danger averted.
Stratton is fighting to break Benton's control of his arms but Benton is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
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 Issac Benton will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Stratton closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Benton is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Benton is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Stratton stops Benton from getting back to his feet.

Benton looking for submissions off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Benton looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Benton wants to improve his position but Stratton is controlling well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stratton is keen to just control but Benton is a slippery customer.
Benton avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Stratton.
Benton tries to roll over but Stratton keeps him under control.
Benton pushes Stratton off looking to stand but Stratton dives back in and keeps control.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Stratton bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Smash Stratton has got the better of the ground game so far.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Stratton is looking to take a break and control but Benton is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Stratton stands up.

Benton has managed to clinch.
Benton tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Stratton just stands there and leans against the cage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Benton tries to pull guard but Stratton won't allow it.
Stratton lands a knee to the body.

Stratton breaks the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stratton moves into the clinch.

Benton jumps into guard, dragging Stratton to the mat.

Stratton decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Benton, up you get!

Stratton drives through with a takedown into guard.
Stratton lands a couple of digs.
Stratton trying to control but Benton is working from the bottom.

Benton working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Stratton has passed into half guard!
Stratton has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Stratton tries to stand but can't do so whilst Benton controls his leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benton gets full guard.
Stratton passes Benton's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Stratton trying to control the action but Benton is working from the bottom.

Stratton seems to be working for a kimura but Benton defends the submission attempt.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Benton wants to control but Stratton is keeping busy and won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Smash Stratton showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Stratton gets a double leg takedown into Benton's guard.
Benton controls Stratton momentarily but Stratton frees himself.
Stratton stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Benton swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stratton 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.
Benton doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Stratton takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Benton wriggles free and stands up.

Stratton is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Benton's half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Benton looking for submissions off his back.
Stratton looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Stratton with the ground and pound but Benton uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Stratton must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Stratton won't allow Benton to get back to his feet.

Benton is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Benton has his foot on Stratton's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Stratton works his way back into a safe position though.

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.

Benton working for a triangle but Stratton defends it easily.

Benton has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Stratton can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Stratton stands up over Benton, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stratton controlling from the top position.
Stratton wants to control from the top but Benton keeps moving.

Benton is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Stratton defends well.
Benton keeping moving, preventing Stratton from controlling successfully.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Stratton feints and as Benton raises his hands in defense, Stratton changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Benton throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Stratton wants to control from the top but Benton keeps moving.
Stratton not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Stratton got a little sloppy there for a moment and Benton has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Stratton has managed to get both his arms back between Benton's legs - danger averted.

And that's the end of the fight!
Smash Stratton comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Stratton 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 Winston Howard scores the fight 28:29
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 28:29
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Smash Stratton!