PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Massimo Benvenuti (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arnavut Sevket (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Arnavut Sevket acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Benvenuti
vs
Sevket

182 cm
28
185 lbs
18 - 4 - 0

182 cm
28
192 lbs
15 - 2 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Spartan Nutrition
GREEN!160

Spartan Nutrition
Sun-Tzu

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Massimo Benvenuti!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Arnavut Sevket!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Andrew Berry and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A shot to the liver by Benvenuti. Beautiful body shot.
We've been told by Benvenuti's head coaches at English Top Team - THE Hybrid Gym (11 ELITE ) that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Sevket throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Benvenuti listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

It looks like Arnavut Sevket has been cut.
Sevket just misses with a punch to the body.
Benvenuti lands a slapping body shot.
Benvenuti wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
A looping hook to the body misses from Benvenuti. Sevket does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sevket throws a hook but Benvenuti blocks it.
Benvenuti wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Benvenuti uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sevket.
Benvenuti ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Benvenuti stuns Sevket with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Benvenuti lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Benvenuti.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sevket throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Benvenuti is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Benvenuti avoids the body shot from Sevket.
Benvenuti is looking to wear down Sevket with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benvenuti takes a swing at Sevket's ribcage but misses.
Benvenuti fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Sevket looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Benvenuti lands a jab to Sevket's midsection.
Benvenuti sizes up Sevket with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Benvenuti tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sevket swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Benvenuti uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sevket.
Sevket slips under a jab from Benvenuti.
Sevket with the counter takedown but Benvenuti avoids it easily.
Benvenuti ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sevket moves away.
Benvenuti throws a body punch but Sevket moves out of range.
Benvenuti lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

Sevket gets tackled into the cage by Benvenuti. Benvenuti maintains the clinch.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Sevket has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Benvenuti with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benvenuti struggles to land a body shot inside as Sevket controls his hands.
Sevket blocks a body shot from Benvenuti.

Benvenuti breaks the clinch.
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!
Benvenuti closes the distance but Sevket moves to the side
and Sevket counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Benvenuti tries to clinch there but Sevket circles away.
Benvenuti throws a right and a left that Sevket avoids nicely.
Sevket bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Benvenuti's head backwards.
Benvenuti connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Sevket misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Benvenuti.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sevket moves out of range of the strikes.
Benvenuti looks to throw the jab but Sevket is out of range.
Sevket is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

Benvenuti moves into the clinch.
Benvenuti misses with some punches.

Benvenuti breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Benvenuti throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sevket appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sevket. Benvenuti does a little dance to reset his feet.
Benvenuti lands a head kick!
Sevket misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Benvenuti looks to score with a jab to the body but Sevket is just out of range.
Benvenuti works the jab nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jab, jab by Benvenuti - just one landing.
Massimo Benvenuti is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sevket displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Benvenuti throws out the jab.
Benvenuti connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Benvenuti wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Benvenuti throws out a powerful jab.
Benvenuti misses with a double jab.
Benvenuti stalks Sevket and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Sevket's face. Sevket staggers backwards, shaken.
Benvenuti misses with a wild body shot.
Sevket feints the counter takedown.
Benvenuti tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Sevket counters with a left to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Massimo Benvenuti dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Arnavut Sevket's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Benvenuti fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Benvenuti connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Benvenuti swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Sevket.
Benvenuti works Sevket's body with a nice hook.
Sevket keeps the fight on the outside.
Sevket fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Benvenuti manages to avoid it.
Benvenuti scores with a hook to the body. Sevket takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Sevket connects with a good right hand that stumbles Benvenuti. Benvenuti circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Benvenuti lands a nice shot that snaps Sevket's head back.
The fight stays on the outside here - Benvenuti looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Benvenuti slips a jab from Sevket.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benvenuti throws a nice inside leg kick.
Massimo Benvenuti is winning the standup battle so far.
Good shot there by Benvenuti.
Benvenuti takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Benvenuti throws a body punch but Sevket moves out of range.

Benvenuti pushes Sevket up against the cage in a clinch.
Benvenuti misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Sevket.
Benvenuti missing with knees to the body.
Benvenuti misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Benvenuti tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A head punch on the inside from Benvenuti fails to land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Benvenuti.
Benvenuti misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Sevket blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Benvenuti misses with a hook from the clinch.

Benvenuti breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Benvenuti throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sevket.
Benvenuti fails with an attempt to clinch.
Benvenuti lands with a straight right. Sevket didn't see that one coming.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Benvenuti scores with the left hand. Sevket knows he should have avoided that one.
Sevket takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sevket. Benvenuti does a little dance to reset his feet.
Benvenuti is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Sevket.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice uppercut lands for Benvenuti. That snapped Sevket's head back.
Benvenuti scores with a kick to the body.
Benvenuti doesn't manage to clinch there - Sevket circles away.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Benvenuti, right into the meat.
Benvenuti tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sevket swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Sevket throws a body punch but Benvenuti moves out of range.
Sevket throws a jab but it's blocked by Benvenuti.
Benvenuti swings for the body but Sevket moves out of range.
Benvenuti lands with a nice body punch.
Benvenuti lands a lovely overhand right.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sevket. Benvenuti does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benvenuti tries to clinch up but Sevket circles away and keeps his distance.
Benvenuti catches Sevket with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
A looping hook to the body misses from Benvenuti. Sevket does a little dance to reset his feet.
Benvenuti throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Benvenuti fails in his attempt to clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Benvenuti takes the fight into the clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

Sevket breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Benvenuti throws a poor cross that misses
and Sevket connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Benvenuti tries to clinch there but Sevket circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Massimo Benvenuti dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Arnavut Sevket's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Benvenuti moves into the clinch successfully.
Benvenuti doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Benvenuti can't find room to land a body shot as Sevket controls the action.
Benvenuti stops a takedown attempt from Sevket.
Benvenuti lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Benvenuti misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Sevket.
Benvenuti misses with a hook to the ribs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sevket blocks a body shot from Benvenuti.

Sevket has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Benvenuti uses from the top position.
Benvenuti stopping the sweep attempt from Sevket.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sevket not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Benvenuti wants to control from the top but Sevket keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sevket looking to hit a scissor sweep but Benvenuti is one step ahead there.
Sevket manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Benvenuti manages to get himself to full guard.

Sevket trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Benvenuti is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Benvenuti preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Sevket trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sevket has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Sevket is looking to advance position but Benvenuti has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Sevket tries to hold on but Benvenuti postures up.
Sevket is working to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benvenuti looking to control and managing it successfully.
Sevket sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Benvenuti passes into side control, despite Sevket's attempt to control the position.
Sevket tries to bench press Benvenuti off him but Benvenuti keeps the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Sevket is trying to control Benvenuti's posture but Benvenuti avoids it.
Sevket tries to bench press Benvenuti off him but Benvenuti keeps the position.
Benvenuti is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Sevket's shoulder. That is not cool.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sevket tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Benvenuti wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Sevket is still trying to improve position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Massimo Benvenuti clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Arnavut Sevket's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A big right from Benvenuti misses.
Benvenuti misses with a body shot.
Benvenuti waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Sevket.
Benvenuti looks to land a combination. Sevket sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Benvenuti tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sevket swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Sevket looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Benvenuti scores with a nice head shot.
Sevket walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Benvenuti lands a slapping body shot.
Sevket has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Benvenuti cracks Sevket with an open hand slap.
Benvenuti throws a series of punches but Sevket avoids them all with ease.
Sevket feints the counter takedown.
Benvenuti throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Sevket stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benvenuti fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Sevket throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Benvenuti throws a sloppy head kick and Sevket moves out of range easily.
Sevket misses with a takedown attempt - Benvenuti sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Sevket looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Sevket slips nicely into half guard.
Benvenuti avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Sevket.
Benvenuti is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sevket can do to turn this around?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sevket thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Benvenuti's head.
Sevket wants to pass to mount but Benvenuti is defending the position.
Benvenuti avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Sevket.
Benvenuti on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Benvenuti tries to get out of the position.
Sevket thows a huge punch but Benvenuti dodges it nicely.
Sevket sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Benvenuti defending well though.
Sevket lands with a punch from half guard.
Sevket working the head and body with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sevket trying to pass the guard but Benvenuti defending well.
Sevket has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Sevket throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Sevket sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Sevket unloading with bombs!
Benvenuti is working to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sevket punching from mount but Benvenuti doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Sevket thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Sevket throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Sevket throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Benvenuti blocking the ground and pound.
Sevket thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Sevket with a couple of short strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arnavut Sevket dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Arnavut Sevket's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

A swing and a miss from Sevket.
Benvenuti uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Benvenuti throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sevket tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Benvenuti wants to clinch.
Sevket circles away from the clinch attempt.
Sevket doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Sevket throws a hook but Benvenuti blocks it.
Benvenuti appears to be looking for a big counter.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Benvenuti misses with a wild body shot.
Benvenuti throws a body punch but Sevket moves out of range.
Benvenuti uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Sevket has time to react.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benvenuti throws a lazy right hand but Sevket sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A lazy left from Benvenuti finds it's target.
Benvenuti throws a looping overhand right but Sevket ducks down to avoid it.
Benvenuti takes one to the chin there.
Benvenuti lands a slapping body shot.
Benvenuti lands a nice shot to the body.
Sevket fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Benvenuti manages to avoid it.
Benvenuti appears to be looking for a big counter.
Benvenuti stalks Sevket and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Sevket's face. Sevket staggers backwards, shaken.
Benvenuti fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Sevket is out of range.
No joy there for Sevket, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Sevket changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benvenuti throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sevket is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Benvenuti with a body shot.
Massimo Benvenuti seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Benvenuti scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Benvenuti moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
A lazy left from Benvenuti finds it's target.
Benvenuti looks to score with a jab to the body but Sevket is just out of range.

Benvenuti gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Benvenuti can't find room to land a body shot as Sevket controls the action.
Sevket blocks an uppercut.
Sevket blocks an elbow strike from Benvenuti.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benvenuti trying to stall but Sevket improves his position.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Sevket.
Benvenuti missing with knees to the body.
Benvenuti is trying to stall.
Benvenuti prevents the takedown attempt.
Benvenuti misses with a punch to the body.
Benvenuti is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Stalling in the clinch from Sevket.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Benvenuti goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Benvenuti content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Benvenuti gets through Sevket's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Sevket being controlled against the cage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Massimo Benvenuti showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Benvenuti has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight 49:46
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 49:46
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Massimo Benvenuti!
Massimo Benvenuti is the new middleweight champion!
Massimo Benvenuti decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.