PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Isaac Bennett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Viktor Zakhar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Bennett
vs
Zakhar

180 cm
25
155 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

168 cm
26
170 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Knockout power

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Isaac Bennett!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Viktor Zakhar!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Richard Clark and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zakhar looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Zakhar tries to land a leg kick but Bennett saw it coming and moves away.
Bennett wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
The fighters circling - Bennett throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Zakhar blocks a head kick by Bennett.
Good exchange - Zakhar coming out on top.
Bennett moves out of range of the body kick.
Zakhar pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Viktor Zakhar seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zakhar tries to clinch up.

Zakhar rushes Bennett and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Bennett on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Bennett blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Zakhar has a couple of punches blocked by Bennett.
Zakhar tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zakhar presses Bennett against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Bennett is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Zakhar lands a hook to the side of the head.
Zakhar lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Bennett or not.
Bennett has Zakhar pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Zakhar manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bennett is trying to pull guard but Zakhar has him pressed against the cage.
Zakhar pushes off an throws an elbow but Bennett leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

Bennett pulls guard successfully.
Bennett will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Zakhar seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Bennett looking to hit a scissor sweep but Zakhar is one step ahead there.
Zakhar is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Zakhar looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Bennett is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Zakhar tries to free his leg and advance position but Bennett is retaining full guard.
Zakhar passes Bennett's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Zakhar controlling the action here.

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.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Zakhar looks to land a body kick but Bennett moved away.
Zakhar misses with a body kick.

Bennett has Zakhar up against the cage in a clinch.

Bennett breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Viktor Zakhar is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zakhar drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Zakhar scores with a jab to the body.
Bennett is breathing heavily.

Zakhar cracks Bennett with a big right hand that sends him to the floor! Bennett looks wobbly but he's sprung back up to his feet straight away… can Zakhar finish him?

It looks like Isaac Bennett has been cut.
Zakhar throws a leg kick but Bennett sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Bennett uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zakhar.
Zakhar tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Bennett is able to avoid easily.
Zakhar lets his hands go wild with a nice combination. Left! Right! Uppercut! Spinning backfist! Bennett goes down and covers up as Zakhar starts wailing on him! The ref watches the action closely before stepping in and putting a stop to the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Viktor Zakhar!