PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between John Michael Benitoy (ranked 1943 p4p, 216 weight class) and Johnny Rosenthal (ranked 2018 p4p, 221 weight class). Johnny Rosenthal will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Michael Benitoy
vs
Rosenthal

168 cm
26
155 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

168 cm
26
154 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very strong

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
Determined

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, John Michael Benitoy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Johnny Rosenthal!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Alyssa Summers and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Benitoy misses with a takedown
and Rosenthal counters with a three punch combo that has Benitoy backing up. Benitoy nods at Rosenthal to acknowledge the strikes.

Benitoy changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Rosenthal looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Rosenthal wants to get back to his feet but Benitoy is dominant here and he's now got Rosenthal's back!
Rosenthal is trying to stand back up.
Benitoy lands a shot to the head.
Benitoy lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rosenthal is taking damage to the body and head.
Rosenthal is trying to stand back up.
Benitoy loading up with punches from the back mount - how long can Rosenthal hold on?
Benitoy scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.
Rosenthal turns into Benitoy and is now in his guard.

Rosenthal stands up and waves to Benitoy to follow him.

Benitoy tries to sprawl but Rosenthal drives through with a takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rosenthal tries to stand and escape but Benitoy is controlling the position.
Rosenthal content to control rather than advance.
Benitoy tries to kick Rosenthal off but Rosenthal keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
We've been hearing good reports from Benitoy's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

Rosenthal decides to stand up.
Rosenthal shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Benitoy changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
A right-left combo lands from Rosenthal.

Benitoy drives through with a takedown into guard.

Rosenthal pushes Benitoy off and scrambles back to his feet.

Benitoy closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Rosenthal's guard.
Rosenthal is wriggling around but Benitoy manages to pass to half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Still in half guard, Benitoy seems content to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Benitoy connects with a nice short shot to Rosenthal's temple.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Benitoy lands a nice short elbow.
Benitoy scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Benitoy is controlling the pace.
Benitoy seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Benitoy lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Benitoy working over Rosenthal with some ground and pound. Rosenthal looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Benitoy stands up out of the half guard.

Rosenthal clinches with his opponent.
Rosenthal misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Nice body punch from Rosenthal - that landed with a thud.

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

Benitoy avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Benitoy wants to control from the top but Rosenthal keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benitoy 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.

Rosenthal pushes Benitoy off and gets back to his feet.

Rosenthal closes the distance and pushes Benitoy back into the cage.
Rosenthal stops a takedown attempt from Benitoy.
Rosenthal tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Benitoy's elbow.
Benitoy is looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Michael Benitoy. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Benitoy keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Rosenthal's efforts to push away.
Rosenthal can't find room to land a body shot as Benitoy controls the action.
Rosenthal taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Benitoy has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Rosenthal after a bit of a struggle.
Benitoy is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Rosenthal pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rosenthal goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Benitoy goes for a takedown in the clinch but Rosenthal prevents it.
Rosenthal prevents the takedown attempt.
Rosenthal misses with a body punch.
Benitoy prevents a body shot from Rosenthal.
Rosenthal lands a knee to the head.
Benitoy drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Rosenthal gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Benitoy goes for a takedown attempt but Rosenthal pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Rosenthal looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Benitoy has a closed guard, preventing Rosenthal from standing up.

Rosenthal gets to his feet - Benitoy follows without any prompting.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Rosenthal dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Rosenthal fails with a takedown attempt.

Benitoy gets the takedown into side control.
Rosenthal tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.
Benitoy is hanging on to Rosenthal's back as he tries to escape.
Rosenthal is trying to get back to his feet but Benitoy has full control of the position and if anything, Rosenthal has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Benitoy has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Benitoy is throwing strikes from the back here. Oh that last one was to the back of the head. Benitoy gets a warning from the referee. He throws another strike to the back of the head straight away though and the referee has seen enough. He breaks up the two fighters and stands them back up. Benitoy gets a real talking to here and is lucky not to get a point deducted. Benitoy apologises and we restart here on the feet.
Johnny Rosenthal seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Rosenthal gets caught flat footed, as Benitoy shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Rosenthal looking for a guillotine here but Benitoy defends easily.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Benitoy gets to his feet. Rosenthal looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Benitoy will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Rosenthal closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Benitoy to the mat! Benitoy manages to get full guard.
Benitoy has a closed guard, preventing Rosenthal from standing up.
Benitoy is looking to stand up but Rosenthal isn't so interested in that idea.

Benitoy is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Benitoy has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Rosenthal is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Rosenthal struggles to land a body shot inside as Benitoy controls his hands.
Rosenthal lands a body shot.

Rosenthal escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benitoy tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rosenthal swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Michael Benitoy. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Benitoy looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Rosenthal dives in and grabs Benitoy's left leg, looking for a takedown. Benitoy pushes down on Rosenthal's head and hops out.

Rosenthal darts in and clinches Benitoy up against the cage.
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!
Rosenthal tries to pull guard but Benitoy holds him up against the cage and eventually Rosenthal drops back down to his feet.
Rosenthal tries to throw a body punch but Benitoy avoids it by throwing Rosenthal back against the cage.
Rosenthal misses with a body punch.
Rosenthal prevents a takedown attempt there.
Benitoy tries to score a body lock takedown but Rosenthal shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Benitoy is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Benitoy is looking for a takedown.
Benitoy drops down looking for an ankle pick but Rosenthal pulls his leg out and moves away.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rosenthal misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Rosenthal shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Benitoy is trying to defend but Rosenthal finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Benitoy makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Benitoy will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Rosenthal drives through and clinches with Benitoy against the cage.
Benitoy keeps control of Rosenthal as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Benitoy has picked Rosenthal up - he's going for a ride! Benitoy dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

Rosenthal kicks Benitoy off and gets back to his feet.

Rosenthal dives in and scores a takedown into Benitoy's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rosenthal wanted to stand there but Benitoy had control of the position.
Rosenthal stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Benitoy swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Benitoy wants to stand but Rosenthal is controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rosenthal is looking to stand up but Benitoy won't let him.
Rosenthal won't allow Benitoy to get back to his feet.

Rosenthal stands up from Benitoy's guard - Rosenthal perhaps looking for a knockout.
Benitoy shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Rosenthal sprawls well. Rosenthal wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Benitoy gets slowly back to his feet.
As Benitoy backs off Rosenthal throws a huge counter combo but Benitoy manages to avoid it all.
Rosenthal lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Rosenthal showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Rosenthal shoots for a takedown but Benitoy saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Benitoy doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Rosenthal counters with a one-two to the body.

Rosenthal rushes Benitoy and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Benitoy wants a takedown but no success here.
Benitoy wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Michael Benitoy. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Benitoy is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Rosenthal gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Rosenthal connects with a nasty looking knee right to Benitoy's face.
Benitoy is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Rosenthal is defending well.

Benitoy has Rosenthal pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Benitoy pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Rosenthal tumbling to the mat - Benitoy dives into Rosenthal's guard.
Rosenthal is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Rosenthal is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Benitoy defends well.
Rosenthal is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Benitoy's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Benitoy stands up over Rosenthal, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Rosenthal has his feet on Benitoy's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Rosenthal tries for a takedown but Benitoy sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Rosenthal takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Rosenthal 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.

Benitoy manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Johnny Rosenthal seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Benitoy fails with a takedown attempt.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rosenthal tries for a takedown but Benitoy sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Rosenthal changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Benitoy looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Benitoy tries to escape but Rosenthal is in control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rosenthal tries to stand but Benitoy is controlling his head.

Rosenthal stands up and beckons Benitoy to his feet.
Rosenthal shoots in for a double leg but Benitoy sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Benitoy goes for a double leg but Rosenthal avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Rosenthal continues to drive forward.
Rosenthal throws a combination that misses

and Benitoy counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Benitoy lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Benitoy is stalling in the full guard.

Rosenthal working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Benitoy has passed into half guard!
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Benitoy seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Johnny Rosenthal is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Benitoy lands a nice short elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benitoy scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Rosenthal is trying to stand.
Rosenthal has hold of Benitoy's hands but Benitoy slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Still in half guard, Benitoy seems content to control.
Ground and pound from Benitoy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Benitoy slips a nice elbow through Rosenthal's hands, connecting with Rosenthal's forehead.
Benitoy seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Rosenthal wants to get back to his feet.

Benitoy decides to stand up.
Rosenthal scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

Benitoy shoots in and bounces Rosenthal off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Benitoy works over Rosenthal with some ground and pound from guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benitoy scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
John Michael Benitoy overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Benitoy stays in close to Rosenthal's body and controls the position.

Benitoy decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Benitoy fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Benitoy misses with a takedown attempt - Rosenthal sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Benitoy closes the distance and clinches up with Rosenthal, looking for a takedown. Benitoy pushes Rosenthal against the cage but Rosenthal circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Rosenthal closes the distance and pushes Benitoy back into the cage.
Rosenthal crunches a lovely knee into Benitoy's ribcage.
Benitoy wants a takedown but no success here.
Nice body punch from Rosenthal.
Rosenthal is pressed up against the cage. Benitoy has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Rosenthal down to the mat. Rosenthal avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
John Michael Benitoy has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rosenthal tries for a takedown but Benitoy sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to John Michael Benitoy.
I think Rosenthal 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 Anthony Taglia scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 28:29
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Johnny Rosenthal!