PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ben Reed (ranked 675 p4p, 664 weight class) and Shen Po (ranked 105 p4p, 103 weight class). Po has chosen Ei-tetsu Hayashi & 木下伸市 as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Reed
vs
Po

200 cm
37
198
24 - 16 - 3

177 cm
31
203
21 - 14 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Red Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Bondi MMA 🏝️

HELLBENT

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 24 - 16 - 3, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ben Reed!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Shen Po!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Percy O'Donnell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Reed's jab looks to have found its range, popping Po under the eye.
Reed connects with a high kick.
Reed scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Reed jabs Po right on the nose. Po blinks but takes it well.
Reed connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Po throws a shot from downtown. Reed moves away and avoids it.
Reed tried to counter with a leg kick but Po avoided it.
Reed throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Reed takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Po blocks a head kick by Reed.
Po pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Po gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Reed.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jab, jab by Reed - just one landing.
Po ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Reed ducks under a wild hook from Po.
Reed throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reed throws a quick inside leg kick.
Reed lands with a straight right. Po didn't see that one coming.
Ben Reed is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Reed thuds his shin into the meat of Po's side.
Reed has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Crapollas Gym in the buildup to the fight.
Po blocks a head kick by Reed.
Po appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Po avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Reed avoids the body shot from Po.
Reed misses with a wild body shot.
Reed tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Po was well out of range. Poor timing from Reed.
Reed really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Reed lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
The crowd cheers as Po lands an impressive looking overhand right. Reed doesn't seem phased though.
Reed throws a sloppy head kick and Po moves out of range easily.
Reed is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Reed. Po does a little dance to reset his feet.
Reed missing with a left hand there. Po was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
It seemed like Po was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Ben Reed seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Reed loads up on a big right hand but Po slips the punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reed throws a sloppy head kick and Po moves out of range easily.
That kick from Reed tenderised Po's leg. Po is trying to keep his angry face on.
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!
Reed fakes the leg kick and cracks Po in the body.
Reed throws a leg kick that misses.
A swing and a miss from Po.
Po throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Po misses with a body shot.
Reed lands with a straight right. Po didn't see that one coming.
Po throws a body shot but no joy.
Reed connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Reed tries a head kick but it misses.
Reed pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Reed sets himself, and Po steps forward looking for the clinch! Reed avoids it this time.
A nice inside leg kick there by Reed. That's going to slow Po down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Po takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Nice shot by Reed.
Reed feints and then cracks Po's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Po down.
Reed keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Po fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Reed throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Reed looks for the body kick but Po saw that one coming.
Reed tried to score with a low kick but Po checks it.
Reed misses with the body kick
and Po counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Po swings for the body but Reed moves out of range.
Po throws an overhand right that lands on Reed's shoulder, as Reed tries to avoid the shot.
Donk. Reed catches Po right on the button with a cross.
Po misses with a shot to the body
and Reed counters with an outside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Reed throws a head kick that misses
and Po counters with a stiff right hand.
Reed misses with a right hand
enabling Po to counter with a crisp jab.
Reed misses with a head kick.
Nice uppercut there from Reed.
Reed tries to land a body kick

and Po counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Reed!

Po tries for a kimura but Reed is defending well.
Reed struggling a bit here.
Po has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Reed is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Po lands a heavy elbow.
Po postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Reed looks a forlorn figure.

Reed defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Po.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ben Reed dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Po lands with an uppercut that bounces Reed off the cage and back into range.
Reed lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Reed's jab looks to have found its range, popping Po under the eye.
Reed pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Po drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Reed defends it well.
Po swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Reed with a jab.
Po with a hook.
Reed throws out a powerful jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Reed throws a sloppy head kick and Po moves out of range easily.
Ben Reed is winning the standup battle so far.
Po tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Reed counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Reed scores with a jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Reed thows a body kick. Po tries to catch it but that hurt him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reed lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Po at a distance.
Po throws a looping overhand right but Reed ducks down to avoid it.
Po throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Reed smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Po fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Reed.
Reed lands with a thumping leg kick.
Po throws a shot to the body.
Reed gets off balance looking for a body kick

and Po counters with a shoot takedown. Reed fights it but they end up in guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Reed preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Po looking to pass the guard.
Reed wants to get back to his feet but Po is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Po stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Reed swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Po wants to control from the top but Reed keeps moving.
Po stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Reed swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Reed can't keep his opponent in guard - Po advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Reed is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Po trying to control from half guard but Reed is working away.
Reed is trying to maintain the position but Po is very close to passing his half guard.
Reed wants to get back to full guard.
Po trying to mount his opponent but Reed defends it.
Reed is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Po can do to turn this around?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reed has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Po is working away from the top position though.
Po wants to pass to mount but Reed is defending the position.
Reed keeping control of the position.
Po is trying to control. Reed wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Reed trying to control but Po postures up.
Po wants to free his trapped foot but Reed is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Po is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Po is looking to advance position but Reed won't allow it.
Reed tries to get to full guard but Po has control of the leg.

Po is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Reed is just riding it out for now. Po eventually gives up the hold.
Po missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Reed is looking to improve his position.
Reed trying to control here.
My spies in Chakuriki LA Gym inform me that Po has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Reed holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Po trying to pass the guard but Reed defending well.
Reed wants to get back to full guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Ben Reed will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Thud! ouch! good body kick from Reed - that will leave a mark!
Reed fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Po manages to avoid it.
Po shoots in for a takedown but Reed shows good takedown defense.
Reed appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Po throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Reed walks into a left hand.
Reed connects with a single shot there.
Reed with a hook.
Nice cross by Reed.
Po has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Reed connects with an inside leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Reed jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Po looks to score with a jab to the body but Reed is just out of range.
A shot to the liver by Po. Beautiful body shot.
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!
A big right from Po misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big right from Po misses.
Reed throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Reed looks to land a body kick but Po moved away.
Po changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
A head kick misses from Reed.
Reed misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Po.
Po looks to clinch
and Reed counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Reed dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Reed misses with a left hand
and Po counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Reed with the inside leg kick.
Po misses with a body shot.

Po clinches.
Reed pushes Po back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Reed misses with a short punch on the inside.
Shen Po has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Po tries to pull guard but Reed forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Po can't find room to land a body shot as Reed controls the action.
A shot in the inside from Po.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Reed tries to work over Po's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Po.
Reed is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Po lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Reed backwards.
Reed stops a takedown attempt from Po.
Ben Reed has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shen Po.
Reed scores with a shoulder strike.
Po misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A nice left hand lands by Po.
Po struggles to land a body shot inside as Reed controls his hands.
Po misses with a punch to the body.
Po throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Reeds head.
Reed doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A right handed body shot lands from Po.
Po softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Reed tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Reed tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Po throws a knee to the head but misses.
Reed tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Po's elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Po blocking some punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Po.
Po misses with a hook to the ribs.
Po blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Po presses Reed against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Reed swings wildly with an uppercut but Po uses good head movement to avoid it.
Po misses with a body punch.
Nice body punch from Reed.
A right hand to the body from Po.
Reed tries a body shot but Po blocks it.
Shen Po seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Po misses with a punch on the inside.
Po makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Po can't find room to land a body shot as Reed controls the action.
Po fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Po tries a knee to the head but Reed blocks it.
Reed tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Reed misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Po works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Po.
Po struggles to land a body shot inside as Reed controls his hands.
Po misses with a punch to the body.
Reed scores with a nice hook to the head.
Po lands a hook that snaps the head of Reed backwards.
Po lands a shot to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Po works on Reed's body with a couple of short punches.
Po working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Po's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Nice body punch from Po.
Po makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Po works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
A right handed body shot lands from Po.

Po has Reed pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Po pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Reed tumbling to the mat - Po dives into Reed's guard.
Po is looking to work some ground and pound but Reed has wrist control.
Po missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Po throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Reed works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shen Po comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Reed 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Ben Reed!