PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Benson Hedges (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Max Michaels (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Benson Hedges has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Hedges
vs
Michaels

180 cm
19
204 lbs
3 - 5 - 0

185 cm
18
215 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Benson Hedges!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Max Michaels!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, John Kavanagh and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Michaels ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Michaels throws a hook but Hedges blocks it.

Michaels drives through with a takedown into guard.

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

Michaels looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Hedges tries to free his leg and advance position but Michaels is retaining full guard.

Michaels has his foot on Hedges's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Hedges works his way back into a safe position though.
Michaels wants to control but Hedges passes easily into half guard.

Michaels looking for submissions off his back.
Hedges knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Michaels on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hedges takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Michaels flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Michaels slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Michaels lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Hedges!
Michaels looking to finish with strikes here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Michaels wants to control the action but instead Hedges gets a body lock and reverses into Michaels's guard! Nice work!

Michaels had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Hedges is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Michaels Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Hedges's back instead.

Hedges fending off the submission attempt from Michaels.

Michaels working for the choke.
Michaels looks gassed!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
I would not like to be Hedges right now.
Hedges rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Hedges looks like he's trying to stand up.
Michaels is pressing down on Hedges's thigh, looking to free his foot. Hedges is holding on for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Michaels is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Hedges has managed to free his arm - good work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Michaels is keen to just control but Hedges is a slippery customer.

Michaels is trying to work for a kimura but Hedges is defending well.

Michaels is looking for a kimura but Hedges is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Michaels to get the leverage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Max Michaels dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Michaels fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Hedges misses with a combination

and Michaels counters with a nice double leg into side control. Hedges won't be happy with that.
Michaels wants to control but Hedges is keeping him busy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Michaels lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Michaels misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Hedges is trying to get back to half guard.
Michaels wants to control but Hedges is keeping him busy.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Michaels has worked his way into a potential kimura here. Hedges is trying to get out of the position but his squirming has just got him deeper into trouble. Michaels yanks on the arm and Hedges is forced to tap due to a very painful looking submission! Nice work by Michaels.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:02 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Max Michaels!