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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nickolas Benjamin (ranked 5690 p4p, 5106 weight class) and AJ Menendez (ranked 595 p4p, 571 weight class). Menendez has chosen Kurt Angle Theme as his entrance music. Nickolas Benjamin could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to AJ Menendez's chin.
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| 181 cm
25
205
0 - 1 - 0 |
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188 cm
22
213
6 - 9 - 2 |
BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Big right hand |
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BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined |
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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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Nickolas Benjamin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 9 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, AJ Menendez!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Anthony Taglia and Bruno Lombardi.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Benjamin shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Menendez defends it nicely.
Benjamin shoots in for a double leg but Menendez sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
A combination from Benjamin does no damage.
Benjamin throws a right and a left that Menendez avoids nicely.
Menendez has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Benjamin misses with a few strikes there.
Menendez tries a quick counter leg kick but Benjamin is wise to it.
A head kick misses from Benjamin.
Menendez blocks a head kick by Benjamin.
Menendez tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Benjamin manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
No luck for Benjamin with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nickolas Benjamin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Benjamin rushes Menendez and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Benjamin's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Menendez throws a head kick but Benjamin moves out of range.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Benjamin.
Benjamin misses with a takedown attempt - Menendez sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Menendez goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Menendez shoots in and drives through. Benjamin sprawls well.
Benjamin seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Benjamin pushes Menendez up against the cage in a clinch.
Benjamin stalling the fight.
Benjamin wants a takedown but no success here.
Benjamin misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Menendez.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benjamin just leaning against Menendez, taking a breather.
Benjamin lands a body shot in the clinch.
Benjamin pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Benjamin closes the distance and clinches.
Benjamin lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Menendez kicks off Benjamin and gets to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Menendez with a lazy takedown attempt
and Benjamin counters with a three punch combo that has Menendez backing up. Menendez nods at Benjamin to acknowledge the strikes.
Menendez looks winded!
Benjamin forces Menendez back against the cage and clinches.
Benjamin can't get the takedown.
Benjamin fails to pull guard.
Benjamin drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Menendez gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benjamin tries to pull guard but Menendez forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Menendez is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Benjamin to keep the fight standing.
Benjamin pulls guard successfully.
Menendez slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Menendez tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Menendez has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Menendez is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Benjamin will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benjamin is trying to control Menendez's posture but Menendez avoids it.
Benjamin knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Menendez on the ground.
Benjamin tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Menendez wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Benjamin is trying to escape the position but Menendez is controlling the position.
Benjamin tries to bench press Menendez off him but Menendez keeps the position.
Benjamin trying his best to control but Menendez has mounted him.
Benjamin really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Menendez trying to control but Benjamin is having none of it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but I would say that Nickolas Benjamin will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.
Benjamin tries for a takedown but Menendez sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Menendez will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Nickolas Benjamin is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Benjamin has taken the fight to the clinch.
Menendez tries for a takedown. No joy.
Menendez is pressed up against the cage. Benjamin has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Menendez down to the mat. Menendez avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Benjamin moves into range and clinches up with Menendez.
Benjamin manages to break the clinch.
Benjamin misses with a head kick.
Benjamin backing away here, and Menendez unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Benjamin tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Menendez manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Menendez defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Benjamin.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nickolas Benjamin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Menendez tries to close the distance and clinch but Benjamin swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Menendez fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Benjamin sprawls well initially but Menendez persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Benjamin is looking for a sweep. Menendez is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Menendez content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Menendez decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Benjamin gets a clinch.
Benjamin jumps guard but Menendez turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Benjamin jumps guard but Menendez turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Menendez is trying to trip Benjamin. He has hold of a leg but Benjamin is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Menendez persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Menendez working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Benjamin keeping moving, preventing Menendez from controlling successfully.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Menendez decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Benjamin, up you get!
Benjamin shoots in for a double leg but Menendez sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Benjamin attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Menendez raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Menendez misses with a double jab
and Benjamin counters with a one-two to the body.
Menendez is breathing heavily.
Benjamin shoots in and drives through. Menendez sprawls well.
Menendez closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Benjamin's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Menendez stands up and waves to Benjamin to follow him.
Benjamin shoots in for a takedown but Menendez shows good takedown defense.
Benjamin scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benjamin looks for a takedown but Menendez sprawls well.
Nice sprawl there from Menendez as Benjamin shoots in.
Benjamin tries to close the distance and clinch but Menendez swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Menendez tries to close the distance and clinch but Benjamin swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Benjamin shoots and misses
and Menendez counters with a right hand to the body.
Benjamin tries to close the distance and clinch up but Menendez swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Benjamin tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Benjamin tries to sprawl but Menendez drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Benjamin pushes Menendez off but Menendez dives into side control.
Menendez scoring with punches and elbows.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benjamin is trying to buck Menendez off.
Menendez scores with punches from side control.
Menendez stands up and beckons Benjamin to his feet.
Nickolas Benjamin is winning the standup battle so far.
Benjamin gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Menendez counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Menendez shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Menendez was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
A control attempt from Benjamin but he's now mounted!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
AJ Menendez showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!
Benjamin throws a head kick that misses.
No luck for Benjamin with that takedown attempt.
Menendez thinks about the counter body kick.
Benjamin throws a head kick that misses
and Menendez counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Benjamin is wriggling around but Menendez manages to pass to half guard.
Menendez decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Menendez darts in looking for a takedown but Benjamin gets double underhooks and turns Menendez into the cage.
Benjamin shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Menendez as he avoids it easily.
Benjamin dives in for a single leg takedown but Menendez sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nickolas Benjamin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Benjamin's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
That's one minute gone in the round.
The fight moves into the clinch position.
Menendez tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Benjamin manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Menendez trying to control but Benjamin is working from the bottom.
Benjamin wants to hit a sweep here but Menendez passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Benjamin there!
Benjamin on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Benjamin tries to get out of the position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Menendez controlling his opponent.
Benjamin tries to hold on but Menendez pushes him away.
Benjamin is bucking up trying to escape but Menendez cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Benjamin tries to hold on but Menendez pushes him away.
Benjamin wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
Benjamin is keeping busy.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benjamin is trying to get back to his feet but Menendez has full control of the position and if anything, Benjamin has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Benjamin is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Menendez has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Benjamin has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Menendez has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Benjamin's body.
Menendez controlling well, preventing Benjamin from escaping the position.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Will Menendez go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Menendez has the hooks in. Benjamin is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Benjamin fending off the submission attempt from Menendez.
Benjamin is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
And that's the end of the fight!
AJ Menendez comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Menendez 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 Chad Campbell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 28:29
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 28:29
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... AJ Menendez!
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
44% |
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