PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Andy Benjamin (ranked 2875 p4p, 4080 weight class) and Ahmad Madi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ahmad Madi has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Benjamin
vs
Madi

178 cm
25
155
3 - 1 - 0

163 cm
24
155
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Big right hand

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very confident

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Andy Benjamin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ahmad Madi!
The judges for this bout are Dirk Anderson, Bart Greer and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Benjamin throws a nice looking combination but Madi bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Benjamin closes the distance and pushes Madi back into the cage.
Stalling in the clinch from Benjamin.

Benjamin breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Benjamin misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Madi gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Benjamin swings wildly with an uppercut but Madi uses good head movement to avoid it.

Benjamin escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Benjamin keeps the fight on the outside.
Madi is looking to clinch but Benjamin is avoiding it.
Benjamin throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Madi steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Benjamin.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A jab from Benjamin finds it's way through Madi's defenses.

Madi takes the fight into the clinch.
Madi scores with a knee to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Madi misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benjamin misses with a body punch.
Benjamin prevents Madi from breaking the clinch.
Benjamin tries to land knees in the clinch but Madi avoids the damage to the body.
Benjamin lands an uppercut.
Benjamin works on Madi's body with a couple of short punches.
Madi tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Benjamin smiles and moves away.
Madi fails with the takedown
and Benjamin counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Madi throws a right hand that Benjamin ducks under and follows up with a left that Benjamin also avoids with ease.
Madi thows a leg kick but Benjamin checks it

and Benjamin holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Madi tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Andy Benjamin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ahmad Madi.
Benjamin tries to throw a body punch but Madi avoids it by throwing Benjamin back against the cage.
Benjamin crunches a lovely knee into Madi's ribcage.
Benjamin lands with a light punch inside.
Benjamin stops a takedown attempt from Madi.
Benjamin makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Madi fails to pull guard.
Madi looks winded!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Madi jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Benjamin walks away with a smile on his face. Madi gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
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!

Benjamin drops Madi with a left right combo! Benjamin follows him down to the ground into side control.

Madi is rocked!

It looks like Ahmad Madi has been cut.
We've been hearing good reports from Benjamin'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.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Madi avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Benjamin.
Madi is still in real trouble! Can Benjamin finish him?
Benjamin in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Benjamin will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Benjamin postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Benjamin lands a strong strike to the head of Madi. That's dazed him! Benjamin looking to finish here. Madi is waving his arms around trying to block but he's hurt badly - Benjamin lands more strikes and the referee steps in to end the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:34 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Andy Benjamin!
Andy Benjamin bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.