PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Anton Kardanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Charles Bennet (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Kardanov might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Riders on the storm. Bennet has chosen SmashinSomethin as his entrance music. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Charles Bennet was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Kardanov
vs
Bennet

172 cm
18
144 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

166 cm
19
145 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Counter striker
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Anton Kardanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Charles Bennet!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Sergei Dronov and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kardanov shoots and misses
and Bennet cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Kardanov scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Kardanov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Kardanov is trying to control. Bennet wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Kardanov prevents Bennet from standing back up.
Kardanov thows a huge punch but Bennet dodges it nicely.
Bennet wants to get back to his feet.
Bennet is refusing to be controlled, as Kardanov sits in half guard.
Kardanov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Kardanov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Bennet has managed to free his arm - good work.
Bennet really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kardanov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Kardanov takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Bennet has hold of Kardanov's hands but Kardanov slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Kardanov stops Bennet from getting back to his feet.
Kardanov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kardanov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Kardanov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Kardanov scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Bennet wants to get back to his feet.
Kardanov trying to control from half guard but Bennet is working away.
Kardanov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Bennet wants to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kardanov working over Bennet with some ground and pound. Bennet looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Bennet is trying to stand.

Kardanov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Bennet has managed to free his arm - good work.
Bennet pushes Kardanov off looking to stand but Kardanov dives back in and keeps control.
Bennet looks gassed!
Bennet is refusing to be controlled, as Kardanov sits in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Bennet wants to get back to his feet.

Kardanov is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Bennet is just riding it out for now. Kardanov eventually gives up the hold.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Kardanov is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Bennet is not content to let Kardanov control the position.
Bennet wants to get back to his feet.
Kardanov working Bennet over with strikes.
Bennet is trying to stand back up but Kardanov is controlling him

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kardanov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Kardanov is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Kardanov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Bennet wants to get back to his feet.
Kardanov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Bennet does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Bennet is trying to stand back up but Kardanov is controlling him
Bennet blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kardanov.
Nice strikes from Kardanov there.
Kardanov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Kardanov throwing shots but Bennet is blocking nicely.
Bennet pushes Kardanov off looking to stand but Kardanov dives back in and keeps control.
Kardanov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Kardanov working Bennet over with strikes.
Kardanov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Bennet is trying to stand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kardanov slips a nice elbow through Bennet's hands, connecting with Bennet's forehead.

Bennet kicks Kardanov off and gets back to his feet.
Kardanov darts in trying to clinch
and Bennet counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kardanov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Bennet counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Bennet attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Kardanov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
letting Bennet counter with a right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anton Kardanov dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Kardanov misses with a takedown
and Bennet cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kardanov misses with a takedown attempt
and Bennet counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kardanov misses with a takedown attempt
and Bennet counters with a nice uppercut.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anton Kardanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kardanov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Bennet counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kardanov takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Kardanov misses with a takedown attempt
and Bennet counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Kardanov fails with the takedown
letting Bennet counter with a right hand.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kardanov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Bennet counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kardanov shoots and misses
and Bennet cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kardanov with a poor takedown
and Bennet counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kardanov wants to clinch
and Bennet connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kardanov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Bennet counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kardanov misses with a takedown
and Bennet counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Nice shot lands for Bennet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bennet scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Bennet tests Kardanov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Bennet scores with a nice strike.
Kardanov doesn't succeed with the takedown
enabling Bennet to counter with a crisp jab.
Bennet might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Bennet connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Kardanov's hands.
Kardanov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Bennet counters with a straight right hand.
Bennet lands a nice hook to Kardanov's body. Kardanov takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kardanov walks into a left hand.
Kardanov takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Kardanov misses with a shot to the body
and Bennet counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kardanov shoots and misses
and Bennet counters with a nice uppercut.
Bennet feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Kardanovs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Kardanov misses with a takedown attempt
and Bennet counters with a left to the body.
Bennet digs a good body shot into Kardanov's ribs.
Kardanov tries to move into range but Bennet moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Kardanov has his takedown stuffed
and Kardanov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Bennet throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

Kardanov is rocked!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kardanov misses with a body punch
and Bennet makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Bennet throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Bennet with a nice cross.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kardanov shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Oh Kardanov is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Bennet connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Kardanov momentarily.
Charles Bennet is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Bennet cracks a nice hook into Kardanov's ribs.
Kardanov tries to clinch
and Bennet counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Kardanov seems to have got his legs back now.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bennet smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Bennet's corner calls for a 1-2. Bennet obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Kardanov has his takedown stuffed
enabling Bennet to counter with a crisp jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Charles Bennet showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Bennet digs a good hook to Kardanov's body.
Kardanov fails with the takedown
and Bennet counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Kardanov has his takedown stuffed
and Bennet counters with a nice leg kick.
Kardanov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Bennet counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anton Kardanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bennet tests Kardanov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nice body punch from Bennet.
Kardanov takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kardanov shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Bennet is trying to stand back up but Kardanov is controlling him
Kardanov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Bennet wants to get back to his feet.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Kardanov is looking to take a break and control but Bennet is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Bennet is looking to escape.
Kardanov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Bennet is looking to escape.
Kardanov winds up and cracks Bennet with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kardanov trying to control from half guard but Bennet is working away.
Kardanov drops an elbow to the side of Bennet's head.
Kardanov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Bennet does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Kardanov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Kardanov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Bennet does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Kardanov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Kardanov prevents Bennet from standing back up.

Bennet kicks Kardanov off and gets back to his feet.
Kardanov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Bennet defends it nicely.
Kardanov with a lazy takedown attempt
and Bennet counters with a straight right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kardanov misses with a takedown
and Bennet counters with a stiff right hand.
Kardanov on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Bennet jabs at Kardanov's body.
Kardanov fails with the takedown
and Bennet counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Kardanov has his takedown stuffed
and Bennet counters with a three punch combo that has Kardanov backing up. Kardanov nods at Bennet to acknowledge the strikes.
Bennet throws a one two combo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bennet scores with the left hand. Kardanov knows he should have avoided that one.
Kardanov misses with a takedown
and Bennet counters with a right hand to the body.
Bennet scores with a hook to the body. Kardanov takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Kardanov misses with a combination
and Bennet counters with a nice body shot.
Bennet lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Bennet cracks Kardanov with an open hand slap.
Bennet wants to land a leg kick but Kardanov is out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Charles Bennet comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Bennet 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 Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 27:29
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 27:29
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 27:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Charles Bennet!