PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Earl Bennet (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Leon Rivers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Bennet
vs
Rivers

191 cm
24
215 lbs
8 - 6 - 1

188 cm
27
212 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very strong

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

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 8 - 6 - 1, fighting out of New York, Earl Bennet!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Leon Rivers!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, John Kavanagh and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bennet throws a left and a right that both miss
and Rivers counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Bennet manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Rivers on his heels. He'll look to pass Rivers's guard now, I'm sure.
Bennet trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rivers has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Bennet lands a couple of digs.
Rivers lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Bennet!
Rivers landing punches.
Rivers has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Bennet manages to regain half guard. Good work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bennet trying to control here.
Rivers is trying to control. Bennet wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivers not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Rivers is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Bennet defends it well.
Bennet wants to get back to full guard but Rivers has mounted him!

Rivers working for a submission but Bennet is keeping him at bay.
Rivers unloading with bombs!
Rivers lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Rivers is landing with some decent strikes but Bennet is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Bennet is working to get back to half guard.
Rivers tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Rivers postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Bennet looks a forlorn figure.
Bennet is looking to get to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivers connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
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!
Rivers is landing with some decent strikes but Bennet is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Bennet sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Rivers working the head and body with strikes.
Bennet is trying to get back to full guard.
Bennet is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Rivers scores with a couple of nice shots.
Rivers tries to pass to full mount but Bennet defends it.
Rivers looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Bennet is trying to get back to full guard.
Rivers working the head and body with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bennet wants to control but Rivers is keeping busy.
Bennet wants to improve his position but Rivers is controlling well.
Bennet wants to control but Rivers is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Bennet is pressing down on Rivers's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Bennet has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Rivers has passed into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rivers trying to control the position but Bennet is working away.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Rivers looks up at the clock and then as Bennet takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Rivers smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Rivers scoring with punches and elbows.
Bennet on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Rivers cracks Bennet with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Bennet can't do much from the bottom here.
Bennet on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Bennet tries to get out of the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bennet is looking to regain half guard here but Rivers keeps moving and retains side control.
Rivers is chipping away with strikes.
Rivers working the head and body with strikes.
Bennet is trying to control Rivers's posture but Rivers avoids it.
Both fighters take a look at the clock.
Bennet sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Bennet won't allow Rivers to pass to mount.
Rivers looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Bennet with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bennet trying to hold on to Rivers's head to control him but Rivers postures up.
Bennet missing with punches from the bottom.
Rivers scoring with strikes to the body and head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leon Rivers dominated that round.
That's time! Bennet's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Bennet throws a hook to the side of Rivers's head but Rivers sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Rivers dives in and scores a takedown into Bennet's guard.
Bennet is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Rivers throws a big right hand that misses.
Bennet looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rivers is one step ahead there.
Bennet is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Bennet looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rivers is one step ahead there.
Rivers with a flurry of punches that miss.

Bennet looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivers lands a couple of elbows.
Rivers trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Leon Rivers has got the better of the ground game so far.
Bennet controls Rivers momentarily but Rivers frees himself.
Bennet is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Bennet thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Rivers to regain full guard.
Bennet throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Rivers is on top in guard.
Bennet is looking to stand up but Rivers isn't so interested in that idea.
Rivers with a nice head shot there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivers is pushing down on Bennet's leg trying to pass to half guard. Bennet is fighting to maintain full guard but Rivers has managed to sneak the leg through.
Rivers trying to pass the guard but Bennet defending well.
Bennet is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Bennet is trying to maintain the position but Rivers is very close to passing his half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Rivers lands a nice short elbow.
Bennet is trying to maintain the position but Rivers is very close to passing his half guard.
Bennet is trying to get back to full guard.
Rivers is looking to advance position but Bennet won't allow it.
Ground and pound from Rivers.
Bennet wants to improve his position but Rivers is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivers trying to control the pace.
Rivers is nestled in close to Bennet, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Bennet trying to control but Rivers postures up.
Bennet is looking for a sweep. Rivers is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Rivers 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.
Rivers tries to pass the half guard into mount. Bennet knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Nice strikes from Rivers there.
Bennet gets full guard.
Rivers preventing the sweep.
Rivers chips away with some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rivers trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Bennet tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Rivers wants to pass the guard but Bennet is keeping the position.
Bennet has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Rivers is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Bennet doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Bennet bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Rivers's guard.
Rivers is trying to keep Bennet in close.
Bennet throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Rivers works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Rivers avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leon Rivers showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Bennet gets caught napping as Rivers dives in and scores a takedown. Bennet manages to retain guard.
Bennet wants to sweep but no luck.
Bennet is working hard here to advance position.
Rivers tries to free his leg and advance position but Bennet is retaining full guard.
Bennet is adopting a defensive guard.
Bennet not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Bennet wants to improve his position but instead Rivers has moved into half guard.
Bennet is trying to control but can't.
Bennet is concentrating on defense, preventing Rivers from advancing position.

Rivers is working for a submission of some sort.
Bennet is controlling Rivers's position as best he can from this difficult position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bennet gets full guard.
Rivers stopping the sweep attempt from Bennet.
Rivers is looking to work some ground and pound but Bennet has wrist control.
Rivers working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Bennet's head.
Bennet wants to sweep but no luck.
Bennet can't keep his opponent in guard - Rivers advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Bennet trying to hold on to Rivers's head to control him but Rivers postures up.

Rivers is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Rivers lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bennet wants to control but Rivers is keeping busy.
Bennet controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Rivers 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 missing with punches from the bottom.
Bennet makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Bennet.
Bennet lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Rivers!
Poor strikes thrown by Bennet there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Earl Bennet has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bennet thowing shots but they're missing.
Rivers avoids a series of strikes thrown by Bennet.
Bennet avoids the attempt from Rivers to control.

Bennet swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Rivers is now in Bennet's guard. A big mistake from Bennet there, giving up the dominant position!
Bennet wants to sweep but no luck.
Rivers scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bennet trying to strike off his back.
Rivers preventing the sweep.
Rivers content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Bennet tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Leon Rivers is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rivers stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Bennet swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Rivers preventing the sweep.
Bennet working a defensive guard here.
Rivers preventing the sweep.
Bennet not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Bennet looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rivers controls from within his opponent's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Leon Rivers comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Rivers has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Steve Montenegro scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Leon Rivers!