PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Matthieu Benoit (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and R J MacReady (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Benoit
vs
J MacReady

185 cm
27
193 lbs
14 - 9 - 2

186 cm
26
210 lbs
18 - 13 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Heavy handed

Sublime Supplements
Virtual Fighter Clothing

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 14 - 9 - 2, fighting out of New York, Matthieu Benoit!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 13 - 0, fighting out of New York, R J MacReady!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Russell Pearce and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
MacReady throws a poor cross that misses
and Benoit counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Benoit lands a nice leg kick that just misses MacReady's sensitive parts.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Benoit - that will leave a mark!
Benoit misses with a body kick.
Benoit throws out a loose jab but MacReady uses good head movement to avoid it.
Benoit takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
MacReady takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Benoit explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

MacReady moves into the clinch.
A short right from MacReady on the inside.
Benoit scores a nice knee to the body.
MacReady looks gassed!
Benoit is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. MacReady is defending well for now.
Benoit scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Benoit lands with a light punch inside.
Benoit lands a right hand.
Benoit leaning his opponent against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MacReady stalling in the clinch but Benoit improves position.
Benoit pushes MacReady back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
MacReady prevents a body shot from Benoit.
Benoit lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Benoit tries to work over MacReady's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
MacReady swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Benoit tries to throw a body punch but MacReady avoids it by throwing Benoit back against the cage.
Benoit misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Benoit gets through MacReady's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
MacReady goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Still in the clinch, Benoit scores with a nice short uppercut.
Benoit lands a body shot in the clinch.

MacReady's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Benoit is looking to slow MacReady down with leg kicks.
MacReady checks a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benoit throws a nice looking combination but MacReady bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Benoit pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Benoit scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
MacReady closes the distance looking to clinch
and Benoit counters with a nice uppercut.
MacReady defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Benoit.
MacReady checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Benoit throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
MacReady lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Benoit at a distance.
R J MacReady is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Benoit closes the distance and pushes MacReady back into the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Benoit.
Benoit tries a body shot but MacReady blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice left hand lands by MacReady.
MacReady misses with a hook from the clinch.
Benoit works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Benoit stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Benoit lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Benoit tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. MacReady smiles and moves away.
Benoit thumps MacReady with a low kick.
Benoit shoots in and drives through. MacReady sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matthieu Benoit. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
MacReady throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
MacReady is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Benoit checks the leg kick nicely there.
MacReady stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Benoit.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
MacReady slaps away a takedown attempt from Benoit, before circling back to the center of the mat.

MacReady gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Benoit trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Benoit is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Benoit looking to pass the guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Benoit throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Benoit working some strikes from top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matthieu Benoit dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Benoit fails with a takedown attempt.
Benoit is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that MacReady can do to turn this around?

Benoit moves into range and clinches up with MacReady.
MacReady blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Benoit lands a right hand that snaps the head of MacReady backwards.
MacReady scores with a shot to the side of Benoit's head.
Matthieu Benoit has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Benoit tries to throw a body punch but MacReady avoids it by throwing Benoit back against the cage.
MacReady prevents a body shot from Benoit.
Nice body punch from Benoit - that landed with a thud.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Benoit here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Benoit stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
MacReady managing to block the knees to the body from Benoit.
MacReady looking to stall.
Benoit lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of MacReady backwards.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
MacReady misses with a short punch on the inside.
MacReady scores with a shoulder strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Benoit fails to land.
Benoit blocks an uppercut.
Benoit trying to land knees to the body.

Benoit jumps into guard, dragging MacReady to the mat.
Benoit working a defensive guard here.
MacReady trying to control the position from guard on top but Benoit is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Benoit is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Benoit controlling MacReady's posture.
MacReady missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benoit working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from MacReady.
Benoit seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Benoit has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
MacReady throws an off balance right hand
and Benoit counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Benoit attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Benoit ducks under a wild hook from MacReady.
Matthieu Benoit is winning the standup battle so far.
MacReady fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Benoit is out of range.
Benoit throws a looping overhand right but MacReady ducks down to avoid it.
Benoit ducks right into an uppercut from MacReady.
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!
A cross from Benoit lands.
MacReady swings for the body but Benoit moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benoit takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
A clash of legs there as MacReady blocks the low kick.
Benoit staying out of range there.
MacReady on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Benoit throws a chopping leg kick but MacReady manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Benoit feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to MacReady's calf.
MacReady throws a push kick but Benoit slaps the foot to one side.
MacReady blocks a head kick by Benoit.
MacReady misses the shot to the body.
Benoit misses with a low kick.
A big right from MacReady misses.
Benoit tries to clinch up but MacReady circles away and keeps his distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
MacReady throws a leg kick that misses.
Benoit lands a glancing blow to the side of MacReady's head.
MacReady leaves Benoit with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Benoit lands a nice looking body shot.
Benoit walks into a jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Benoit closes the distance and clinches.
MacReady struggles to land a body shot inside as Benoit controls his hands.

MacReady's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
MacReady throws an off balance right hand

and Benoit counters with a takedown into side control.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Benoit is looking to take a break and control but MacReady is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matthieu Benoit dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Benoit lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
MacReady throws an overhand right that lands on Benoit's shoulder, as Benoit tries to avoid the shot.
A nice leg kick lands there from Benoit.
Benoit on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
MacReady with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Benoit shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Benoit takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
MacReady tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
MacReady takes a shot right to the bread basket.

Benoit rushes MacReady and presses him up against the cage.
MacReady throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Benoits head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Benoit misses with a body punch.
Benoit doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benoit stalling.

MacReady's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Benoit takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Benoit throws a head kick that misses.
MacReady throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
MacReady looks to land a right hand but Benoit moved out of range.
MacReady tries to clinch but Benoit is having none of it.
Benoit tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but MacReady swivels and escapes.
MacReady misses with a straight right.
MacReady misses with a body shot.
MacReady swings for the body but Benoit moves out of range.
MacReady thows a body shot but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MacReady throws a chopping leg kick but Benoit manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Benoit fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matthieu Benoit. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Benoit misses with a wild body shot.
A solid leg kick lands there for Benoit.
MacReady takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
MacReady throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Benoit is looking to clinch but MacReady is avoiding it.
MacReady throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Benoit throws a leg kick that is checked
and MacReady counters with a body kick.
Benoit turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from MacReady lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Benoit has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Benoit and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Benoit misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
R J MacReady seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good leg kick by Benoit there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
MacReady misses with a straight right.
A slapping leg kick lands for Benoit.
Benoit tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
MacReady ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Benoit moves away.
Benoit with a body punch. A glancing blow.

Benoit forces MacReady back against the cage and clinches.
MacReady lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Benoit controlling the action here for a moment.
Benoit takes a shot to the head.
Benoit presses MacReady against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
MacReady gets underhooks to prevent Benoit's takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Benoit tried to land a shot to the body but connects with MacReady's elbow.
Matthieu Benoit is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
MacReady misses with a hook to the ribs.
MacReady trying to control the position but instead, Benoit has worked for underhooks and has pushed MacReady into the cage.
Benoit tries a body shot but MacReady blocks it.
Benoit lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Benoit pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
MacReady's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
MacReady prevents a body shot from Benoit.
MacReady lands a shoulder strike.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Benoit is trying to drag MacReady to the mat but MacReady just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Benoit as MacReady tries to tie him up.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Matthieu Benoit.
Well Benoit has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Joseph Jones scores the fight 30:27
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matthieu Benoit!