PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tari Cunha (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Erik Bennett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cunha comes to the cage accompanied by Chains. Erik Bennett will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Cunha
vs
Bennett

182 cm
18
178 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

183 cm
19
182 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Big heart

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Powerful

[JMFC] Arashi Fighting Nutrition Q160 Recovery

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tari Cunha!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Erik Bennett!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Reed Andrews and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Good exchange - Bennett coming out on top.

Cunha moves into the clinch successfully.
Cunha stops a takedown attempt from Bennett.
Cunha gets underhooks to prevent Bennett's takedown attempt.
Cunha tries for a takedown. No joy.

Cunha works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Cunha pushing down on Bennett's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Cunha wants to pass to mount but Bennett is defending the position.
Bennett tries to get to full guard but Cunha has control of the leg.
Cunha thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Bennett's head.
Cunha has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Bennett on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cunha tries to pass to full mount but Bennett defends it.
Bennett regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cunha throwing strikes but missing.
Cunha wants to control from the top but Bennett keeps moving.
Cunha working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Bennett is pulling down on Cunha's head. It's preventing any offense from Cunha, at least for the moment.

Cunha has gone for a leg lock! Bennett slips out almost immediately though and dives into Cunha's guard.
Cunha preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Bennett trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Cunha manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bennett looking to hit a scissor sweep but Cunha is one step ahead there.
Cunha pushes down on Bennett's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Cunha is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Cunha unloads with some shots from mount but Bennett bucks and avoids them well.

Cunha has control of Bennett's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Bennett regains control of the situation pretty easily.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Cunha avoids the attempt from Bennett to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bennett tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Cunha lands a big shot there that rocks Bennett but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Bennett can't escape the position.

Cunha working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Bennett keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bennett is bucking up trying to escape but Cunha cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Bennett is wriggling around trying to escape.
Cunha lands a couple of nice shots there 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!
Bennett controls the position.
Cunha lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Bennett is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cunha landing strikes from the mount.

Cunha is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Bennett can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Cunha working Bennett over with strikes here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tari Cunha dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Bennett connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Tari Cunha seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cunha shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Bennett as he jumps to the side.

Cunha scores a takedown into full mount!
Cunha unloads with some vicious shots from mount and Bennett wants out - he looks towards the referee who steps in to save him! Cunha celebrates on the cage and the crowd goes wild!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:33 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Tari Cunha!
Tari Cunha took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, [JMFC] Arashi Fighting Nutrition Q160 Recovery for their support in the buildup to the fight.