PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Dejan Simunic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johnny Benson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Simunic
vs
Benson

182 cm
18
146 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

150 cm
18
135 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Dejan Simunic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Johnny Benson!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Richard Clark and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Simunic scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Benson doesn't seem bothered though.
Simunic scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

A momentary lapse in concentration from Benson enables Simunic to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Benson manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Simunic really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Simunic slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Dejan Simunic wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Simunic is looking to slow Benson down with leg kicks.
Dejan Simunic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benson tries for a takedown but Simunic circles away easily
and Simunic counters with a leg kick.
Benson looks gassed!
Simunic lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

It looks like Johnny Benson has been cut.

Simunic throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Benson was covering up waiting for the punch and Simunic finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Benson should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Simunic is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simunic with a nice head shot there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Simunic controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Simunic slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
A lull in the action here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Simunic has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

Simunic is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Benson's half guard.
Simunic scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Simunic working over Benson with some ground and pound. Benson looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Simunic keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simunic working over Benson with some ground and pound. Benson looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Simunic takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Dejan Simunic.
Simunic lands with a cross.

Simunic shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dejan Simunic dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Johnny Benson's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Benson gets tackled into the cage by Simunic. Simunic maintains the clinch.
Benson tries to pull guard but Simunic won't allow it.
Simunic taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Simunic lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

Simunic breaks the clinch.

Simunic closes the distance and pushes Benson back into the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benson tries to pull guard but Simunic forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Benson is breathing heavily.
A short right from Simunic.
Simunic lands a body punch.
Benson tries to pull guard but Simunic holds him up against the cage and eventually Benson drops back down to his feet.
Dejan Simunic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Johnny Benson.
Simunic slowing the pace effectively.
Simunic comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Benson takes an elbow to the temple.

That has opened up Johnny Benson's cut even more.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simunic lands with a light punch inside.

Simunic breaks the clinch.

Simunic has managed to clinch.

Simunic escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Benson has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Simunic throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Benson's head.

The cut above Johnny Benson's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
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 right-left combo lands from Simunic.

Benson is rocked!

Simunic moves into range and clinches up with Benson.
Benson is still on wobbly legs! Can Simunic finish him?

Simunic jumps guard and drags Benson to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Simunic pulls Benson in close to prevent any damage.
Benson seems to have recovered his senses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Simunic closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Benson to the mat! Benson manages to get full guard.
Simunic looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Simunic is pushing down on Benson's leg trying to pass to half guard. Benson is fighting to maintain full guard but Simunic has managed to sneak the leg through.
Simunic seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Simunic is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Benson can do to turn this around?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dejan Simunic overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

Dejan Simunic has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Simunic closes the distance and clinches.
A short right from Simunic on the inside.
Simunic is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Simunic pushes Benson back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dejan Simunic dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Johnny Benson's cut.
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!

A nice combination there by Simunic.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Simunic.
Simunic connects with a high kick.
Simunic connects with a crisp jab.

Simunic looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Benson!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Simunic controlling his opponent.
Benson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simunic cracks Benson with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Simunic controlling the position easily from mount.
Simunic connects with a couple of good shots from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simunic tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Benson taking shots to the head.
Dejan Simunic is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Johnny Benson's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:05 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Dejan Simunic!
During a confident post fight interview, Dejan Simunic thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.