PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mercutio Benvolio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Adrian Desper (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Desper has chosen PRIDE as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Benvolio
vs
Desper

194 cm
24
183 lbs
10 - 7 - 0

185 cm
30
185 lbs
7 - 7 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
World class MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Perkele!

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 10 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mercutio Benvolio!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Adrian Desper!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Matti Vanhoillinen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Desper thows a left - swing and a miss!
Benvolio cracks Desper with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Desper takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Benvolio throws a shot from downtown. Desper moves away and avoids it.
Desper cracks Benvolio with a good jab.
Desper throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Desper fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Benvolio manages to avoid it.
Benvolio misses with the combination.
Benvolio cracks Desper with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Desper takes a kick to the side of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Benvolio fakes the leg kick and cracks Desper in the body.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Desper.
Benvolio lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Desper fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Benvolio manages to avoid it.
Desper connects with a leg kick. Benvolio looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Benvolio throws a wild body kick that Desper sees coming a mile off.
Desper on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Desper thows a body shot but no joy.
Desper is looking to chop away at Benvolio's legs.
Benvolio throws a low kick but it's checked well by Desper.
Benvolio looks to throw the jab but Desper is out of range.
Desper bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Desper is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Benvolio.
Desper scores with a one two! Benvolio had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

It looks like Mercutio Benvolio has been cut.
Benvolio slips under a jab.
Desper throws a body punch but Benvolio moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Desper walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Desper jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Benvolio slips a jab and a cross from Desper.
Benvolio misses with a looping left.
Desper misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Benvolio.
Desper on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Benvolio. Benvolio obviously looking to wear him down.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Benvolio walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
A slapping body kick lands there for Benvolio.
Benvolio stalks Desper and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Desper's face. Desper staggers backwards, shaken.
Desper looks gassed!
Desper has a takedown stuffed.
Mercutio Benvolio is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Benvolio lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Benvolio throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benvolio shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Desper thows a body shot but no joy.
Benvolio throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Desper sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Desper misses with an uppercut.
A good leg kick by Benvolio.
Desper has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Benvolio finds it's way round the side to connect with Desper's head.
Benvolio lands a jab.
Desper cracks a nice hook into Benvolio's ribs.
Benvolio thuds his shin into the meat of Desper's side.
Benvolio thows a body kick. Desper tries to catch it but that hurt him.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Benvolio lands with a shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benvolio connects with a single shot there.
Desper misses the shot to the body.
Desper waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Benvolio.
Benvolio misses with a jab, cross combination.
Benvolio displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Desper has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Desper there as he acknowledges the shot.
Desper scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Benvolio is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Desper closes this distance looking for a takedown but Benvolio circles away.
Mercutio Benvolio has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Adrian Desper.
Benvolio connects with a good right hand that stumbles Desper. Desper circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Benvolio displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Benvolio is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Desper crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Benvolio - the referee stops the clock and Desper gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Benvolio. Desper manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Benvolio tests Desper's chin there with a solid looking shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mercutio Benvolio dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mercutio Benvolio's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Desper on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Benvolio slips under a jab from Desper.
Mercutio Benvolio seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Desper misses with a hook.
Both fighters circling a little - Benvolio finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Benvolio throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Benvolio looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Benvolio lands a jab to Desper's midsection.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Desper crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Benvolio - the referee stops the clock and Desper gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Benvolio. Desper manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Benvolio connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Desper momentarily.
Desper is breathing heavily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Benvolio fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Desper.
Benvolio scores with the left hand. Desper knows he should have avoided that one.
Some wild striking there from Benvolio.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benvolio throws a front kick that sends Desper stumbling back into the cage.
Benvolio lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Benvolio is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Desper can do to turn this around?
A jab lands there for Benvolio.
Benvolio scores with a jab.
Benvolio throws a sloppy head kick and Desper moves out of range easily.
Desper is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Desper throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Benvolio lands a nice shot that snaps Desper's head back.
Benvolio fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Desper on the side of the head.
Benvolio swings for the body but Desper moves out of range.
Desper shoots in but Benvolio avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Benvolio misses with a series of wild punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benvolio moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Benvolio fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Desper has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Desper throws out a loose jab but Benvolio uses good head movement to avoid it.
Benvolio digs a good hook to Desper's body.
Benvolio connects with a looping right hand.
Desper has a takedown stuffed.
Benvolio throws a nice looking combination but Desper bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Desper is trying desperately to land a takedown but Benvolio is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Desper.
Benvolio feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Desper's calf.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with eachother but Desper might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Benvolio has got the better of the exchanges.
A right-left combo lands from Benvolio.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benvolio lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Benvolio takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Benvolio connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
A head kick from Benvolio lands but Desper takes it in his stride.
Benvolio jabs Desper right on the nose. Desper blinks but takes it well.
Desper is trying hard to land a takedown here. Benvolio sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Mercutio Benvolio has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Adrian Desper.
The fighters circle momentarily. Benvolio darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Benvolio misses with a body shot.
Desper looks to throw the jab but Benvolio is out of range.
Benvolio lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Desper's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Good leg kick by Benvolio there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A cross from Benvolio lands.
Benvolio buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Benvolio connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Benvolio 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.
Benvolio swinging wildly here.
Benvolio dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Desper. That did some damage!
Desper has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Benvolio.
Desper lands an overhand right.
Benvolio throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Desper stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Benvolio scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Desper doesn't seem bothered though.
Desper thows a body shot but no joy.
Desper walks forward, straight into a front kick from Benvolio.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mercutio Benvolio dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Mercutio Benvolio's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Desper on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Desper takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Desper swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Benvolio counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Desper throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Benvolio sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Benvolio throws a head kick but Desper moves out of range.
Desper throws a body punch but Benvolio moves out of range.
Benvolio scores with a shot to the body.
Desper takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Desper has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Benvolio throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Desper takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Benvolio fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Desper manages to avoid it.
Benvolio lands with an uppercut that bounces Desper off the cage and back into range.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Benvolio. Desper shrugs it off though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Desper drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Desper chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Benvolio can pounce on him.
Desper on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Benvolio connects with a leg kick. Desper looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Benvolio is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Desper takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Benvolio lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Good work by Benvolio as he checks the leg kick.
Desper avoids a punch combination nicely.
Desper misses with a body shot
and Benvolio counters with a slapping leg kick.
Benvolio scores with a one two! Desper had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Benvolio misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Desper.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Desper thows a body shot but no joy.
Desper throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
A jab from Benvolio finds it's way through Desper's defenses.
Mercutio Benvolio is winning the standup battle so far.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Benvolio connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Benvolio chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Benvolio pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Desper back to the cage. Benvolio follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
No joy there for Desper, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A telegraphed right hand from Desper misses the target.
Benvolio closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Desper misses with the body kick
and Benvolio counters with a straight right hand.
Benvolio scores with a three punch combo!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Desper swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Desper slips a jab from Benvolio.
Desper misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Benvolio misses with a jab, cross combination.

Desper scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Desper throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Ground and pound from Desper.
Desper thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Benvolio is defending against the submission attempts here by Desper.
Benvolio avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Desper.
Adrian Desper has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benvolio is holding on to half guard well.
Benvolio avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Desper.
Benvolio is pressing down on Desper's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Desper postures up in Benvolio's guard and throws a big left but Benvolio blocks it.
Benvolio keeping moving, preventing Desper from controlling successfully.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Desper drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Desper jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Desper postures up.
Desper has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Desper tries to stand but Benvolio is controlling from the bottom.
Desper trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mercutio Benvolio showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Benvolio, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mercutio Benvolio!