PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Matthieu Benoit (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ignatius Reilly (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Benoit
vs
Reilly

185 cm
29
193 lbs
20 - 10 - 2

190 cm
27
214 lbs
20 - 4 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

SPARTA FIGHTWARE-GTI
TFP Graphics - Pit Inc

Milwaukee's Best 160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 10 - 2, fighting out of New York, Matthieu Benoit!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ignatius Reilly!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Dean Styles and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A clash of legs there as Reilly blocks the low kick.
Benoit throws a series of strikes that have Reilly backpedaling.
Benoit shoots in but Reilly avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Benoit rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Reilly moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Reilly just misses with a punch to the body.
Benoit scores with a jab. Reilly acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

Benoit drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Benoit trying to control the position from guard on top but Reilly is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Reilly is trying to control the position but Benoit postures up.
Benoit trying to control the position from guard on top but Reilly is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Benoit stopping the sweep attempt from Reilly.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Benoit postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Reilly is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Benoit, into his guard.
Reilly stopping the sweep attempt from Benoit.

Benoit is looking for a triangle but Reilly pushes his legs off easily.
Reilly must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reilly wants to stand but Benoit has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Benoit has control of Reilly's left arm, preventing Reilly from doing any damage.
Reilly would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Benoit looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Reilly wants to get up but he can't break Benoit's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Benoit working for submissions but it's allowed Reilly to get to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reilly wants to stand up but Benoit is controlling the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Benoit is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Benoit wants to get back to full guard but Reilly has passed into side control.
Reilly working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benoit is looking to reverse the position.
Reilly wants to stand but Benoit is controlling his arm.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Benoit trying his best to control but Reilly has mounted him.
Benoit is trying desperately to improve position.
Benoit is working hard here to advance position.
Benoit is squirming around, avoiding Reilly's attempts to control the action.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Reilly prevents Benoit from getting the reversal.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matthieu Benoit dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Benoit looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Benoit just misses with a punch to the body.
Reilly throws a sloppy head kick and Benoit moves out of range easily.
Reilly moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Benoit checks a low kick from Reilly.
Benoit walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
A leg kick checked by Benoit.
Ignatius Reilly seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Benoit throws a leg kick that is checked
and Reilly counters with a nice body shot.
The fighters circling - Reilly throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Benoit swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Benoit jabs Reilly to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Reilly looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good work by Reilly as he checks the leg kick.
Benoit lands a nice looking body shot.
Reilly's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Benoit connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Reilly scrambles back to his feet.
Benoit misses with a low kick.
Reilly is looking to score with low kicks.
Benoit moves out of range of the body kick.
Reilly throws a body punch but Benoit moves out of range.
A nice leg kick lands there from Reilly.
Reilly misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Benoit scores with a kick to the midsection.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benoit looks to throw the jab but Reilly is out of range.
Benoit misses with a head kick.
Reilly misses with a head kick.
Reilly gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Benoit takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Benoit shoots in looking for a takedown. Reilly tries to sprawl out of it but Benoit keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Reilly manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Reilly misses with a leg kick

and Benoit counters with a single leg into guard. Reilly didn't expect that.
Benoit trying to control but Reilly is working from the bottom.
Reilly has control of Benoit's left arm, preventing Benoit from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reilly is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Benoit moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Reilly stands up from Benoit's guard - Reilly perhaps looking for a knockout.
Ignatius Reilly seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Reilly checks the leg kick nicely there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reilly tries to work over Benoit's front leg with a kick but Benoit checks it.
A nice inside leg kick there by Reilly. That's going to slow Benoit down.
Reilly scores with a jab to the head.
Reilly moves out of range of the body kick from Benoit.
Benoit misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Benoit throws a hook to the side of Reilly's head but Reilly sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Benoit throws a low kick but Reilly moves out of range easily.
Benoit looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nice shot by Reilly.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Reilly throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ignatius Reilly will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Reilly misses with an attempted mid kick.

Benoit fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Reilly sprawls well initially but Benoit persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Reilly is not content to let Benoit control the position.

Benoit is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Benoit trying to mount his opponent but Reilly defends it.
Benoit misses with a head shot. Reilly uses the momentum to regain guard.
Reilly seems keen to control Benoit's posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reilly wants to get back to his feet but Benoit is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Benoit sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Reilly's guard.
Benoit is trying to control. Reilly wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Benoit trying to control the pace.
Reilly trying to control here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Benoit in particular looking to stall.
Reilly wants to control but Benoit is keeping busy.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Benoit is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Reilly is trying to maintain the position but Benoit is very close to passing his half guard.
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.

Benoit is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Benoit is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Benoit is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Well, if Benoit is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Benoit trying to control from half guard but Reilly is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matthieu Benoit clearly takes that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Good work by Reilly as he checks the leg kick.
Benoit dodges the punch combination from Reilly.
Reilly works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Benoit tries to work over Reilly's front leg with a kick but Reilly checks it.
Benoit looks to land a right hand but Reilly moved out of range.
Benoit thuds his shin into the meat of Reilly's side.
Reilly chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Benoit can pounce on him.
Benoit throws a low kick but Reilly moves out of range easily.
Reilly throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reilly dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Benoit. That did some damage!
A jab from Reilly finds it's way through Benoit's defenses.
Reilly doesn't manage to clinch there - Benoit circles away.
Ignatius Reilly is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Benoit looks to throw the jab but Reilly is out of range.
Reilly thows a body shot but no joy.
Benoit slips a straight right by Reilly.
Reilly ducks under a wild hook from Benoit.
Reilly scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Benoit ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Benoit ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Reilly moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reilly takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Benoit lands with a nice combination. Reilly backs away looking to recover.

It looks like Ignatius Reilly has been cut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Reilly takes a swing at Benoit's ribcage but misses.
Reilly connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Reilly throws a leg kick

and Benoit counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Reilly's guard now.
Benoit pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Reilly is keeping the position for now.
Benoit looking to sit in guard and control but Reilly gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
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.
Reilly stopping the sweep attempt from Benoit.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benoit trying to control the position.
Benoit tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Reilly gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Benoit fails with a takedown attempt.
Reilly ducks under a wild hook from Benoit.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reilly misses with a straight left.
Benoit checks a leg kick nicely.
Benoit is trying hard to land a takedown here. Reilly sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Benoit looks to land a right hand but Reilly moved out of range.
A swing and a miss from Benoit.
Benoit shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Reilly as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matthieu Benoit. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A nice inside leg kick there by Reilly. That's going to slow Benoit down.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Benoit tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Matthieu Benoit will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Ignatius Reilly's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Benoit takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Benoit throws a head kick but Reilly moves out of range.

Reilly takes the fight into the clinch.
Benoit misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Reilly is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Benoit misses with a punch on the inside.
Benoit misses with a short punch on the inside.
Benoit tries to work over Reilly's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Reilly.

Benoit pulls guard.
Benoit is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reilly has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Benoit is proving hard to escape from.
Benoit wants to sweep here but Reilly controlling him for the moment.
Benoit trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

Benoit escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Reilly gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reilly wants to stand but Benoit has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Reilly postures up.
Reilly is looking to stand up but Benoit won't let him.

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

Benoit throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Reilly is looking to stand up but Benoit won't let him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benoit wants to sweep but no luck.
Reilly has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Benoit is proving hard to escape from.
Ignatius Reilly has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Reilly preventing the sweep.

Reilly gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Benoit ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Reilly moves away.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Reilly, right into the meat.
Matthieu Benoit is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benoit scoring well with a low kick there.
Benoit is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Reilly swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Benoit counters with a slapping leg kick.
A bone on bone clash there as Reilly blocks the leg kick.
Benoit ducks under a wild hook from Reilly.
Benoit throws a hook to the side of Reilly's head but Reilly sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Benoit throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Benoit takes one on the chin but seems OK.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Benoit feints and then cracks Reilly's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Reilly down.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Benoit.
Benoit throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

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.
I think Benoit has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 49:47
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 49:47
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 49:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matthieu Benoit!
Matthieu Benoit retains his light heavyweight title!
After winning the bout, Matthieu Benoit thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.