PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Erik Bennett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jon Monroe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bennett kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Illusions. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Bennett
vs
Monroe

183 cm
23
182 lbs
11 - 3 - 0

175 cm
22
182 lbs
8 - 1 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Erik Bennett!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 1, fighting out of New York, Jon Monroe!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, John Roberts and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bennett shoots for a double leg takedown but Monroe sprawls well. He's pushed Bennett's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Monroe moves out of range as Bennett strikes.
Bennett slips under a jab from Monroe.
Monroe connects with a right hand. Bennett shakes it off.
Monroe defending well as Bennett loads up on a big left hand.
Monroe swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Bennett shoots in for a double leg but Monroe sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Monroe lands a nice shot to the body.
Monroe throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Monroe closes the distance and clinches.
Bennett lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Bennett tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Bennett lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Monroe backwards.
Bennett lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Bennett misses with a short punch on the inside.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Monroe breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Jon Monroe seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bennett shoots for a double leg takedown but Monroe sprawls well. He's pushed Bennett's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Erik Bennett. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Monroe throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Bennett sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Bennett tries a head kick but it misses.

Monroe closes the distance and clinches.
Bennett keeps control of Monroe as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Bennett lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Bennett lands with a left to the head.
Monroe wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Monroe pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Bennett throws a leg kick which misses Monroe's front leg but catches the back leg as Monroe tries to avoid it.

Monroe has managed to clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Monroe.
Monroe prevents a body shot from Bennett.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Monroe.
Bennett throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

Monroe breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Jon Monroe is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Monroe swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Monroe closes the distance and clinches.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Monroe wants to break free but Bennett has control.
Bennett doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Monroe working hard to break the clinch.
Bennett misses with a body punch.
Monroe wants to get back to striking at distance but Bennett won't allow it.
Monroe is trying to break the clinch but Bennett has him pressed against the cage.
Monroe has had enough of the clinch but Bennett keeps him there for the moment.

Monroe breaks from the clinch.

Monroe moves into the clinch successfully.
Bennett keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Monroe's efforts to push away.
Bennett digs a right hand into Monroe's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Monroe's gas tank.
Bennett struggles to land a body shot inside as Monroe controls his hands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Monroe wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Bennett prevents Monroe from breaking the clinch.
Bennett struggles to land a body shot inside as Monroe controls his hands.
Bennett misses with some punches.
Bennett tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Bennett swings wildly with an uppercut but Monroe uses good head movement to avoid it.
Monroe blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Monroe wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Bennett has him pressed against the cage.
Bennett tries to throw a body punch but Monroe avoids it by throwing Bennett back against the cage.
Monroe tries to break free but Bennett pushes him back against the cage.
Bennett prevents Monroe from breaking the clinch.
Monroe blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Bennett keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Monroe's efforts to push away.
Bennett swings wildly with an uppercut but Monroe uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bennett has Monroe pressed against the cage, preventing Monroe from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Bennett throws a punch but it's blocked by Monroe.
A short body shot lands from Bennett as the two fighters clinch.
Bennett lands a right hand.
Bennett stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Bennett can't find room to land a body shot as Monroe controls the action.

Monroe breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Bennett!
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 looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Monroe drives through and clinches with Bennett against the cage.
Monroe tries to break free but Bennett pushes him back against the cage.

Monroe's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Erik Bennett will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Monroe moves out of range of the strikes.

Monroe closes the distance and clinches.
A short right from Bennett.
Monroe wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Bennett has him pressed against the cage.
Monroe wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Bennett has him pressed against the cage.
Bennett scores with a shoulder strike.
Monroe is trying to push Bennett away but Bennett has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Monroe is looking to break free of the clinch but Bennett has double underhooks.
Monroe wants to break the clinch but can't.
Bennett throws a head punch that misses.
Bennett tries to throw a body punch but Monroe avoids it by throwing Bennett back against the cage.
Bennett lands with a right to the head.
Bennett tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Monroe wants to get back to striking at distance but Bennett won't allow it.
Bennett tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Monroe looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Monroe pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Monroe loads up on a big right hand but Bennett slips the punch.
Monroe will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Bennett listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Bennett throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Bennett lands a jab.
Monroe takes one to the chin there.
Monroe throws a looping overhand right but Bennett ducks down to avoid it.
Bennett connects with a good right hand that stumbles Monroe. Monroe circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Monroe scores with a nice right hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Monroe closes the distance and pushes Bennett back into the cage.
Bennett tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Monroe wants to break free but Bennett has control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bennett scores with an uppercut up the middle.

Monroe breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Bennett tries to clinch but Monroe is having none of it.
Bennett is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Monroe slips under a jab from Bennett.
Bennett on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Monroe. Monroe obviously looking to wear him down.
Monroe on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Bennett. Bennett obviously looking to wear him down.
A telegraphed right hand from Bennett misses the target.
Bennett does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Bennett with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

Monroe closes the distance and pushes Bennett back into the cage.
Monroe prevents a body shot from Bennett.
Monroe has had enough of the clinch but Bennett keeps him there for the moment.
Monroe is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Monroe is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Monroe blocking some punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Monroe tries to break free but Bennett pushes him back against the cage.
Erik Bennett has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Bennett lands with a right to the head.
Bennett pushes Monroe back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Bennett goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Monroe has had enough of the clinch but Bennett keeps him there for the moment.
Monroe tries to break the clinch but Bennett is controlling the position.
Monroe looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Monroe.
Monroe wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Bennett tries to throw a body punch but Monroe avoids it by throwing Bennett back against the cage.

Monroe breaks from the clinch.
Monroe moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
A solid leg kick lands there for Bennett.
Bennett misses with a low kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bennett tries to move into range but Monroe moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Monroe steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Bennett.
Bennett misses with an uppercut. Monroe saw that one coming.

Monroe has managed to clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Monroe tries to circle away but Bennett has him pinned against the cage.
Monroe is trying to break the clinch but Bennett is controlling him.
Bennett goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Monroe can't break the clinch.
Monroe is trying to break the clinch but Bennett has him pressed against the cage.
Monroe tries to circle away but Bennett has him pinned against the cage.
Monroe is trying to break free.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bennett lands a hook to the side of the head.
Bennett gets through Monroe's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Bennett misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Monroe blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Erik Bennett will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Monroe misses with a straight left.
Monroe's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Monroe duly obliges.

It looks like Erik Bennett has been cut.
Monroe has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Monroe there as he acknowledges the shot.
Monroe gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Monroe, as that shot connected.
Monroe blocks a head kick by Bennett.
Monroe thows a body shot but no joy.
Bennett moves out of range of the strikes.
Bennett jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Bennett with a hook.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bennett throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Monroe.
Bennett pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Erik Bennett is winning the standup battle so far.
Bennett feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Monroe's calf.

Monroe gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Bennett breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Monroe clinches.
Bennett misses with a punch to the body.
Bennett misses with a hook to the ribs.
Bennett fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Monroe.
Monroe prevents a body shot from Bennett.
Monroe blocks an uppercut.
Bennett misses with a hook from the clinch.
Monroe blocks a body shot from Bennett.
Monroe blocking some punches.
Bennett misses with a shot to the kidneys.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Bennett creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Bennett misses with some punches.
Bennett tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bennett keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Monroe's efforts to push away.
Monroe blocks a body shot from Bennett.
A frustrated look appears on Monroe's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Monroe looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Bennett misses with a short punch on the inside.
Monroe tries to break free but Bennett pushes him back against the cage.
Bennett lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Monroe is trying to break the clinch but Bennett is controlling him.
Bennett scores with a nice hook to the head.
Bennett is looking for a takedown.
Monroe blocks a punch to the side of the head.
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!
Monroe wants to break free but Bennett has control.
Monroe is trying to force a seperation but Bennett has the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Bennett fails to land.
Monroe looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Bennett misses with a short punch on the inside.
Bennett fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Bennett doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Bennett tries to work over Monroe's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Bennett fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Monroe tries to break the clinch but Bennett is controlling the position.
Bennett tries to work over Monroe's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Monroe is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Monroe has had enough of the clinch but Bennett keeps him there for the moment.
Monroe wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Bennett has him pressed against the cage.
Bennett tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Monroe has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bennett can't find room to land a body shot as Monroe controls the action.
Bennett lands with a short shot to the head.

It looks like Jon Monroe has been cut.
Bennett struggles to land a body shot inside as Monroe controls his hands.
Bennett misses with the head strike.
Monroe prevents a takedown attempt there.

Monroe manages to break the clinch.
Bennett looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Bennett throws a leg kick
and Monroe counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Bennett throws a right and a left that Monroe avoids nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Monroe throws a hook to the side of Bennett's head but Bennett sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Bennett lands a nice looking body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Monroe instigates a clinch.
Bennett tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Monroe's elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Erik Bennett clearly takes that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A jab from Bennett misses.
Bennett throws a nice looking combination but Monroe bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Monroe bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

Bennett gets tackled into the cage by Monroe. Monroe maintains the clinch.
Bennett misses with the head strike.
Bennett swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Monroe is trying to push Bennett away but Bennett has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Bennett keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Monroe's efforts to push away.
Bennett misses with a hook to the ribs.
Monroe is trying to break free.
Monroe is trying to break the clinch but Bennett has him pressed against the cage.
Monroe blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Bennett keeps control of Monroe as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short body shot lands from Bennett as the two fighters clinch.
Bennett lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Monroe looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Monroe manages to break the clinch.
Jab, jab by Bennett - just one landing.

Monroe takes the fight into the clinch.
Monroe is trying to break free.
Bennett tries a body shot but Monroe blocks it.

Bennett pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Monroe forces Bennett back against the cage and clinches.

Monroe breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Bennett lands a nice looking body shot.
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!

Monroe closes the distance and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bennett escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Bennett uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Monroe.
Monroe throws a hook to the side of Bennett's head but Bennett sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Bennett throws a right and a left that both miss.
The fighters circling - Bennett throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Bennett misses with a hook. Monroe ducked under it nicely.
Monroe throws a solid leg kick but Bennett takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Monroe.
Bennett fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Monroe has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Monroe has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Bennett finds it's way round the side to connect with Monroe's head.
Bennett will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Monroe misses with a straight right.
Monroe swings for the body but Bennett moves out of range.
Bennett misses with a looping left.

Monroe closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Monroe working hard to break the clinch.
Bennett misses with a punch to the body.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Monroe as Bennett tries to tie him up.
Monroe tries to break free but Bennett pushes him back against the cage.
Bennett misses with a hook from the clinch.
Monroe is trying to push Bennett away but Bennett has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Bennett lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Monroe is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Monroe blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Monroe breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Monroe defending well as Bennett loads up on a big left hand.
Monroe checks a leg kick.
Bennett tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Monroe swivels and escapes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bennett swinging wildly here.
Bennett lands a leg kick that knocks Monroe off balance momentarily.

Bennett tries to keep at a distance but Monroe has taken the fight into the clinch.
Bennett prevents Monroe from breaking the clinch.
Monroe blocking some punches.

Monroe breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Bennett moves forwards but Monroe connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Monroe connects with a nice looking jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bennett closes this distance looking for a takedown but Monroe circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Erik Bennett. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Monroe staying out of range there.
Bennett throws a hook but Monroe avoids it easily.
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 Erik Bennett will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!

Monroe gets a clinch.
Bennett swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Monroe wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Bennett doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Monroe breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Bennett, as that shot connected.
Bennett throws a big shot that misses.

Monroe clinches up with Bennett and pushes him back against the cage.
Monroe looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Monroe wants to get back to striking at distance but Bennett won't allow it.
Bennett has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Monroe after a bit of a struggle.
Bennett lands a shoulder strike.
Monroe is trying to break the clinch but Bennett is controlling him.
Monroe tries to break free but Bennett pushes him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Monroe escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Monroe throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Monroe waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Bennett.

Monroe gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Bennett goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Bennett tries a body shot but Monroe blocks it.
Bennett swings wildly with an uppercut but Monroe uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bennett misses with a hook to the ribs.
Monroe has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Monroe lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Bennett backwards.
Bennett has a couple of punches blocked by Monroe.

Monroe breaks the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bennett throws a looping overhand right but Monroe ducks down to avoid it.
Bennett connects with a body shot.
Good exchange - Monroe coming out on top.
Monroe tries to bum rush Bennett with a series of wild strikes but Bennett uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Bennett throws a nice inside leg kick.
Monroe defending well as Bennett loads up on a big left hand.
Bennett moves out of range of the strikes.

Monroe has closed the distance and engaged Bennett in a clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bennett working aggressively here.
Bennett misses with some punches.
A nice left hand lands by Bennett.
Bennett misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Bennett swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Monroe tries to circle away but Bennett has him pinned against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bennett can't find room to land a body shot as Monroe controls the action.
Bennett tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Bennett working aggressively here.
Monroe tries to break the clinch but Bennett is controlling the position.
Bennett tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Monroe has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Monroe's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Bennett tries to work over Monroe's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Monroe manages to break the clinch.
Monroe throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Monroe fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Erik Bennett is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Bennett uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Monroe.

Monroe closes the distance and pushes Bennett back into the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bennett tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Monroe is trying to push Bennett away but Bennett has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Monroe blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Monroe looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Monroe prevents a body shot from Bennett.
Monroe has had enough of the clinch but Bennett keeps him there for the moment.
Bennett tries to work over Monroe's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Bennett lands with a right to the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Monroe tries to break free but Bennett pushes him back against the cage.
Bennett keeps control of Monroe as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Jon Monroe has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bennett keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Monroe's efforts to push away.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Jon Monroe.
Well Bennett 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 49:46
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 49:46
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 50:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Erik Bennett!
Erik Bennett retains his welterweight title!
An out of breath Erik Bennett thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.