PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Maxim Kharlamov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Erik Bennett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bennett has chosen Illusions as his entrance music. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Kharlamov
vs
Bennett

174 cm
25
180 lbs
8 - 2 - 1

183 cm
24
182 lbs
14 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Hardcore Nutrition
Perkele!

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 8 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Maxim Kharlamov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Erik Bennett!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, John Kavanagh and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bennett throws a combination that misses
and Bennett takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kharlamov throws a leg kick which misses Bennett's front leg but catches the back leg as Bennett tries to avoid it.
Kharlamov moves out of range of the strikes.
Bennett throws a series of punches but Kharlamov avoids them all with ease.
Kharlamov throws a nice inside leg kick.
Bennett takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Bennett throws an overhand right that lands on Kharlamov's shoulder, as Kharlamov tries to avoid the shot.
Bennett keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A jab from Kharlamov misses.
Bennett misses with an uppercut. Kharlamov saw that one coming.
Kharlamov throws a lazy right hand but Bennett sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kharlamov throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Bennett misses with a hook.
Kharlamov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bennett throws a hook but Kharlamov avoids it easily.
Kharlamov throws a front kick that sends Bennett stumbling back into the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Kharlamov. Those never looked like landing.
Kharlamov scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Kharlamov throws a big shot that misses.
Kharlamov tries to land a front kick but Bennett steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Bennett misses with a straight right.
Bennett slips a jab from Kharlamov.
Maxim Kharlamov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kharlamov throws a jab but it's blocked by Bennett.
Kharlamov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kharlamov scores with a sloppy right hand. Bennett should have avoided that one.
Kharlamov throws a lazy right hand but Bennett sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kharlamov throws a big shot that misses.
Kharlamov fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
The crowd cheers as Bennett lands an impressive looking overhand right. Kharlamov doesn't seem phased though.
Kharlamov shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Kharlamov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bennett. Kharlamov does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kharlamov scores with a nice head shot.
Bennett uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Bennett throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kharlamov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kharlamov lands with a straight right. Bennett didn't see that one coming.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bennett ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kharlamov moves away.
Bennett throws a front kick aimed at Kharlamov's knee but Kharlamov avoids it well.
Kharlamov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Bennett throws out the jab.
Kharlamov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Bennett.
Kharlamov defending well as Bennett loads up on a big left hand.
Kharlamov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bennett was well out of range. Poor timing from Kharlamov.
Kharlamov just misses with a punch to the body.
Bennett bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kharlamov takes a swing at Bennett's ribcage but misses.
Bennett blocks a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kharlamov lands a front kick.
Bennett might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
A head kick misses from Bennett.
Kharlamov plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Bennett takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Kharlamov scores with a jab to the jaw.
Maxim Kharlamov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kharlamov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bennett manages to avoid it.
Donk. Kharlamov catches Bennett right on the button with a cross.
Bennett tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kharlamov.
Bennett throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Kharlamov on the side of the head.
Kharlamov throws a jab but it's blocked by Bennett.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kharlamov looks to throw the jab but Bennett is out of range.
Kharlamov misses with a looping right.
Kharlamov thows a body shot but no joy.
Bennett throws a nice looking combination but Kharlamov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bennett misses with a series of wild punches.
Kharlamov throws a big shot that misses.
Bennett punishes Kharlamov's body with a nice straight punch.
Kharlamov throws a series of punches but Bennett avoids them all with ease.
Kharlamov on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Bennett throws a jab when Kharlamov was well out of range.
Bennett tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kharlamov paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Kharlamov gets caught flat footed, as Bennett shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Bennett controls from within his opponent's guard.
Bennett trying to control but Kharlamov is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maxim Kharlamov dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Bennett cracks Kharlamov with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Bennett checks a leg kick.
Kharlamov lands the left hand.
Kharlamov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Bennett throws out the jab.
Bennett misses with a body shot.
Bennett misses with a straight right.
Bennett keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kharlamov.
Bennett throws a leg kick that is checked
and Kharlamov counters with a nice body shot.
Kharlamov with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A head kick misses from Bennett.
Kharlamov misses with a body kick.
Bennett thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kharlamov looks for the body kick but Bennett saw that one coming.
Bennett keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bennett moves out of range of the body kick from Kharlamov.
Bennett lands a head shot.
Kharlamov fails to land with a series of punches.
Bennett throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kharlamov scores with a head kick.

It looks like Erik Bennett has been cut.
Bennett tries to work over Kharlamov's front leg with a kick but Kharlamov checks it.
The crowd cheers as Kharlamov lands an impressive looking overhand right. Bennett doesn't seem phased though.
Bennett takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Bennett moves out of range of the body kick.
Bennett uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kharlamov.
Bennett throws a leg kick which misses Kharlamov's front leg but catches the back leg as Kharlamov tries to avoid it.
Kharlamov turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Kharlamov tries to land a front kick but Bennett steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Maxim Kharlamov is winning the standup battle so far.
A swing and a miss from Bennett.
Kharlamov thows a body shot but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Kharlamov.
Bennett slips under a jab.
Bennett misses with a low kick as Kharlamov jumps back.
Kharlamov lands with an overhand left.
Nice body punch from Kharlamov.
Bennett lands with an uppercut that bounces Kharlamov off the cage and back into range.
Bennett throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Kharlamov stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Kharlamov misses with a straight left.
Bennett's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Kharlamov connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Bennett scrambles back to his feet.
Kharlamov scores with a body shot.
Bennett sizes up Kharlamov with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
A bone on bone clash there as Kharlamov blocks the leg kick.
Bennett swinging wildly here.
Bennett works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kharlamov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Kharlamov throws a body punch but Bennett moves out of range.
Bennett moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

It looks like Maxim Kharlamov has been cut.
Bennett rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
letting Kharlamov counter with a right hand.
Kharlamov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bennett.
Kharlamov scores with a push kick.

Bennett closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Kharlamov quickly recovers to half guard.
Kharlamov trying to control but Bennett postures up.
Bennett with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
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!
Kharlamov is not content to let Bennett control the position.
The fighters are battling for position here. Kharlamov manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bennett scoring with some ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bennett is stalling in the full guard.
Bennett postures up.
Bennett wants to pass the guard but Kharlamov is keeping the position.
Bennett is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Kharlamov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bennett is one step ahead there.
Kharlamov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Maxim Kharlamov.
Bennett slips under a jab from Kharlamov.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Erik Bennett will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

A slow jab from Bennett misses its intended target.
Bennett throws a right hand that Kharlamov ducks under and follows up with a left that Kharlamov also avoids with ease.
Good leg kick by Kharlamov there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Bennett has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Kharlamov.
Kharlamov takes a swing at Bennett's ribcage but misses.
Bennett will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Nice body punch from Kharlamov.
Bennett looks to land a left hand but Kharlamov moved out of range nicely.
Kharlamov lands with a cross.
A slow jab from Kharlamov misses its intended target.
Bennett's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Kharlamov avoids the body shot from Bennett.
Kharlamov misses with a looping left.
Sloppy strikes from Kharlamov. Those never looked like landing.
Kharlamov connects with a nice looking jab.
Bennett throws a jab but it's blocked by Kharlamov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bennett tries a head kick but it misses.
Kharlamov throws a leg kick which misses Bennett's front leg but catches the back leg as Bennett tries to avoid it.
Kharlamov on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Kharlamov throws a big shot that misses.
Kharlamov lands a glancing blow to the side of Bennett's head.
Decent striking displayed by Kharlamov there.
No joy there for Bennett, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Bennett fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Kharlamov checks it well.
Kharlamov throws a leg kick which misses Bennett's front leg but catches the back leg as Bennett tries to avoid it.
Bennett throws a leg kick that is checked
and Kharlamov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kharlamov feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Bennetts jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Kharlamov takes one to the side of the head.
Kharlamov lands with a thumping leg kick.
Kharlamov throws a push kick but Bennett slaps the foot to one side.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bennett slips a straight right by Kharlamov.
Bennett uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kharlamov.
Kharlamov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bennett.
Bennett misses with a two punch combination.
Bennett will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A slow jab from Kharlamov misses its intended target.
Kharlamov attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Bennett misses with a right hand
and Kharlamov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Bennett throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Bennett throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kharlamov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Bennett throws a head kick but Kharlamov moves out of range.
Kharlamov bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kharlamov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kharlamov with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Bennett.
Bennett throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Bennett has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Kharlamov.
Bennett ducks under a wild hook from Kharlamov.
Bennett misses with a combination
and Kharlamov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Bennett takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Bennett ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Kharlamov slips under a jab from Bennett.
Bennett swinging wildly here.
Kharlamov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Bennett throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kharlamov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Bennett ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kharlamov moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kharlamov throws out a powerful jab.

Bennett is rocked!
That kick from Kharlamov tenderised Bennett's leg. Bennett is trying to keep his angry face on.
Bennett is still on wobbly legs! Can Kharlamov finish him?
Kharlamov is looking to slow Bennett down with leg kicks.
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!
Kharlamov thumps Bennett with a low kick.
Kharlamov throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Kharlamov jabs at Bennett's body.
Kharlamov drops a shoulder and throws a monster hook that connects perfectly to the side of Bennett's head, knocking him out cold! Kharlamov is extatic as he celebrates with his cornermen.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:18 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Maxim Kharlamov!
Maxim Kharlamov retains his welterweight title!
A relieved looking Maxim Kharlamov thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.