PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Thomas Benjamin Jr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Per Saukko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Benjamin Jr comes to the cage accompanied by Beheaded in Paris by Cradled To Grave. The crowd seem to be enjoying Saukko's choice of entrance music: Jedi Mind Tricks - Genghis Khan . Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Benjamin Jr
vs
Saukko

180 cm
32
185 lbs
24 - 16 - 2

182 cm
34
180 lbs
21 - 16 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Solid chin

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 24 - 16 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, Thomas Benjamin Jr!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Per Saukko!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Alec Ball and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saukko steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Benjamin Jr.
Benjamin Jr will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A head kick by Saukko misses
and Benjamin Jr counters with a nice uppercut.
Saukko throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
An inside leg kick lands from Saukko.
Benjamin Jr swinging wildly here.
Saukko avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Saukko throws a combination that misses

and Benjamin Jr holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Benjamin Jr has a couple of punches blocked by Saukko.
Benjamin Jr lands a left hand that snaps the head of Saukko backwards.
Benjamin Jr tries a body shot but Saukko blocks it.
Saukko misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Benjamin Jr.
Benjamin Jr tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Benjamin Jr pushes Saukko back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Saukko blocking some punches.
Saukko crunches a lovely knee into Benjamin Jr's ribcage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Benjamin Jr dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Benjamin Jr tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saukko blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Saukko manages to break the clinch.
Benjamin Jr misses the shot to the body.
An inside leg kick from Benjamin Jr misses.
Benjamin Jr waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Saukko.
Saukko pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Thomas Benjamin Jr seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A swing and a miss from Benjamin Jr.
Nice uppercut there from Benjamin Jr.
Benjamin Jr misses with an uppercut
and Saukko counters with a body kick that stops Benjamin Jr in his tracks momentarily.
Saukko blocks a jab.
Saukko throws a head kick that misses.
Benjamin Jr swinging wildly here.
Saukko keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Saukko tries a low kick but Benjamin Jr avoids it.
Nice shot by Benjamin Jr.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benjamin Jr looks to throw the jab but Saukko is out of range.
Saukko fails to land with a series of punches.
Saukko throws a leg kick

and Benjamin Jr counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Benjamin Jr.
Saukko will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Benjamin Jr up against the cage.
Benjamin Jr is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Saukko lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Benjamin Jr misses with a hook from the clinch.
A hook to the body from Saukko.
Saukko misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Benjamin Jr working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Benjamin Jr scores with a nice hook to the head.
Benjamin Jr fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Benjamin Jr.
Benjamin Jr taking a breather.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benjamin Jr misses with a hook from the clinch.
Saukko trying to control the position but instead, Benjamin Jr has worked for underhooks and has pushed Saukko into the cage.
Benjamin Jr misses with a hook from the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Saukko creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Saukko is trying to force a seperation but Benjamin Jr has the dominant position.
Benjamin Jr avoiding damage as Saukko throws knees to the body.
Benjamin Jr misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Saukko is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Benjamin Jr lands an elbow just above Saukko 's eye.

It looks like Per Saukko has been cut.
Benjamin Jr works on Saukko's body with a couple of short punches.
Benjamin Jr works on Saukko's body with a couple of short punches.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Benjamin Jr misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benjamin Jr blocks a body shot from Saukko.
Benjamin Jr lands a left hand that snaps the head of Saukko backwards.
Saukko being controlled against the cage.
Benjamin Jr throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Saukko unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Benjamin Jr can't find room to land a body shot as Saukko controls the action.
Benjamin Jr lands a left hand.
Benjamin Jr misses with a short punch on the inside.
Benjamin Jr lands a right hand that snaps the head of Saukko backwards.
Benjamin Jr lands a shoulder strike.
Saukko is looking to break free of the clinch but Benjamin Jr has double underhooks.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Benjamin Jr misses with some punches.
Benjamin Jr throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Benjamin Jr lands a nice shot to the body.
Benjamin Jr scores with an uppercut up the middle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Benjamin Jr dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Per Saukko'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.

Saukko doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Saukko looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Benjamin Jr misses with a hook
and Saukko counters with a nice low kick that buckles Benjamin Jr's knee momentarily.
Saukko connects with a solid leg kick.
Saukko misses with a few strikes there.
Saukko buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Saukko misses with a series of wild punches.
Saukko throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Benjamin Jr.
The fighters circling - Benjamin Jr throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Thomas Benjamin Jr is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Saukko shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Benjamin Jr eats them both and turns towards Saukko to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Saukko bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Saukko throws a right hand that Benjamin Jr ducks under and follows up with a left that Benjamin Jr also avoids with ease.
Benjamin Jr throws a lazy uppercut
and Saukko counters with a two punch combo.
Benjamin Jr takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Benjamin Jr throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Benjamin Jr throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Saukko sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Thomas Benjamin Jr is winning the standup battle so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saukko misses with a few strikes there.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Saukko, right into the meat.
Benjamin Jr's jab looks to have found its range, popping Saukko under the eye.
A nice leg kick lands there from Saukko.
Benjamin Jr swinging wildly here.
Benjamin Jr avoids the head kick by Saukko.
Saukko throws a series of punches but Benjamin Jr avoids them all with ease.
Saukko misses with a leg kick.
Saukko throws a head kick that Benjamin Jr semi-blocks.
A slapping leg kick lands for Saukko.
Saukko with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Benjamin Jr uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Saukko has time to react.
Benjamin Jr fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Saukko.
Saukko misses with a series of wild punches.
Saukko keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Benjamin Jr.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benjamin Jr dips to his left and cracks Saukko with an uppercut!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Benjamin Jr throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Benjamin Jr is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Saukko.
Benjamin Jr checks the leg kick nicely there.
Nice body kick from Saukko.
Benjamin Jr is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Saukko misses with a leg kick

and Benjamin Jr counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Benjamin Jr.
Benjamin Jr misses with a body punch.
Benjamin Jr on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Benjamin Jr tries to work over Saukko's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Benjamin Jr lands an uppercut.
Benjamin Jr lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Saukko is trying to stall.
The referee calls for Saukko to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Saukko breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Good exchange - Benjamin Jr coming out on top.
Saukko showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Benjamin Jr.
A head kick misses from Saukko.
Saukko fails to land with a series of punches.
Benjamin Jr is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Saukko.
Benjamin Jr missing with a left hand there. Saukko was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A clash of legs there as Benjamin Jr blocks the low kick.
Benjamin Jr checks the leg kick.
Saukko fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Benjamin Jr with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Benjamin Jr just misses with a punch to the body.
Benjamin Jr misses with a straight right.

Benjamin Jr moves into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benjamin Jr working aggressively here.
Saukko with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Benjamin Jr lands with a short shot to the head.
Benjamin Jr cracks Saukko with a nice 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!
Saukko wants to break free but Benjamin Jr has control.
Benjamin Jr doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Come on Saukko - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Benjamin Jr managing to block the knees to the body from Saukko.
Saukko blocks an uppercut.
Benjamin Jr misses with a punch on the inside.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Benjamin Jr tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Saukko tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Benjamin Jr tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A body shot lands from Benjamin Jr.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Benjamin Jr dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Per Saukko's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Saukko looks to throw a body kick

and Benjamin Jr holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Benjamin Jr swings wildly with an uppercut but Saukko uses good head movement to avoid it.
Saukko doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Saukko can't find room to land a body shot as Benjamin Jr controls the action.
Saukko is working Benjamin Jr over against the cage.
Benjamin Jr misses with a body punch.
Saukko tries to stall but Benjamin Jr uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Benjamin Jr putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Saukko in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Benjamin Jr misses with some punches.
Benjamin Jr lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Benjamin Jr swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Benjamin Jr misses with a hook from the clinch.
Benjamin Jr is stalling here.
Saukko prevents a body shot from Benjamin Jr.
Benjamin Jr on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benjamin Jr throws a punch but it's blocked by Saukko.
Saukko blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A short body shot lands from Saukko as the two fighters clinch.
Benjamin Jr cracks Saukko with a nice body shot.
Benjamin Jr has a couple of punches blocked by Saukko.
Benjamin Jr tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Saukko's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Thomas Benjamin Jr has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Saukko blocks an uppercut.
Saukko lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Benjamin Jr tries a body shot but Saukko blocks it.
Saukko pushes off an throws an elbow but Benjamin Jr leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Saukko blocking some punches.
Benjamin Jr digs a right hand into Saukko's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Saukko's gas tank.
Benjamin Jr blocking some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saukko blocks a body shot from Benjamin Jr.
Saukko blocks an uppercut.
A short right from Benjamin Jr.

Saukko breaks from the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Saukko misses with a jab, cross combination.
Benjamin Jr throws a hook but Saukko avoids it easily.
Saukko misses with a low kick.
Benjamin Jr scores with a decent looking hook.
Saukko misses with a jab, cross combination.
Benjamin Jr misses with a straight right.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Benjamin Jr, as that shot connected.
Benjamin Jr waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Saukko.
Saukko lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Saukko bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Saukko misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benjamin Jr blocks a head kick by Saukko.
Benjamin Jr misses with a few strikes there.

Benjamin Jr darts in and clinches Saukko up against the cage.
Saukko working aggressively here.
Benjamin Jr looking to stall.

Saukko breaks the clinch.
Saukko throws a leg kick
and Benjamin Jr counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Per Saukko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Thomas Benjamin Jr is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Benjamin Jr works Saukko's body with a nice hook.
Benjamin Jr rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Saukko moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Benjamin Jr throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Saukko misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Benjamin Jr moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Saukko chopping away at his opponent's legs.
A nice combination there by Saukko.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benjamin Jr listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Benjamin Jr connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Benjamin Jr jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Benjamin Jr has Saukko up against the cage in a clinch.
Knees in the clinch landing for Saukko.
Saukko can't break the clinch.
Benjamin Jr lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Saukko.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Benjamin Jr lands a hook to the side of the head.
Benjamin Jr working aggressively here.
Saukko can't find room to land a body shot as Benjamin Jr controls the action.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thomas Benjamin Jr showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Benjamin Jr 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge William Peck scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 30:27

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