PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Benji Cheshire (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sammy Spishak (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Spishak is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Sleeping with Sirens. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Cheshire
vs
Spishak

189 cm
25
220 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

185 cm
27
216 lbs
8 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Insanely flexible

TWGC Champion
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

The Adrenaline Matrix

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Benji Cheshire!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Sammy Spishak!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Spishak swats away the attempt to clinch by Cheshire.
Spishak takes one to the side of the head.
Spishak goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Spishak connects with a body shot that sends Cheshire's belly button to the back.
Spishak avoids the head kick by Cheshire.
The fight stays on the outside here - Cheshire looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Nice sprawl there from Spishak as Cheshire shoots in.
Spishak thows a body shot but no joy.
Cheshire tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Spishak manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Spishak fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Good standup being displayed there by Spishak as he connects with a hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cheshire fails in his attempt to clinch.
Cheshire looks to clinch
and Spishak cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Spishak fails to land with a series of punches.
Spishak ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cheshire moves away.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Cheshire.
Cheshire throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Benji Cheshire seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cheshire fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Benji Cheshire. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cheshire tries to clinch but Spishak moves away
and Spishak counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Cheshire fails with an attempt to clinch.
Spishak throws a one two combo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Spishak shoots in and gets a takedown into Cheshire's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Cheshire keeping moving, preventing Spishak from controlling successfully.
Cheshire keeping full guard, as Spishak tries to pass.

Spishak thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Spishak advances to half guard.

Spishak is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Cheshire has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Spishak is working away from the top position though.

Spishak is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Cheshire has managed to free his arm - good work.

Spishak is trying to work for a kimura but Cheshire is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cheshire preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Cheshire is pressing down on Spishak's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Cheshire looking to hit a scissor sweep but Spishak is one step ahead there.
Cheshire looking to control.
Spishak has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Cheshire is proving hard to escape from.
Cheshire keeping full guard, as Spishak tries to pass.
Cheshire has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spishak wants to control from the top but Cheshire keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Cheshire moves in looking to clinch but Spishak pushes him off.
Spishak circles away from the clinch attempt.
Cheshire swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Cheshire wants to clinch up but Spishak keeps it at a distance.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Cheshire is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Spishak breaks from the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sammy Spishak dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Cheshire is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Spishak cracks a nice hook into Cheshire's ribs.
Cheshire wants to clinch.
Cheshire wants to clinch.
Cheshire darts in trying to clinch
and Spishak counters with a lovely shot to the body.

Cheshire drives through and clinches with Spishak against the cage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cheshire avoiding damage.
Cheshire misses with an elbow over the top.
Spishak is working for takedown but Cheshire is calmly controlling the position for now.
Cheshire is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Spishak dodges an elbow strike from Cheshire.
Cheshire keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Spishak's efforts to push away.
With the fighters up against the cage, Cheshire throws an elbow but misses.
Spishak wants to break the clinch but can't.
Cheshire has Spishak pushed against the cage.
Cheshire creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Spishak's defenses.
Spishak is looking to break free of the clinch but Cheshire has double underhooks.
Cheshire leaning his opponent against the cage.
Cheshire misses with an elbow over the top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spishak on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Spishak tries to score a body lock takedown but Cheshire shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Benji Cheshire has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sammy Spishak.
Spishak takes a knee to the side of the body.
Spishak tries to break the clinch but Cheshire is controlling the position.
Spishak takes an elbow to the temple.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Spishak wants to break free but Cheshire has control.
Cheshire slowing the pace effectively.
Cheshire is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Spishak is breathing heavily.
Cheshire stalling in the clinch.
Cheshire throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Spishak takes an elbow to the temple.

It looks like Sammy Spishak has been cut.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Cheshire just misses with a elbow thrown towards Spishak's brow.
Cheshire scores with a nice hook to the head.
Cheshire throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Cheshire landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spishak tries to break the clinch but Cheshire is controlling the position.
Spishak looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Cheshire lands a right hand that snaps the head of Spishak backwards.
A frustrated look appears on Spishak's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Benji Cheshire has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Cheshire managing to block the knees to the body from Spishak.
Spishak is pushing Cheshire up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Cheshire lands an elbow inside.
A nice right hand lands inside from Cheshire.

Spishak breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Spishak throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Cheshire sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Cheshire wants to clinch but Spishak slips to the side
and Spishak counters with a straight right hand.
Cheshire looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Cheshire fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cheshire tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Spishak counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Cheshire throws the kick towards the body but Spishak avoids it.
Cheshire tries to clinch up
enabling Spishak to counter with a crisp jab.
Cheshire wants to clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cheshire fails in his attempt to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Benji Cheshire dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Sammy Spishak's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Spishak drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Spishak is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Cheshire has escaped the position, nice work there.
Cheshire can't do much from the bottom here.
Cheshire is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Spishak is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Cheshire gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Spishak keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Spishak is looking to advance position but Cheshire won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Spishak is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Spishak seems to be working for a kimura but Cheshire defends the submission attempt.

Spishak is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Cheshire has managed to free his arm - good work.
Spishak is thwarting Cheshire's attempts to control the position.

Spishak is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Cheshire has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Spishak is working away from the top position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cheshire tries to get to full guard but Spishak has control of the leg.
Spishak looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Spishak is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Cheshire is just riding it out for now. Spishak eventually gives up the hold.
Cheshire controlling the position well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Spishak seems to be looking for submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cheshire is defending against the submission attempts here by Spishak.
Cheshire trying to control here.
Cheshire preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Cheshire gets full guard.
Spishak pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Cheshire is keeping the position for now.
Cheshire looking to control.
Cheshire wants to sweep here but Spishak controlling him for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cheshire is trying to control the position but Spishak postures up.
Spishak wants to stand but Cheshire is controlling his posture from full guard.
Spishak wants to control from the top but Cheshire keeps moving.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Cheshire stuffs the takedown attempt from Spishak. Spishak gets slowly back to his feet.
Sammy Spishak seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Cheshire tries to clinch up

and Spishak holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cheshire wants to stall.
Spishak wants to break free but Cheshire has control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sammy Spishak really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Sammy Spishak's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Spishak keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Cheshire tries to clinch up but Spishak circles away and keeps his distance.
Cheshire tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Spishak counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Spishak.
Spishak misses with an elbow strike.
Spishak is trying to force a seperation but Cheshire has the dominant position.
Spishak can't break the clinch.
Cheshire creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Spishak just misses with a elbow thrown towards Cheshire's brow.
Cheshire lands a good knee to the midsection. Spishak won't want to take too many of those.
Cheshire lands an elbow that stopped Spishak in his tracks for a moment.
Spishak has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Cheshire is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Cheshire keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Spishak's efforts to push away.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cheshire gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Spishak regains guard.
Spishak manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Cheshire manages to get himself to full guard.
Cheshire is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Cheshire trying to control the position.
Cheshire seems keen to control Spishak's posture.
Cheshire doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Cheshire holds on and takes a little breather.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Benji Cheshire.
Spishak dives in and grabs Cheshire's left leg, looking for a takedown. Cheshire pushes down on Spishak's head and hops out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cheshire thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Spishak if he has to take too many more of those.
Cheshire takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Spishak shoots in but no luck this time.
Benji Cheshire has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sammy Spishak.
Spishak avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Cheshire is looking to clinch.

Cheshire gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Spishak prevents a body shot from Cheshire.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Spishak as Cheshire tries to tie him up.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cheshire with a lazy takedown attempt
and Spishak counters with a nice body shot.
Spishak moves out of range of the body kick from Cheshire.
Cheshire takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Sammy Spishak is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Horrible takedown by Spishak or perhaps it was just good defense by Cheshire which made him look bad.
Spishak cracks a nice hook into Cheshire's ribs.
Cheshire tries to clinch but Spishak moves away
and Cheshire takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Cheshire tries to clinch but Spishak moves away
and Spishak counters with a lovely straight right hand!
The fight stays on the outside here - Cheshire looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Spishak circles away from the clinch attempt
and Spishak counters with a nice body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cheshire tries to close the distance and clinch but Spishak swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Spishak moves out of range of the body kick.
Cheshire tries to clinch but Spishak is having none of it.
Spishak shoots in for a takedown but Cheshire shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Spishak is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Cheshire rather than just go for the knockout.
Cheshire fails with an attempt to clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cheshire fails with an attempt to clinch.
Spishak swats away the attempt to clinch by Cheshire.
Spishak walks into a straight right hand from Cheshire.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Benji Cheshire had his way with Sammy Spishak in that round.
The cut man is working on Sammy Spishak's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Cheshire wants to clinch up but Spishak keeps it at a distance.
Cheshire avoids a punch combination nicely.
Spishak shoots for a takedown but Cheshire saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Cheshire tries to close the distance and clinch but Spishak swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Cheshire lands an elbow that stopped Spishak in his tracks for a moment.
Spishak using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Cheshire has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Cheshire'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.
Cheshire misses with a knee strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spishak takes an elbow to the forehead.

That has opened up Sammy Spishak's cut even more.

Spishak breaks from the clinch.
Cheshire tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Spishak counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Spishak's corner calls for a 1-2. Spishak obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Cheshire wants to clinch up but Spishak keeps it at a distance.
Spishak misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Cheshire fails with a takedown attempt.
Cheshire closes the distance but Spishak moves to the side
and Spishak counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cheshire keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Cheshire tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Spishak paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Cheshire tries to clinch up but Spishak circles away and keeps his distance.
Jab from Spishak.
Cheshire doesn't manage to clinch there - Spishak circles away.
Cheshire is looking to clinch but Spishak is avoiding it.
Spishak throws a hook but Cheshire blocks it.
Cheshire scores with a body shot.
Cheshire doesn't manage to clinch there - Spishak circles away.

Cheshire clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spishak tries to break free but Cheshire pushes him back against the cage.
Spishak is trying to push Cheshire away but Cheshire has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Cheshire throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Spishak blocks it with crossed arms.
Spishak has had enough of the clinch but Cheshire keeps him there for the moment.
Cheshire managing to block the knees to the body from Spishak.
Cheshire looking to throw knees to the head but Spishak is blocking nicely.
Cheshire creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Spishak's defenses.
Cheshire misses with a body punch.
Cheshire is pushing Spishak up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Cheshire lands a right hand.

Spishak breaks the clinch.
Spishak misses with the combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spishak circles away from the clinch attempt.
Spishak changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Spishak with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Cheshire to score with a decent uppercut.
Cheshire is looking to clinch but Spishak is avoiding it.

Cheshire closes the distance and clinches.
Spishak is trying to break free.
Spishak looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Spishak blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Cheshire is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Spishak can't fight it off and eventually Cheshire manages to take the fight to the floor. Spishak looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in 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!
Cheshire slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Benji Cheshire showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Cheshire 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight for Benji Cheshire!
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight for Benji Cheshire!
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight for Benji Cheshire!

Benji Cheshire wins by unanimous decision!
An out of breath Benji Cheshire thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.