PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Noah Bennet (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ismail Saidov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bennet comes to the cage accompanied by Unloco - Crashing. Saidov has chosen Shamhan Daldaev - Eto Kavkaz as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. The key to victory for Noah Bennet has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Bennet
vs
Saidov

183 cm
33
193 lbs
11 - 8 - 0

188 cm
30
196 lbs
11 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Powerful

KAISER

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Noah Bennet!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ismail Saidov!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Shigeki Fujiwara and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bennet lands a glancing blow to the side of Saidov's head.
Bennet shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Saidov as he avoids it easily.
Bennet fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Bennet tries to clinch there but Saidov circles away.

Saidov throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Bennet was covering up waiting for the punch and Saidov finishes the takedown easily into guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Saidov decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Bennet shoots in but Saidov avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Noah Bennet. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bennet is trying hard to land a takedown here. Saidov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Bennet gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Saidov to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bennet being controlled here, momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saidov wants to control from the top but Bennet keeps moving.
Bennet has Saidov pulled in close to control his posture.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Saidov sitting in guard here, content to control.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Ismail Saidov wasn't active enough on the ground.

Saidov shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Bennet makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Bennet.

Saidov shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Bennet's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bennet tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Saidov has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Bennet is proving hard to escape from.
Saidov controls from within his opponent's guard.
Saidov wanted to stand there but Bennet had control of the position.
Saidov preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Bennet managing to control the position.

Ismail Saidov has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Bennet tries for a takedown but Saidov sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Bennet shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Saidov defends it nicely.
A punch combination from Bennet misses.
Saidov has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Bennet finds it's way round the side to connect with Saidov's head.
Bennet lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Saidov backs up against the cage.
Saidov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Noah Bennet seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Saidov shoots in and gets a takedown into Bennet's guard.
Saidov has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Bennet is proving hard to escape from.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Saidov seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saidov trying to stand up but can't free himself from Bennet's guard.
Saidov looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Ismail Saidov has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Saidov feints and as Bennet raises his hands in defense, Saidov changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Saidov controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ismail Saidov dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Bennet moves into range and clinches up with Saidov.
Bennet scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Bennet is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Saidov to keep the fight standing.
Saidov has Bennet pushed against the cage.
Bennet tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Saidov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
A nice right hand lands inside from Bennet.
Saidov swings wildly with an uppercut but Bennet uses good head movement to avoid it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Bennet.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Bennet creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Bennet goes for a takedown in the clinch but Saidov prevents it.
Bennet wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Noah Bennet. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bennet can't find room to land a body shot as Saidov controls the action.
Saidov wants to stall.
Bennet scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A head punch on the inside from Bennet fails to land.
Saidov wants to stall.
Bennet tries a body shot but Saidov blocks it.
Saidov prevents a body shot from Bennet.
Saidov effectively controlling the action here.
Bennet misses with a punch to the body.
Bennet drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bennet throws a punch but it's blocked by Saidov.
Saidov taking a breather.
Bennet tries to work over Saidov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Bennet throws a punch but it's blocked by Saidov.
Bennet on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Saidov wants to stall.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Ismail Saidov.
Bennet throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Saidov's waist but Saidov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Bennet off to one side.

Saidov decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bennet is trying to control but can't.
Saidov wants to stand up but Bennet is controlling the position.
Saidov is keen to just control but Bennet is a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Saidov stands up out of the half guard.

Saidov drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Saidov is breathing heavily.
Bennet is not content to let Saidov control the position.
Saidov might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Bennet haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bennet is trying to control Saidov's posture but Saidov avoids it.
Saidov taking a breather here.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Bennet is trying to buck Saidov off.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Ismail Saidov wasn't active enough on the ground.

Saidov tries to keep at a distance but Bennet has taken the fight into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ismail Saidov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Bennet's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Bennet duly obliges.
Bennet displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

Saidov scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Bennet can't do much from the bottom here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bennet regains half guard there - taking advantage of Saidov's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
Bennet is trying to get back to full guard.
Bennet is trying to stand up here but Saidov is controlling him well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saidov controlling the action here.
Bennet is not content to let Saidov control the position.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Saidov is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Ismail Saidov.
Saidov takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Bennet scores with a three punch combo!
Saidov takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Bennet changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Saidov tries to avoid it but Bennet manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Saidov to the ground. Saidov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Ismail Saidov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bennet is trying hard to land a takedown here. Saidov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bennet throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Saidov scores with a takedown into Bennet's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Saidov gets to his feet - Bennet follows without any prompting.
Noah Bennet is winning the standup battle so far.

Saidov scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Noah Bennet has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bennet tries to roll over but Saidov keeps him under control.
Bennet wants to control but Saidov is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Saidov trying to control the pace.
Saidov has decided to stand back up but his arm is trapped. Whilst he's worrying about his arm, Bennet works to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bennet can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Saidov controls the pace.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Ismail Saidov wasn't active enough on the ground.
Saidov dodges the punch combination from Bennet.

Saidov drives through with a takedown into guard.
Saidov wants to control from the top but Bennet keeps moving.
Bennet is looking to stand up but Saidov isn't so interested in that idea.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saidov controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Ismail Saidov wasn't active enough on the ground.

Saidov shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Bennet is trying to defend but Saidov finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Saidov not doing much here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ismail Saidov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Saidov winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Shigeki Sano scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ismail Saidov!
Our winner, Ismail Saidov, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.