PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Munawat Guli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Noah Bennet (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bennet is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Unloco - Crashing. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Guli
vs
Bennet

184 cm
19
193 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

183 cm
35
193 lbs
12 - 17 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

The [A]lliance Clothing + Laundry

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 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Munawat Guli!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 17 - 0, fighting out of New York, Noah Bennet!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Patrick Alders and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Guli throws a low kick but it's checked well by Bennet.

Bennet fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Guli sprawls well initially but Bennet persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Guli keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Guli wants to improve his position but Bennet is controlling well.
Guli is working hard here to advance position.
Guli avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Bennet.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Bennet working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Bennet prevents Guli from improving his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Guli keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Guli gets back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bennet loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bennet postures up in Guli's guard and throws a big left but Guli blocks it.
Guli is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Guli is looking to sweep but instead, Bennet has passed into half guard.
Bennet is thwarting Guli's attempts to control the position.

Bennet is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Guli sees it coming and defends easily.
Bennet prevents Guli from improving his position.
Nice strikes from Bennet there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bennet sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Guli defending well though.
Guli avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Bennet.
Guli is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Guli trying to control here.
Guli on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Bennet thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Guli's head.
Bennet prevents Guli from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bennet not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Bennet missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Guli tries to roll over but Bennet keeps him under control.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Guli blocking the ground and pound attempt from Bennet.

Bennet stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Bennet wants to clinch up but Guli keeps it at a distance.
Guli throws out a powerful jab.
Guli lands with a nice combination. Bennet backs away looking to recover.

It looks like Noah Bennet has been cut.
Bennet fails with an attempt to clinch.
Guli stuns Bennet with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

Guli gets tackled into the cage by Bennet. Bennet maintains the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Guli tries to break free but Bennet pushes him back against the cage.

Bennet pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Bennet moves out of range of the leg kick from Guli.
A head kick misses from Bennet.
Guli throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bennet fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Bennet clinches up against the cage.
Bennet tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Bennet pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Guli lands a jab to Bennet's midsection.
Guli tries to bum rush Bennet with a series of wild strikes but Bennet uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Guli comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bennet walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Guli lands with a shot to the body.
Guli throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Guli lands a two punch combo.
Guli keeps the fight on the outside.
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 Munawat Guli will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Noah Bennet's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A telegraphed takedown attempt from Bennet is defended easily by Guli.
Bennet lands with a kick to the temple. Guli shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

It looks like Munawat Guli has been cut.
Guli cracks Bennet with an open hand slap.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Guli ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Guli seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Guli scores with a hook to the body. Bennet takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Bennet tries a head kick but it misses.
Bennet checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
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!
Guli throws a leg kick
and Bennet counters with a big head kick but Guli shrugs it off.
Guli misses with a series of wild punches.
Guli ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

Oooh a lovely combination from Bennet sends Guli down but not out. Bennet dives into side control looking to finish.

Guli is rocked!
Bennet working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Guli is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Bennet off and has taken his back!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bennet controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
Guli controlling the position well here. Bennet rolled but Guli kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Guli knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Bennet on the ground.
Guli struggling to keep hold of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Guli is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Munawat Guli wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Bennet is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Bennet changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Guli tries to avoid it but Bennet manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Guli to the ground. Guli escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Bennet rushes Guli and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Bennet pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Guli lands a nice shot that snaps Bennet's head back.
Guli walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Bennet checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Guli lands a slapping body shot.

Bennet closes the distance and clinches.
Bennet tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Guli escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Noah Bennet is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bennet walks into a jab.
Guli lands a jab to the head.
Guli looks to land a combination but Bennet avoids it well.
Guli jabs Bennet to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Bennet tries a head kick but it misses.
Guli misses with a body kick.
Guli throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Bennet sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Guli misses with a body shot.
Bennet uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Guli.
Guli throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Bennet stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Guli blocks a head kick by Bennet.
Bennet pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Guli comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Guli jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Bennet throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Bennet is breathing heavily.
Guli lands a two punch combo.
Bennet lands a head kick. Guli smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Guli lands an overhand right.
Guli misses with a body shot.

Bennet gets in close and instigates a clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for Bennet.
Bennet lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Guli.
Guli struggles to land a body shot inside as Bennet controls his hands.

Bennet breaks the clinch.
Munawat Guli is winning the standup battle so far.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Guli takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Bennet moves out of range of the body kick from Guli.
Bennet moves away from the strike by Guli.
Guli shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Bennet eats them both and turns towards Guli to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Noah Bennet will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Guli displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Bennet.
Guli fails to land with a series of punches.
Bennet showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Guli.

Bennet closes the distance and clinches.

Bennet's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Bennet plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

Munawat Guli's cut is getting worse.
Bennet shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Guli as he jumps to the side.
Guli throws a hook but Bennet avoids it easily.
Guli thows a body shot but no joy.
Bennet throws a sloppy head kick and Guli moves out of range easily.
Bennet throws a head kick but Guli moves out of range.
Guli lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Bennet circles away quickly and effectively.
Guli misses with a leg kick
and Bennet counters with a three punch combo that has Guli backing up. Guli nods at Bennet to acknowledge the strikes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Guli scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Guli is looking to wear down Bennet with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Guli throws a right hand that Bennet ducks under and follows up with a left that Bennet also avoids with ease.
Guli throws a body punch but Bennet moves out of range.
Guli throws a big shot that misses.
Bennet takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Bennet takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Bennet lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Oh Guli is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Bennet takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Guli swings for the body but Bennet moves out of range.
Guli seems to have got his legs back now.
Guli misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Guli closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Guli throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Bennet ducks under a wild hook from Guli.
Crunch! Bennet slams his shin into Guli's torso.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Bennet has closed the distance and engaged Guli in a clinch.
Bennet drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Guli gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Munawat Guli has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Noah Bennet.
Bennet is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Bennet.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Bennet as Guli tries to tie him up.

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

Bennet closes the distance and clinches.

Bennet breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Bennet takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Guli tests Bennet's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Bennet tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Guli throws a body punch but Bennet moves out of range.
Bennet throws a head kick that misses.
Guli is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Bennet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Guli throws a looping overhand right but Bennet ducks down to avoid it.
Bennet steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Guli.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Guli.
Bennet pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Guli tried to score with a low kick but Bennet checks it.

Bennet forces Guli back against the cage and clinches.
Bennet goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Guli misses with a short punch on the inside.

Bennet breaks the clinch.
Guli lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Guli sizes up Bennet with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Bennet throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Guli's 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!

Bennet darts in and clinches Guli up against the cage.
Bennet wants to take the fight to the mat but Guli manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Guli pushes Bennet back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Guli struggles to land a body shot inside as Bennet controls his hands.
Bennet scores with a hook to the body.
Guli throws a punch but it's blocked by Bennet.
Bennet tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Bennet tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Guli's elbow.
Guli is leaning against Bennet and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Bennet digs a right hand underneath Guli's ribcage. Guli let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Guli tries to throw a body punch but Bennet avoids it by throwing Guli back against the cage.
A right hand to the body from Guli.

Bennet pulls guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Guli showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Guli is looking to stand up but Bennet won't let him.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Noah Bennet.
I think Bennet has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Aafke Stam scores the fight 29:29
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 28:29
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!