PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Noah Bennet (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Franklin Diggins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bennet's entrance music is Unloco - Crashing. A fine choice. Diggins is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Bonfire. Franklin Diggins will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Bennet
vs
Diggins

183 cm
35
193 lbs
12 - 18 - 1

198 cm
29
193 lbs
9 - 14 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 12 - 18 - 1, fighting out of New York, Noah Bennet!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 14 - 0, fighting out of New York, Franklin Diggins!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Bruno Lombardi and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bennet misses with the body kick
and Diggins makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Diggins throws an elbow but it misses.
Diggins lands an elbow inside that Bennet shrugs off.

It looks like Noah Bennet has been cut.
Bennet wants to get back to striking at distance but Diggins won't allow it.
Diggins tries a knee to the head but Bennet blocks it.
Diggins trying to control the position but instead, Bennet has worked for underhooks and has pushed Diggins into the cage.
Bennet tries to pull guard but Diggins forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Diggins creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Bennet's defenses.
Diggins is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Diggins looking to throw knees to the head but Bennet is blocking nicely.
Diggins trying to land knees to the body.
Bennet is trying to pull guard but Diggins turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Diggins with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Diggins misses with a knee to the head.
Diggins'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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bennet lands a body punch in the clinch.
Diggins is trying to push Bennet away but Bennet has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Diggins will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Bennet up against the cage.
Bennet tries to pull guard but Diggins won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Noah Bennet. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Diggins tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Bennet on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for Diggins.
Bennet fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Bennet is trying to pull guard but Diggins turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Diggins landing knees to the head.
Diggins leaning against his opponent.
A left hand lands to the body for Bennet.
Bennet jumps guard but Diggins stands there with Bennet around his waist. Bennet gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bennet blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Diggins is struggling to control the position.
A knee to the head by Diggins.
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 is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Diggins is keeping busy.
Bennet tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Diggins just stands there and leans against the cage.
Bennet tries to throw a body punch but Diggins avoids it by throwing Bennet back against the cage.
Diggins keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Bennet's efforts to push away.
Bennet looking for a takedown.
Bennet tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Diggins just stands there and leans against the cage.
Come on Diggins - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Diggins pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bennet breaks from the clinch.

Diggins forces Bennet back against the cage and clinches.
Bennet tries to throw a body punch but Diggins avoids it by throwing Bennet back against the cage.
Diggins tries to land a knee to the head but Bennet blocks with his arms.
Diggins landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Diggins throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Bennet blocks it with crossed arms.

Bennet drags the fight down to the ground.
Diggins controls from within his opponent's guard.
Diggins trying to control the position from guard on top but Bennet is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bennet being controlled here, momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Franklin Diggins.
A nice inside leg kick there by Diggins. That's going to slow Bennet down.
Bennet throws a right and a left that Diggins avoids nicely.

Diggins gets in close and instigates a clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bennet lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Diggins.
Diggins throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

Bennet's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Diggins moves into the clinch successfully.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Diggins tries to break free but Bennet pushes him back against the cage.

Diggins breaks the clinch.
Diggins throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Franklin Diggins dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Noah Bennet's cut.
That's time! Bennet's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Bennet closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Diggins's guard.
Diggins has a closed guard, preventing Bennet from standing up.
Diggins is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Diggins is trying to control the position from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Franklin Diggins was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Bennet misses with a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bennet lands with a kick to the temple. Diggins shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

It looks like Franklin Diggins has been cut.
Bennet throws a right and a left that Diggins avoids nicely.
Bennet shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Bennet tries a head kick but it misses.
Franklin Diggins is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Bennet misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Diggins moves into range and clinches up with Bennet.
Diggins with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
A right handed body shot lands from Bennet.
Diggins with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Diggins looking to throw knees to the head but Bennet is blocking nicely.
Diggins scores with a knee to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Diggins with a knee to the head.
Bennet tries to pull guard but Diggins holds him up against the cage and eventually Bennet drops back down to his feet.

Bennet's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Diggins has managed to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diggins unloads a knee to the mid-section.

Diggins manages to break the clinch.
A head kick misses from Diggins.
Bennet misses with a head kick.
Diggins lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

Diggins has closed the distance and engaged Bennet in a clinch.
Diggins tries to break free but Bennet pushes him back against the cage.
Diggins prevents a body shot from Bennet.
Diggins misses with a knee strike.
Diggins with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Bennet jumps guard but Diggins turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Noah Bennet. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bennet tries to break the clinch but Diggins is controlling the position.
Diggins putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Bennet in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Bennet jumps guard but Diggins turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diggins avoiding damage.
Bennet doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Diggins tries to land a knee to the head but Bennet blocks with his arms.
Diggins has had enough of the clinch but Bennet keeps him there for the moment.
Diggins throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Bennet blocks it with crossed arms.
Bennet fails to pull guard.
Bennet has Diggins pressed against the cage, preventing Diggins from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Diggins tries to land a knee to the head but Bennet blocks with his arms.
Bennet wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Diggins has him pressed against the cage.
Bennet tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Diggins scores with a knee to the head.
Diggins with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Diggins prevents a body shot from Bennet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diggins trying to land knees to the body.
Diggins putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Bennet in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Bennet tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Diggins's elbow.
Bennet avoiding damage as Diggins throws knees to the body.
Bennet is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Diggins to keep the fight standing.
Diggins tries a knee to the head but Bennet blocks it.
Diggins connects with a nasty looking knee right to Bennet's face.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Diggins with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Diggins leaning his opponent against the cage.
A hook to the body from Bennet.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Diggins lands a nice elbow.

Bennet jumps into guard, dragging Diggins to the mat.
Diggins sitting in guard here, content to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Franklin Diggins showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Bennet throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

Diggins gets a clinch.
Bennet on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Bennet is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Diggins to keep the fight standing.
Bennet is trying to pull guard but Diggins turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Bennet can't find room to land a body shot as Diggins controls the action.
Bennet digs a right hand into Diggins's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Diggins's gas tank.
Bennet fails to pull the fight into his guard.
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 to pull guard but Diggins has him pressed against the cage.
Diggins is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Diggins throws a knee to the head but misses.

Bennet gets control of Diggins's arms and successfully pulls guard. Bennet will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Bennet utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Diggins must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bennet can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Diggins controls the pace.
Diggins's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Diggins wants to control from the top but Bennet keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Franklin Diggins has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Bennet pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Diggins has closed the distance and engaged Bennet in a clinch.
Bennet tries to work over Diggins's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Diggins using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Bennet has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
A frustrated look appears on Diggins's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diggins using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Bennet has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Bennet wants to break the clinch but can't.
Bennet blocks an elbow strike.
A bit of stalling here from Diggins.
Bennet misses with a body punch.

Diggins escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Bennet looks to throw the jab but Diggins is out of range.
Noah Bennet is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Diggins instigates a clinch.
Bennet tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Franklin Diggins seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Diggins taking a breather.
Diggins tries to land a knee to the head but Bennet blocks with his arms.
Bennet struggles to land a body shot inside as Diggins controls his hands.
Diggins throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Bennet blocks it with crossed arms.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Diggins with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bennet misses with a body punch.
Diggins wants to break free but Bennet has control.
Diggins lands a knee to the body.
Diggins missing with knees to the body.

Diggins breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Diggins darts in and clinches Bennet up against the cage.
Bennet is trying to pull guard but Diggins turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Diggins tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Diggins throws a knee to the head but misses.
Diggins stalling against the cage.
Diggins tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Diggins using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Bennet has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Bennet tries a body shot but Diggins blocks it.
Diggins missing with knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diggins tries to break the clinch but Bennet is controlling the position.
Diggins trying to control the position but instead, Bennet has worked for underhooks and has pushed Diggins into the cage.
Diggins landing knees to the body.
Bennet tries to pull guard but Diggins holds him up against the cage and eventually Bennet drops back down to his feet.
Bennet misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Diggins escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bennet throws the kick towards the body but Diggins avoids it.
Diggins tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bennet pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Noah Bennet seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Diggins slips a jab and a cross from Bennet.
Noah Bennet has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A solid leg kick lands there for Diggins.

And that's the end of the fight!
Franklin Diggins comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Diggins has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Columbo Gatti scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Franklin Diggins!
Franklin Diggins spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.