PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Zach Benson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ihan Latsio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Zach Benson has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Benson
vs
Latsio

190 cm
22
275 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

175 cm
18
300 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Zach Benson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ihan Latsio!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Wesley Smith and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Latsio looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Benson looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
Some wild striking there from Latsio.
Ihan Latsio seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Benson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Latsio pinned against the cage. Latsio gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Latsio throws a right hand that Benson ducks under and follows up with a left that Benson also avoids with ease.
Benson has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Latsio throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Benson dodges the punch combination from Latsio.
Latsio tries to bum rush Benson with a series of wild strikes but Benson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Latsio has eaten all the pies!
Latsio misses with the combination.
Latsio throws a series of punches but Benson moves out of range.
Benson stalks Latsio and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Latsio's face. Latsio staggers backwards, shaken.
Benson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Latsio swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Benson lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Latsio throws a combination that misses
and Benson counters with a nice body shot.
Latsio throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Benson makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Benson.
Latsio falls off balance throwing a combination

and Benson counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benson wants to take a breather but Latsio is having none of it.
Latsio striking from the bottom.
Latsio wants to get back to full guard but Benson has passed into side control.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Latsio can do anything to dispel that myth.
Latsio throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Benson breaks from Latsio's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Latsio throwing hammer fists to the chest of Benson. What's that going to do exactly?
Benson is landing with some decent strikes but Latsio is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Benson lands a big shot there that rocks Latsio but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Benson landing shots from mount.
Latsio really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Benson tries to control but Latsio wriggling away.
Latsio is trying to escape the mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Benson blocks Latsio's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Benson working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Benson looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
The referee warns Latsio that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.

Benson wants to finish this one by submission but Latsio is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Benson.
Latsio can't escape the position.
Latsio wants to try and get back to his feet.
Latsio can't escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benson with the ground and pound from mount.
Benson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Latsio is looking to get to half guard.
BOOM! Benson connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Benson connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Benson landing shots from mount.
Latsio really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Benson. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Latsio is trying to escape the mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Benson cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Latsio is trying desperately to improve position.
Benson lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Benson with good strikes from the mount here!
Latsio regains half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Latsio wants to get back to his feet.
Latsio punching from the bottom.
Benson drops an elbow to the side of Latsio's head.
Latsio looks like he's trying to stand up.
Latsio has hold of Benson's hands but Benson slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Latsio trying to get back to full guard but Benson takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Benson has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Latsio flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Benson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Latsio is looking to escape.

Benson has hold of Latsio's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Latsio manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Benson lands a big shot there that rocks Latsio but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zach Benson dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Latsio throws a left and a right that both miss
and Benson counters with a nice uppercut.
Zach Benson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Latsio throws a right hand that Benson ducks under and follows up with a left that Benson also avoids with ease.
Latsio throws a series of punches but Benson avoids them all with ease.
Benson scores with a crisp jab that stopped Latsio in his tracks.
Latsio keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Latsio throws a right and a left that both miss.
Benson lands a head kick!
Latsio takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Latsio will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Latsio misses with a series of wild punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Latsio throws a series of punches but Benson avoids them all with ease.
Benson doesn't manage to clinch there - Latsio circles away.
Latsio throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Benson.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Latsio misses with a double jab
and Benson counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Latsio swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Benson counters with a nice leg kick.
Latsio misses with a combination
and Benson counters with a two punch combo.
Latsio misses with a combination
and Benson counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Latsio is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Latsio misses with a double jab
and Benson counters with a left and a right that stings Latsio.
Latsio misses with a double jab
and Benson counters with a nice leg kick.
Latsio misses with a double jab
and Benson counters with a one-two to the body.
Latsio throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Benson counters with a series of strikes. Latsio will be more careful next time no doubt.
Latsio swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Benson counters with a nice uppercut.
Benson scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Latsio doesn't seem bothered though.
Ihan Latsio is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Latsio throws a combination that misses
and Benson counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Latsio throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Benson counters with a series of strikes. Latsio will be more careful next time no doubt.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Benson moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Latsio swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Benson counters with a left and a right that stings Latsio.
Latsio stuffs the takedown attempt from Benson. Benson gets slowly back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Latsio misses with a combination
and Benson counters with a good, hard body kick but Latsio shrugs it off.
Latsio throws a combination that misses
and Benson counters with a stiff right hand.
Latsio misses with a double jab
and Benson counters with a low kick, right behind Latsio 's knee.
Latsio falls off balance throwing a combination
and Benson counters with a two punch combo.
Latsio throws a left and a right that both miss
and Benson counters with a nice leg kick.
Latsio throws a left and a right that both miss
and Latsio takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Benson lands a nice looking kick to the body. Latsio takes a step back to recover.
Latsio swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Benson counters with a stiff right hand.
Latsio throws a left and a right that both miss
and Benson counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Latsio falls off balance throwing a combination
and Benson counters with a left and a right that stings Latsio.
Latsio falls off balance throwing a combination
and Benson makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Latsio throws a combination that misses
and Benson counters with a two punch combo.
Latsio throws a left and a right that both miss
and Benson counters with a two punch combo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Latsio throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Benson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Latsio throws a left and a right that both miss
and Benson counters with a two punch combo.
Latsio throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Benson counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Benson drops an elbow to the side of Latsio's head.
Latsio gets full guard.
Latsio thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Latsio looking for a sweep. Not yet Latsio, not yet.
Latsio is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Benson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Latsio tries to avoid it but Benson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Latsio to the ground. Latsio escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zach Benson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Latsio misses with a combination
and Benson counters with a head kick.
Benson throws a head kick but Latsio moves out of range.
Latsio misses with a combination
and Latsio takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Latsio misses with a combination
and Benson counters with a nice leg kick.
Benson goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Benson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Benson is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Latsio misses with a combination
and Benson counters with a one-two to the body.
Benson goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Latsio throws a combination that misses
and Benson counters with a low kick, right behind Latsio 's knee.
Latsio takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Latsio swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Benson counters with a nice uppercut.
Latsio swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Benson counters with a series of strikes. Latsio will be more careful next time no doubt.
Latsio throws a left and a right that both miss
and Benson counters with a body kick.
Latsio has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Latsio takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zach Benson dominated that second round.
That's time! Benson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Latsio misses with a combination
and Benson counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Benson shoots for a double leg takedown but Latsio sprawls well. He's pushed Benson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Latsio swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
enabling Benson to counter with a crisp jab.
No joy there for Latsio, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Benson throws a series of punches but Latsio moves out of range.
Latsio throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Benson counters with a right hand to the body.
Latsio throws a left and a right that both miss
and Benson counters with a leg kick.
Latsio falls off balance throwing a combination
and Benson counters with a head kick.
Latsio throws a left and a right that both miss
and Benson counters with a series of strikes. Latsio will be more careful next time no doubt.
Benson fails to land the takedown.
Latsio throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Benson counters with a three punch combo that has Latsio backing up. Latsio nods at Benson to acknowledge the strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Latsio misses with a combination
and Benson counters with a nice leg kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Latsio misses with a combination
and Benson counters with a nice leg kick.
Crunch! Benson slams his shin into Latsio's torso.
Benson is working the combinations to good effect here.
Latsio misses with a combination
and Benson counters with a left and a right that stings Latsio.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Latsio throws a left and a right that both miss
and Benson counters with a leg kick.
Benson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zach Benson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Benson connects with a looping right hand.
Latsio stuffs the takedown.
Latsio throws a combination that misses
and Benson counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Benson misses with a wild combination.
Latsio misses with a double jab
and Benson counters with a three punch combo that has Latsio backing up. Latsio nods at Benson to acknowledge the strikes.
Benson lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Latsio misses with a double jab
and Benson counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.

Benson gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Benson is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Benson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Latsio passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Benson tries to improve position but can't.
Benson is working to avoid the ground and pound but Latsio connects with a decent elbow.
Benson is looking for a sweep.
Benson manages to get back to half guard.
Benson landing strikes from the bottom.
Benson wants to control but Latsio is keeping busy.
Benson tries to roll over but Latsio keeps him under control.
Latsio lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Latsio throws a left and a right that both miss
and Benson counters with a stiff right hand.
Latsio throws a left and a right that both miss
and Benson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Latsio throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Benson counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Latsio is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Left hook, right uppercut from Benson.
Benson misses with a two punch combination.
Latsio throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Benson counters with an inside leg kick.
Benson lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Benson.
Latsio takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Latsio swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Benson counters with a solid body kick.
Latsio misses with a double jab
and Benson counters with a leg kick.
Benson lands with a nice combination. Latsio backs away looking to recover.
Latsio walks forward, straight into a front kick from Benson.
Latsio throws a combination that misses
and Benson counters with a three punch combo that has Latsio backing up. Latsio nods at Benson to acknowledge the strikes.
Latsio throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
letting Benson counter with a right hand.
A nice inside leg kick there by Benson. That's going to slow Latsio down.
Benson scores with a one two! Latsio had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Benson lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Latsio throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Benson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Latsio swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Benson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Latsio swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Benson counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Latsio misses with a double jab
and Benson counters with a nice kick to the body.
Benson shoots in but Latsio avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Benson just misses with a punch to the body.
Benson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Latsio misses with a double jab
and Benson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Latsio swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Benson counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Latsio takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Latsio throws a combination that misses
and Benson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Latsio walks forward, straight into a front kick from Benson.
Benson lands a nice leg kick that just misses Latsio's sensitive parts.
Latsio throws a left and a right that both miss
and Benson counters with a nice body kick.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Benson - that will leave a mark!
Benson fails with a takedown attempt.
Benson shoots in but Latsio avoids the takedown attempt easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Zach Benson.
Well Benson 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zach Benson!