PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Landon Benjamin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Albert Marshall (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Albert Marshall will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Benjamin
vs
Marshall

165 cm
18
278 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

200 cm
18
253 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Landon Benjamin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Albert Marshall!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Timothy Bukovac and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Marshall gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Marshall holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Benjamin doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Benjamin really is a fat lump.
Marshall blocking some punches.

Marshall pulls guard effortlessly.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Benjamin wants to control from the top but Marshall keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Benjamin lands a couple of digs.
Benjamin has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Benjamin trying to control the position from guard on top but Marshall is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Benjamin postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benjamin trying to control the position from guard on top but Marshall is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Benjamin is really struggling to control Marshall but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Marshall looking to control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Landon Benjamin.
Marshall avoids the head kick by Benjamin.
Benjamin with a hook.
Benjamin lands a high kick!
Marshall misses with a combination
and Benjamin counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Marshall shoots in but no luck this time.

Marshall shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Benjamin is trying to defend but Marshall finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Marshall looks winded!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marshall is pressing down on Benjamin's thigh, looking to free his foot. Benjamin is holding on for now.
Marshall thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Marshall tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Benjamin.
Benjamin might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Benjamin looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marshall tries to pass the half guard into mount. Benjamin knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Benjamin wants to improve his position but Marshall is controlling well.
Benjamin won't allow Marshall to pass to mount.
Marshall wants to stand up but Benjamin is controlling the position.
Marshall slips a nice elbow through Benjamin's hands, connecting with Benjamin's forehead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marshall trying to control from Benjamin's half guard. Benjamin has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Marshall forces his way into half guard.

Benjamin actively working from the bottom here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Marshall lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Albert Marshall dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Benjamin throws a head kick that Marshall semi-blocks.

Benjamin fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Marshall, pushing him back against the cage.
Marshall with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Marshall is trying to break the clinch but Benjamin has him pressed against the cage.
Marshall trying to land knees to the body.
Benjamin wants a takedown.
Marshall tries to break free but Benjamin pushes him back against the cage.

Marshall pulls Benjamin into guard.
Marshall manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Benjamin manages to get himself to full guard.
Marshall landing some decent shots from guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marshall wanted to stand there but Benjamin had control of the position.
Marshall is breathing heavily.
Marshall passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Marshall moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Benjamin gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marshall controlling from the full mount.
Marshall landing shots from mount.
Marshall trying to control but Benjamin is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marshall controlling his opponent.
Benjamin is working to get back to half guard.
Marshall scores with a couple of good head shots there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benjamin is trying to reverse the position but instead Marshall has taken his back - oops!
Marshall is throwing strikes from the back here. Oh that last one was to the back of the head. Marshall gets a warning from the referee. He throws another strike to the back of the head straight away though and the referee has seen enough. He breaks up the two fighters and stands them back up. Marshall gets a real talking to here and is lucky not to get a point deducted. Marshall apologises and we restart here on the feet.
Landon Benjamin is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Marshall forces Benjamin back against the cage and clinches.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Benjamin is fighting off a takedown attempt but Marshall is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Benjamin to the mat. Benjamin regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Albert Marshall has got the better of the ground game so far.
Marshall is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Marshall cracks Benjamin with a solid left hand.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Marshall wants to stand and escape but instead Benjamin has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Albert Marshall showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! 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.

Benjamin tries to keep at a distance but Marshall has taken the fight into the clinch.
Benjamin is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Marshall pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Benjamin taking a breather.
Marshall is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Benjamin has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Marshall uses from the top position.
Marshall stays in close to Benjamin's body and controls the position.
Marshall takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Marshall distracts Benjamin with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Benjamin is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Benjamin has momentary wrist control but Marshall slips an elbow through the middle.
Marshall is pushing down on Benjamin's leg trying to pass to half guard. Benjamin is fighting to maintain full guard but Marshall has managed to sneak the leg through.
Marshall wants to stand up but Benjamin has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Marshall drops an elbow to the side of Benjamin's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marshall has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Marshall controlling from the full mount.
Marshall breaks from Benjamin's wrist control and lands an elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Marshall looking to secure an arm triangle but Benjamin defends it well.
Marshall with the ground and pound from mount.
Marshall looking to control and managing it successfully.
Benjamin is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benjamin can't escape the position.
Marshall looking to control and managing it successfully.
Marshall is landing with some decent strikes but Benjamin is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Marshall controlling from the full mount.
Landon Benjamin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Albert Marshall is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

And that's the end of the fight!
Albert Marshall comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Marshall 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Albert Marshall!