PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Chancelor Bennett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Taj Mahal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bennett comes into the arena with Smoke Again blaring out of the sound system. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Bennett
vs
Mahal

175 cm
28
159 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

164 cm
36
154 lbs
17 - 14 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Chancelor Bennett!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Taj Mahal!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fray, Jeff Smith and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mahal throws a hook but Bennett blocks it.
Mahal misses with a straight right.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Mahal has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Bennett takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
A big left from Mahal misses.
Mahal throws a hook but Bennett blocks it.
Mahal takes one to the side of the head.
Mahal attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Mahal works the jab nicely.
Bennett throws a nice looking combination but Mahal bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Mahal avoids a punch combination nicely.
Mahal throws a leg kick that is checked
and Bennett counters with a three punch combo that has Mahal backing up. Mahal nods at Bennett to acknowledge the strikes.
Bennett moves into range and connects with a jab.
Mahal takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Mahal throws a hook but Bennett avoids it easily.
Bennett throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mahal sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Mahal throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
A punch combination from Bennett misses.
Bennett tries to score with a low kick but Mahal moves his leg out of the way.

Mahal dives in and scores a takedown into Bennett's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Mahal is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Mahal makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bennett is working an open guard so Mahal takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Bennett throws out a loose jab but Mahal uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mahal throws a wild body kick that Bennett sees coming a mile off.
Mahal misses with a series of wild punches.
Bennett blocks a head kick by Mahal.
Bennett uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Mahal.
Mahal takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Mahal checks a leg kick.
Mahal pivots, looking for a leg kick but Bennett is out of range and Mahal settles back down.
Mahal pivots, looking for a leg kick but Bennett is out of range and Mahal settles back down.
Bennett takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
A decent looking cross lands there for Mahal.
Mahal throws a lazy right hand but Bennett sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Mahal is looking to chop away at Bennett's legs.
Bennett stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bennett misses with a body kick.
A jab from Mahal misses.
Mahal avoids the head kick by Bennett.
Mahal swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Bennett jabs at Mahal's body.
Mahal looks to land a left hand but Bennett moved out of range nicely.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mahal throws an overhand right that lands on Bennett's shoulder, as Bennett tries to avoid the shot.
Mahal is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Bennett looks to land a combination. Mahal sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Mahal shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Bennett connects with a right hand. Mahal shakes it off.
Mahal looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Mahal swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A left lands for Bennett.
Bennett throws a head kick but Mahal moves out of range.
Mahal slips under a jab.
Bennett lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Mahal backs up against the cage.
Bennett takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Bennett walks into a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bennett scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Mahal throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Mahal misses with a looping left.
Mahal keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Bennett.
Mahal walks forward, straight into a front kick from Bennett.
Chancelor Bennett is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Bennett fails to land with a series of punches.
Mahal takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Mahal walks into a stiff left hand from Bennett.
Bennett ducks under a wild hook from Mahal.
Mahal does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Bennett moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Bennett bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Mahal on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Bennett. Bennett obviously looking to wear him down.
Mahal blocks the body kick.
Bennett rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Mahal moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Bennett throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Mahal darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Bennett connects with a crisp jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mahal throws a half hearted mid kick.
Mahal does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Mahal throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Mahal takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Bennett attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Mahal throws a wild body kick that Bennett sees coming a mile off.
Bennett keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Mahal.
Mahal looks to land a combination but Bennett avoids it well.
Nice uppercut there from Bennett.
Mahal with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Bennett throws a poor cross that misses
and Mahal connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Mahal scores with a three punch combo!
Bennett throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Bennett dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Mahal. That did some damage!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mahal comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Bennett lands with an uppercut that bounces Mahal off the cage and back into range.
Mahal lands a lovely overhand right.
Nice straight punches there by Bennett. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Bennett.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chancelor Bennett dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A punch lands to the side of Mahal 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Bennett throws a head kick but Mahal moves out of range.
Bennett throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Mahal.
Bennett getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Chancelor Bennett is winning the standup battle so far.
Bennett avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Mahal throws the left hand but Bennett avoids the punch easily.
Mahal pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Mahal scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Bennett slips a straight right by Mahal.
A big right from Bennett misses.
Bennett scores with a decent looking hook.
Chancelor Bennett seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bennett staying out of range there.
A low kick from Mahal misses
and Bennett makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Mahal thows a left - swing and a miss!
Bennett throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Bennett connects with a leg kick. Mahal looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Bennett is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Mahal misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bennett.
Chancelor Bennett is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mahal bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Bennett's head backwards.
Mahal wants to slow Bennett down by chopping away at his legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bennett pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Bennett chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Bennett is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Mahal.
Bennett dips to his left and cracks Mahal with an uppercut!
Bennett gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Bennett plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Bennett throws a right hand that Mahal ducks under and follows up with a left that Mahal also avoids with ease.
Mahal misses with a wild combination.
Bennett takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
The fighters circle momentarily. Bennett darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Bennett is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Bennett tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Bennett checks a low kick from Mahal.
Bennett scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Mahal avoids the head kick by Bennett.
Bennett looks to land a combination but Mahal avoids it well.
Mahal misses with a body shot.
Mahal scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bennett bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Mahal's head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mahal dodges the punch combination from Bennett.
Bennett swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Mahal throws an overhand right that lands on Bennett's shoulder, as Bennett tries to avoid the shot.
Mahal swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Bennett throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
enabling Mahal to counter with a crisp jab.
Mahal connects with a looping right hand.
A big right from Mahal misses.
Mahal looks to throw the jab but Bennett is out of range.
Bennett avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Mahal throws a big shot that misses.
Mahal tried to score with a low kick but Bennett checks it.
Mahal pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Mahal throws a leg kick but Bennett moved away.
Bennett thumps Mahal with a low kick.
Mahal takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bennett connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Bennett connects with the punch.
Bennett fails to land with a series of punches.
Bennett checks a low kick from Mahal.
Bennett uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Mahal.
Bennett throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Mahal throws a leg kick but Bennett sees it coming and moves out of range.
Mahal fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bennett manages to avoid it.
Bennett misses with a two punch combination.
Mahal has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Mahal lands with a right hand.
Mahal swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bennett misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Mahal throws a low kick but it's checked well by Bennett.
Mahal's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Bennett.
Bennett bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Mahal's head backwards.
Mahal blocks a leg kick.
Donk. Bennett catches Mahal right on the button with a cross.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jab, jab by Mahal - just one landing.
Bennett scores with a jab to the head.
Mahal misses with a low kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bennett staying out of range there.
Bennett connects with the punch.
Bennett throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Mahal tries a low kick but Bennett avoids it.
Bennett throws a head kick that half lands.
Mahal misses with a body shot.
Mahal throws a right and a left that both miss.

Mahal fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Bennett sprawls well initially but Mahal persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Bennett is positioning himself well to prevent Mahal advancing to mount.

Bennett is defending against the submission attempts here by Mahal.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Mahal seems to be working for a kimura but Bennett defends the submission attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Chancelor Bennett will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Nice straight punches there by Bennett. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Bennett.
Bennett misses with a combination
letting Mahal counter with a right hand.
Bennett throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Mahal.
Good standup being displayed there by Bennett as he connects with a hook.
Mahal tries a low kick but Bennett avoids it.
Bennett takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Bennett moves out of range of the body kick.
Mahal tried to score with a low kick but Bennett checks it.
Mahal motions for Bennett to come forward. Mahal throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Bennett scores with a head kick.
Mahal looks to throw the jab but Bennett is out of range.
Mahal misses with an uppercut.
A left and a right from Bennett both land. Nice combination.
Mahal throws the kick towards the body but Bennett avoids it.
Bennett tries to bum rush Mahal with a series of wild strikes but Mahal uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mahal works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Mahal lands a jab to the head.
Bennett throws a series of punches but Mahal avoids them all with ease.
Mahal throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Donk. Bennett catches Mahal right on the button with a cross.
Mahal pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Mahal pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Mahal tries to land a leg kick but Bennett saw it coming and moves away.
Mahal throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Bennett lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Mahal throws a low kick, looking for Bennett's leg but Bennett calmly moves out of range.
Mahal slips a jab and a cross from Bennett.
Bennett swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Mahal misses with an uppercut. Bennett saw that one coming.
Mahal looks to score with a jab to the body but Bennett is just out of range.
Mahal misses the shot to the body.
Bennett tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bennett lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Mahal circles away quickly and effectively.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Mahal misses with a kick to the body.
Bennett swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Good work by Bennett as he checks the leg kick.
Mahal digs a good hook to Bennett's body.
Bennett leaves Mahal with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Mahal looks to land a left hand but Bennett moved out of range nicely.
Jab by Mahal.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bennett throws a left and a right that both miss
and Mahal counters with a straight right hand.
Bennett throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Bennett lands a jab.
Bennett scores with a jab to the body.
Bennett lands a jab-cross combination.
Bennett misses with the combination.
Nice defenses there by Mahal.
Taj Mahal has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bennett motions for Mahal to come forward. Bennett throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Mahal throws a leg kick that is checked
and Bennett counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Bennett slips a jab from Mahal.
Mahal lands a head shot.
Mahal dodges the punch combination from Bennett.
Bennett checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Mahal tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bennett was well out of range. Poor timing from Mahal.
Mahal showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Bennett.
Mahal misses the shot to the body.
Mahal slips a straight right by Bennett.
Mahal misses with a low kick.
Mahal takes a swing at Bennett's ribcage but misses.
Bennett scores with a push kick.
Bennett is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Mahal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mahal chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Bennett can pounce on him.
Mahal looks for a takedown but Bennett sprawls well.
Bennett looks to land a left hand but Mahal moved out of range nicely.
Mahal misses with a head kick.
Bennett blocks a leg kick.
Bennett lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Mahal slips a straight right by Bennett.
Mahal throws a lazy right hand but Bennett sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Mahal lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Donk. Bennett catches Mahal right on the button with a cross.
Bennett avoids a kick to the body.
A jab from Mahal misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A chopping leg kick lands by Bennett.
Mahal walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Chancelor Bennett is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Mahal throws a series of punches but Bennett avoids them all with ease.
Mahal misses the shot to the body.

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 Chancelor Bennett.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Bennett, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Colin Fray scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chancelor Bennett!
Chancelor Bennett thanked the fans post fight for their support.