PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between James The Titain (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paul Bennham (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

The Titain
vs
Bennham

225 cm
22
250 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

200 cm
25
240 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Intelligent

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, James The Titain!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Paul Bennham!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Steven Brown and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Bennham gets the takedown into side control.
The strikes coming from Bennham are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Bennham landing a few strikes.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Bennham working his ground and pound in the gym.
Bennham landing a few strikes.
The Titain definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

Bennham stands up and we're back to a striking position.

Bennham scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
The Titain is trying to control Bennham's posture but Bennham avoids it.

Bennham looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
The Titain sneaks back into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The Titain is trying to control but can't.
The Titain is trying to stand up here but Bennham is controlling him well.
Bennham is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and The Titain reverses the position - he's now on top in Bennham's guard.
Bennham looking to control.
Bennham is controlling The Titain's posture.
The Titain stays in close to Bennham's body and controls the position.
Bennham working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from The Titain.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The Titain pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bennham is keeping the position for now.
Bennham pulls The Titain in close to prevent any damage.
Bennham is trying to control the position but The Titain postures up.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Bennham is on top in guard.

The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bennham missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The Titain wants to sweep here but Bennham controlling him for the moment.
The Titain has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Bennham has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
The Titain is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Bennham is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The Titain keeping full guard, as Bennham tries to pass.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Bennham preventing the sweep.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Bennham fails with the takedown

and The Titain counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Bennham!
Bennham tries to improve position but can't.
The Titain controlling from side mount.
Bennham wants to control but The Titain postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bennham is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
The Titain landing a few strikes.
Bennham is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked The Titain off and has taken his back!

The Titain showing good submission defense here.
Bennham looks winded!

Bennham seems to be going for a rear naked choke. He has an arm under The Titain's chin but The Titain turns very nicely into Bennham's guard. Good BJJ skills being displayed there by The Titain.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The Titain controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Bennham dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

The Titain shoots in and drives through. Bennham sprawls well.
Bennham misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Bennham fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging The Titain to the ground. Bennham is now in The Titain's guard.
The Titain keeping moving, preventing Bennham from controlling successfully.
Bennham would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
The Titain looking for a sweep. Not yet The Titain, not yet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The Titain avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bennham trying to control the position from guard on top but The Titain is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Nice body kick there by Bennham.
James The Titain is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bennham scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
The Titain really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Bennham is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Bennham with a poor takedown

and The Titain counters with a shoot takedown. Bennham fights it but they end up in guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The Titain is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Bennham tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The Titain wants to pass the guard but Bennham is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bennham is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Bennham has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but The Titain can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The Titain sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Bennham's guard.
Bennham is refusing to be controlled, as The Titain sits in half guard.
The Titain sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Bennham defending well though.
Bennham trying to control but The Titain postures up.
The Titain seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Bennham does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The Titain stalling.
Bennham is staying active underneath The Titain, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Bennham is trying to stand back up but The Titain is controlling him
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Bennham wants to get back to full guard.
Bennham moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Bennham trying to keep a closed guard but The Titain is proving a slippery customer.
The Titain connects with a couple of short punches.
Bennham not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The Titain has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Bennham slaps away a takedown attempt from The Titain, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Bennham closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into The Titain's guard.
The Titain wants to get back to his feet but Bennham is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Bennham postures up in The Titain's guard and throws a big left but The Titain blocks it.
Bennham wants to stand but The Titain has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bennham pushes down on The Titain's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Paul Bennham has got the better of the ground game so far.

Bennham seems to be looking for submissions.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Bennham showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

The Titain scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
The Titain is looking to advance position but Bennham won't allow it.
The Titain is thwarting Bennham's attempts to control the position.
Bennham taking some punishment here, with The Titain in his half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The Titain wants to control but Bennham is keeping him busy.
Bennham holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Bennham is trying to maintain the position but The Titain is very close to passing his half guard.
Bennham takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Bennham tries to get to full guard but The Titain has control of the leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. The Titain connects with a nice short shot to Bennham's temple.
The Titain is trying to control. Bennham wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Bennham is trying to maintain the position but The Titain is very close to passing his half guard.
The Titain content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Bennham lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Bennham misses with a body kick.
Bennham tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bennham tries for a takedown but The Titain circles away easily

and The Titain counters with a nice double leg into side control. Bennham won't be happy with that.
Check out the look on The Titain's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
The Titain wants to control but Bennham is keeping him busy.
The Titain has control of an arm but Bennham manages to advance to The Titain's back!
The Titain is keeping busy.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The Titain is defending well here and trying to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The Titain defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.

Bennham tightening his grip on The Titain, looking for the choke.
The Titain turns into Bennham and is now in his guard.
The Titain trying to control the position from guard on top but Bennham is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The Titain pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bennham is keeping the position for now.
Bennham trying to control the position.
Bennham wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and The Titain manages to pass to side control.
Bennham trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bennham tries to reverse the position but The Titain maintains control.

And that's the end of the fight!
James The Titain showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Bennham 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 William Gold scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 28:29
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paul Bennham!