PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sammy Spishak (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Benji Cheshire (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Spishak's entrance music is Sleeping with Sirens. A fine choice. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Benji Cheshire enters the cage!

Spishak
vs
Cheshire

185 cm
33
216 lbs
13 - 19 - 0

189 cm
31
220 lbs
11 - 11 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Great elbows
Good gas tank

The Adrenaline Matrix

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Sammy Spishak!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Benji Cheshire!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cheshire shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Spishak but Spishak pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Cheshire misses with a low kick as Spishak jumps back.

Cheshire pushes Spishak up against the cage in a clinch.
Spishak tries to throw a body punch but Cheshire avoids it by throwing Spishak back against the cage.
Spishak stalling in the clinch but Cheshire improves position.
A short uppercut from Spishak.
Cheshire displaying some good clinch control by pressing Spishak up against the cage.
Come on Cheshire - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Spishak taking a breather.
Spishak lands a left hand.
Cheshire trying to land knees to the body.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Spishak just misses with a elbow thrown towards Cheshire's brow.
Spishak is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Cheshire is defending well for now.

Spishak's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Cheshire lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Cheshire with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Spishak to score with a decent uppercut.
Cheshire tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Spishak has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Rape Academy in the buildup to the fight.
Cheshire tries to clinch but Spishak moves out of range.
Spishak fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Cheshire looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

Cheshire closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Spishak quickly recovers to half guard.
Spishak is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Cheshire's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Cheshire's back!
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!
Cheshire is in bad spot here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Spishak has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Cheshire has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Cheshire wants to escape the position.

Spishak looking for the choke but no joy.
I really don't envy Cheshire right now.
Cheshire trying to control the position but Spishak manages to sink in the hooks.

Spishak tightening his grip on Cheshire, looking for the choke.

Cheshire showing good submission defense here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cheshire fending off the submission attempt from Spishak.
Cheshire tries to break free.
Will Spishak go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Cheshire trying to control the action but Spishak just sinks the hooks in.

Cheshire showing good submission defense here.

Spishak is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Cheshire defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spishak throwing wild punches that miss their target.
Cheshire turns into Spishak and is now in his guard.
Cheshire postures up and lands a big shot to Spishak's brow.

Spishak looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Cheshire is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Cheshire trying to control but Spishak is working from the bottom.
Cheshire preventing the sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sammy Spishak 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.

Cheshire fails with an attempt to clinch.
Benji Cheshire seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Spishak misses with an uppercut.
Spishak jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.

Cheshire instigates a clinch.
Spishak taking a breather.
Cheshire leaning against his opponent.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Cheshire avoids the elbow strike from Spishak, against the cage.
Cheshire lands an elbow that stopped Spishak in his tracks for a moment.

It looks like Sammy Spishak has been cut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Spishak misses with an elbow strike.
Cheshire throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Spishak throws an elbow that misses.
Spishak avoiding damage as Cheshire throws knees to the body.
Cheshire swings wildly with an uppercut but Spishak uses good head movement to avoid it.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Cheshire.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spishak throws an elbow but it misses.
Cheshire pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Cheshire takes a shot to the head.
Spishak wants to get back to striking at distance but Cheshire won't allow it.
Spishak takes an elbow to the forehead.
Spishak trying to control the position but instead, Cheshire has worked for underhooks and has pushed Spishak into the cage.
Spishak lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Cheshire tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Spishak escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Cheshire tries to close the distance and clinch but Spishak swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Spishak is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Cheshire can do to turn this around?
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Cheshire.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spishak circles away from the clinch attempt.
Spishak keeps the fight on the outside.
Spishak swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Spishak misses the jab.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Cheshire - that will leave a mark!
Cheshire moves to clinch but Spishak breaks away
and Spishak counters with a nice body shot.
Spishak throws a looping overhand right but Cheshire ducks down to avoid it.

Spishak tries to keep at a distance but Cheshire has taken the fight into the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cheshire trying to control the position but instead, Spishak has worked for underhooks and has pushed Cheshire into the cage.
Cheshire lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cheshire is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Spishak is defending well for now.
Cheshire lands an elbow just above Spishak 's eye.

Sammy Spishak's cut is getting worse.
Spishak avoiding damage as Cheshire throws knees to the body.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Cheshire as Spishak tries to tie him up.
Spishak swings wildly with an uppercut but Cheshire uses good head movement to avoid it.
Spishak tries to circle away but Cheshire has him pinned against the cage.
Spishak slows down the pace here.
Spishak blocks the elbow strike.
Spishak lands a damaging elbow.
Cheshire is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Spishak is defending well.
Cheshire misses with an elbow over the top.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spishak dodges an elbow strike from Cheshire.
Spishak dodges an elbow strike from Cheshire.
Cheshire avoids a wild elbow strike from Spishak.
Spishak tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Cheshire's elbow.
Cheshire looking to stall.
Benji Cheshire seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Spishak has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Spishak takes an elbow to the forehead.
With the fighters up against the cage, Cheshire throws an elbow but misses.
A short right from Cheshire.
Spishak goes for a takedown in the clinch but Cheshire prevents it.
With the fighters up against the cage, Spishak throws an elbow but misses.
Cheshire trying to control the position but instead, Spishak has worked for underhooks and has pushed Cheshire into the cage.
Spishak on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Benji Cheshire will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Sammy Spishak's cut.
That's time! Spishak's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Cheshire is looking to clinch but Spishak is avoiding it.
A little feinted left hand from Spishak on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Cheshire tries to clinch but Spishak moves out of range.
Spishak is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Cheshire closes the distance looking to clinch
and Spishak counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Cheshire tries to clinch there but Spishak circles away.
Spishak tries to counter by clinching up but Cheshire breaks away and moves out of range.
Cheshire is looking to clinch.
Spishak swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Spishak throws a shot from downtown. Cheshire moves away and avoids it.
Cheshire tries to clinch up but Spishak circles away and keeps his distance.
Spishak tries to counter by clinching up but Cheshire breaks away and moves out of range.
Cheshire tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Spishak counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cheshire fails in his attempt to clinch.
It looked like Spishak wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Spishak swats away the attempt to clinch by Cheshire.
Spishak thinks about countering with a head kick.

Cheshire fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Spishak, pushing him back against the cage.
Cheshire is trying to maintain a safe position but Spishak gets an underhook and turns Cheshire into the cage.
Cheshire avoids a wild elbow strike from Spishak.
Cheshire creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Spishak throws an elbow but it's blocked.

Spishak breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Cheshire uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Spishak.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cheshire closes the distance but Spishak moves to the side
and Spishak counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Cheshire clinches.

Spishak breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Cheshire misses with a leg kick.
Cheshire tries to clinch but Spishak moves out of range.

Cheshire has Spishak up against the cage in a clinch.
Spishak tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Spishak tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Cheshire smiles and moves away.

Cheshire clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spishak on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Cheshire looking to throw knees to the head but Spishak is blocking nicely.
Spishak is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
With the fighters up against the cage, Spishak throws an elbow but misses.
Spishak throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Spishak lands a body punch in the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Cheshire.
Cheshire trying to land knees to the body.
Spishak misses with some punches.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Cheshire as Spishak tries to tie him up.
Spishak trying to stall but Cheshire improves his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spishak lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Cheshire backwards.
Cheshire has a couple of punches blocked by Spishak.
Spishak lands a hook to the side of the head.

Spishak escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Cheshire shoots in looking for a takedown. Spishak tries to sprawl out of it but Cheshire keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Spishak manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
It looked like Spishak was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Cheshire.
Spishak moves out of range of the body kick from Cheshire.

Cheshire clinches up against the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Spishak jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Cheshire walks away with a smile on his face. Spishak gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
The fight stays on the outside here - Cheshire looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sammy Spishak clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Sammy Spishak's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Cheshire tries to clinch up
and Spishak counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Cheshire moves in looking to clinch but Spishak pushes him off.
Cheshire tries to clinch up but Spishak circles away and keeps his distance.

Cheshire forces Spishak back against the cage and clinches.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Cheshire.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Spishak tries to break the clinch but Cheshire is controlling the position.
Cheshire has a couple of punches blocked by Spishak.
Stalling in the clinch from Cheshire.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Spishak.
Cheshire content to slow the pace in the clinch.

Spishak breaks from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cheshire closes the distance but Spishak moves to the side
and Spishak counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Spishak digs a good body shot into Cheshire's ribs.
Cheshire is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Spishak is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Cheshire.

Cheshire moves into range and clinches up with Spishak.
Cheshire throws a knee to the head but misses.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Spishak.
Cheshire prevents a body shot from Spishak.
Spishak gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Cheshire.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Spishak pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Cheshire gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Cheshire trying to land knees to the body.
Spishak lands a body shot.
Spishak lands a damaging elbow.
A shot in the inside from Spishak.
Spishak stalling against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Spishak avoids the elbow strike from Cheshire, against the cage.
Cheshire is trying to drag Spishak to the mat but Spishak just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Cheshire pushes off an throws an elbow but Spishak leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Cheshire is pressed up against the cage. Spishak has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Cheshire down to the mat. Cheshire avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spishak throws a body shot but no joy.

Cheshire clinches with his opponent.
Cheshire lands an elbow inside that Spishak shrugs off.
Cheshire avoids the elbow strike from Spishak, against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Cheshire.
Cheshire scores with a knee to the head.
Cheshire is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Spishak gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Sammy Spishak has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Benji Cheshire.
Cheshire pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Cheshire just misses with a elbow thrown towards Spishak's brow.
Cheshire throws an elbow that misses.
Cheshire's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Cheshire keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Spishak's efforts to push away.

Spishak breaks the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cheshire is looking to clinch.
Spishak feinted with a counter takedown.
A looping hook to the body misses from Spishak. Cheshire does a little dance to reset his feet.
Cheshire tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Spishak blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Cheshire is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Spishak is defending well for now.

Spishak manages to break the clinch.
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!
Cheshire tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Spishak defends well and Cheshire ends up having to push Spishak into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
A little feinted left hand from Spishak on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Cheshire shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Spishak sprawls well. Spishak wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Cheshire gets slowly back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Sammy Spishak will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Sammy Spishak's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

A looping hook to the body misses from Spishak. Cheshire does a little dance to reset his feet.

Cheshire closes the distance and pushes Spishak back into the cage.
Spishak has had enough of the clinch but Cheshire keeps him there for the moment.
Cheshire throws an elbow that misses.
Cheshire has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Spishak is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Spishak wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Spishak lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Cheshire lands a nice elbow.
Cheshire is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Spishak is trying to break the clinch but Cheshire has him pressed against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Spishak is trying to break free.
Cheshire trying to land knees to the body.
Cheshire lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Spishak slowing the pace effectively.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cheshire lands a left hand.

Sammy Spishak's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Cheshire.
Spishak tries to circle away but Cheshire has him pinned against the cage.
Spishak misses with a hook from the clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Spishak jumps guard and drags Cheshire to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Spishak trying to control the position.
Cheshire trying to control but Spishak is working from the bottom.

Spishak throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Cheshire escapes and throws Spishak's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Cheshire in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cheshire is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Sammy Spishak overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Spishak is looking to regain half guard here but Cheshire keeps moving and retains side control.
Cheshire controlling the position.
You can see the frustration on Spishak's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Cheshire lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Spishak down.
Spishak tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Cheshire wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spishak can't do much from the bottom here.
Spishak tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Cheshire easily slips into full mount!
Cheshire trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Spishak tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Cheshire controlling the pace for now.
Spishak regains half guard.
Spishak trying to control from the bottom.
Cheshire trying to control the action but Spishak is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cheshire prevents Spishak from improving his position.
Cheshire perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Spishak trying to control from the bottom.
Spishak keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Spishak trying to control here.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Cheshire wants to clinch up but Spishak keeps it at a distance.
An attempted straight right counter from Spishak misses the target.
Cheshire tries to clinch but Spishak moves out of range.
Spishak throwing a counter right hand but Cheshire manages to avoid it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Cheshire looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

And that's the end of the fight!
Benji Cheshire comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Spishak has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight for Sammy Spishak!
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight for Sammy Spishak!
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight for Benji Cheshire!

Sammy Spishak wins by split decision!