PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Bennett Russell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gaius Tetraites (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.

Russell
vs
Tetraites

211 cm
24
162 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

178 cm
20
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Bennett Russell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Gaius Tetraites!
The judges for this bout are Jeff Smith, Paul Gruel and Ryoma Takatsuka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tetraites misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Russell throws a big counter combination but Tetraites scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Tetraites tries to score a power double leg takedown but Russell sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Tetraites somewhat.
Gaius Tetraites seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
No luck for Tetraites with that takedown attempt.
Russell slaps away a takedown attempt from Tetraites, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Russell jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Bennett Russell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gaius Tetraites.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice sprawl there from Russell as Tetraites shoots in.
Russell tries for a takedown but Tetraites sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Russell really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Tetraites pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Russell throws a big counter combination but Tetraites scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Tetraites looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Russell fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Tetraites, pushing him back against the cage.

Tetraites's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Russell lands with a nice body kick.
Tetraites shoots for a takedown but Russell saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Russell went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Tetraites shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Russell pinned against the cage. Russell gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Russell half committed to a counter leg kick.

Russell takes the fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russell jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Tetraites walks away with a smile on his face. Russell gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Tetraites shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Tetraites tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Russell manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
As Tetraites looks to move away, Russell throws a big counter combo bu Tetraites just gets out of the way.
Tetraites throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Russell.
Russell seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Tetraites closes the distance looking to clinch
and Russell makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Tetraites looks winded!
Horrible takedown attempt by Tetraites or perhaps it was just good defense by Russell, which made it look bad.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Russell has taken the fight to the clinch.
Russell wants to break free but Tetraites has control.

Tetraites escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Russell.
Tetraites tries to counter by closing the distance.
Tetraites gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Russell counters with a single leg into guard. Tetraites didn't expect that.
Russell would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Russell gets to his feet. Tetraites looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Russell drives through and clinches with Tetraites against the cage.

Russell wants the takedown. Tetraites is fighting it off but Russell persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Tetraites's guard against the cage.
Russell is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Russell trying to stand up but can't free himself from Tetraites's guard.

Russell gets to his feet - Tetraites follows without any prompting.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tetraites misses the shot to the body.
As Tetraites backs away, Russell returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tetraites tries to close the distance and clinch but Russell swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Russell looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Tetraites tries for a takedown but Russell circles away easily
enabling Russell to counter with a crisp jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bennett Russell dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Tetraites fails with a takedown attempt.
Tetraites looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Tetraites looks for a takedown but Russell sprawls well.
Bennett Russell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gaius Tetraites.

Russell rushes Tetraites and presses him up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Russell prevents the takedown attempt.
Russell jumps guard but Tetraites turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Russell wants a takedown.
Tetraites tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

Russell has clasped his hands together around Tetraites's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.

Russell tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
You can see the frustration on Tetraites's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Tetraites is breathing heavily.

Russell thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tetraites sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Tetraites is looking to escape.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tetraites keeps control of the position for the meantime.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
The fighters are battling for position here. Tetraites manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Tetraites looking to hit a scissor sweep but Russell is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tetraites has his feet on Russell's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Tetraites tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Russell shoots in looking for a takedown. Tetraites tries to sprawl out of it but Russell keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Tetraites manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Russell circles away from the clinch attempt.
Tetraites fails with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tetraites shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Russell as he jumps to the side.

Russell closes the distance and pushes Tetraites back into the cage.
Tetraites jumps guard but Russell turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Tetraites lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Russell backwards.
Russell looking for a takedown.
Russell is pushing Tetraites up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Tetraites has Russell pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Russell manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bennett Russell dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Tetraites tries to keep at a distance but Russell has taken the fight into the clinch.
Russell wants a takedown but no success here.
Tetraites prevents Russell from breaking the clinch.
Russell is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Tetraites to keep the fight standing.
Russell wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bennett Russell. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tetraites scores with a shot to the side of Russell's head.
Tetraites goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Tetraites tries to pull guard but Russell holds him up against the cage and eventually Tetraites drops back down to his feet.

Russell drags the fight down to the ground.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tetraites throwing strikes but missing.
Bennett Russell overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Tetraites trying to control the position from guard on top but Russell is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Russell is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Tetraites trying to control but Russell is working from the bottom.
Tetraites is pushing down on Russell's leg trying to pass to half guard. Russell is fighting to maintain full guard but Tetraites has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Russell blocking the ground and pound attempt from Tetraites.
Russell is pressing down on Tetraites's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Russell keeping moving, preventing Tetraites from controlling successfully.
Russell 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.
Russell doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Russell scores with a takedown into Tetraites's guard.
Tetraites tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Russell is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Tetraites can do to turn this around?
Tetraites is trying to control the position but Russell postures up.
Tetraites striking off his back but it's not causing Russell any problems.

Tetraites escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Russell gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Tetraites takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Tetraites working a defensive guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tetraites manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Tetraites's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Tetraites manages to break the clinch.

Russell looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Gaius Tetraites has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Tetraites is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

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 Bennett Russell.
Well Russell 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 Jeff Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bennett Russell!