PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Massimo Benvenuti (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Massa Hurmaaja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Benvenuti
vs
Hurmaaja

182 cm
27
182 lbs
16 - 3 - 0

180 cm
27
197 lbs
13 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Atlantis
Vikai Gear

Alcatraz Apparel
Atlantis

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Massimo Benvenuti!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Massa Hurmaaja!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, David Hoff and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hurmaaja fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Benvenuti avoids it really well and circles away.

Benvenuti clinches.
Hurmaaja is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Benvenuti lands a left hand that snaps the head of Hurmaaja backwards.
Hurmaaja tries to score a body lock takedown but Benvenuti shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Massimo Benvenuti has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Massa Hurmaaja.
Hurmaaja is looking for a takedown.
Hurmaaja has Benvenuti pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Benvenuti manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Benvenuti working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Benvenuti lands with a right to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hurmaaja drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Benvenuti gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Hurmaaja goes for a takedown attempt but Benvenuti pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Benvenuti lands with a straight right. Hurmaaja didn't see that one coming.

It looks like Massa Hurmaaja has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hurmaaja takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Massa Hurmaaja seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Benvenuti jabs at Hurmaaja's body.
Hurmaaja's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Benvenuti connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Hurmaaja scrambles back to his feet.
Hurmaaja shoots and misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.

Hurmaaja looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Benvenuti wants to sweep but no luck.
Benvenuti avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hurmaaja throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Benvenuti works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hurmaaja throws a strike but Benvenuti rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Hurmaaja is adopting a defensive guard.
Hurmaaja looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hurmaaja had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Benvenuti defends it easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Hurmaaja has his foot on Benvenuti's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Benvenuti works his way back into a safe position though.
Hurmaaja being controlled here, momentarily.

Hurmaaja has managed to work for a loose triangle. I think Benvenuti should be able to defend this one pretty easily though. Oh, Hurmaaja has tightened it up now! Benvenuti should have reacted faster there - he's in big trouble and yes, he's tapped out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Massa Hurmaaja!
A very excited looking Massa Hurmaaja made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.
In defeat, Massimo Benvenuti stepped up to the mic, saying 'I'll be back stronger!'.