PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Marcus Behnder Jr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Serafin Cuevas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Serafin Cuevas is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Behnder Jr
vs
Cuevas

179 cm
23
185 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

180 cm
38
180 lbs
15 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Conquer

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Marcus Behnder Jr!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Serafin Cuevas!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, Bruno Hogan and Ben Watson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cuevas tries to close the distance and clinch but Behnder Jr swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Behnder Jr dives in and scores a takedown into Cuevas's guard.
Cuevas wants to stand and escape but Behnder Jr is having none of it.
Behnder Jr is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Behnder Jr working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Cuevas keeping full guard, as Behnder Jr tries to pass.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cuevas wants to stand and escape but Behnder Jr is having none of it.
Behnder Jr sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Cuevas is looking to stand back up but Behnder Jr counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Cuevas.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cuevas won't allow Behnder Jr to pass to mount.
Behnder Jr is working hard here to advance position.

Behnder Jr is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Cuevas sees it coming and defends easily.
Cuevas is looking to escape.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Behnder Jr wants to work for an arm triangle but Cuevas is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Behnder Jr stops Cuevas from getting back to his feet.

Behnder Jr is looking for a kimura but Cuevas is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Behnder Jr to get the leverage.
Behnder Jr trying to pass the guard but Cuevas defending well.
Cuevas pushes Behnder Jr off looking to stand but Behnder Jr dives back in and keeps control.

Behnder Jr is looking for a kimura here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Behnder Jr wants to lay and pray for a moment but Cuevas keeps working.

Behnder Jr is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Behnder Jr wants to take a breather but Cuevas is having none of it.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
A solid body kick from Behnder Jr.
Behnder Jr throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Cuevas throws a head kick that misses.
Behnder Jr is looking to counter the offense by Cuevas and move into the clinch.
Cuevas moves in looking to clinch but Behnder Jr pushes him off.
Behnder Jr feinted there with a counter leg kick.
A lazy left from Cuevas finds it's target.
Behnder Jr throws a head kick but Cuevas moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Behnder Jr thuds his right hand into Cuevas's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Marcus Behnder Jr seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Behnder Jr scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Behnder Jr tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Behnder Jr takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Cuevas tries to clinch up.
Behnder Jr takes one to the side of the head.
Behnder Jr moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Behnder Jr misses the shot to the body.
Cuevas misses with a kick to the body.
Behnder Jr misses with a wild body shot.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Behnder Jr wants to clinch up but Cuevas keeps it at a distance.
Behnder Jr pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Behnder Jr misses with a left hand
and Cuevas makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Cuevas throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Behnder Jr sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Behnder Jr tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Cuevas defends well and Behnder Jr ends up having to push Cuevas into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cuevas looks to clinch
and Behnder Jr counters with a left to the body.
Behnder Jr attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Nice cross by Cuevas.
Cuevas takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Behnder Jr throws a head kick that misses.
Behnder Jr fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Cuevas is out of range.
Cuevas tries to clinch but Behnder Jr is having none of it.
Cuevas lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Behnder Jr scores with a punch to the head.
Cuevas 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.
Cuevas stalks Behnder Jr and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Behnder Jr's face. Behnder Jr staggers backwards, shaken.
Behnder Jr misses with a looping left.
Behnder Jr buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcus Behnder Jr dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Cuevas tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Behnder Jr manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Behnder Jr misses with a wild body shot.
Behnder Jr is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Cuevas can do to turn this around?
Behnder Jr looks for the body kick but Cuevas saw that one coming.

Cuevas closes the distance and clinches.
Behnder Jr throws a head punch that misses.
Behnder Jr tries to pull guard but Cuevas holds him up against the cage and eventually Behnder Jr drops back down to his feet.
Behnder Jr lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Cuevas wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Behnder Jr has him pressed against the cage.
Cuevas has a couple of punches blocked by Behnder Jr.
Behnder Jr's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Cuevas has a couple of punches blocked by Behnder Jr.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cuevas misses with a punch on the inside.
Cuevas is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Cuevas misses with a hook from the clinch.
Behnder Jr scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Behnder Jr blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Behnder Jr swings wildly with an uppercut but Cuevas uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Still in the clinch, Behnder Jr scores with a nice short uppercut.
Cuevas wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Cuevas is trying to break the clinch but Behnder Jr is controlling him.
Cuevas working hard to break the clinch.
Cuevas can't break the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Behnder Jr.
Cuevas misses with the head strike.
Cuevas working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Cuevas is trying to break free.

Behnder Jr jumps guard and drags Cuevas to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Cuevas wanted to stand there but Behnder Jr had control of the position.
Cuevas must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Behnder Jr looking for a sweep. Not yet Behnder Jr, not yet.
Behnder Jr has a closed guard, preventing Cuevas from standing up.
Behnder Jr looking to control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Behnder Jr lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Cuevas wants to stand up but Behnder Jr is controlling him.
Behnder Jr trying to control the position from guard on top but Cuevas is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cuevas wants to stand up but Behnder Jr is controlling him.
Cuevas is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Behnder Jr is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Cuevas is looking to stand up but Behnder Jr isn't so interested in that idea.

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.
Cuevas is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Behnder Jr looks to score with a jab to the body but Cuevas is just out of range.
Cuevas appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Cuevas throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Behnder Jr stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Serafin Cuevas is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Cuevas swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Behnder Jr connects with a leg kick. Cuevas looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Behnder Jr looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Cuevas is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Behnder Jr.
Cuevas tries to clinch but Behnder Jr is having none of it.
Cuevas lands the left hand.
Cuevas uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Behnder Jr.
Cuevas chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Behnder Jr can pounce on him.
Behnder Jr tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Marcus Behnder Jr is winning the standup battle so far.
Cuevas fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Behnder Jr looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cuevas tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Cuevas fails with an attempt to clinch.
Cuevas checks the leg kick.
Behnder Jr swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Cuevas scores with a jab. Behnder Jr acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cuevas blocks a head kick by Behnder Jr.
Cuevas throws a push kick but Behnder Jr slaps the foot to one side.
A little feinted left hand from Behnder Jr on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Behnder Jr takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Behnder Jr fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cuevas manages to avoid it.
Cuevas is looking to clinch.
Cuevas dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Behnder Jr fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Cuevas has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Cuevas works the jab nicely.
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 Marcus Behnder Jr will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Behnder Jr throws a poor cross that misses
and Cuevas counters with a right hand to the body.
Cuevas wants to clinch.
Cuevas tries to close the distance and clinch up but Behnder Jr swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Cuevas avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Cuevas darts in trying to clinch
and Behnder Jr counters with a nice leg kick.

Cuevas moves into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cuevas working hard to break the clinch.
Cuevas wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Behnder Jr has him pressed against the cage.
Behnder Jr has Cuevas pushed against the cage.
Behnder Jr working some nice short punches in the clinch.

Cuevas breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Behnder Jr tries to land a leg kick but Cuevas saw it coming and moves away.
Behnder Jr fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Cuevas has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Behnder Jr throws a body kick that misses.
Cuevas on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Cuevas tries to clinch up.
Cuevas doesn't manage to clinch there - Behnder Jr circles away.
Behnder Jr drops down looking for a counter takedown but Cuevas sprawls and moves away.
Cuevas just misses with a punch to the body.
Cuevas blocks a head kick by Behnder Jr.
Behnder Jr sizes up Cuevas with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
A nice inside leg kick there by Behnder Jr. That's going to slow Cuevas down.

Behnder Jr shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Cuevas looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Behnder Jr seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Cuevas tries to kick Behnder Jr off but Behnder Jr keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Behnder Jr slows the pace down in half guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Cuevas throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Behnder Jr misses the shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cuevas blocks a leg kick.
Cuevas thinks about the counter body kick.
Cuevas connects with a jab.
Behnder Jr throws a quick inside leg kick.
Behnder Jr scores with a jab to the head.
Cuevas tries to bum rush Behnder Jr with a series of wild strikes but Behnder Jr uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Behnder Jr lands a front kick.
Behnder Jr swats away the attempt to clinch by Cuevas.
Cuevas wants to clinch.
Behnder Jr misses with a leg kick.
A big left from Behnder Jr misses.
Behnder Jr tries a head kick but it misses.
Cuevas let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Marcus Behnder Jr is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cuevas tries to clinch but Behnder Jr is having none of it.
Behnder Jr circles away from the clinch attempt.
As Cuevas backs away, Behnder Jr returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Behnder Jr throws a head kick that half lands.

It looks like Serafin Cuevas has been cut.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Behnder Jr, right into the meat.
Behnder Jr throws a head kick that misses.
Cuevas tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cuevas tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Behnder Jr manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Behnder Jr was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Cuevas fails in his attempt to clinch.
Behnder Jr is looking to slow Cuevas down with leg kicks.
Behnder Jr throws a leg kick but Cuevas sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Behnder Jr throws a head kick that Cuevas semi-blocks.
A low kick from Behnder Jr is predictable there
and Cuevas counters with a left and a right that stings Behnder Jr.

Behnder Jr is rocked!

Cuevas darts in and clinches Behnder Jr up against the cage.
Serafin Cuevas has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cuevas's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Behnder Jr misses with a short punch on the inside.
Behnder Jr misses with a hook to the ribs.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marcus Behnder Jr showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Behnder Jr, 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 Steve Erwin scores the fight 30:28
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ben Watson scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marcus Behnder Jr!
Marcus Behnder Jr decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.
In defeat, Serafin Cuevas stepped up to the mic, saying 'There is something to celebrate with every victory and something to learn from every loss. I salute my opponent for a job well done. I wish him well in his future fights.'.