PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Benoit Kong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Hughes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Matt Hughes has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Kong
vs
Hughes

189 cm
21
178 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

178 cm
23
181 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

Good takedowns
Decent boxing
Determined

Blitzkrieg Supplements
aKua

Combat Pro Design
Syndicate Drugs

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Benoit Kong!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Matt Hughes!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kong throws a shot from downtown. Hughes moves away and avoids it.
Kong throws an overhand right that lands on Hughes's shoulder, as Hughes tries to avoid the shot.
A big left from Kong misses.
Benoit Kong seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hughes will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kong throws a big shot that misses.
Kong misses with a combination

so Hughes counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Hughes wants to control from the top but Kong keeps moving.
Kong 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.
Kong is trying to control the position but Hughes postures up.
Kong keeping moving, preventing Hughes from controlling successfully.
Kong wants to stand and escape but Hughes is having none of it.
Hughes wants to pass the guard but Kong is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hughes trying to control but Kong is working from the bottom.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Hughes pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kong is keeping the position for now.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Kong is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

It looks like Matt Hughes has been cut.
The fighters circle momentarily. Kong darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Hughes misses with a head kick.
Kong loads up on a big right hand but Hughes slips the punch.
A telegraphed right hand from Kong misses the target.
Kong dodges the punch combination from Hughes.
Kong goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

Hughes is rocked!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Hughes scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
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.

Hughes tries for a kimura but Kong is defending well.
Hughes tries to advance to mount but can't.
Hughes looks gassed!
Kong manages to work his way to half guard, despite Hughes's best efforts.
Hughes looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Kong is pressing down on Hughes's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Kong will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Hughes stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kong swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hughes won't allow Kong to sweep him here.
Kong managing to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hughes stops Kong from standing up.
Kong manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Hughes manages to get himself to full guard.

Hughes has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kong can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

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

Hughes isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Kong stacks Hughes on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Kong!

Kong has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kong lands a left and a right that sends Hughes crashing to the canvas! Kong dives into mount looking to finish!
Hughes is still in real trouble! Can Kong finish him?

Kong stands up from mount. Strange move.
Hughes seems to have recovered his senses.
Kong misses with a double jab
and Hughes counters with a one-two to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kong throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kong throws the left hand but Hughes avoids the punch easily.

Hughes drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Hughes preventing the sweep.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hughes sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Hughes stopping the sweep attempt from Kong.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Benoit Kong dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Matt Hughes's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A right-left combo lands from Kong.
Kong looks to land a left hand but Hughes moved out of range nicely.
Hughes swinging wilding here.
Kong misses the jab.

Hughes gets the takedown into side control.

Hughes goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Kong rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Hughes's guard! Nice work there by Kong!
Hughes keeping moving, preventing Kong from controlling successfully.
Hughes is breathing heavily.
Hughes looking for a sweep. Not yet Hughes, not yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kong postures up.
Kong trying to control the position from guard on top but Hughes is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kong sitting in guard here, content to control.

Hughes had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Kong is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Hughes Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Kong's back instead.
Kong wants to get back to his feet.

Kong preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Hughes.
Hughes not allowing Kong to control his hands.

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.
Kong staying busy and making it hard for Hughes to control.

Kong is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Kong just trying to survive but Hughes is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Kong holding both Hughes 's hands and preventing any damage.

Hughes working for a choke but Kong is defending well.
Hughes is trying to stick to Kong's back but Kong is turning into Hughes. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Hughes's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Kong.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hughes looking for a sweep. Not yet Hughes, not yet.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Hughes throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Hughes moves out of range as Kong strikes.
Kong waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract Hughes.
Hughes throws a body punch but Kong moves out of range.
Benoit Kong is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kong throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Hughes counters with a series of strikes. Kong will be more careful next time no doubt.
Some wild striking there from Kong.
No joy there for Kong, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hughes tries to close the distance and clinch but Kong swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hughes throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
letting Kong counter with a right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Kong misses with a double jab

and Hughes counters with a shoot takedown. Kong fights it but they end up in guard.
Hughes looking to pass the guard.

Kong pushes Hughes off and scrambles back to his feet.
Good standup being displayed there by Kong as he connects with a hook.
Kong throws an overhand right that lands on Hughes's shoulder, as Hughes tries to avoid the shot.
Kong throws a left and a right that both miss
and Hughes counters with a one-two to the body.
Hughes looks to land a combination but Kong avoids it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Hughes showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Matt Hughes's cut.
That's time! Kong's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Hughes keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kong.
Kong throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
The fighters circling - Kong throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kong throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Hughes counters with a stiff right hand.

Hughes shoots in and bounces Kong off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Hughes trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Hughes drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Hughes jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Kong has a closed guard, preventing Hughes from standing up.
Kong looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hughes wants to pass the guard but Kong is keeping the position.
Kong controlling Hughes's posture.
Kong keeping full guard, as Hughes tries to pass.
Hughes advances to half guard.
Hughes looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Hughes looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Kong is controlling Hughes's position as best he can from this difficult position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Hughes not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Kong is looking to control Hughes's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kong avoid being mounted?
Hughes wants to pass to mount but Kong is defending the position.
Hughes is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Kong throws a jab but it's blocked by Hughes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kong closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Kong throws a left and a right that both miss
and Hughes counters with a three punch combo that has Kong backing up. Kong nods at Hughes to acknowledge the strikes.
Benoit Kong is winning the standup battle so far.
Kong misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A punch combination from Kong misses.
Kong throws a sloppy head kick
and Hughes cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kong misses with an uppercut.
Hughes lands a jab to the nose.
Kong dodges the punch combination from Hughes.
Hughes throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kong is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Kong misses its intended target.
Hughes slips a jab from Kong.
Kong throws a leg kick
and Hughes counters with a left and a right that stings Kong.

Kong gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Kong wants to sweep but no luck.
Kong keeping full guard, as Hughes tries to pass.
Kong is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Hughes wants to control from the top but Kong keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Hughes really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Matt Hughes's cut.
That's time! Kong's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Hughes takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Kong misses with a body kick.
Hughes misses with a combination
and Hughes takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kong with a nice cross.
Kong throws a hook but Hughes blocks it.
Kong throws a combination that misses

so Hughes counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Hughes tries to free his leg and advance position but Kong is retaining full guard.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Hughes prevents Kong from getting back to his feet.

Hughes stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Hughes swinging wilding here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kong throws the left hand but Hughes avoids the punch easily.
Kong works the jab nicely.
Kong throws a hook but Hughes avoids it easily.
Hughes moves out of range of the strikes.
Hughes fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Kong is out of range.
Hughes misses with a wild body shot.
Hughes walks into a left hand.
Kong misses with a combination

and Hughes counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Kong!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hughes with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Kong is in all sorts of trouble here.

Hughes goes for an armbar but Kong turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Kong.
Matt Hughes has got the better of the ground game so far.
Hughes 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.

Kong avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Kong is stalling in the full guard.

Hughes looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hughes keeping moving, preventing Kong from controlling successfully.
Kong sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Hughes wants to sweep but no luck.
Kong advances to half guard.

Kong decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Kong is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Kong throws a combination that misses

and Hughes counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Kong's guard now.
Hughes wants to pass the guard but Kong is keeping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hughes stopping the sweep attempt from Kong.

Hughes drops back, looking for a kneebar! Kong looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Kong looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Kong!
Hughes tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Kong wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
A lull in the action here.
Hughes regains half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kong passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Hughes!
Hughes looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Hughes dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Matt Hughes's cut.
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 crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Kong throws a left and a right that both miss
and Hughes counters with a left and a right that stings Kong.
Benoit Kong has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nice defenses there by Hughes.
Kong has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Kong misses with a double jab
and Hughes counters with a one-two to the body.
Kong throws a combination that misses

and Hughes counters with a takedown into side control.

Hughes has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
A jab from Kong misses.
Kong swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Hughes counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Kong!
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kong wants to control but Hughes is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hughes get's back to his feet.
Hughes shoots in for a takedown but Kong shows good takedown defense.
Kong falls off balance throwing a combination

and Hughes counters with a shoot takedown. Kong fights it but they end up in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Hughes is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Kong is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Kong has escaped and now he's on top!
Kong trying to control the position from guard on top but Hughes is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kong stopping the sweep attempt from Hughes.

Hughes working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Kong has passed into half guard!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kong is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Kong wants to take a breather but Hughes is having none of it.
Hughes works his way to full guard. Good work.
Kong is pushing down on Hughes's leg trying to pass to half guard. Hughes is fighting to maintain full guard but Kong has managed to sneak the leg through.
Kong is looking to stall here but Hughes recovers full guard.

Hughes throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hughes is trying to control the position but Kong postures up.
Kong wants to control from the top but Hughes keeps moving.
Hughes trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Matt Hughes is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hughes is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Hughes is adopting a defensive guard.
Hughes keeping moving, preventing Kong from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Hughes trying to control the position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Hughes swinging wilding here.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Kong, as that shot connected.
Kong falls off balance throwing a combination

and Hughes counters with a single leg into guard. Kong didn't expect that.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kong being controlled here, momentarily.

Hughes avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matt Hughes comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Hughes 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Andi Peters scores the fight 46:49
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 46:49
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matt Hughes!
Matt Hughes is the new welterweight champion!