PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between James Benson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thais Rodriguez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Benson comes to the cage accompanied by Mantis-Snapped. James Benson has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Benson
vs
Rodriguez

175 cm
27
155 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

162 cm
20
151 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Very quick

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, James Benson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Thais Rodriguez!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, John Roberts and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rodriguez dives in and grabs Benson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Benson pushes down on Rodriguez's head and hops out.
Benson looks for a takedown but Rodriguez sprawls well.
Benson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rodriguez as he avoids it easily.
Benson closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rodriguez circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James Benson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Benson has a takedown stuffed.
It seemed like Rodriguez was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Benson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Benson 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.
Benson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rodriguez swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Benson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Benson has gone for a leg lock! Rodriguez slips out almost immediately though and dives into Benson's guard.

Benson looking for a guillotine here but Rodriguez defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Benson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Rodriguez can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Rodriguez wants to get up but he can't break Benson's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Benson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Benson is pulling down on Rodriguez's head to control his posture.

Benson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Rodriguez can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Benson is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Benson is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Rodriguez defends it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Benson is working for a kimura but Rodriguez is defending it quite comfortably.
Rodriguez moves into full guard.

Benson drops back, looking for a kneebar! Rodriguez looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Rodriguez looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Rodriguez!

Benson manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Benson manages to get to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez trying to control the position from guard on top but Benson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Benson working for a triangle but Rodriguez defends it easily.
Benson lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Benson drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Rodriguez manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Benson has Rodriguez in his guard.

Benson working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Rodriguez has passed into half guard!
Benson is refusing to be controlled, as Rodriguez sits in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benson wants to improve his position but Rodriguez is controlling well.
Rodriguez trying to control the action but Benson is working from the bottom.

Benson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Benson tries to roll over but Rodriguez keeps him under control.
Rodriguez working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

Benson looking for submissions off his back.
Benson works his way to full guard. Good work.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Benson is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Rodriguez defends well.
Rodriguez trying to control the position from guard on top but Benson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that James Benson will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Benson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rodriguez as he avoids it easily.
Rodriguez connects with a high kick.

Rodriguez has managed to clinch.
Rodriguez is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Benson pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Rodriguez ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Rodriguez no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Benson is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Rodriguez's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Benson definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

Benson looking for submissions off his back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Benson looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Rodriguez pushes past his half guard into mount!
Benson gets back to half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Benson manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriguez trying to control but Benson is working from the bottom.

Benson had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Rodriguez defends it easily.

Benson has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Rodriguez is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Benson.
Benson is trying to control Rodriguez's posture but Rodriguez avoids it.
Benson prevents Rodriguez from moving into mount.
Benson manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Benson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Rodriguez pulls his head out easily.

Benson looking for submissions off his back.

Benson actively working from the bottom here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Benson tries to get to full guard but Rodriguez has control of the leg.
Rodriguez wants to take a breather but Benson is having none of it.
Rodriguez with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Benson slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

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

Benson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Benson looking for a sweep. Not yet Benson, not yet.
James Benson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez wants to get up but he can't break Benson's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Rodriguez trying to control the position from guard on top but Benson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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

Benson working for a triangle but Rodriguez defends it easily.
Benson keeping moving, preventing Rodriguez from controlling successfully.

Benson looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Rodriguez passes into half guard.
Benson gets back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Benson looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Rodriguez got a little sloppy there for a moment and Benson has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Rodriguez has managed to get both his arms back between Benson's legs - danger averted.
Benson trying to control the position.
Rodriguez trying to control but Benson is working from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rodriguez throws a big right hand that misses.

Benson looking for a guillotine here but Rodriguez defends easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thais Rodriguez showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Rodriguez changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Benson tries to avoid it but Rodriguez manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Benson to the ground. Benson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Benson bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Benson goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Rodriguez rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Benson's guard! Nice work there by Rodriguez!
Benson keeping moving, preventing Rodriguez from controlling successfully.

Benson is looking for a triangle but Rodriguez pushes his legs off easily.

Benson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Rodriguez doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Rodriguez manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Benson is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Rodriguez defends well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Benson has an active guard here but Rodriguez has managed to pass into half guard.
Rodriguez winds up and cracks Benson with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriguez wants to stand up but Benson has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Rodriguez wants to take a breather but Benson is having none of it.
Benson is trying to get back to full guard.
Rodriguez working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Benson moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

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.

Benson looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Rodriguez has picked Benson up and slammed him! Benson can't keep hold of the triangle and Rodriguez manages to pass to side control!
Benson manages to get back to half guard.

Benson looking for submissions off his back.
Rodriguez wants to take a breather but Benson is having none of it.
It looks like Rodriguez is going to stand back up.

Benson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Benson tries to get to full guard but Rodriguez has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Benson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Rodriguez seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Benson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Benson is looking to improve his position.
Rodriguez landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Rodriguez working the head and body with strikes.
Benson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Benson makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!

Rodriguez gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez controls Benson momentarily but Benson frees himself.

Benson is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Rodriguez's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Benson is looking to improve his position.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Benson looking for submissions off his back.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Benson wants to get back to full guard.
Benson slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

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 James Benson.
I think Benson 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 29:28
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Benson!
In his post fight interview, James Benson started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.