PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Gareth The Stone (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Benny Bannessi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

The Stone
vs
Bannessi

178 cm
21
159 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

187 cm
22
179 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good in bed

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Gareth The Stone!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Benny Bannessi!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Robert Douchet and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The Stone takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Bannessi swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A left and a right from Bannessi both land. Nice combination.
Bannessi falls off balance throwing a combination

and The Stone moves into the clinch.
Bannessi is trying to push The Stone away but The Stone has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Bannessi tries to break the clinch but The Stone is controlling the position.

The Stone breaks the clinch.
No joy there for Bannessi, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
The Stone shoots in but no luck this time.
The Stone shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Bannessi but Bannessi pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Sloppy strikes from Bannessi. Those never looked like landing.
It looked like The Stone was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.

The Stone shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The Stone tries to pass to full mount but Bannessi defends it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The Stone is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Bannessi defends it well.
The Stone throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Bannessi tries to kick The Stone off but The Stone keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
The Stone thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Bannessi is staying active underneath The Stone, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's two 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.
The Stone looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
The Stone wants to lay and pray for a moment but Bannessi keeps working.
The Stone is taking a breather. Bannessi says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

The Stone decides to return to a standing position.
Bannessi throws a right and a left that both miss.
The Stone avoids a punch combination nicely.
Benny Bannessi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Bannessi misses with a double jab.
Bannessi looks winded!
Bannessi scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bannessi lands with a hook. The Stone tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Bannessi throws a right and a left that both miss.
Bannessi lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but The Stone circles away quickly and effectively.
The Stone shoots in but Bannessi avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gareth The Stone. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The Stone tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Bannessi manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Bannessi swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
The Stone dives in and grabs Bannessi's left leg, looking for a takedown. Bannessi pushes down on The Stone's head and hops out.

The Stone darts in and clinches Bannessi up against the cage.
The Stone is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
The Stone keeps control of Bannessi as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Bannessi is trying to break the clinch but The Stone has him pressed against the cage.
Bannessi can't break the clinch.

Bannessi's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Bannessi swats away the attempt to clinch by The Stone.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The Stone fails with an attempt to clinch.
Bannessi connects with a single shot there.
The Stone tries to clinch up.
A head kick misses from The Stone.
Bannessi catches The Stone with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Bannessi throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
The Stone shoots for a takedown but Bannessi saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The Stone looks for a takedown but Bannessi sprawls well.
The Stone fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Bannessi fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. The Stone looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Sloppy strikes from Bannessi. Those never looked like landing.
Nice sprawl there from Bannessi as The Stone shoots in.
Bannessi scores with a one two! The Stone had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Benny Bannessi dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Bannessi displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from The Stone.
The Stone tries to clinch but Bannessi moves out of range.
The Stone dodges the punch combination from Bannessi.
The Stone is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Bannessi.
Bannessi keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Bannessi slaps away a takedown attempt from The Stone, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Bannessi scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bannessi misses with a jab, cross combination.
Bannessi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but The Stone moves away.
The Stone tries to clinch up.
The Stone fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gareth The Stone. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bannessi moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Bannessi is breathing heavily.
Bannessi lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The Stone uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bannessi.
Bannessi slaps away a takedown attempt from The Stone, before circling back to the center of the mat.
The Stone takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

The Stone drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

The Stone stands up and we're back to a striking position.
The Stone shoots in looking for a takedown. Bannessi tries to sprawl out of it but The Stone keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Bannessi manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Benny Bannessi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The Stone shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Bannessi as he jumps to the side.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Bannessi! But no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bannessi throws a left and a right that both miss

and The Stone counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
The Stone has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Bannessi avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Bannessi looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
The Stone keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Bannessi's efforts to push away.
Bannessi can't break the clinch.
The Stone is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
The Stone looking to stall.
Bannessi tries to break the clinch but The Stone is controlling the position.
Bannessi is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Bannessi tries to break the clinch but The Stone is controlling the position.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Bannessi tries to circle away but The Stone has him pinned against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The Stone misses with a shot to the kidneys.
The Stone keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Bannessi's efforts to push away.
The Stone putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Bannessi in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Bannessi is looking to break free of the clinch but The Stone has double underhooks.
Bannessi wants to break the clinch but can't.

The Stone breaks the clinch.
The Stone tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Bannessi defends well and The Stone ends up having to push Bannessi into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
The Stone tries to clinch but Bannessi moves out of range.
Bannessi throws a right and a left that both miss.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bannessi. The Stone does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gareth The Stone is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bannessi throws a series of punches but The Stone moves out of range.
The Stone misses with a looping right.
The Stone looks for a takedown but Bannessi sprawls well.

The Stone closes the distance and clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bannessi tries to circle away but The Stone has him pinned against the cage.
The Stone tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Bannessi tries to break the clinch but The Stone is controlling the position.
Bannessi managing to block the knees to the body from The Stone.
The Stone taking a breather.
The Stone drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Bannessi wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Bannessi wants to break the clinch but can't.
Bannessi is trying to push The Stone away but The Stone has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
The Stone has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Bannessi is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
The Stone is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Benny Bannessi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

A decent looking cross lands there for Bannessi.
The Stone shoots in for a double leg but Bannessi sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
The Stone shoots in looking for a takedown but Bannessi manages to keep the fight standing, pushing The Stone's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Bannessi lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Bannessi bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of The Stone's head.
Bannessi throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Bannessi has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Bannessi lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
The Stone takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Nice defenses there by Bannessi.
Left hook, right uppercut from Bannessi.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bannessi throws a left and a right that both miss
and The Stone counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Bannessi thinking.
Bannessi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from The Stone.
The Stone tries to clinch up but Bannessi circles away and keeps his distance.
The Stone dives in for a single leg takedown but Bannessi sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gareth The Stone. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The Stone gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
The Stone tries to clinch but Bannessi moves out of range.
The Stone moves in looking to clinch but Bannessi pushes him off.
The Stone tries to close the distance and clinch but Bannessi swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
The Stone is looking to clinch.
The Stone showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Bannessi.
Bannessi scores with a one two! The Stone had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Horrible takedown attempt by The Stone or perhaps it was just good defense by Bannessi, which made it look bad.
Bannessi swinging wildly here.
The Stone shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Bannessi sprawls well. Bannessi wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. The Stone gets slowly back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bannessi throws a one two combo.
The Stone tries to clinch there but Bannessi circles away.
The Stone wants to clinch.
The Stone misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
The Stone changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Bannessi tries to avoid it but The Stone manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Bannessi to the ground. Bannessi escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bannessi stalks The Stone and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into The Stone's face. The Stone staggers backwards, shaken.
The Stone is looking to clinch.
Bannessi lands a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The Stone tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Bannessi scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
The Stone takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Bannessi stuffs the takedown.
It seemed like Bannessi was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
The Stone takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
The Stone shoots in but no luck this time.
Bannessi looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Bannessi dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Bannessi fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Benny Bannessi seems to be getting the better of the standup.
The Stone tries to close the distance and clinch but Bannessi swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Bannessi swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Bannessi throws a series of strikes that have The Stone backpedaling.
Bannessi is working the combinations to good effect here.
Bannessi tries to bum rush The Stone with a series of wild strikes but The Stone uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
The Stone looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The Stone shoots in for a double leg but Bannessi sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Bannessi stuns The Stone with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Bannessi scores with a jab to the jaw.
The Stone fails with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Bannessi!
Bannessi circles away from the clinch attempt.
The Stone takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Bannessi throws a series of strikes that have The Stone backpedaling.
No luck with that takedown attempt from The Stone.
The Stone throws a low kick, looking for Bannessi's leg but Bannessi calmly moves out of range.
The Stone slips a jab and a cross from Bannessi.
The Stone dives in and grabs Bannessi's left leg, looking for a takedown. Bannessi pushes down on The Stone's head and hops out.
Gareth The Stone has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Benny Bannessi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The Stone takes one on the chin but seems OK.

And that's the end of the fight!
Benny Bannessi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Bannessi winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight for Benny Bannessi!
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight for Benny Bannessi!
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight for Benny Bannessi!

Benny Bannessi wins by unanimous decision!
Gareth The Stone spoke after the fight, saying 'winning is for gays'.