PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Stipe Miocic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sulvester Benson (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.

Miocic
vs
Benson

196 cm
18
234 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

199 cm
23
265 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Stipe Miocic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Sulvester Benson!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Jorge Garcia and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sloppy strikes from Benson. Those never looked like landing.
Benson throws a nice looking combination but Miocic bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Benson misses with a few strikes there.
Benson misses with a double jab
and Miocic makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Benson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Miocic.
Benson throws a right hand that Miocic ducks under and follows up with a left that Miocic also avoids with ease.
Benson misses with a jab, cross combination.
Nice takedown defense from Benson. No joy for Miocic on that attempt.
Benson misses with a combination
and Miocic counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Benson looks winded!
Miocic tries to clinch up but Benson circles away and keeps his distance.
Benson stuffs the takedown attempt from Miocic. Miocic gets slowly back to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Benson looks to land a combination but Miocic avoids it well.
Miocic looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Miocic tries to clinch up but Benson circles away and keeps his distance.
Miocic changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Benson tries to avoid it but Miocic manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Benson to the ground. Benson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stipe Miocic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Benson throws a series of punches but Miocic avoids them all with ease.
Benson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Miocic moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Miocic seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benson pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Miocic back to the cage. Benson follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

Miocic darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Miocic with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Miocic scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

Miocic stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Miocic scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Benson defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Miocic.
Miocic dives in and grabs Benson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Benson pushes down on Miocic's head and hops out.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Benson misses with a jab, cross combination.
A combination from Benson does no damage.
Benson throws a right hand that Miocic ducks under and follows up with a left that Miocic also avoids with ease.
Benson throws a combination. Miocic tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Miocic misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Benson misses with a series of wild punches.
A quick step to the side and Miocic tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Miocic goes for a double leg but Benson avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Benson continues to drive forward.
Benson avoids the head kick by Miocic.
Miocic fails with a takedown attempt.
Benson goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Benson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Benson keeps the fight on the outside.
Benson throws a right hand that Miocic ducks under and follows up with a left that Miocic also avoids with ease.
Miocic darts in looking for a takedown but Benson gets double underhooks and turns Miocic into the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Benson looks to land a combination. Miocic sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
A right-left combo lands from Benson.
Miocic is looking to clinch.
Benson throws a one two combo.
Benson swinging wildly here.
Miocic thinks about countering with a head kick.
Miocic is looking to clinch.
Benson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Benson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Benson lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A nice combination there by Benson.
Miocic is looking to clinch.
A combination from Benson does no damage.
Sulvester Benson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Miocic shoots in and drives through. Benson sprawls well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benson lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Miocic backs up against the cage.
Benson throws a one two combo.
Miocic tries to clinch but Benson moves out of range.
Benson misses with the combination.
Miocic is trying hard to land a takedown here. Benson sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Benson lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Miocic fails with a takedown attempt.
Benson lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Benson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Miocic dives in for a single leg takedown but Benson sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sulvester Benson dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Miocic avoids a punch combination nicely.
Benson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Miocic circles away quickly and effectively.
Some wild striking there from Benson.
Benson throws a right hand that Miocic ducks under and follows up with a left that Miocic also avoids with ease.
Horrible takedown attempt by Miocic or perhaps it was just good defense by Benson, which made it look bad.
Miocic darts in looking for a takedown but Benson gets double underhooks and turns Miocic into the cage.
Miocic tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Benson defends well and Miocic ends up having to push Benson into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stipe Miocic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Miocic misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Miocic slips a jab and a cross from Benson.
Benson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Benson throws a series of punches but Miocic avoids them all with ease.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Miocic dives in for a single leg takedown but Benson sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benson falls off balance throwing a combination
and Miocic counters with a one-two to the body.
Benson is working the combinations to good effect here.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Miocic is defended easily by Benson.
Benson stalks Miocic and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Miocic's face. Miocic staggers backwards, shaken.
Miocic shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Benson as he avoids it easily.
Miocic is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Benson.
Benson looks to land a combination but Miocic avoids it well.
Benson throws a series of punches but Miocic moves out of range.

Benson gets caught flat footed, as Miocic shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Miocic stops Benson from standing up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Miocic scoring with punches to the head and body.
Miocic lands a couple of decent looking shots.

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

Miocic is trying to get back to his feet.
Miocic is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Benson content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Benson stands up and beckons Miocic to his feet.
Benson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Benson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Miocic drops down looking for a counter takedown but Benson sprawls and moves away.
Benson throws a right and a left that both miss.
The fight stays on the outside here - Miocic looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Benson lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Benson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Miocic lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Benson at a distance.
Miocic dives in and grabs Benson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Benson pushes down on Miocic's head and hops out.
A nice combination there by Benson.
Miocic fails with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Miocic shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Benson sprawls well. Benson wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Miocic gets slowly back to his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Some wild striking there from Benson.
Benson misses with a few strikes there.
Miocic looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Miocic shoots in for a double leg but Benson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Despite the aggression on Benson's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Benson looks to land a combination. Miocic sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Miocic showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Benson.
Benson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Miocic moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Miocic fails with a takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sulvester Benson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Benson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Miocic dodges the punch combination from Benson.
A combination from Benson does no damage.
Miocic shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Benson as he avoids it easily.
Despite the aggression on Benson's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Benson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Miocic.
Benson misses with the combination.
A punch combination from Benson misses.
Miocic is looking for a counter combo.
Benson misses with a double jab
and Miocic counters with a three punch combo that has Benson backing up. Benson nods at Miocic to acknowledge the strikes.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sloppy strikes from Benson. Those never looked like landing.
Miocic tries to score a power double leg takedown but Benson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Miocic somewhat.
Benson unleashes a big counter combination but Miocic bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stipe Miocic. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Miocic tries to clinch up but Benson circles away and keeps his distance.
Horrible takedown attempt by Miocic or perhaps it was just good defense by Benson, which made it look bad.
Benson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Benson misses with a double jab.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Miocic is defended easily by Benson.
Miocic slips a jab and a cross from Benson.
Miocic shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Benson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Miocic tries to clinch but Benson moves out of range.
Benson fails to land with a series of punches.
Sulvester Benson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Miocic swings for the body but Benson moves out of range.
Benson's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Benson duly obliges.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Miocic throws a half hearted mid kick.
Benson looks to land a combination. Miocic sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Benson swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Miocic counters with a one-two to the body.
Miocic shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Benson but Benson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Benson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Sulvester Benson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Benson misses with a double jab.
Miocic shoots in looking for a takedown. Benson tries to sprawl out of it but Miocic keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Benson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Miocic shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Benson as he jumps to the side.
Benson takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Benson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Miocic.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benson looks to land a combination but Miocic avoids it well.
A punch combination from Benson misses.
Miocic is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Benson.
Miocic doesn't manage to clinch there - Benson circles away.
Benson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Miocic.
Miocic lands a head shot.
Benson scores with a three punch combo!
Horrible takedown attempt by Miocic or perhaps it was just good defense by Benson, which made it look bad.
Benson lands a jab-cross combination.
Benson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Miocic is looking to chop away at Benson's legs.
Benson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Benson throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Benson tries to bum rush Miocic with a series of wild strikes but Miocic uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benson throws a right and a left that Miocic avoids nicely.
Miocic is trying hard to land a takedown here. Benson sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Benson misses with a combination
and Miocic counters with a left and a right that stings Benson.
Benson throws a combination. Miocic tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Benson stuffs the takedown.
Miocic showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Benson.
Miocic tries to counter with a takedown but Benson is quick to defend against it.
Stipe Miocic is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Benson shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Miocic eats them both and turns towards Benson to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Benson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Benson misses with a few strikes there.
Stipe Miocic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A combination from Benson does no damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sulvester Benson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Benson 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 Reed Andrews scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sulvester Benson!