PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bernie Zimmerman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dakota Bennett (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.

Zimmerman
vs
Bennett

200 cm
18
346 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

215 cm
18
285 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Bernie Zimmerman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dakota Bennett!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zimmerman stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Zimmerman wants it to stay on the feet.

Bennett shoots in and bounces Zimmerman off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Bennett wanted to stand there but Zimmerman had control of the position.
Bennett won't allow Zimmerman to get back to his feet.
Bennett content to stall in guard here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bennett trying to control the position from guard on top but Zimmerman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zimmerman might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Zimmerman has an active guard here but Bennett has managed to pass into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bennett decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Zimmerman throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Zimmerman falls off balance throwing a combination
and Bennett counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Bennett shoots for a double leg takedown but Zimmerman sprawls well. He's pushed Bennett's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Some wild striking there from Zimmerman.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bennett shoots in looking for a takedown but Zimmerman manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Bennett's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Bernie Zimmerman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dakota Bennett.

Bennett clinches.
Bennett tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Zimmerman is pressed up against the cage. Bennett has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Zimmerman down to the mat. Zimmerman avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Bennett tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Zimmerman defends well and Bennett ends up having to push Zimmerman into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Bennett pushes Zimmerman up against the cage in a clinch.
Bennett looking for a takedown.
Zimmerman can't get the takedown.
Zimmerman could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Bennett fails to pull guard.
Zimmerman avoiding damage as Bennett throws knees to the body.

Bennett breaks the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bennett changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Zimmerman tries to avoid it but Bennett manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Zimmerman to the ground. Zimmerman escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Bennett looks winded!
Bennett misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Zimmerman is looking for a counter combo.
Zimmerman throws a sloppy head kick and Bennett moves out of range easily.

Bennett pushes Zimmerman up against the cage in a clinch.
Bennett tries to pull guard but Zimmerman forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Zimmerman tries to score a body lock takedown but Bennett shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Zimmerman tries for a takedown. No joy.
Zimmerman is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Bennett pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Zimmerman has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Bennett uses from the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bennett is looking to stand up but Zimmerman won't let him.
Zimmerman tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Zimmerman keeping moving, preventing Bennett from controlling successfully.
Bennett pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Zimmerman is keeping the position for now.
Bennett is looking to stand up but Zimmerman won't let him.
Bennett really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Zimmerman. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bennett looking to pass the guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dakota Bennett dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Bennett darts in and clinches Zimmerman up against the cage.
Zimmerman has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Bennett after a bit of a struggle.
Bennett drops down looking for an ankle pick but Zimmerman pulls his leg out and moves away.

Bennett clinches up with Zimmerman and pushes him back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Zimmerman escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Zimmerman clinches up against the cage.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Bennett.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Bennett turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bennett trying to control the action but Zimmerman is working from the bottom.
You can see the frustration on Zimmerman's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Zimmerman tries to bench press Bennett off him but Bennett keeps the position.
Bennett taking a break here but Zimmerman is having none of it and regains half guard.
Bennett lands strikes from half guard.
Dakota Bennett has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Zimmerman tries to roll over but Bennett keeps him under control.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Bennett in particular looking to stall.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Bennett. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Zimmerman is refusing to be controlled, as Bennett sits in half guard.
Bennett scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bennett wants to advance to full mount but Zimmerman doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Bennett looking to sit in guard and control but Zimmerman gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Bennett is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Zimmerman makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Zimmerman gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Bennett tries to score a power double leg takedown but Zimmerman sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Bennett somewhat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zimmerman misses with a wild combination.
Zimmerman rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Bennett moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Bennett avoids a kick to the body.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Bennett.
Bennett is looking to take a break and control but Zimmerman is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bennett is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
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 Bernie Zimmerman will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Zimmerman punishes Bennett's body with a nice straight punch.
Zimmerman swings for the body but Bennett moves out of range.
A jab from Bennett finds it's way through Zimmerman's defenses.
Bennett throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

It looks like Bernie Zimmerman has been cut.
Zimmerman throws a head kick that misses

and Bennett counters with a crisp right hand that drops Zimmerman! Bennett lets Zimmerman back up to his feet, looking for a finish!

Zimmerman is rocked!
Bennett fails with a takedown attempt.
Oh Zimmerman is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bennett tries for a takedown but Zimmerman sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Zimmerman lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Bennett circles away quickly and effectively.
Bennett unleashes a big counter combination but Zimmerman bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bennett lands a front kick.
Zimmerman seems to have got his legs back now.
Dakota Bennett seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zimmerman gets clipped by a big right hand and goes down spinning to the canvas! Bennett gets the back mount and begins to drop bombs on his rocked foe! Zimmerman is too out of it to defend against the strikes and the referee jumps in to save him from the beatdown!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Dakota Bennett!