PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Matel Huchkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Henson Benderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Benderson has chosen The Time is Now as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Huchkov
vs
Benderson

170 cm
28
143 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

168 cm
23
144 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Heavy handed

Humanoid Nutrition (160Q for 160$)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Matel Huchkov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Henson Benderson!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Chris Downing and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Huchkov shoots in and bounces Benderson off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Benderson pulls Huchkov in close to his closed guard and prevents Huchkov from doing any damage or advancing position.
Huchkov trying to stand up but can't free himself from Benderson's guard.

Huchkov drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Benderson dives on top into guard.

Huchkov has his foot on Benderson's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Benderson works his way back into a safe position though.
Benderson showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Benderson stands up and waves to Huchkov to follow him.
Huchkov looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Benderson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Huchkov appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Huchkov ducks under a wild hook from Benderson.
Benderson swings widly with a right hand

and Huchkov decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Benderson's guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Benderson manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Huchkov tries to break free but Benderson pushes him back against the cage.
Benderson controlling the action here for a moment.

Huchkov has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Benderson clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!

Huchkov is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Benderson is defending well though. Huchkov let's go of the attempt for now.
Huchkov throwing sloppy strikes.

Huchkov working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.

Benderson is having to fend off submission attempts from Huchkov, who is looking to sink in the choke. Huchkov doesn't have the hooks in though and Benderson manages to reverse position! He's now on top, in his opponent's guard.
Benderson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Benderson trying to control but Huchkov is working from the bottom.
Benderson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Benderson controlling from the top position.

Benderson stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Huchkov jabs Benderson to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Benderson looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Huchkov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Benderson looks to land a combination but Huchkov avoids it well.

Benderson clinches.
Benderson is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
A short uppercut from Huchkov.
Huchkov looking for a takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benderson is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Huchkov goes for a takedown attempt but Benderson pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Huchkov slips a jab from Benderson.
Huchkov shoots in for a takedown but Benderson shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matel Huchkov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Benderson swats away the attempt to clinch by Huchkov.
Huchkov takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Huchkov darts in looking for a takedown but Benderson gets double underhooks and turns Huchkov into the cage.
Huchkov walks into a left hand.
Benderson's jab looks to have found its range, popping Huchkov under the eye.
Benderson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Benderson on the wrong end of a nice jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Huchkov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Benderson circles away quickly and effectively.
Benderson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Benderson misses with a body shot.
Benderson listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Benderson clinches up with Huchkov and pushes him back against the cage.
Benderson is pressed up against the cage. Huchkov has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Benderson down to the mat. Benderson avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Huchkov, as that shot connected.
Benderson misses with a shot to the body
and Huchkov counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Benderson thinking.
Benderson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Benderson misses with an attempted mid kick.
Benderson throws a hook to the side of Huchkov's head but Huchkov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Benderson is looking to clinch but Huchkov is avoiding it.
Huchkov cracks Benderson with an open hand slap.
Benderson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Henson Benderson dominated that round.
That's time! Huchkov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Huchkov slips under a jab from Benderson.
Huchkov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Benderson.
Huchkov is looking to counter punch.
Benderson throws a lazy right hand but Huchkov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A nice inside leg kick there by Benderson. That's going to slow Huchkov down.
Benderson slaps away a takedown attempt from Huchkov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Benderson works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

Huchkov has closed the distance and engaged Benderson in a clinch.
Huchkov wants a takedown but no success here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Huchkov tries to score a body lock takedown but Benderson shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matel Huchkov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Benderson.

It looks like Matel Huchkov has been cut.

Huchkov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Benderson misses with a looping right.
Benderson fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Huchkov is out of range.
Huchkov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Benderson circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benderson misses with a leg kick

and Huchkov counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Benderson uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Benderson throws a hook to the side of Huchkov's head but Huchkov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Huchkov lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Huchkov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Benderson throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Huchkov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Huchkov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Benderson.

Huchkov closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Benderson quickly recovers to half guard.
Henson Benderson has got the better of the ground game so far.

Huchkov is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Benderson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Huchkov.
Benderson has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Huchkov is working away from the top position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Huchkov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Benderson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Huchkov wants to pass the guard but Benderson is defending well.

Huchkov is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Benderson doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Huchkov.

Huchkov seems to be looking for submissions.

Huchkov wants to work for an arm triangle but Benderson is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Huchkov is looking for a kimura here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benderson is positioning himself well to prevent Huchkov advancing to mount.
Huchkov prevents Benderson from improving his position.
Benderson trying to hold on to Huchkov's head to control him but Huchkov postures up.

Benderson is defending against the submission attempts here by Huchkov.

Huchkov is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Benderson is just riding it out for now. Huchkov eventually gives up the hold.

Huchkov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Benderson has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's four 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.
Benderson keeps control of the position for the meantime.

Huchkov is working for a kimura but Benderson is defending it quite comfortably.
Benderson trying to control from the bottom.
Benderson controlling the position for now.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
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 Matel Huchkov will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Matel Huchkov's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're 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.

Benderson swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Huchkov.
Huchkov slips a straight right by Benderson.
Huchkov dives in and grabs Benderson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Benderson pushes down on Huchkov's head and hops out.
Huchkov misses with a takedown attempt - Benderson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
A little jabbing left from Benderson on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Huchkov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Benderson fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Huchkov shoots in looking for a takedown but Benderson manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Huchkov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matel Huchkov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice sprawl there from Benderson as Huchkov shoots in.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Benderson bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Huchkov's head backwards.
A jab lands there for Huchkov.
Huchkov tries to move into range but Benderson moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Benderson tries to close the distance and clinch but Huchkov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Benderson lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Huchkov forces Benderson back against the cage and clinches.
Huchkov drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A short right from Benderson on the inside.
Benderson is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Benderson tries a knee to the head but Huchkov blocks it.
Benderson looking to slow down the pace here.
Huchkov has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Benderson is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Benderson lands a shoulder strike.
Huchkov is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Benderson is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Huchkov is defending well for now.
Huchkov changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Benderson fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benderson lands with a kick to the temple. Huchkov shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Benderson scores with a nice strike.
Benderson goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Huchkov checks a leg kick.
Huchkov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Benderson defends it nicely.
Benderson tries to clinch up but Huchkov circles away and keeps his distance.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Huchkov.
Benderson looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Benderson lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jab from Benderson.
Huchkov closes the distance and clinches up with Benderson, looking for a takedown. Huchkov pushes Benderson against the cage but Benderson circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Huchkov slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Huchkov tries for a takedown but Benderson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Benderson lands a right hook to the body.
Benderson tries to clinch but Huchkov moves out of range.
Benderson fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Huchkov.
Benderson uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

Huchkov throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Benderson tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Huchkov is in Benderson's guard.

Huchkov is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Benderson is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Benderson has escaped and now he's on top!

The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Benderson decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Huchkov, up you get!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benderson lands with a thumping leg kick.
Benderson loads up on a big right hand but Huchkov slips the punch.
Huchkov shoots in for a double leg but Benderson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
A little jabbing left from Benderson on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Benderson tries a low kick but Huchkov avoids it.
Henson Benderson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Benderson throws a nice head kick!
Huchkov tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Benderson defends well and Huchkov ends up having to push Benderson into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Benderson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
An attempted straight right counter from Huchkov misses the target.
Benderson feints and then cracks Huchkov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Huchkov down.
Benderson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Huchkov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Benderson bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Huchkov's head backwards.
Huchkov misses with a looping right.
Huchkov throws a head kick but Benderson moves out of range.
Benderson paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Benderson wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

And that's the end of the fight!
Henson Benderson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Benderson 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 28:30
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Henson Benderson!
Henson Benderson managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Humanoid Nutrition (160Q for 160$), into his post fight interview.