PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Brock Benjamin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Oleg Taktarov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Taktarov has chosen War Pigs as his entrance music. Brock Benjamin has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Benjamin
vs
Taktarov

190 cm
20
224 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

175 cm
19
218 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Very strong

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Brock Benjamin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Oleg Taktarov!
The judges for this bout are Ron Honeybunn, Hugh Johnson and Francis DeMontford.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Taktarov shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

Benjamin closes the distance and pushes Taktarov back into the cage.
Benjamin holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Benjamin stalls.
Benjamin manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Taktarov looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Benjamin with a knee to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taktarov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Benjamin has Taktarov pressed against the cage.
Benjamin landing some nice looking knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benjamin tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Benjamin will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Taktarov up against the cage.
Our sources have told us that Benjamin has been working on his knees in the buildup to the fight.
Benjamin tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Benjamin misses with a body punch.
Benjamin is stalling here.
The referee is keeping an eye on Benjamin - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Brock Benjamin.
Taktarov dives in and grabs Benjamin's left leg, looking for a takedown. Benjamin pushes down on Taktarov's head and hops out.
Taktarov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Taktarov stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Benjamin.
Benjamin swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Taktarov changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benjamin's corner calls for a 1-2. Benjamin obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

It looks like Oleg Taktarov has been cut.

Taktarov looking to score a takedown here. Benjamin is defending well but Taktarov drives through and ends up in Benjamin's guard.

Benjamin wriggles free and stands up.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Taktarov bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
You can see the frustration on Benjamin's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Benjamin is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Taktarov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Taktarov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Taktarov stalling.
Benjamin holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taktarov landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Benjamin keeps control of the position for the meantime.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Taktarov lands a nice short elbow.
Taktarov thows a huge punch but Benjamin dodges it nicely.
Benjamin trying to control from the bottom.
Taktarov is trying to control. Benjamin wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Benjamin is trying to maintain the position but Taktarov is very close to passing his half guard.
Benjamin gets back to full guard.
Benjamin is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Taktarov is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taktarov trying to control but Benjamin is working from the bottom.
Benjamin has his hands on Taktarov's head, controlling the position.
Taktarov scoring with punches to the head and body.
Taktarov trying to control but Benjamin is working from the bottom.
Benjamin seems keen to control Taktarov's posture.
Benjamin wants to stand but Taktarov is controlling the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Taktarov, as that shot connected.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brock Benjamin dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Oleg Taktarov's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Taktarov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Benjamin circles away.
Benjamin wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Taktarov throws out a loose jab but Benjamin uses good head movement to avoid it.
Benjamin misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Taktarov shoots in but no luck this time.
Taktarov misses with a body shot.
Benjamin throws a right hand that Taktarov ducks under and follows up with a left that Taktarov also avoids with ease.
Benjamin moves away from the strike by Taktarov.
Benjamin chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Taktarov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A cross from Taktarov lands.
Benjamin works over Taktarov's head and body with a nice combination.
Oleg Taktarov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Taktarov takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Benjamin swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Taktarov feints the counter takedown.
Taktarov misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Benjamin counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That has opened up Oleg Taktarov's cut even more.
Taktarov throws a hook to the side of Benjamin's head but Benjamin sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Benjamin. Those never looked like landing.
Taktarov misses with a takedown
and Benjamin counters with a straight right hand.
Brock Benjamin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Oleg Taktarov.
Benjamin lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Taktarov circles away quickly and effectively.

Taktarov gets a double leg takedown into Benjamin's guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Benjamin holds on and takes a little breather.
Taktarov trying to control the position from guard on top but Benjamin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Taktarov might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Benjamin haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Benjamin is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Taktarov can do to turn this around?
Benjamin looking to hit a scissor sweep but Taktarov is one step ahead there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taktarov trying to control the position from guard on top but Benjamin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Benjamin looking to hit a scissor sweep but Taktarov is one step ahead there.
Taktarov is fighting to break Benjamin's control of his arms but Benjamin is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Taktarov fails to land the takedown.
Benjamin tries to counter by clinching up but Taktarov breaks away and moves out of range.
A decent looking cross lands there for Taktarov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benjamin looks to score with a jab to the body but Taktarov is just out of range.
Benjamin uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Taktarov.
Benjamin wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Benjamin gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Taktarov slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

Taktarov dives in and scores a takedown into Benjamin's guard.
Taktarov advances to half guard.
Benjamin has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Taktarov is working away from the top position though.
Taktarov not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Benjamin kicks off Taktarov and gets to his feet.
Taktarov fails with a takedown attempt.
Benjamin slips a jab from Taktarov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Benjamin ducks under a wild hook from Taktarov.
Benjamin moves away from the strike by Taktarov.
Benjamin throws a big counter combination but Taktarov scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
A combination from Benjamin does no damage.
Nice defenses there by Benjamin.
Benjamin lands with a straight right. Taktarov didn't see that one coming.
Nice sprawl there from Benjamin as Taktarov shoots in.
Benjamin seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.

Benjamin closes the distance and pushes Taktarov back into the cage.
Taktarov drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Benjamin gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Benjamin lands a knee to the body.
Benjamin lands a nice shot to the body.
Taktarov is breathing heavily.
Benjamin is pushing Taktarov up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brock Benjamin dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Oleg Taktarov's cut.
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.

Benjamin scores with a jab to the head.
Taktarov looks to throw the jab but Benjamin is out of range.
Taktarov looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Taktarov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Benjamin avoids it really well and circles away.
Taktarov throws a lazy uppercut
and Benjamin counters with a stiff right hand.

Benjamin darts in and clinches Taktarov up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Benjamin stalling the fight.
Benjamin scores a nice knee to the body.
Benjamin putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Taktarov in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Taktarov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Benjamin has Taktarov pressed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taktarov is working for takedown but Benjamin is calmly controlling the position for now.
Benjamin holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Benjamin swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Taktarov letting Benjamin take a breather here.
Taktarov is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Benjamin connects with a knee to the head.
Benjamin trying to land knees to the body.
Oleg Taktarov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benjamin wants a takedown.
Taktarov drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Benjamin gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Brock Benjamin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Oleg Taktarov.
Taktarov is trying to drag Benjamin to the mat but Benjamin just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Taktarov tries to score a body lock takedown but Benjamin shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Taktarov drops down looking for an ankle pick but Benjamin pulls his leg out and moves away.
Taktarov cracks Benjamin with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benjamin ducks under a wild hook from Taktarov.
Brock Benjamin is winning the standup battle so far.
Benjamin tries to clinch up.
Benjamin lands with a nice combination. Taktarov backs away looking to recover.
Benjamin looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Benjamin is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Benjamin moves into range and connects with a jab.

The cut above Oleg Taktarov's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Taktarov tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Benjamin misses with a wild combination.
Brock Benjamin is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Taktarov throws a lazy uppercut
and Benjamin counters with a three punch combo that has Taktarov backing up. Taktarov nods at Benjamin to acknowledge the strikes.

Benjamin moves into the clinch.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Benjamin is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Taktarov being controlled against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benjamin pressing his opponent against the cage.
Benjamin landing knees to the body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A knee to the head by Benjamin.

Oleg Taktarov's cut is absolute horrible now. This looks like something out of a horror film with blood covering both fighters.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Oleg Taktarov's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Brock Benjamin!