PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jonas Justesen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nigel Benn Jr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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?

Justesen
vs
Benn Jr

183 cm
19
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
21
205 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite 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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jonas Justesen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Nigel Benn Jr!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Robert Twigg and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Benn Jr wants to clinch.

Benn Jr throws a left that rocks Justesen and follows with a right that sends him tumbling to the canvas! Benn Jr dives into side control, looking to finish! Can Justesen regain composure!

Justesen is rocked!

It looks like Jonas Justesen has been cut.
Benn Jr looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Justesen is avoiding damage well.
Justesen is trying to improve his position.
Justesen is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Benn Jr tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Benn Jr thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Benn Jr tries to stand and escape but Justesen is controlling the position.
Benn Jr blocks the strikes from Justesen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benn Jr wants to stand up but Justesen has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Justesen looks like he's trying to stand up.
Benn Jr is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

Benn Jr stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.

Benn Jr closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Justesen to the mat! Justesen manages to get full guard.

Justesen wriggles free and stands up.
Benn Jr throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

Benn Jr darts in and clinches Justesen up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Justesen tries to throw a body punch but Benn Jr avoids it by throwing Justesen back against the cage.

Justesen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Benn Jr throws a series of strikes that have Justesen backpedaling.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Justesen moves into the clinch successfully.
Justesen jumps guard but Benn Jr stands there with Justesen around his waist. Justesen gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Justesen fails to pull guard.
Justesen is working for takedown but Benn Jr is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jonas Justesen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Benn Jr has had enough of the clinch but Justesen keeps him there for the moment.
Justesen looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Justesen with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benn Jr tries to break the clinch but Justesen is controlling the position.

Justesen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Benn Jr fails with an attempt to clinch.
Justesen avoids a punch combination nicely.
Benn Jr misses with a series of wild punches.
Justesen circles away from the clinch attempt.
Justesen swats away the attempt to clinch by Benn Jr.

Benn Jr drops Justesen with a left right combo! Benn Jr follows him down to the ground into side control.
Benn Jr has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Justesen tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Benn Jr wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Justesen avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Benn Jr.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The ground and pound from Benn Jr seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Justesen tries to buck Benn Jr off but Benn Jr is having none of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Benn Jr is chipping away with strikes.
Benn Jr trying to control the position but Justesen is working away.
Justesen takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Benn Jr lands a decent elbow from side control.
Benn Jr creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Benn Jr tries to move to mount but Justesen blocks the move with his legs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nigel Benn Jr dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jonas Justesen's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Justesen shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Benn Jr is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Justesen is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Benn Jr keeping moving, preventing Justesen from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Benn Jr is working an open guard so Justesen takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Benn Jr closes the distance and clinches.
Benn Jr jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Justesen walks away with a smile on his face. Benn Jr gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Justesen shoots in and bounces Benn Jr off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Benn Jr has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Justesen off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Benn Jr fails with an attempt to clinch.
Benn Jr tries to clinch up.
Benn Jr has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Justesen manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Benn Jr on his heels. He'll look to pass Benn Jr's guard now, I'm sure.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Benn Jr has his feet on Justesen's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

Benn Jr has closed the distance and engaged Justesen in a clinch.
Justesen taking a breather.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Justesen can't get the takedown.
Justesen stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Justesen wants to take the fight to the mat but Benn Jr manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Justesen misses with a hook from the clinch.
Justesen is trying to drag Benn Jr to the mat but Benn Jr just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jonas Justesen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Justesen.

Justesen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benn Jr lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Justesen circles away quickly and effectively.

Benn Jr gets tackled into the cage by Justesen. Justesen maintains the clinch.

Justesen breaks the clinch.
Benn Jr is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Benn Jr throws a right and a left that Justesen avoids nicely.

Justesen shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Justesen seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Benn Jr does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Justesen seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Justesen is looking for a kimura here.
Justesen wants to pass the guard but Benn Jr is defending well.
Justesen takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Benn Jr is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Justesen's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Justesen's back!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Justesen wants to escape the position.

Benn Jr is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Justesen is defending well though. Benn Jr let's go of the attempt for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Nigel Benn Jr will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Jonas Justesen's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Benn Jr throws a series of strikes that have Justesen backpedaling.

Justesen has managed to clinch.

Justesen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Jonas Justesen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Benn Jr fails in his attempt to clinch.
Benn Jr fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Nigel Benn Jr seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Justesen shoots for a takedown but Benn Jr saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Benn Jr tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Justesen avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Benn Jr is looking to clinch.
Benn Jr moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

Justesen clinches up with Benn Jr and pushes him back against the cage.
Come on Justesen - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Justesen tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Benn Jr smiles and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benn Jr shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Justesen pinned against the cage. Justesen gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Benn Jr wants to clinch
and Justesen counters with a lovely shot to the body.

Justesen gets the takedown into side control.
Benn Jr is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

Justesen stands up and beckons Benn Jr to his feet.
Benn Jr fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Justesen avoids it really well and circles away.
Benn Jr lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Benn Jr.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Justesen dodges the punch combination from Benn Jr.
Benn Jr tries to bum rush Justesen with a series of wild strikes but Justesen uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Benn Jr misses with a wild combination.
Benn Jr takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Benn Jr is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Justesen.

Benn Jr clinches.
Benn Jr wants to get back to striking at distance but Justesen won't allow it.
Benn Jr on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Benn Jr tries to throw a body punch but Justesen avoids it by throwing Benn Jr back against the cage.
Benn Jr wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Justesen breaks the clinch.
A punch combination from Benn Jr misses.
Benn Jr fails in his attempt to clinch.

Justesen shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Justesen has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Justesen chips away with some ground and pound.

Justesen gets to his feet - Benn Jr follows without any prompting.
Benn Jr closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Benn Jr doesn't manage to clinch there - Justesen circles away.
Justesen is looking for a counter combo.
Justesen looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Justesen throws a head kick but Benn Jr moves out of range.
Benn Jr is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
The fighters circle momentarily. Benn Jr darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Benn Jr shoots in for a double leg but Justesen sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Jonas Justesen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nigel Benn Jr.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Justesen.

Justesen stands up and we're back to a striking position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Justesen throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
A big left from Benn Jr misses.
Nigel Benn Jr seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Benn Jr keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Benn Jr lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

Justesen pushes Benn Jr up against the cage in a clinch.
Nigel Benn Jr is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Justesen goes for a takedown attempt but Benn Jr pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Justesen shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Benn Jr but Benn Jr pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Jonas Justesen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Benn Jr takes the fight into the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Nigel Benn Jr.
I've got Benn Jr 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nigel Benn Jr!
Nigel Benn Jr took to the mic after the fight and begged the organizational hierarchy for a shot at the title.