PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kugimiya Masato (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Max Benneson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Masato
vs
Benneson

168 cm
25
155 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

175 cm
25
150 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

SHINTO

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kugimiya Masato!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Max Benneson!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Shigeki Fujiwara and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Benneson tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Masato counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Benneson tries to clinch up but Masato circles away and keeps his distance.

Benneson clinches up with Masato and pushes him back against the cage.

Masato manages to break the clinch.

Benneson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Masato, pushing him back against the cage.

Masato gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Benneson regains guard.
Masato content to stall in guard here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Masato postures up.
Masato is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masato's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Masato's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Masato duly obliges.

Masato moves into the clinch.
Benneson tries to pull guard but Masato holds him up against the cage and eventually Benneson drops back down to his feet.
Masato lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Benneson breaks from the clinch.
Benneson throws a combination that misses
and Masato counters with a right hand to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Masato looking to score a takedown here. Benneson is defending well but Masato drives through and ends up in Benneson's guard.
Benneson has Masato pulled in close to control his posture.

Benneson has his foot on Masato's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Masato works his way back into a safe position though.
Masato slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Masato stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Benneson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Masato's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Further stalling from Masato.

Benneson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Masato is aware though and is defending well.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masato looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Benneson throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Masato counters with a nice double leg into side control. Benneson won't be happy with that.
Benneson gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Masato content just to control the position here.
Masato tries to control but Benneson wriggling away.
Masato controlling the position easily from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benneson is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Masato takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

Masato has control of Benneson's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Benneson regains control of the situation pretty easily.

Masato is working for a guillotine from mount but Benneson frees his head quite easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kugimiya Masato dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Benneson tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Masato counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Masato looking to pass the guard.
Masato wants to control from the top but Benneson keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Benneson trying to control the position.
We've been hearing good reports from Masato's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benneson keeping moving, preventing Masato from controlling successfully.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Benneson trying to keep a closed guard but Masato is proving a slippery customer.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Masato looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Benneson!
Benneson tries to improve position but can't.
Masato trying to control the position but Benneson is working away.
Kugimiya Masato overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Masato advances to full mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Masato content just to control the position here.
If it seems like I'm not saying a lot, it's just because Masato is stinking the place up with his stalling.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Masato looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Masato is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Benneson can do to turn this around?
Benneson is looking to get to half guard.
Masato looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Masato wants to control the pace but Benneson is squirming around nicely.

Masato quickly switches position and commits to an armbar! It's a big risk for Masato but it's paid off an Benneson is forced to tap! Nice work by Masato.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:48 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Kugimiya Masato!
Kugimiya Masato made sure to mention his sponsor, SHINTO in his post fight interview.