PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ferdinand Richmond (ranked 24717 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brendon Bennett (ranked 6431 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Richmond
vs
Bennett

176 cm
19
161 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

179 cm
18
159 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

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 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ferdinand Richmond!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Brendon Bennett!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, John Kavanagh and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Richmond clinches with his opponent.

Bennett gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Bennett not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Bennett wants to take a breather but Richmond is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bennett not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Bennett wants to lay and pray for a moment but Richmond keeps working.
Bennett is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Bennett seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Richmond regains full guard. Nicely done.
Bennett throws a big right hand that misses.
Bennett loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bennett trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Richmond wants to sweep but no luck.
Bennett is looking to advance position but Richmond has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Richmond is working for a guillotine from mount but Bennett frees his head quite easily.
Bennett wants to hold on but Richmond pushes him away.
Richmond prevents Bennett from getting the reversal.
Bennett wants to control but Richmond is having none of it.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Richmond cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Bennett is trying to stand.
Bennett is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Richmond with the ground and pound from mount.
A nice elbow there by Richmond.
Bennett wants to get back to his feet.
Bennett tries to reverse the position but Richmond maintains control.
Richmond in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Richmond has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Richmond lands a couple of good shots and Bennett has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Richmond lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns Bennett.

Bennett defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Bennett trying to control the action but Richmond just sinks the hooks in.
Richmond throwing wild punches that miss their target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Richmond working for a choke but Bennett reverses nicely into Richmond 's guard.
Bennett trying to control but Richmond is working from the bottom.
Bennett looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Richmond looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Bennett is looking to advance position but Richmond has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Bennett taking shots to the head.
Richmond avoids the attempt from Bennett to control.
Richmond postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Bennett looks a forlorn figure.
Richmond controlling from mount.
Bennett is squirming around, avoiding Richmond's attempts to control the action.
Richmond is landing with some decent strikes but Bennett is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
BOOM! Richmond connects with a massive shot to the dome!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ferdinand Richmond dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Bennett closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Richmond's guard.
Bennett advances to half guard.
Richmond manages to get to full guard.
Richmond is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Bennett can do to turn this around?
Bennett won't allow Richmond to sweep him here.
Bennett landing with the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bennett is stalling in the full guard.
Richmond looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bennett is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bennett working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Bennett pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Richmond is keeping the position for now.
Richmond not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Bennett throws a strike but Richmond rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Bennett lands with a heel strike from the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Richmond trying to control but Bennett is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Richmond in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Bennett is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Richmond with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bennett tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Bennett utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Richmond stands up over Bennett, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Richmond trying to control but Bennett is working from the bottom.
Bennett is looking to stand up but Richmond isn't so interested in that idea.

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

Richmond gets caught napping as Bennett dives in and scores a takedown. Richmond manages to retain guard.
Bennett is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richmond lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Richmond throws a big elbow that misses.
Richmond throwing strikes but missing.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Bennett can do anything to dispel that myth.
Richmond trying to control the position from guard on top but Bennett is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Richmond throwing strikes but missing.
Richmond with a nice head shot there.
Richmond loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Bennett is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Richmond stands up and waves to Bennett to follow him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Richmond gets a clinch.
Richmond jumps guard but Bennett stands there with Richmond around his waist. Richmond gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Bennett keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Richmond's efforts to push away.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Bennett gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Richmond moves into full guard.
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 Ferdinand Richmond will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Bennett scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Richmond tries to get to full guard but Bennett has control of the leg.
Richmond keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Bennett is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bennett trying to control the action but Richmond is working from the bottom.
Bennett controlling the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Richmond keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Bennett thows a huge punch but Richmond dodges it nicely.
Bennett not doing much here.
Richmond tries to roll over but Bennett keeps him under control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Bennett working Richmond over with strikes.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Bennett lands a nice short elbow.
Bennett tries to pass to full mount but Richmond defends it.
Richmond is looking to improve his position.
Bennett scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Bennett sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Richmond defending well though.
Bennett looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bennett wants to control but Richmond is keeping him busy.
Bennett wants to free his trapped foot but Richmond is holding on for dear life with his legs.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Richmond shoots in for a takedown but Bennett shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Bennett tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Richmond darts in looking for a takedown but Bennett gets double underhooks and turns Richmond into the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Bennett dives in and scores a takedown into Richmond's guard.
Bennett content to stall in guard here.
Bennett wants to control from the top but Richmond keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Richmond controlling Bennett's posture.
Richmond keeping moving, preventing Bennett from controlling successfully.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bennett looking to sit in guard and control but Richmond gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Brendon Bennett has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ferdinand Richmond is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Bennett keeping moving, preventing Richmond from controlling successfully.

And that's the end of the fight!
Brendon Bennett comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Richmond has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Chad Campbell scores the fight 29:28
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 29:28
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ferdinand Richmond!