PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Gene Bennett (ranked 6151 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Garp (ranked 6172 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Bennett
vs
Garp

222 cm
18
193 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

176 cm
18
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Gene Bennett!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mike Garp!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Sosuke Kotani and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Garp fails with an attempt to clinch.

Bennett drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Bennett throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Garp works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Garp is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Bennett chips away with some ground and pound.
Bennett stands up over Garp, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Garp tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Bennett throws a big right hand that misses.

Garp is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Bennett is aware though and is defending well.
Bennett throws a big elbow that misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bennett lands a couple of decent looking shots.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bennett lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Bennett working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Bennett stands up over Garp, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Garp should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bennett accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Garp not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Bennett keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Garp's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bennett with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Bennett won't allow Garp to sweep him here.
Garp is trying to control the position but Bennett postures up.
Garp preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Bennett 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.
Bennett scoring with some ground and pound.
Garp has momentary wrist control but Bennett slips an elbow through the middle.
Bennett with a flurry of punches that miss.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bennett lands a couple of elbows.
Bennett throwing strikes from guard but Garp blocks nicely.
Bennett with a nice head shot there.
Bennett content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Garp working a defensive guard here.
Bennett connects with a couple of short punches.
Bennett postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Bennett throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bennett with a flurry of punches that miss.
Garp looking for a sweep. Not yet Garp, not yet.
Garp looks winded!

Garp has his foot on Bennett's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Bennett works his way back into a safe position though.
Garp looking for a sweep. Not yet Garp, not yet.
Bennett connects with a couple of short punches.
Bennett landing some decent shots from guard.
Bennett distracts Garp with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Bennett works over Garp with some ground and pound from guard.
Bennett postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bennett with a nice head shot there.
Bennett landing some decent shots from guard.
Garp throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Bennett will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Bennett with a nice head shot there.
Bennett scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bennett with a nice head shot there.
Bennett distracts Garp with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Bennett postures up.
Bennett is working Garp over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Bennett with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Bennett content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Bennett working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Garp's head.
Bennett is in close to Garp's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Bennett cracks Garp with a solid left hand.
Bennett working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Bennett makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Bennett works over Garp with some ground and pound from guard.
Bennett is working Garp over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Bennett scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Bennett lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Bennett lands a couple of digs.
Bennett really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bennett scoring with punches to the head and body.
Bennett is in close to Garp's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Bennett is working Garp over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Bennett is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bennett keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Garp's head.
Bennett is in close to Garp's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Bennett is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Bennett connects with a couple of short punches.
Bennett lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Bennett postures up and lands a big shot to Garp's brow.
Bennett stands up over Garp, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Bennett stands up over Garp, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Bennett lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Bennett landing some decent shots from guard.
Bennett distracts Garp with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gene Bennett dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Bennett shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Garp manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Bennett postures up.
Bennett missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Bennett lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Bennett postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bennett lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Bennett is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Garp can do to turn this around?
Bennett scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Bennett is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Bennett stands up over Garp, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Bennett throwing strikes but missing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bennett with a nice head shot there.
Bennett throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Bennett lands a couple of elbows.
Garp not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Garp is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Garp doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Bennett trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Bennett distracts Garp with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Bennett makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Bennett postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bennett postures up and lands a big shot to Garp's brow.
Bennett throws a big elbow that misses.
Garp has momentary wrist control but Bennett slips an elbow through the middle.
Bennett with a nice head shot there.
Bennett landing some decent shots from guard.
Bennett postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Bennett scoring with punches to the head and body.
Bennett content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Garp trying to strike off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bennett missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Garp working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bennett.
Bennett makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Garp wants to sweep here but Bennett controlling him for the moment.
Bennett distracts Garp with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Bennett stands up over Garp, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Bennett lands a couple of digs.
Bennett stopping the sweep attempt from Garp.
Bennett makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Bennett scoring with some ground and pound.
Bennett makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Garp has momentary wrist control but Bennett slips an elbow through the middle.
Bennett distracts Garp with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Gene Bennett overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bennett is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bennett lands a couple of digs.
Garp wants to get back to his feet but Bennett is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Bennett lands a couple of elbows.
Bennett with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Bennett landing with the ground and pound.
Bennett is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Bennett lands a couple of digs.
Bennett working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Garp's head.
Bennett is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Bennett lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Bennett stands up over Garp, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Bennett cracks Garp with a solid left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Garp has momentary wrist control but Bennett slips an elbow through the middle.
Bennett with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Garp trying to control the position.
Bennett is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Bennett scoring with some ground and pound.
Bennett cracks Garp with a solid left hand.
Bennett is working Garp over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Bennett lands a couple of digs.
Bennett landing some decent shots from guard.
Bennett lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Bennett's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Bennett chips away with some ground and pound.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Bennett is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gene Bennett dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes 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.

Bennett gets a takedown into half guard.
Bennett drops an elbow to the side of Garp's head.
Garp controlling the position for now.
Garp trying to control from the bottom.
Bennett takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bennett winds up and cracks Garp with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Bennett slips a nice elbow through Garp's hands, connecting with Garp's forehead.
Bennett scoring with strikes to the body and head.

Bennett is looking for a kimura here.
Garp takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Garp is looking for a sweep. Bennett is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bennett landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Garp wants to get back to full guard.

Bennett is trying to work for a kimura but Garp is defending well.
Bennett takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Bennett lands with a punch from half guard.
Bennett working over Garp with some ground and pound. Garp looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Bennett is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Bennett slips a nice elbow through Garp's hands, connecting with Garp's forehead.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Garp wants to get back to his feet.
Bennett lands strikes from half guard.
Bennett scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Bennett lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Bennett lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Garp is trying to get back to full guard.
Bennett looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Bennett is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Bennett 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 three minutes gone in the round.
Garp on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Bennett is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Garp defends it well.
Bennett working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Bennett is thwarting Garp's attempts to control the position.
Garp has hold of Bennett's hands but Bennett slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Garp is trying to control but can't.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Bennett connects with a nice short shot to Garp's temple.
Bennett lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Bennett scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Bennett prevents Garp from improving his position.
Bennett is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bennett is nestled in close to Garp, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

Garp looking for submissions off his back.
Garp is looking for a sweep. Bennett is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Bennett is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Bennett scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Bennett is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Nice strikes from Bennett there.
Bennett is nestled in close to Garp, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Bennett is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Bennett is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Garp sees it coming and defends easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gene Bennett showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Bennett has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight 30:25
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 30:24
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gene Bennett!