PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Yoshi Fujiwara (ranked 898 p4p, 120 weight class) and Roy Benavidez (ranked 1809 p4p, 227 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Fujiwara
vs
Benavidez

184 cm
22
185 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

180 cm
23
197 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

RAGS of a RONIN

Voodoo Nutrition

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 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Yoshi Fujiwara!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Roy Benavidez!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Roosa Järviläinen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fujiwara swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Benavidez.
Benavidez throws a shot from downtown. Fujiwara moves away and avoids it.
Jab by Benavidez.
We've been hearing reports that Fujiwara has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Fujiwara dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Benavidez throws a shot from downtown. Fujiwara moves away and avoids it.
Fujiwara is looking to clinch.
Fujiwara catches Benavidez with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
We've been informed that Benavidez has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
The fighters circling - Benavidez throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Benavidez connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Fujiwara's hands.

Fujiwara moves into the clinch.
Fujiwara has a couple of punches blocked by Benavidez.
A nice right hand lands inside from Fujiwara.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Fujiwara lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Benavidez backwards.
Benavidez misses with a hook from the clinch.
Fujiwara lands an uppercut.
Fujiwara tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Fujiwara blocks an uppercut.
Fujiwara wants to stall.
Fujiwara working aggressively here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fujiwara can't find room to land a body shot as Benavidez controls the action.
Benavidez doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Benavidez misses with a punch to the body.
A short uppercut from Fujiwara.
Fujiwara lands with a short shot to the head.
Fujiwara goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Benavidez pushes Fujiwara back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Fujiwara lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Fujiwara.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Fujiwara.
A short right from Benavidez on the inside.
Benavidez misses with a short punch on the inside.
Benavidez misses with a short punch on the inside.
Benavidez doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Benavidez scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Benavidez misses with a punch to the body.
Benavidez tries to throw a body punch but Fujiwara avoids it by throwing Benavidez back against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Fujiwara creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fujiwara working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Benavidez misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Benavidez lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Fujiwara blocking some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A right hook to the body lands for Fujiwara.
Benavidez blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Fujiwara lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Fujiwara lands with a short shot to the head.
Fujiwara lands a body punch in the clinch.
Benavidez misses with some punches.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Fujiwara.
Fujiwara tries to throw a body punch but Benavidez avoids it by throwing Fujiwara back against the cage.
Benavidez goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A nice left hand lands by Benavidez.
A right hand to the body from Fujiwara.
Benavidez has a couple of punches blocked by Fujiwara.
A short body shot lands from Fujiwara as the two fighters clinch.
Benavidez tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Benavidez's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Fujiwara lands a hook that snaps the head of Benavidez backwards.
Fujiwara softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Benavidez misses with a short punch on the inside.
Benavidez misses with a body punch.
Fujiwara doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Fujiwara fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benavidez goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A head punch on the inside from Benavidez fails to land.
Fujiwara presses Benavidez against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Benavidez tries to work over Fujiwara's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Benavidez has a couple of punches blocked by Fujiwara.
Nice body punch from Fujiwara - that landed with a thud.
Benavidez blocks a body shot from Fujiwara.
Benavidez throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Fujiwaras head.
Fujiwara pushes Benavidez back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Fujiwara lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Benavidez or not.
Benavidez looks winded!
A short left from Fujiwara.
Fujiwara lands with a left to the head.
Fujiwara lands with a light punch inside.
Fujiwara lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Fujiwara tries to throw a body punch but Benavidez avoids it by throwing Fujiwara back against the cage.
Fujiwara working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A short right from Fujiwara.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Benavidez working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Fujiwara misses with a body punch.
Benavidez swings wildly with an uppercut but Fujiwara uses good head movement to avoid it.
Benavidez fails to pull guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fujiwara goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Benavidez swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Fujiwara tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Fujiwara taking a breather.
Fujiwara digs a right hand underneath Benavidez's ribcage. Benavidez let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Fujiwara lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Fujiwara misses with a punch to the body.
Fujiwara misses with a punch on the inside.
Benavidez misses with a hook to the ribs.
Fujiwara working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Fujiwara is pushing Benavidez up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Benavidez swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Fujiwara doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fujiwara tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Benavidez tries to score a body lock takedown but Fujiwara shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Fujiwara throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Benavidezs head.
Fujiwara goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Fujiwara lands an uppercut.
A nice left hand lands by Fujiwara.

Benavidez is rocked!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yoshi Fujiwara dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Benavidez throws the left hand but Fujiwara avoids the punch easily.
Fujiwara uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Benavidez.
Benavidez misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Fujiwara.
Fujiwara was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Fujiwara throws a jab but it's blocked by Benavidez.
Benavidez fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Fujiwara manages to avoid it.
Fujiwara throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Benavidez takes a body punch but keeps moving.
The crowd cheers as Benavidez lands an impressive looking overhand right. Fujiwara doesn't seem phased though.
Fujiwara keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Benavidez.
Fujiwara is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Benavidez can do to turn this around?
Benavidez keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Fujiwara pushes Benavidez up against the cage in a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fujiwara tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Benavidez goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Fujiwara scores with a nice hook to the head.
Fujiwara lands with a left to the head.
A shot in the inside from Fujiwara.
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!
Benavidez lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Fujiwara can't find room to land a body shot as Benavidez controls the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fujiwara misses with a hook to the ribs.
Fujiwara lands with a short shot to the head.
Fujiwara presses Benavidez against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Benavidez misses with a punch on the inside.
Benavidez lands an uppercut.
Fujiwara throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Fujiwara pushes Benavidez back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Fujiwara holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Benavidez misses with the head strike.
Benavidez misses with a hook from the clinch.
Benavidez swings wildly with an uppercut but Fujiwara uses good head movement to avoid it.
Benavidez throws a punch but it's blocked by Fujiwara.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Fujiwara.
Fujiwara lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Fujiwara tries a body shot but Benavidez blocks it.
Yoshi Fujiwara has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Benavidez tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Fujiwara lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Benavidez.
Benavidez misses with the head strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fujiwara tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Benavidez's elbow.
Fujiwara doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Fujiwara lands on the inside with an uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fujiwara is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Fujiwara misses with a hook from the clinch.
Benavidez misses with a punch to the body.
Fujiwara blocking some punches.
Fujiwara struggles to land a body shot inside as Benavidez controls his hands.
A right handed body shot lands from Fujiwara.
Benavidez throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Fujiwara gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Benavidez.
A head punch on the inside from Benavidez fails to land.
Fujiwara lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Benavidez tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Fujiwara prevents a body shot from Benavidez.
Benavidez makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A bit of stalling here from Fujiwara.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice left hand lands by Benavidez.
Benavidez lands with a left to the head.
Benavidez misses with a short punch on the inside.
Benavidez misses with the head strike.
Fujiwara tries to work over Benavidez's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Fujiwara blocks an uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Benavidez.
Benavidez can't find room to land a body shot as Fujiwara controls the action.
Benavidez doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Benavidez tries for a takedown but Fujiwara manages to get underhooks.
Fujiwara misses with a hook to the ribs.
Fujiwara struggles to land a body shot inside as Benavidez controls his hands.
Benavidez has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Fujiwara after a bit of a struggle.
Yoshi Fujiwara has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Roy Benavidez.
Fujiwara can't find room to land a body shot as Benavidez controls the action.
Benavidez throws a head punch that misses.
Fujiwara doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Still in the clinch, Fujiwara scores with a nice short uppercut.
Benavidez fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Fujiwara tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Fujiwara scores with a hook to the body.
Benavidez is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fujiwara scores with a nice hook to the head.
Fujiwara misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Fujiwara taking a breather.
Benavidez misses with a short punch on the inside.
Benavidez tries to work over Fujiwara's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Fujiwara lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Good body shot from Fujiwara.
Fujiwara lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Benavidez swings wildly with an uppercut but Fujiwara uses good head movement to avoid it.
Benavidez swings wildly with an uppercut but Fujiwara uses good head movement to avoid it.
Fujiwara pushes Benavidez back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Fujiwara tries to stall but Benavidez uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Fujiwara blocking some punches.
Fujiwara lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Benavidez backwards.
Benavidez tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Benavidez misses with a short punch on the inside.
Benavidez fails to pull guard.
Benavidez misses with the head strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yoshi Fujiwara dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Fujiwara throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Benavidez misses with a right hand
and Fujiwara counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Roy Benavidez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Benavidez is defended easily by Fujiwara.
Fujiwara ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Fujiwara ducks under a wild hook from Benavidez.
It looked like Fujiwara was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Benavidez.
Benavidez throws a looping overhand right but Fujiwara ducks down to avoid it.
Benavidez scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Benavidez takes a swing at Fujiwara's ribcage but misses.
Fujiwara with a hook.
Benavidez is still on wobbly legs! Can Fujiwara finish him?
Benavidez takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Benavidez uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Fujiwara.
Benavidez seems to have recovered his senses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fujiwara lands a right hook to the body.
Fujiwara wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Fujiwara throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Benavidez takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fujiwara throws a body shot but no joy.
Fujiwara fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Benavidez manages to avoid it.
Yoshi Fujiwara is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Benavidez looks to score with a jab to the body but Fujiwara is just out of range.
Benavidez ducks under a wild hook from Fujiwara.
Fujiwara ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Benavidez moves away.
Fujiwara uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Benavidez has time to react.
Fujiwara scores with a hook to the body. Benavidez takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Fujiwara is looking to clinch.
A nice side step and Benavidez releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Jab, jab by Fujiwara - just one landing.
Yoshi Fujiwara is winning the standup battle so far.
Benavidez bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Fujiwara's head backwards.
Fujiwara with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Benavidez darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Benavidez takes one on the button.
Benavidez pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Roy Benavidez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Benavidez gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Benavidez throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Benavidez misses with an uppercut.
Benavidez avoids the body shot from Fujiwara.
Fujiwara tries to clinch there but Benavidez circles away.
Fujiwara keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A counter left hand to the body from Fujiwara misses its target.
Fujiwara misses with a body shot.
Fujiwara lands a nice looking body shot.
Fujiwara ducks under a wild hook from Benavidez.
Jab, jab by Fujiwara - just one landing.
Fujiwara swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Fujiwara moves into range and connects with a jab.
Benavidez looks to land a right hand but Fujiwara moved out of range.
Fujiwara circles away from the clinch attempt
and Fujiwara counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benavidez misses with an uppercut.
A counter left hand to the body from Fujiwara misses its target.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Benavidez is defended easily by Fujiwara.
Fujiwara punishes Benavidez's body with a nice straight punch.
Fujiwara connects with a single shot there.
Benavidez misses with a wild body shot.
Fujiwara is looking to counter the offense by Benavidez and move into the clinch.
Benavidez waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Fujiwara.
Fujiwara ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

Fujiwara gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Yoshi Fujiwara is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Fujiwara blocks an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benavidez tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Fujiwara throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Benavidezs head.
Benavidez has a couple of punches blocked by Fujiwara.
Benavidez tries to work over Fujiwara's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Benavidez throws a head punch that misses.
Benavidez struggles to land a body shot inside as Fujiwara controls his hands.
Benavidez misses with the head strike.
Benavidez throws a head punch that misses.
Benavidez misses with a punch on the inside.
A shot in the inside from Benavidez.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Benavidez swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Fujiwara tries to throw a body punch but Benavidez avoids it by throwing Fujiwara back against the cage.
Benavidez swings wildly with an uppercut but Fujiwara uses good head movement to avoid it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yoshi Fujiwara showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Fujiwara 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yoshi Fujiwara!