PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ryan Benoit (ranked 3984 p4p, 201 weight class) and Ethan Crenlisten (ranked 6541 p4p, 292 weight class). Ethan Crenlisten will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Benoit
vs
Crenlisten

162 cm
18
135 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

168 cm
18
135 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ryan Benoit!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ethan Crenlisten!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Steven Brown and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Crenlisten throws a left and a right that both miss

and Benoit counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Crenlisten!
You can see the frustration on Crenlisten's face as Benoit controls the position.
Crenlisten is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Benoit asserts his dominance and retains side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Benoit content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Crenlisten is trying to buck Benoit off.
Crenlisten gets back to half guard.
Benoit is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Crenlisten reverses the position - he's now on top in Benoit's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crenlisten would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Crenlisten trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Crenlisten postures up in Benoit's guard and throws a big left but Benoit blocks it.
Benoit keeping moving, preventing Crenlisten from controlling successfully.
Benoit managing to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Crenlisten is looking to stand up but Benoit won't let him.
Benoit on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Benoit tries to get out of the position.

Benoit looking for a guillotine here but Crenlisten defends easily.
Crenlisten stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Benoit swivels though and keeps the full guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Crenlisten misses with a takedown attempt

so Benoit counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benoit trying to move into half guard but instead Crenlisten has managed to sweep!

Crenlisten wants to stand but Benoit is controlling his posture from full guard.
Benoit has control of Crenlisten's left arm, preventing Crenlisten from doing any damage.
We've been informed that Crenlisten has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Crenlisten throws a big right hand that misses.
Benoit bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Crenlisten's guard.

Benoit looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Benoit controlling from the top position.

Crenlisten looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Crenlisten is trying to control the position but Benoit postures up.
Benoit stays in close to Crenlisten's body and controls the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Crenlisten looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ethan Crenlisten will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Crenlisten lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Crenlisten.
Benoit stuffs the takedown.
Crenlisten keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Crenlisten throws a combination that misses

and Benoit counters with a nice double leg into side control. Crenlisten won't be happy with that.
Crenlisten wants to get back to his feet but Benoit is dominant here and he's now got Crenlisten's back!

Crenlisten defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Crenlisten trying to control the hands but Benoit won't let him.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Benoit looking for the choke but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Crenlisten defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Benoit's arms.
Benoit controlling from the back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Benoit'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.
Benoit seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Crenlisten for as long as he can get away with.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
I really don't envy Crenlisten right now.
Benoit biding his time, controlling Crenlisten.
Benoit knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Crenlisten on the ground.
Crenlisten wants to escape the position.
Benoit has good solid back control here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Benoit is persistently looking for the submission but Crenlisten is defending it well.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Benoit has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Benoit dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Crenlisten dives in for a single leg takedown but Benoit sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Benoit attempts a counter takedown but Crenlisten avoids it well and moves away.
Crenlisten lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Crenlisten rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Benoit moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Crenlisten!
Crenlisten tries a head kick but it misses.
Crenlisten lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

Benoit shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Crenlisten's guard.
Benoit is standing up over Crenlisten. Crenlisten looks to escape but Benoit dives into side control.

This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
You can see the frustration on Crenlisten's face as Benoit controls the position.
Benoit gets to mount! Crenlisten was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Benoit looking for a guillotine from mount but Crenlisten is having none of it.
Benoit controlling from the full mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Crenlisten is trying to stand up.
Crenlisten tries to hold on but Benoit pushes him away.
Benoit controlling from mount.

Benoit goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Crenlisten turns into him and now he's in Benoit's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crenlisten wants to control from the top but Benoit keeps moving.

Benoit working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Crenlisten doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Crenlisten manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

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.
Crenlisten stopping the sweep attempt from Benoit.
Crenlisten trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Benoit is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Benoit working for a triangle but Crenlisten defends it easily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Benoit looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ethan Crenlisten.
I think Crenlisten has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 29:29
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 30:28
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Ryan Benoit!