PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Matt Motts (ranked 23227 p4p, 315 weight class) and Ryan Benoit (ranked 6607 p4p, 266 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Motts
vs
Benoit

170 cm
22
135 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

162 cm
19
135 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
KO power

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Solid chin

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 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Matt Motts!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ryan Benoit!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Wesley Smith and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Motts shoots in and bounces Benoit off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Benoit looking for a sweep. Not yet Benoit, not yet.
Motts wants to control from the top but Benoit keeps moving.
Motts postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Motts is looking to work some ground and pound but Benoit has wrist control.
Motts postures up in Benoit's guard and throws a big left but Benoit blocks it.
Benoit keeping moving, preventing Motts from controlling successfully.
Our spies down at at EFL Performance Institute inform us that Benoit has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Benoit can do anything to dispel that myth.

Motts drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Motts jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Motts wants to control from the top but Benoit keeps moving.
Motts controlling from the top position.
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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Motts trying to control the position from guard on top but Benoit is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Motts content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Motts loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Motts throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Motts pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Benoit is keeping the position for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Motts works over Benoit with some ground and pound from guard.
Motts with a nice head shot there.
Benoit is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Motts drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Motts jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benoit avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Benoit looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Benoit looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Motts trying to control but Benoit is working from the bottom.
Motts with a flurry of punches that miss.
Benoit looking to control.
Motts is looking to work some ground and pound but Benoit has wrist control.
Motts postures up in Benoit's guard and throws a big left but Benoit blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benoit keeping moving, preventing Motts from controlling successfully.
Motts is stalling in the full guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Motts closes the distance and clinches up with Benoit, looking for a takedown. Motts pushes Benoit against the cage but Benoit circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Motts shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Motts was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Benoit sneaks out the side door and pushes Motts away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Motts fails to land the takedown.
Benoit blocks a low kick nicely.

Motts rushes Benoit and presses him up against the cage.
Benoit is pressed up against the cage. Motts has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Benoit down to the mat. Benoit avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matt Motts. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Motts manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Benoit on his heels. He'll look to pass Benoit's guard now, I'm sure.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Motts trying to control the position from guard on top but Benoit is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Motts is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Motts working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Motts throwing strikes from guard but Benoit blocks nicely.
Benoit really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Motts. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Motts working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Benoit's head.
Benoit is pulling down on Motts's head to control his posture.
Benoit wants to stand but Motts is controlling the position.
Motts throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Motts trying to control the position from guard on top but Benoit is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Benoit holds on and takes a little breather.
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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Motts instigates a clinch.
Benoit being controlled against the cage.
Motts has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Benoit is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Motts stalling against the cage.

Benoit turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Benoit manages to end up in side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Benoit moves into full mount!
Motts is looking to improve his position but Benoit isn't that keen on the idea.
Motts slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Motts has a hand on Benoit's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Benoit takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Motts tries to reverse the position but Benoit maintains control.
Motts 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.
Motts reaches up and holds on to Benoit to control the position.
Motts tries to control Benoit's body but Benoit pushes him off. Motts squirms to his side and now Benoit has his back!
Matt Motts overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Motts is in bad spot here.
Benoit tries to keep control of the position but Motts is staying busy.
Benoit keeps control of the position as Motts tries to break free.
Motts breaks Benoit's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Motts throws a big right hand that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Motts pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Benoit is keeping the position for now.
Motts missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Motts is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Motts tries to free his leg and advance position but Benoit is retaining full guard.
Motts stopping the sweep attempt from Benoit.
Motts won't allow Benoit to get back to his feet.
Motts wants to pass the guard but Benoit is keeping the position.
Benoit is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Benoit looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Motts is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Benoit is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Benoit has escaped and now he's on top!

Benoit must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Motts trying to keep a closed guard but Benoit is proving a slippery customer.
Benoit looking to pass the guard.
Motts trying to keep a closed guard but Benoit is proving a slippery customer.
Motts controlling the position.

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.
Motts keeping full guard, as Benoit tries to pass.
Motts working a defensive guard here.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Benoit seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Benoit is pressed up against the cage. Motts has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Benoit down to the mat. Benoit avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Benoit checks the leg kick nicely there.
Motts looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Benoit showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Benoit tries to close the distance and clinch but Motts swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Motts fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Benoit avoids it really well and circles away.
Horrible takedown attempt by Motts or perhaps it was just good defense by Benoit, which made it look bad.
Motts dives in and grabs Benoit's left leg, looking for a takedown. Benoit pushes down on Motts's head and hops out.
Benoit swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matt Motts. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Motts misses with a takedown
and Benoit counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Benoit shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Motts is staying active underneath Benoit, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Benoit wants to pass the guard but Motts is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Motts is trying is best to control the position here.
Motts tries to roll over but Benoit keeps him under control.
Motts is working hard here to advance position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Well, if Benoit is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Motts is looking for a sweep. Benoit is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Benoit is stalling here. Motts is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Benoit seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Motts has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benoit dodges the ground and pound from Motts.
Benoit defending against the ground and pound.
Benoit tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Motts wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Motts wants to lay and pray for a moment but Benoit keeps working.
Motts working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
An elbow from Motts crashes against the mat.
Benoit is trying to work for a sweep but Motts has mounted him!
Motts tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Motts thowing shots but they're missing.
Motts lands a big elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Motts looking to control but Benoit is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Benoit has given up his back - I don’t know if this is a deliberate ploy to try and escape or if he is just struggling down there.
Motts cracks Benoit with a big shot to body and one to the head - really punishing Benoit from the back mount here, looking to soften him up.

Motts is working hard for the rear naked choke here.

Motts looking to break Benoit's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Benoit remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Motts will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Benoit is trying to break free.
Benoit has his hands over his head blocking the strikes from Motts.
Benoit is trying to break free.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Motts looking for the RNC.

Motts working for the choke.
Benoit tries to escape the position.

Motts tightening his grip on Benoit, looking for the choke.
Motts throwing sloppy strikes.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Benoit is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Benoit is still trying to improve position.
Can Benoit hold on?! Motts is landing more strikes to his hapless foe.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matt Motts showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Motts 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:28
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matt Motts!