PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Kuroda Atsushii (ranked 795 p4p, 88 weight class) and Henson Benderson (ranked 1251 p4p, 128 weight class). Benderson is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: The Time is Now. 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.

Atsushii
vs
Benderson

172 cm
30
144 lbs
14 - 10 - 0

168 cm
32
148 lbs
19 - 12 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Kuroda Atsushii!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Henson Benderson!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Donald Grub and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Benderson takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Benderson looks to land a left hand but Atsushii moved out of range nicely.
Atsushii half committed to a counter leg kick.
Atsushii looks to throw the jab but Benderson is out of range.
Atsushii is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Benderson misses with a straight right.
Benderson blocks a leg kick.
Despite the aggression on Benderson's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Atsushii checks a leg kick.
Atsushii connects with a body shot.
Benderson misses with a low kick.
Atsushii tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Benderson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Atsushii ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Benderson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Atsushii changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
A telegraphed right hand from Atsushii misses the target.
Benderson lands a glancing blow to the side of Atsushii's head.
Atsushii tries to clinch up but Benderson circles away and keeps his distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Atsushii fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Benderson manages to avoid it.
Benderson swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Good work by Atsushii as he checks the leg kick.

Atsushii forces Benderson back against the cage and clinches.
Benderson throws an elbow but it misses.
Benderson stalling against the cage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Atsushii tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Benderson's elbow.
Benderson tries to land knees in the clinch but Atsushii avoids the damage to the body.
Benderson is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Atsushii lands with a short shot to the head.

Atsushii wants the takedown. Benderson is fighting it off but Atsushii persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Benderson's guard against the cage.
Benderson can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Atsushii controls the pace.
Atsushii is looking to work some ground and pound but Benderson has wrist control.
Atsushii 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benderson wants to sweep but no luck.
Atsushii content to stall in guard here.
Atsushii is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Atsushii sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Atsushii has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benderson looking to control.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Atsushii stays in close to Benderson's body and controls the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Benderson lands with a right hand.
Benderson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Atsushii.
Benderson throws a jab but it's blocked by Atsushii.
Benderson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Atsushii checks the leg kick nicely there.
Benderson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Atsushii sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A little feinted left hand from Atsushii on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Benderson looks to land a left hand but Atsushii moved out of range nicely.
A decent looking cross lands there for Benderson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benderson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Atsushii moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Benderson. Atsushii does a little dance to reset his feet.
Atsushii connects with a single shot there.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Atsushii, right into the meat.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Atsushii, right into the meat.
Benderson avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Henson Benderson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Atsushii digs a good hook to Benderson's body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Atsushii gets a takedown into half guard.

Benderson kicks Atsushii off and gets back to his feet.
Benderson throws out a leg kick but Atsushii moves out of range and Benderson only half commits.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Henson Benderson will probably get the nod.
That's time! Atsushii's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

A big right from Benderson misses.

Atsushii moves into range and clinches up with Benderson.
Benderson is pushing Atsushii 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 referee calls for Benderson to work.
Benderson is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Atsushii is defending well for now.
Atsushii is working for takedown but Benderson is calmly controlling the position for now.
Atsushii lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Benderson backwards.
Atsushii fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Atsushii fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Atsushii letting Benderson take a breather here.
Stalling in the clinch from Atsushii.
Benderson is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Atsushii is keeping busy.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Benderson is stalling here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Atsushii has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Benderson regains guard immediately.

Benderson kicks Atsushii off and gets to his feet.
Good leg kick by Benderson there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
A shot to the body from Benderson misses
and Atsushii connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Henson Benderson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Benderson looks to throw the jab but Atsushii is out of range.
Benderson fails to land with a series of punches.
Benderson bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Atsushii darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Benderson trying to hold on to Atsushii's head to control him but Atsushii postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Atsushii not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Atsushii is trying to control. Benderson wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Benderson is looking for a sweep. Atsushii is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Atsushii trying to mount his opponent but Benderson defends it.
Atsushii is looking to stall here but Benderson recovers full guard.
Benderson manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Atsushii manages to get himself to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benderson wants to control from the top but Atsushii keeps moving.
Benderson tries to free his leg and advance position but Atsushii is retaining full guard.
Benderson must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Atsushii keeping moving, preventing Benderson from controlling successfully.
Benderson working some strikes from top position.
Benderson cracks Atsushii with a solid left hand.
Atsushii pulls Benderson in close to his closed guard and prevents Benderson from doing any damage or advancing position.
Benderson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Atsushii is keeping the position for now.

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.
Atsushii preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Atsushii is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Benderson defends well.
Benderson not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Benderson.
Atsushii uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Benderson.
Atsushii quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Benderson throws a poor cross that misses
and Atsushii counters with a body kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Henson Benderson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Atsushii's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

A looping hook to the body misses from Benderson. Atsushii does a little dance to reset his feet.
Atsushii half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Atsushii defending well as Benderson loads up on a big left hand.
Atsushii steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Benderson.
Benderson takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Atsushii lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Benderson works over Atsushii's head and body with a nice combination.
Atsushii changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Atsushii connects with a nice looking jab.
Atsushii dips to his left and cracks Benderson with an uppercut!
Benderson throws a right hand that misses
and Atsushii connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Benderson misses with an uppercut
and Benderson takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Benderson misses with a left hand
and Atsushii counters with a body kick.
A big left from Benderson misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Atsushii slips a jab from Benderson.
Benderson tries to clinch up
and Atsushii counters with an inside leg kick.
Benderson throws a poor cross that misses
and Atsushii counters with a stiff right hand.
A telegraphed right hand from Benderson misses the target.
Atsushii feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Benderson swings away with a body shot that misses
and Atsushii counters with a straight right hand.
Atsushii takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Benderson throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Atsushii counters with a low kick, right behind Benderson 's knee.
Benderson looks to throw the jab but Atsushii is out of range.
Atsushii buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Benderson swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
letting Atsushii counter with a right hand.
Kuroda Atsushii has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Benderson misses.
Atsushii fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Benderson.
Benderson throws an overhand right that lands on Atsushii's shoulder, as Atsushii tries to avoid the shot.
Good shot there by Atsushii.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Atsushii fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Benderson misses with an uppercut
letting Atsushii counter with a right hand.

Atsushii lands a big head kick that sends Benderson tumbling to the mat! Atsushii takes a step backwards and waves Benderson back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Benderson is rocked!
Benderson ducks into an uppercut from Atsushii and that's knocked him out cold! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:40 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Kuroda Atsushii!
Kuroda Atsushii seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
The defeated Henson Benderson had this to say: 'Damn...'.