PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ezequiel Bentley (ranked 23441 p4p, 0 weight class) and Igi Peterson (ranked 5229 p4p, 0 weight class). Igi Peterson has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Bentley
vs
Peterson

216 cm
18
177 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

182 cm
25
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ezequiel Bentley!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Igi Peterson!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Hugh Johnson and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Peterson moves into the clinch.
Bentley tries for a takedown but Peterson manages to get underhooks.

Peterson breaks from the clinch.
Igi Peterson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Peterson shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Bentley manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Peterson stands and steps away. Bentley gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Peterson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Bentley takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Bentley tries to land knees in the clinch but Peterson avoids the damage to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Peterson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Peterson drives through and clinches with Bentley against the cage.

Peterson has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Bentley clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bentley tries to break free.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bentley is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Peterson lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
Bentley wants to get back to his feet.
Peterson trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Bentley doesn't escape.
Bentley can't escape the position.
Peterson is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bentley trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Bentley is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Peterson controlling from the back.

Peterson looking for the choke but no joy.

Bentley defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Peterson's arms.
Bentley tries to escape but Peterson has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

Peterson looking for the choke but no joy.
Bentley rolls, trying to escape but Peterson keeps control of the position.
Bentley 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 three minutes gone in the round.
Peterson is riding his opponent, not letting Bentley buck him off.
Bentley is trying to stand back up.
Bentley is trying to break free.
Peterson misses with an elbow to the head.
Bentley trying to get back to his feet but Peterson is in full control for now.

Bentley defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Peterson's arms.
Peterson is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
Bentley trying to get back to his feet but Peterson is in full control for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Peterson looking for the choke from the back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bentley defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Peterson's arms.

Peterson patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Bentley wants to get back to his feet.
Peterson struggling to land strikes to the head as Bentley covers up.
I really don't envy Bentley right now.
Will Peterson go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Bentley is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Peterson slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
Peterson throwing wild punches that miss their target.
Bentley is trying to stand back up.
Peterson lands punches and elbows.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Igi Peterson dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Peterson misses with a head kick.
Bentley appears to be looking for a big counter.

Peterson clinches up against the cage.
Peterson wants to break free but Bentley has control.

Peterson has clasped his hands together around Bentley's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Bentley tries to control but Peterson manages to take his back.
Peterson missing with strikes.
I really don't envy Bentley right now.
Bentley trying to get back to his feet but Peterson is in full control for now.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Bentley wants to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Peterson trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Bentley doesn't escape.
Bentley trying to get back to his feet but Peterson is in full control for now.
Bentley is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Peterson.

Peterson is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Bentley defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Peterson missing with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Bentley is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

Bentley manages to escape to his feet.

Peterson shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Bentley is trying to defend but Peterson finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Bentley has one foot on Peterson's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

Peterson drives through with a takedown into Bentley's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Bentley scrambles and gets back to his feet.

Peterson has Bentley up against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bentley gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.

Peterson escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Bentley gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Peterson is trying to hold Bentley in close to prevent damage but Bentley has managed to pass into half guard.
Peterson has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Bentley is working away from the top position though.
Bentley is trying to control. Peterson wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Peterson trying to control here.
Peterson makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Peterson.

Peterson had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Bentley defends it easily.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bentley accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Bentley postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Ezequiel Bentley will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Peterson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Bentley tries to pull guard but Peterson won't allow it.

Peterson pulls Bentley into guard.

Peterson has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Bentley is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Bentley changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Peterson fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Bentley fails to land with a series of punches.

Peterson shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Bentley looks like he's trying to stand up.

Bentley manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Peterson keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bentley has a couple of punches blocked by Peterson.

Peterson jumps guard and drags Bentley to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Bentley is looking to work some ground and pound but Peterson has wrist control.
Peterson looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Bentley puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Peterson is looking to improve his position.

Bentley is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Peterson doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Bentley.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Peterson manages to get to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Peterson is looking to stand up but Bentley isn't so interested in that idea.
Bentley preventing the sweep.
Peterson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Bentley postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Peterson is controlling Bentley's posture.
Bentley stopping the sweep attempt from Peterson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bentley postures up.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Peterson throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Bentley tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Peterson is in Bentley's guard.
Bentley will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Bentley wants to stand and escape but Peterson is having none of it.

Peterson gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Bentley gets caught flat footed, as Peterson shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Bentley wants to stand but Peterson is controlling the position.
Peterson slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bentley looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

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

Peterson stands up and waves to Bentley to follow him.

Peterson drives through with a takedown into Bentley's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Bentley wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Peterson manages to pass to side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ezequiel Bentley showed his dominance in that final round.
I have no idea who won that fight. Let's wait and see whether the judges are as confused as me! Time for a split decision perhaps?!. 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 Donatello Bradman scores the fight 29:29
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 29:29
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 28:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!