PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kamaru Usman (ranked 3234 p4p, 383 weight class) and Island Bennett (ranked 3469 p4p, 401 weight class). Kamaru Usman has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Usman
vs
Bennett

182 cm
23
185 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

175 cm
19
180 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Kamaru Usman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Island Bennett!
The judges for this bout are David Hoff, Daniel Franklin and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice shot lands for Bennett.
Usman with a poor takedown
and Usman takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Usman feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Usman lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Usman working some strikes from top position.
Usman with a nice head shot there.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Bennett can do anything to dispel that myth.
Usman is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Usman distracts Bennett with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Usman is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Usman postures up.
Usman working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Bennett's head.
Bennett really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Usman. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Usman connects with a couple of short punches.
Usman throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Bennett works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Bennett looking to control.
Usman lands a couple of digs.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Usman accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Usman missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bennett keeping full guard, as Usman tries to pass.
Usman keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Bennett's head.
Bennett working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Usman.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Usman with a flurry of punches that miss.
Usman content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Bennett has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Buoy Training. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Bennett utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Usman is pushing down on Bennett's leg trying to pass to half guard. Bennett is fighting to maintain full guard but Usman has managed to sneak the leg through.
Bennett looks like he's trying to stand up.
Bennett on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Ground and pound from Usman.
Usman wants to lay and pray for a moment but Bennett keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bennett taking some punishment here, with Usman in his half guard.
Usman not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Usman is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Bennett tries to roll over but Usman keeps him under control.
Usman takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Usman drops an elbow to the side of Bennett's head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Usman has hold of the far side arm. He's working for the Kimura, can Bennett defend it? Usman steps over the head and cranks it - Bennett is tapping out! That was textbook stuff right there - nice submission victory for Usman!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Kamaru Usman!