PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Emil Marinov (ranked 594 p4p, 1204 weight class) and Nigel Benn Jr (ranked 82 p4p, 157 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Marinov
vs
Benn Jr

192 cm
33
195
27 - 17 - 1

185 cm
35
203
25 - 17 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Core Combat
Hardcore Nutrition 160Q $100 w/ Proof

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 27 - 17 - 1, fighting out of London, Emil Marinov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Nigel Benn Jr!
The judges for this bout are Percy O'Donnell, Jack Bonds and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Marinov moves out of range as Benn Jr strikes.
Marinov throws a lazy uppercut
and Benn Jr counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Benn Jr has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.

Marinov gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Marinov lands a right hand that snaps the head of Benn Jr backwards.
Marinov has a couple of punches blocked by Benn Jr.
Benn Jr struggles to land a body shot inside as Marinov controls his hands.
The referee calls for Marinov to work.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Benn Jr.
Benn Jr wants to stall.
Marinov misses with the head strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Marinov lands a body shot in the clinch.
I was talking to Marinov's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Benn Jr lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Marinov backwards.
Benn Jr throws an elbow but it misses.
Marinov stalling the fight.
Marinov keeps control of Benn Jr as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Benn Jr breaks from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benn Jr circles away from the clinch attempt.
Benn Jr walks forward, straight into a front kick from Marinov.
Benn Jr throws a hook to the side of Marinov's head but Marinov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Marinov slips under a jab.
Marinov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Benn Jr.
Marinov comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Nice defenses there by Marinov.
Marinov went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Marinov tries to close the distance and clinch but Benn Jr swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Marinov with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Marinov looks to land a left hand but Benn Jr moved out of range nicely.
Benn Jr swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Marinov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Benn Jr paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Benn Jr lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Marinov tries to clinch but Benn Jr is having none of it.
Marinov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Benn Jr takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benn Jr lands with a hook. Marinov tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Marinov has Benn Jr up against the cage in a clinch.
Marinov is struggling to control the position.

Benn Jr breaks from the clinch.

Marinov has Benn Jr up against the cage in a clinch.
Benn Jr blocks an uppercut.

Benn Jr breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Marinov fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Benn Jr.
Benn Jr throws a hook but Marinov blocks it.
Emil Marinov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Good standup being displayed there by Marinov as he connects with a hook.
Benn Jr checks the leg kick.
Benn Jr tried to score with a low kick but Marinov checks it.
Benn Jr on the wrong end of a kick to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marinov tries to clinch there but Benn Jr circles away.
Benn Jr finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.

Marinov closes the distance and pushes Benn Jr back into the cage.
Marinov landing knees to the body.
Marinov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Marinov misses with the head strike.
Marinov stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Marinov misses with a hook to the ribs.
A short body shot lands from Marinov as the two fighters clinch.
Stalling in the clinch from Benn Jr.
Marinov is leaning against Benn Jr and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Marinov stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Benn Jr looks winded!

Benn Jr breaks from the clinch.
Benn Jr moves out of range as Marinov throws a body kick.

Marinov clinches up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Marinov - that landed with a thud.

Benn Jr breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Marinov scores with a head kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Marinov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Benn Jr is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Benn Jr doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Marinov doesn't manage to clinch there - Benn Jr circles away.
Benn Jr pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A low kick lands for Marinov.
A punch combination from Benn Jr misses.
Marinov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Crunch! Marinov slams his shin into Benn Jr's torso.
Benn Jr checks a leg kick.
Marinov tries to clinch up but Benn Jr circles away and keeps his distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Emil Marinov dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Marinov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Benn Jr.
Marinov tries a head kick but it misses.
Marinov swinging wildly here.
A jab lands there for Marinov.
Marinov tests Benn Jr's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Benn Jr misses with a wild combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Benn Jr pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Benn Jr looks to throw the jab but Marinov is out of range.
Marinov dips to his left and cracks Benn Jr with an uppercut!
Marinov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Benn Jr can do to turn this around?
Marinov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Benn Jr swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Marinov lands a nice looking body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benn Jr throws a shot to the body.
Benn Jr is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Marinov misses with a combination
and Benn Jr counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Marinov wants to clinch up but Benn Jr keeps it at a distance.
Benn Jr looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Marinov moves in looking to clinch but Benn Jr pushes him off.
Benn Jr drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Marinov is looking to clinch but Benn Jr is avoiding it.
Benn Jr circles away from the clinch attempt
and Benn Jr counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Benn Jr fails to land with a series of punches.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Marinov!
Benn Jr swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A swing and a miss from Benn Jr.
Benn Jr throws a shot from downtown. Marinov moves away and avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Benn Jr pressing his opponent against the cage.
Marinov will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Benn Jr up against the cage.
Marinov lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Marinov can't find room to land a body shot as Benn Jr controls the action.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Marinov misses with some punches.
A nice left hand lands by Marinov.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Benn Jr.
Marinov working Benn Jr over with knees to the body.
Benn Jr blocks a body shot from Marinov.
Marinov throws a punch but it's blocked by Benn Jr.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marinov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Benn Jr working aggressively here.
Marinov swings wildly with an uppercut but Benn Jr uses good head movement to avoid it.
Benn Jr blocks a body shot from Marinov.
Nice elbow from Marinov.

It looks like Nigel Benn Jr has been cut.
Marinov effectively controlling the action here.
Benn Jr lands a left hand that snaps the head of Marinov backwards.

Benn Jr breaks from the clinch.
Marinov checks the leg kick nicely there.
Marinov swings widly with a right hand
and Benn Jr counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Benn Jr falls off balance throwing a combination
and Marinov counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Nigel Benn Jr is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Marinov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marinov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Benn Jr.
Marinov wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Marinov misses with a body shot.
Benn Jr looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Marinov is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Marinov connects with a solid leg kick.
Marinov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Marinov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Marinov lands with a cross.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A telegraphed right hand from Marinov misses the target.
It seemed like Benn Jr was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
A low kick from Benn Jr misses
and Marinov counters with a straight right hand.
Marinov loads up on a big right hand but Benn Jr slips the punch.
Benn Jr looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Benn Jr moves forwards but Marinov connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Marinov looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

Marinov has Benn Jr up against the cage in a clinch.
Benn Jr blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Emil Marinov dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Nigel Benn Jr's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Benn Jr changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Nice body kick from Benn Jr.
Marinov moves out of range of the strikes.
Marinov throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Benn Jr.

Marinov pushes Benn Jr up against the cage in a clinch.
Marinov misses with some punches.
A short uppercut from Marinov.
Benn Jr is trying to force a seperation but Marinov has the dominant position.
Marinov lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Benn Jr blocks an uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Marinov effectively controlling the action here.
Benn Jr is trying to break the clinch but Marinov has him pressed against the cage.
Marinov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Benn Jr working hard to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short right from Benn Jr.

Benn Jr's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A looping hook to the body misses from Benn Jr. Marinov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Marinov moves out of range of the strikes.
Marinov swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Benn Jr throws a nice looking combination but Marinov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Marinov is looking to counter the offense by Benn Jr and move into the clinch.
Benn Jr misses the shot to the body.
Marinov scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Benn Jr pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Marinov tries to counter by clinching up but Benn Jr breaks away and moves out of range.
Benn Jr connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Benn Jr takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Benn Jr walks into a jab.
Marinov slips under a jab.
Nice shot by Marinov.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Marinov cracks Benn Jr with a right hand to the side of the head.
A nice leg kick from Marinov, right into the meat of the thigh.
Nigel Benn Jr has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benn Jr takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Marinov slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Marinov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Marinov throws a looping overhand right but Benn Jr ducks down to avoid it.
Marinov throws the kick towards the body but Benn Jr avoids it.
Marinov avoids the body shot from Benn Jr.
Marinov wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Marinov scores with a jab. Benn Jr acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Benn Jr bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A low kick from Benn Jr misses
and Marinov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Marinov scores with a body shot.

Marinov clinches up with Benn Jr and pushes him back against the cage.
Marinov misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Benn Jr manages to break the clinch.
Marinov cracks Benn Jr with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benn Jr pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Marinov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Marinov tries to clinch there but Benn Jr circles away.
Benn Jr keeps the fight on the outside.
Marinov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Benn Jr.
Benn Jr is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Marinov.

Benn Jr is rocked!
Benn Jr finds himself stumbling back on wobbly legs after being clipped by a right hand. He's up against the cage, ducking and weaving under Marinov's strikes but an uppercut finds it's way through and Benn Jr falls! - He's completely out of it and the ref jumps in to save him!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:34 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Emil Marinov!
After the fight, Emil Marinov was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.
In defeat, Nigel Benn Jr stepped up to the mic, saying 'ill be back'.