PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Michael Bennet (ranked 5 p4p, 14 weight class) and Melek Taus (ranked 1 p4p, 2 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Taus's choice of entrance music: I Am The Upsetter. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Bennet
vs
Taus

190 cm
35
209
30 - 10 - 0

197 cm
32
207
31 - 6 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Savage Fightwear
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Shadow Warrior Nutrition
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 30 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Michael Bennet!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 31 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Melek Taus!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and Percy O'Donnell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Taus blocks the body kick.
Bennet works Taus's body with a nice hook.
Bennet lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Taus at a distance.
Bennet loads up on a big right hand but Taus slips the punch.
Taus moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Taus 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.
Bennet lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Taus throws a lazy uppercut
and Bennet makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Taus ducks under a wild hook from Bennet.
Taus misses with a looping left.
Taus slips a jab from Bennet.
Taus swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Taus keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Bennet moves out of range as Taus strikes.
Bennet is looking to counter punch.
Bennet dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Bennet is looking to wear down Taus with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Taus throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Taus blocks a jab.
Taus replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Bennet blocks it well.
Taus lands a really nice looking cross but Bennet seems unphased.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bennet scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Taus doesn't seem bothered though.
Bennet fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Bennet throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bennet misses with an attempted mid kick.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Taus! But no joy.
Bennet ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Taus moves away.
Taus looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Taus throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
And Bennet counters with a quick kick to the body but Taus blocks it.
Bennet throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nice defenses there by Taus.
Bennet looks to score with a jab to the body but Taus is just out of range.
Taus misses with a looping left.
Bennet scores with a push kick.
Taus is looking to clinch but Bennet is avoiding it.
Taus scores with a decent looking hook.
Bennet takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Bennet tries to move into range but Taus moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Taus pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Taus - that will leave a mark!
Taus thuds his shin into the meat of Bennet's side.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Taus lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Bennet has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Bennet and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Taus connects with an inside leg kick.
Bennet swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Bennet takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Bennet throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taus misses with a straight left.
Taus is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Bennet.
Bennet ducks under a wild hook from Taus.
Bennet lands a jab to Taus's midsection.
Taus connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Bennet throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Nice body kick from Taus.
Nice shot lands for Bennet.
Taus moves out of range as Bennet strikes.
Taus throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Bennet pushes Taus away with a front kick.
Bennet throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Bennet has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

It looks like Michael Bennet has been cut.
Taus throws a quick inside leg kick.

Taus gets tackled into the cage by Bennet. Bennet maintains the clinch.

Bennet breaks from the clinch.
Bennet fakes the leg kick and cracks Taus in the body.

Bennet clinches with his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bennet lands a shot to the body.
Bennet misses with a body punch.
Bennet tries a body shot but Taus blocks it.
Taus lands a hook that snaps the head of Bennet backwards.

Bennet pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Bennet is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Taus's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Bennet takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Bennet connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Taus momentarily.
A big left from Taus misses.
Taus misses with an attempted mid kick.
It looked like Bennet was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Taus.
Bennet fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Taus on the side of the head.
Michael Bennet seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Taus misses the jab.
Taus scores with a push kick.
Bennet takes one on the button.
Taus looks to score with a jab to the body but Bennet is just out of range.
Bennet scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bennet misses with a kick to the body
and Taus counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Bennet swings for the body but Taus moves out of range.
Taus takes one on the button.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bennet misses with a looping left.
Bennet throws a jab when Taus was well out of range.
Bennet throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Taus lands a glancing blow to the side of Bennet's head.
Bennet fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Taus lands a right hook to the body.
A big left from Taus misses.
A thudding body kick lands there by Taus!
Taus is looking to land body kicks.
Bennet scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Taus swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Taus checks a leg kick.
Bennet lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bennet moves out of range of the body kick from Taus.
Bennet quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Taus lands with a thumping leg kick.
Taus connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Taus throws a push kick but Bennet slaps the foot to one side.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Michael Bennet will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Michael Bennet's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Taus takes a jab right on the kisser.
Bennet scores with the left hand. Taus knows he should have avoided that one.
Bennet has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Bennet tests Taus's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Taus. Bennet does a little dance to reset his feet.
Bennet connects with a single shot there.
Bennet throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Bennet throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Taus appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
The fighters circling - Bennet throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Bennet throws a chopping leg kick but Taus manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Taus misses with a low kick as Bennet jumps back.
Bennet scores with a sloppy right hand. Taus should have avoided that one.
Taus on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Bennet misses with a body kick.
Bennet bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bennet throws a front kick that sends Taus stumbling back into the cage.
Taus throws a head kick that half lands.
It looks like Bennet has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
Bennet is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Taus.
Taus throws a leg kick that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taus misses with a wild body shot.
Bennet fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Taus manages to avoid it.
Taus slips a straight right by Bennet.
A little jabbing left from Taus on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Taus throws a quick inside leg kick.
Taus scores with a push kick.
Taus looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Michael Bennet is winning the standup battle so far.
Taus wants to slow Bennet down by chopping away at his legs.
Taus takes a swing at Bennet's ribcage but misses.
Bennet displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Taus throws out the jab.
Taus waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Bennet.
Bennet throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
A solid leg kick lands there for Taus.
Bennet lands with a right hand.
Bennet misses the shot to the body.
Taus looks to land a body kick but Bennet moved away.
Bennet goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Taus misses with a leg kick
and Bennet counters with a body kick.
Bennet swings for the body but Taus moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taus ducks under a wild hook from Bennet.
Taus attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Bennet lands a nice looking body shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Taus slips a straight right by Bennet.
A good leg kick by Bennet.
Bennet moves out of range as Taus throws a body kick.
Taus tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bennet was well out of range. Poor timing from Taus.
Bennet will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Bennet misses with a looping right.
Bennet throws the left hand but Taus avoids the punch easily.
Bennet checks a leg kick.
Bennet takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Bennet with a nice cross.
Taus misses the body punch
and Bennet counters with a stiff right hand.
Taus misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bennet.
Bennet thuds a left hand into Taus's body.
Bennet swings for the body but Taus moves out of range.
Taus uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Bennet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bennet misses the body punch
and Taus counters with a solid body kick.
Nice shot lands for Taus.
Bennet connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Bennet swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bennet stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Taus.
Bennet scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Taus doesn't seem bothered though.
Taus throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Bennet counters with a slapping leg kick.
A jab from Bennet does it's job there.
Taus uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bennet.
Taus misses with a leg kick.
Bennet throws a body punch but Taus moves out of range.
Taus throws a nice looking combination but Bennet bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Bennet is looking to counter punch.
Bennet with the inside leg kick.
Bennet tests Taus's chin there with a solid looking shot.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Taus throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Taus pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Taus dips to his left and cracks Bennet with an uppercut!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bennet avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Taus swinging wildly here.
Taus throws a wild body kick that Bennet sees coming a mile off.
Taus throws a leg kick
and Bennet counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Taus throws a low kick but Bennet moves out of range easily.
Taus changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Bennet moves out of range of the body kick from Taus.
Taus throws a leg kick that is checked
and Bennet counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A head kick by Bennet misses
and Taus counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Taus finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Taus throws out a powerful jab.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A big right from Bennet misses.
Taus throws a hook to the side of Bennet's head but Bennet sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Bennet connects with a right hand. Taus shakes it off.
Bennet ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A jab from Bennet misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Bennet dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Michael Bennet's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Bennet takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Bennet moves out of range of the body kick.
Bennet bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Taus throws a leg kick but Bennet checks it.
Taus steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Bennet.
Bennet swings for the body but Taus moves out of range.
Bennet misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Taus.
Taus looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Bennet wants to clinch up but Taus keeps it at a distance.
Taus misses with an uppercut.
Taus throws a body punch but Bennet moves out of range.
Bennet throws a body shot but no joy.
Bennet slips under a jab from Taus.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taus gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Taus is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Bennet.
The fighters circling - Taus throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A quick step to the side and Bennet tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Taus waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Bennet.
Taus dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Taus moves away from the strike by Bennet.
Taus was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bennet uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Taus.
Taus misses with an uppercut. Bennet saw that one coming.
Taus fakes the leg kick and cracks Bennet in the body.
Bennet misses with a kick to the body.
Bennet tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Taus was well out of range. Poor timing from Bennet.
Bennet ducks under a wild hook from Taus.
Bennet is looking to counter punch.
Taus displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Bennet throws out the jab.
Bennet loads up on a big right hand but Taus slips the punch.
A solid leg kick lands there for Bennet.
Bennet with a nice cross.
A head kick misses from Bennet.
Taus thinks about the counter body kick.
Bennet throws out a loose jab but Taus uses good head movement to avoid it.
Taus tries a low kick but Bennet avoids it.
Taus finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Bennet scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Taus misses with a body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Taus is predictable there
and Bennet counters with a nice uppercut.
Bennet misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Taus.
Taus misses with a looping left.
Taus swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Taus swinging wildly here.
Taus throws a head kick that misses.
Taus throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Taus defending well as Bennet loads up on a big left hand.
A nice side step and Taus releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Taus throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Taus feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Bennets jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Bennet looks to throw the jab but Taus is out of range.
Bennet feints and then cracks Taus's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Taus down.
Taus throws a big shot that misses.
Bennet throws a quick counter head kick but Taus was just out of range.
Taus has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Taus throws out a loose jab but Bennet uses good head movement to avoid it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Taus. Bennet does a little dance to reset his feet.
Bennet tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bennet uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Taus.
Taus tried to score with a low kick but Bennet checks it.
Bennet throws a jab but it's blocked by Taus.
Taus throws a leg kick but Bennet sees it coming and moves out of range.
Taus's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Taus pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Taus throws a half hearted mid kick.
Bennet was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Taus misses with a kick to the body
and Bennet counters with a stiff right hand.
Bennet lands a jab.
Taus takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Bennet looks to land a left hand but Taus moved out of range nicely.
Taus connects with a body shot that sends Bennet's belly button to the back.

Bennet moves into the clinch successfully.
Bennet misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Taus has a couple of punches blocked by Bennet.
Bennet working aggressively here.
Bennet can't find room to land a body shot as Taus controls the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taus can't find room to land a body shot as Bennet controls the action.
Taus pushes Bennet back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Taus scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Taus tries to work over Bennet's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Taus lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Taus lands a hook to the side of the head.
Taus lands with a short shot to the head.
Taus tries to throw a body punch but Bennet avoids it by throwing Taus back against the cage.

Taus manages to break the clinch.
Taus connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Bennet cracks Taus with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Bennet staying out of range there.
Bennet misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Bennet keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Bennet throws a body punch but Taus moves out of range.
Bennet slips under a jab from Taus.
Taus throws a low kick, looking for Bennet's leg but Bennet calmly moves out of range.
Bennet steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Taus.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Melek Taus just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Michael Bennet's cut.
That's time! Bennet's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Bennet misses the shot to the body.
Bennet clobbers Taus with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Bennet changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Bennet throws the left hand but Taus avoids the punch easily.
Bennet thows a left - swing and a miss!
Good leg kick by Taus.
Taus scores with a nice head shot.
Bennet takes one to the side of the head.
Bennet slips a jab from Taus.
Taus looks for the body kick but Bennet saw that one coming.
Bennet turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bennet connects with a single shot there.
Taus throws a leg kick which misses Bennet's front leg but catches the back leg as Bennet tries to avoid it.
Taus takes one on the button.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Taus lands with a nice body punch.
Bennet moves into range and connects with a jab.
Taus missing with a left hand there. Bennet was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taus scores with a kick to the midsection.
Bennet connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Taus throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Taus tries to move into range but Bennet moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Bennet throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Bennet takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Taus keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Bennet connects with a nice looking jab.
Taus keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Bennet takes a swing at Taus's ribcage but misses.
Bennet waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Taus.
Bennet tries to clinch but Taus is having none of it.
Bennet throws the kick towards the body but Taus avoids it.
Bennet misses the shot to the body.
Taus tries a quick counter leg kick but Bennet is wise to it.
Taus looks to score with a jab to the body but Bennet is just out of range.
Taus moves out of range of the strikes.
Taus lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Taus throws a lazy right hand but Bennet sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Bennet slips under a jab.
Bennet uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Taus.
Bennet just misses with a punch to the body.
Bennet lands with a nice body punch.
Good standup being displayed there by Taus as he connects with a hook.

Bennet pushes Taus up against the cage in a clinch.

Bennet breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Taus scores with a jab. Bennet acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Taus moves out of range of the body kick.
Taus moves out of range as Bennet throws a body kick.
Taus moves out of range of the body kick from Bennet.
Taus takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Bennet defending well as Taus loads up on a big left hand.
Bennet lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Bennet dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taus tries to score with a low kick but Bennet moves his leg out of the way.
Taus is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Bennet.
Taus lands a nice shot that snaps Bennet's head back.
Bennet throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A punch lands to the side of Taus 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Taus throws a wild body kick that Bennet sees coming a mile off.
Bennet drops his hands momentarily and Taus takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Bennet misses with a body shot.
Taus throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
A quick step to the side and Bennet tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
A punch combination from Taus misses.
Taus moves out of range as Bennet throws a body kick.
Bennet uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Taus.
Taus moves out of range of the strikes.
Taus takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Bennet lands with a right hand.
Bennet moves out of range of the body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bennet misses the jab.
Bennet ducks under a wild hook from Taus.
It appears Bennet was looking to counter with a kick there.
Bennet cracks Taus with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Taus takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Taus lands a leg kick that knocks Bennet off balance momentarily.
Taus uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bennet.
Taus scores with a body shot.
Bennet uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Taus.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bennet. Taus does a little dance to reset his feet.
Taus connects with a solid leg kick.
Bennet scores with a jab. Taus acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Bennet lands a body shot.
Bennet tries to land a front kick but Taus steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Taus appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Taus lands with a thumping leg kick.
Taus works over Bennet's head and body with a nice combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Michael Bennet will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Michael Bennet's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Bennet keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Taus.
Bennet was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Taus avoids a kick to the body.
Bennet loads up on a big right hand but Taus slips the punch.
Taus checks the leg kick.
Taus misses the shot to the body.
Bennet ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Taus misses with an uppercut. Bennet saw that one coming.
Taus throws a wild body kick that Bennet sees coming a mile off.
Bennet swings for the body but Taus moves out of range.
Bennet tries to clinch up but Taus circles away and keeps his distance.
Taus takes a body punch but keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jab, jab by Bennet - just one landing.
Taus misses with a hook.
A jab from Taus misses.
Taus ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Bennet ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Taus moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taus misses with a kick to the body.
And Bennet counters with a quick kick to the body but Taus blocks it.
Nice uppercut there from Bennet.
Bennet throws the left hand but Taus avoids the punch easily.
Taus slips a straight right by Bennet.
Bennet lands a right hook to the body.
A clash of legs there as Taus blocks the low kick.
Taus fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bennet manages to avoid it.
Taus lands a nice hook to Bennet's body. Bennet takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bennet. Taus does a little dance to reset his feet.
A big left from Taus misses.
Bennet looks to score with a jab to the body but Taus is just out of range.
Bennet connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
A big left from Bennet misses.
Bennet is looking to chop away at Taus's legs.
Taus scores with a jab to the body.
Taus on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Melek Taus has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taus is looking to slow Bennet down with leg kicks.
Taus throws a head kick but Bennet moves out of range.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Bennet is looking to clinch but Taus is avoiding it.
Taus misses with a body kick.
Taus takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Taus ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bennet moves away.
Taus takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Bennet lands a really nice looking cross but Taus seems unphased.
Bennet blocks the body kick.
Taus throws a leg kick that misses.
Bennet throwing a counter right hand but Taus manages to avoid it.
A big right from Taus misses.
Bennet delivers a nice body kick.
Taus misses with an attempted mid kick.
An attempted straight right counter from Bennet misses the target.
Bennet throws a body punch but Taus moves out of range.
Donk. Taus catches Bennet right on the button with a cross.
Bennet connects with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bennet comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

Bennet closes the distance and clinches.
Taus throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Bennets head.
Taus lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Bennet backwards.
Bennet wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Taus can't find room to land a body shot as Bennet controls the action.
Bennet tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Taus's elbow.
Bennet misses with the head strike.
A head punch on the inside from Taus fails to land.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Taus.
Bennet tries to work over Taus's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Taus tries a body shot but Bennet blocks it.

Bennet escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nice uppercut lands for Bennet. That snapped Taus's head back.
Taus bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Bennet's head backwards.
Taus throws the kick towards the body but Bennet avoids it.
Taus takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Bennet uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Taus.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bennet takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Bennet tests Taus's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Taus gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Nice body punch from Bennet.
Taus attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Taus throws a lazy right hand but Bennet sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Bennet scores with a shot to the body.
A cross from Taus lands.
Bennet throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Taus's head.
Taus slips a jab from Bennet.
Bennet is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Taus.
Taus was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Taus connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Taus blocks the body kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michael Bennet showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Bennet 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 49:47
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 49:47
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michael Bennet!
Michael Bennet retains his light heavyweight title!
Michael Bennet bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.