PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Big Smoke (ranked 5228 p4p, 4724 weight class) and Stephen Bennet (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Smoke comes to the cage accompanied by It Was A Good Day. Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Smoke
vs
Bennet

185 cm
24
225
1 - 2 - 0

195 cm
25
272
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Big Smoke!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Stephen Bennet!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Don Winkell and Percy O'Donnell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smoke throws a leg kick that misses.
Smoke scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Bennet doesn't seem bothered though.
Smoke throws a series of strikes that have Bennet backpedaling.

It looks like Stephen Bennet has been cut.
Bennet tries to clinch but Smoke moves out of range.
Smoke was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Smoke moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Smoke misses with a double jab.
Bennet uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Smoke.
Bennet dives in and grabs Smoke's left leg, looking for a takedown. Smoke pushes down on Bennet's head and hops out.
Bennet throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Bennet tries to close the distance and clinch up but Smoke swats him away and circles back towards the center.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Bennet.
Bennet tries to clinch but Smoke is having none of it.
Smoke with a body punch. A glancing blow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bennet swings for the body but Smoke moves out of range.
Big Smoke is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Bennet shoots in looking for a takedown. Smoke tries to sprawl out of it but Bennet keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Smoke manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Big Smoke has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Stephen Bennet.
Smoke's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Smoke duly obliges.
Smoke circles away from the clinch attempt.
Smoke takes a kick to the side of the head.

It looks like Big Smoke has been cut.
Bennet tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Smoke manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A looping hook to the body misses from Smoke. Bennet does a little dance to reset his feet.
Bennet misses with a wild combination.
Smoke swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bennet fails with an attempt to clinch.
Smoke throws a right and a left that both miss.
Bennet shoots in for a double leg but Smoke sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Bennet takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Smoke throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Bennet.
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 slips a jab and a cross from Smoke.
Bennet fails in his attempt to clinch.
Bennet avoids a punch combination nicely.
Smoke tries to bum rush Bennet with a series of wild strikes but Bennet uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Smoke rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Bennet moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Bennet takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Smoke lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smoke throws a leg kick but Bennet checks it.
Smoke slaps away a takedown attempt from Bennet, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Bennet has a takedown stuffed.
Bennet throws a head kick that misses
and Smoke counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Bennet shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Smoke sprawls well. Smoke wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Bennet gets slowly back to his feet.
Smoke tries to counter by clinching up but Bennet breaks away and moves out of range.
Smoke pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Bennet back to the cage. Smoke follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bennet misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Smoke throws a body punch but Bennet moves out of range.
Smoke stalks Bennet and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Bennet's face. Bennet staggers backwards, shaken.
Smoke with a jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Smoke misses with a double jab.
Smoke tries a head kick but it misses.
Smoke is looking to wear down Bennet with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Bennet tries to clinch up
enabling Smoke to counter with a crisp jab.
Smoke misses with a series of wild punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Big Smoke dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Bennet.
Big Smoke is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bennet fails with the takedown
and Smoke counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Smoke fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bennet manages to avoid it.

Bennet gets tackled into the cage by Smoke. Smoke maintains the clinch.
Bennet tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Big Smoke has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Stephen Bennet.
Smoke is trying to push Bennet away but Bennet has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Smoke here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Bennet wants to take the fight to the mat but Smoke manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Smoke is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Bennet can do to turn this around?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smoke is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Bennet is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Bennet breaks the clinch.
Smoke scores with a jab to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bennet keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Smoke throws a nice looking combination but Bennet bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Bennet is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Smoke scores with a hook to the body. Bennet takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Smoke swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bennet is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Bennet tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
An attempted straight right counter from Smoke misses the target.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Bennet is trying to push Smoke away but Smoke has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Bennet tries to break free but Smoke pushes him back against the cage.
Bennet wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Bennet fails to pull guard.
Bennet tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Smoke's elbow.
Smoke avoids the elbow strike from Bennet, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smoke wants to get back to striking at distance but Bennet won't allow it.
Smoke tries to circle away but Bennet has him pinned against the cage.
Smoke is trying to force a seperation but Bennet has the dominant position.
Bennet gets underhooks to prevent Smoke's takedown attempt.
Smoke lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Bennet.
Smoke slowing the pace effectively.
Bennet managing to block the knees to the body from Smoke.
Bennet drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Smoke.
Bennet working hard to break the clinch.

Bennet pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Smoke has managed to clinch.
Smoke misses with a body punch.
Bennet is trying to pull guard but Smoke has him pressed against the cage.
Bennet jumps guard but Smoke turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Bennet wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Smoke wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Bennet has him pressed against the cage.
Smoke is trying to break the clinch but Bennet has him pressed against the cage.
Bennet keeps control of Smoke as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Smoke wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Bennet has him pressed against the cage.
Smoke is looking to break free of the clinch but Bennet has double underhooks.
Smoke avoiding damage as Bennet throws knees to the body.
Bennet controlling the action here for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Bennet fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Bennet missing with knees to the body.

Bennet breaks the clinch.
Smoke stuffs the takedown attempt from Bennet. Bennet gets slowly back to his feet.
Bennet throws a head kick that misses.
Smoke throws a right hand that Bennet ducks under and follows up with a left that Bennet also avoids with ease.
Smoke with a hook.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bennet shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Smoke defends it nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Big Smoke dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
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!

Smoke throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nice jab there from Smoke.
Big Smoke is winning the standup battle so far.
Bennet fails in his attempt to clinch.
Bennet moves to clinch but Smoke breaks away
and Smoke connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Bennet tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Smoke swivels and escapes.
Smoke attempts a counter takedown but Bennet avoids it well and moves away.
Bennet gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Smoke.
A head kick by Bennet misses
and Smoke counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Smoke stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Smoke wants it to stay on the feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bennet closes this distance looking for a takedown but Smoke circles away.
Big Smoke has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Stephen Bennet.
Bennet takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Bennet tries for a takedown but Smoke sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
It looked like Smoke was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Smoke jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Bennet takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smoke looks to land a combination but Bennet avoids it well.
Smoke looks to land a combination. Bennet sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Bennet is trying desperately to land a takedown but Smoke is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Bennet.
Smoke throws a series of strikes that have Bennet backpedaling.

That has opened up Stephen Bennet's cut even more.
Bennet wants to clinch but Smoke slips to the side
and Smoke counters with a left and a right that stings Bennet.
Smoke displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Bennet.
Smoke scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Bennet avoids the body shot from Smoke.
Bennet tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Bennet lands a head kick. Smoke smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Smoke throws a nice looking combination but Bennet bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Smoke moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Smoke rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Bennet moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smoke throws a series of punches but Bennet moves out of range.
Smoke cracks Bennet with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Smoke throws a series of punches but Bennet moves out of range.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Smoke trying to land knees to the body.
Bennet wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Bennet can't get the takedown.
A short left from Smoke.
Smoke lands a right hand.
Smoke on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smoke is trying to break the clinch but Bennet has him pressed against the cage.
Bennet prevents Smoke from breaking the clinch.

Smoke's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Smoke misses with a hook.
Smoke feints a jab promting Bennet to slip. Smoke then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Bennet slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Bennet tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Smoke defends well and Bennet ends up having to push Smoke into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Bennet looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Smoke is fending him off so far but Bennet persists. Nope, Smoke circles away and we're back to standing.
A head kick misses from Bennet.
Smoke seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

Smoke moves into the clinch.
Bennet tries to circle away but Smoke has him pinned against the cage.
Smoke is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Smoke dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short body shot lands from Smoke as the two fighters clinch.
Smoke tries to circle away but Bennet has him pinned against the cage.
Smoke leaning against his opponent.
Bennet tries to land knees in the clinch but Smoke avoids the damage to the body.
Bennet looking to stall.
Smoke has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Smoke is working Bennet over against the cage.
Bennet keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Smoke's efforts to push away.
Smoke gets through Bennet's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Big Smoke showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Smoke has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:26
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Big Smoke!
Big Smoke was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.