|
|
PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Henson Benderson (ranked 1382 p4p, 1055 weight class) and Usko Matonen (ranked 75 p4p, 60 weight class). Benderson comes into the arena with The Time is Now blaring out of the sound system. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!
 |
|
 |
| 168 cm
41
145
30 - 30 - 0 |
|
165 cm
36
140
19 - 15 - 2 |
BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power |
|
Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin |
|
| |
|
Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 30 - 30 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Henson Benderson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 15 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Usko Matonen!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, James Glass and Richard Clark.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matonen throws a chopping leg kick but Benderson manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Matonen swings away with a body shot that misses
and Benderson counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Benderson scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Matonen takes a jab right on the kisser.
A big right from Benderson misses.
Benderson fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Matonen checks it well.
Matonen only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Matonen tries to clinch but Benderson moves out of range.
Benderson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Benderson throws a big shot that misses.
Matonen connects with a solid leg kick.
Matonen avoids the body shot from Benderson.
Despite the aggression on Matonen's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Matonen is looking to slow Benderson down with leg kicks.
We've been informed that Matonen has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Matonen tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Benderson is able to avoid easily.
Benderson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Matonen throws out the jab.
Matonen throws an overhand right that lands on Benderson's shoulder, as Benderson tries to avoid the shot.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Matonen lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Matonen misses the jab.
Matonen takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Matonen throws a lazy right hand but Benderson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Benderson is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Benderson definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Usko Matonen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Some bone on bone action there as Matonen checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Matonen is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Benderson wants to clinch.
A nice leg kick lands there from Matonen.
Benderson wants to clinch.
Matonen only half commits to the counter leg kick.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benderson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Matonen swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Benderson throws a jab but it's blocked by Matonen.
Despite the aggression on Matonen's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Matonen connects with a crisp jab.
Matonen has Benderson up against the cage in a clinch.
Matonen lands with a short head shot on the inside.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Matonen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Matonen lands with a nice combination. Benderson backs away looking to recover.
Benderson misses with a straight left.
Matonen connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Benderson's hands.
Benderson drives through and clinches with Matonen against the cage.
Matonen fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Matonen creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Matonen lands a hook that snaps the head of Benderson backwards.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matonen struggles to land a body shot inside as Benderson controls his hands.
Benderson letting Matonen take a breather here.
Benderson prevents a body shot from Matonen.
Matonen lands a hook that snaps the head of Benderson backwards.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Matonen throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Bendersons head.
Matonen misses with a hook from the clinch.
Matonen holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Matonen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Matonen misses with a lunging right hand
and Benderson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice cross by Benderson.
Matonen misses with a hook
and Benderson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Benderson catches Matonen with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Benderson throws a nice outside leg kick.
Benderson tries to clinch but Matonen moves out of range.
A little jabbing left from Matonen on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Matonen chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Matonen is looking to score with low kicks.
Benderson throws a shot from downtown. Matonen moves away and avoids it.
Matonen looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Matonen clinches up against the cage.
Matonen breaks the clinch.
Matonen throws a leg kick but Benderson sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Benderson takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Benderson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Benderson takes one to the side of the head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Usko Matonen dominated that round.
That's time! Benderson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.
A punch lands to the side of Benderson 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Matonen throws a sloppy head kick
and Benderson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Benderson tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Benderson takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Matonen ducks under a wild hook from Benderson.
Matonen clinches up against the cage.
Benderson tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Matonen avoids it.
Benderson tries to land knees in the clinch but Matonen avoids the damage to the body.
Benderson leaning his opponent against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Matonen creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Matonen as Benderson tries to tie him up.
Benderson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Matonen blocks it with crossed arms.
That's one minute gone in the round.
A short left from Matonen.
Matonen lands a right hand.
Benderson misses with an elbow over the top.
Benderson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Matonen.
Usko Matonen seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Benderson presses Matonen against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Matonen is struggling to control the position.
Matonen lands with a short shot to the head.
Matonen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Benderson slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Benderson moves out of range as Matonen strikes.
Both fighters circling a little - Matonen finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Matonen lands a nice looking body shot.
Matonen misses the jab.
Benderson throws a hook but Matonen avoids it easily.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matonen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Benderson manages to avoid it.
Benderson was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Matonen fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Matonen cracks Benderson with a good jab.
Benderson scores with a jab.
Matonen feints and then cracks Benderson's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Benderson down.
Benderson tries to move into range but Matonen moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Matonen feints and then cracks Benderson's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Benderson down.
Matonen tries to clinch
and Benderson counters with a nice uppercut.
A swing and a miss from Benderson.
Benderson drops his hands momentarily and Matonen takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Matonen motions for Benderson to come forward. Matonen throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Matonen scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Matonen has managed to clinch.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matonen lands a hook that snaps the head of Benderson backwards.
Matonen lands a left hand that snaps the head of Benderson backwards.
Matonen throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Bendersons head.
Matonen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Matonen misses with a straight left.
Matonen buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Benderson misses the target.
Benderson throws the left hand but Matonen avoids the punch easily.
Matonen has managed to clinch.
Matonen works on Benderson's body with a couple of short punches.
Matonen lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A right hand to the body from Matonen.
Matonen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Benderson is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Matonen misses with a low kick.
Matonen cracks Benderson with an open hand slap.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Matonen closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
A short right from Matonen.
Benderson is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Matonen is keeping busy.
Benderson will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Matonen up against the cage.
Benderson looking to slow down the pace here.
Matonen goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Matonen lands an uppercut.
Matonen leaning against his opponent.
Nice body punch from Matonen.
Matonen breaks the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Usko Matonen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Benderson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!
Benderson dodges the punch combination from Matonen.
Benderson stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Matonen.
Benderson on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Benderson throws a lazy uppercut
and Matonen counters with a nice low kick that buckles Benderson's knee momentarily.
Matonen lands a jab to the nose.
Benderson lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Matonen swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Benderson throws an overhand right that lands on Matonen's shoulder, as Matonen tries to avoid the shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matonen throws a head kick that Benderson semi-blocks.
Nice defenses there by Matonen.
Matonen looks to land a body kick but Benderson moved away.
Benderson throws a half hearted mid kick.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Matonen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Benderson moves away.
Benderson has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Matonen.
Matonen has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Matonen moves into the clinch.
Benderson tries a body shot but Matonen blocks it.
Benderson blocking some punches.
Matonen stalls.
Matonen lands a left hand.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Matonen.
The referee is keeping an eye on Benderson - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Matonen is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Matonen breaks the clinch.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benderson takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Matonen tries to work over Benderson's front leg with a kick but Benderson checks it.
Benderson throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Matonen scores with a jab.
Matonen takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Usko Matonen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Matonen lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Benderson moves forwards but Matonen connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Nice defenses there by Matonen.
Matonen drives through and clinches with Benderson against the cage.
Matonen misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Benderson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Matonen working aggressively here.
Benderson tries a knee to the head but Matonen blocks it.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
A bit of stalling here from Matonen.
Benderson taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for Matonen.
Benderson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Matonen.
Benderson working aggressively here.
Nice body punch from Matonen - that landed with a thud.
Matonen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Matonen lands a nice shot to the body.
Good standup being displayed there by Matonen as he connects with a hook.
Matonen lands with a thumping leg kick.
Matonen slips a straight right by Benderson.
Matonen throws a sloppy head kick and Benderson moves out of range easily.
Matonen takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Nice uppercut lands for Matonen. That snapped Benderson's head back.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matonen takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Matonen gets a clinch.
Matonen is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Matonen doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Matonen can't find room to land a body shot as Benderson controls the action.
Matonen lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Henson Benderson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Matonen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Benderson throws a jab when Matonen was well out of range.
Matonen with a nice cross.
Matonen lands a glancing blow to the side of Benderson's head.
Usko Matonen is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Matonen keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Matonen cracks Benderson with a good jab.
Matonen throws a shot to the body.
And that's the end of the fight!
Usko Matonen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Matonen has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 James Ackerman scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 27:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Usko Matonen!
Our winner, Usko Matonen, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.
Henson Benderson spoke after the fight, saying 'Damn...'.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
|
S |
C |
G |
|
energy
A | B |
|
hype
A | B |
|
pop
A | B |
|
mgr
A | B |
|
FIGHT
RATING
65% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
