PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mario Benedetti (ranked 34 p4p, 185 weight class) and Kebab Nurminen (ranked 5 p4p, 28 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Benedetti might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Bajafondo. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Benedetti
vs
Nurminen

179 cm
34
170
30 - 7 - 1

180 cm
33
177
17 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)
SynCity Fightwear

Conquer

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 30 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mario Benedetti!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kebab Nurminen!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, William Gold and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nurminen just misses with a punch to the body.
Benedetti tried to counter with a leg kick but Nurminen avoided it.
Benedetti uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nurminen.
A little feinted left hand from Benedetti on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Nurminen has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Benedetti is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Nurminen jabs Benedetti right on the nose. Benedetti blinks but takes it well.
Nurminen throws a body shot but no joy.
Nurminen takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Benedetti lands with an uppercut that bounces Nurminen off the cage and back into range.
Benedetti uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Nurminen.
Nurminen connects with a solid leg kick.
Nurminen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nurminen rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Benedetti counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Nurminen scores with a hook to the body. Benedetti takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Benedetti throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nurminen swings for the body but Benedetti moves out of range.
Nurminen throws a body punch but Benedetti moves out of range.
Benedetti uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nurminen.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nurminen needs to keep his hands up - Benedetti had a free shot at his head there.
Benedetti throws a shot from downtown. Nurminen moves away and avoids it.
Benedetti has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Spartan Mixed Martial Arts in the buildup to the fight.
Nurminen cracks Benedetti with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Nurminen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Benedetti moves away.
Nurminen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Benedetti.
Nurminen avoids a punch combination nicely.
Benedetti lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurminen throws an off balance right hand
and Benedetti counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Nurminen misses with a wild body shot.
A shot to the liver by Nurminen. Beautiful body shot.
Nurminen jabs Benedetti right on the nose. Benedetti blinks but takes it well.
Benedetti lands a right hook to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nurminen. Benedetti does a little dance to reset his feet.
Benedetti throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nurminen throws a body shot but no joy.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Nurminen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Benedetti.
Nurminen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Benedetti.
Benedetti throws a series of punches but Nurminen avoids them all with ease.
Benedetti throws the left hand but Nurminen avoids the punch easily.
Nurminen just misses with a punch to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Benedetti misses the target.
Nurminen scores with a nice head shot.
Nurminen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A little feinted left hand from Benedetti on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nurminen tries to move into range but Benedetti moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Nurminen is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Benedetti rather than just go for the knockout.
Benedetti stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Nice body punch from Benedetti.
Nurminen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Benedetti.
As Nurminen backs away, Benedetti returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nurminen dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Nurminen has taken the fight to the clinch.
Benedetti tries to break free but Nurminen pushes him back against the cage.
Nurminen lands a hook to the side of the head.
Still in the clinch, Benedetti scores with a nice short uppercut.

Nurminen has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Benedetti clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Benedetti is trying to get back to his feet but Nurminen has full control of the position and if anything, Benedetti has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Benedetti avoids the strikes from Nurminen.
Nurminen punches Benedetti on the ear.
Nurminen is punishing Benedetti with some ground and pound.
Nurminen punishes Benedetti with strikes from the back mount.
Nurminen scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.
Benedetti covering up well under a series of strikes from Nurminen.
Well, with Nurminen on his back, surely it's only a matter of time before Benedetti is tapping out... Can he escape the position?
Benedetti covering up well and avoiding damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benedetti has his hands over his head blocking the strikes from Nurminen.
Nurminen punches the canvas rather than the man.
Even with his hooks in, Nurminen manages to miss with strikes from the back.
Nurminen misses with a punch to the head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nurminen throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.
Benedetti avoids the strikes from Nurminen.
Benedetti covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.
Nurminen missing with punches from the back.
Nurminen thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.
Benedetti covering up well under a barage of strikes.
Benedetti manages to escape to a better position under a series of strikes. Nurminen is now in side control.
Benedetti defending against the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nurminen throwing strikes but Benedetti manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Nurminen struggling a bit here.
Nurminen is trying to improve his position.
Nurminen is still trying to improve position.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nurminen gets back to half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kebab Nurminen dominated that round.
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.

Nurminen closes the distance looking to clinch
enabling Benedetti to counter with a crisp jab.
Nurminen misses with a hook
and Benedetti cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Benedetti.
Benedetti throws a jab when Nurminen was well out of range.
Nurminen tries a low kick but Benedetti avoids it.
Nurminen takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
A jab from Benedetti misses.
Nurminen wants to counter with a clinch but Benedetti pushes him away.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Nurminen 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 Benedetti has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Benedetti and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Nurminen lands with a kick to the ribs.
Benedetti scores with a body shot.
No joy there for Benedetti, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Mario Benedetti is winning the standup battle so far.
Nurminen pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Nice defenses there by Nurminen.
Benedetti throws a low kick but Nurminen avoids it.
Nurminen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Benedetti was well out of range. Poor timing from Nurminen.
Nice defenses there by Benedetti.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nurminen looks to land a left hand but Benedetti moved out of range nicely.
Nurminen lands with a cross.
Nurminen looks to clinch
and Benedetti counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benedetti throws a low kick, looking for Nurminen's leg but Nurminen calmly moves out of range.
Nurminen misses with a lunging right hand
and Benedetti counters with a stiff right hand.
Nurminen takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Nurminen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nurminen tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
A big left from Nurminen misses.
Benedetti throws a hook but Nurminen avoids it easily.
Benedetti tests Nurminen's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Nurminen ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Nurminen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nurminen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Benedetti was well out of range. Poor timing from Nurminen.
Benedetti misses with a looping left.
Benedetti lands with a cross.
Nurminen throws a shot from downtown. Benedetti moves away and avoids it.
Benedetti uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nurminen. Benedetti does a little dance to reset his feet.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Benedetti!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nurminen looks to land a left hand but Benedetti moved out of range nicely.
Benedetti throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Benedetti's corner calls for a 1-2. Benedetti obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nurminen avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Nurminen walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Nurminen with a nice cross.
Benedetti lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Benedetti scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Nurminen loads up on a big right hand but Benedetti slips the punch.
Benedetti uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nurminen.
Benedetti tests Nurminen's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Nurminen misses the jab.
Nurminen misses the shot to the body.
Nurminen throws a poor cross that misses
enabling Benedetti to counter with a crisp jab.
Benedetti connects with a body shot.
Benedetti misses with a low kick as Nurminen jumps back.
Nurminen throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Nurminen throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
A swing and a miss from Nurminen.
Nurminen throws a body punch but Benedetti moves out of range.
Benedetti connects with a body shot.
Benedetti keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Nurminen.
Nurminen listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benedetti bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nurminen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Benedetti.
Nurminen comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Nurminen lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Nurminen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nurminen misses the shot to the body.
Benedetti scores with a hook to the body. Nurminen takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Nurminen throws an overhand right that lands on Benedetti's shoulder, as Benedetti tries to avoid the shot.
Nurminen looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Benedetti lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Benedetti swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Nurminen is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Nurminen just misses with a punch to the body.
Benedetti throwing a counter right hand but Nurminen manages to avoid it.
Nurminen wants to slow Benedetti down by chopping away at his legs.
It looked like Benedetti wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Nurminen takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Benedetti keeps the fight on the outside.
Nurminen slips under a jab.
Benedetti throws a low kick but Nurminen avoids it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nurminen walks into a straight right hand from Benedetti.
Benedetti misses with a hook.
Nurminen scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Nurminen misses.
Benedetti throwing a counter right hand but Nurminen manages to avoid it.
Nurminen scores with a jab to the body.
Nurminen throws a hook but Benedetti avoids it easily.
Benedetti defending well as Nurminen loads up on a big left hand.
Benedetti misses with a looping right.
Nurminen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A slow jab from Nurminen misses its intended target.
Nurminen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nurminen throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Benedetti lands with a good body shot.
Nurminen gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Nice defenses there by Nurminen.
Nurminen rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
letting Benedetti counter with a right hand.
Nurminen showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Benedetti.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Benedetti's jab looks to have found its range, popping Nurminen under the eye.
Benedetti lands an overhand right.
Nurminen throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Benedetti sees it coming and avoids it easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mario Benedetti dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Nurminen takes one to the side of the head.
Benedetti cracks Nurminen with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Nurminen connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Benedetti's hands.
Benedetti misses with a straight left.
A good leg kick by Benedetti.
Nurminen tries to land a leg kick but Benedetti saw it coming and moves away.
As Nurminen backs away, Benedetti returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Nurminen moves away from the strike by Benedetti.
A slow jab from Benedetti misses its intended target.
A telegraphed right hand from Benedetti misses the target.
Nurminen stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Benedetti.
Nurminen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Benedetti moves away.
Benedetti throws a jab but it's blocked by Nurminen.
Nurminen gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Nurminen throws the left hand but Benedetti avoids the punch easily.
Benedetti was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Benedetti connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Benedetti takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nurminen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Benedetti with a hook.
Benedetti tries to land a leg kick but Nurminen saw it coming and moves away.
Benedetti ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurminen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Benedetti with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Nurminen has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Nurminen attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Benedetti throws the left hand but Nurminen avoids the punch easily.
Nurminen swings for the body but Benedetti moves out of range.
Nurminen with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Nurminen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Benedetti moves away.
Benedetti throws a jab when Nurminen was well out of range.
Benedetti waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Nurminen.
Benedetti looks to land a right hand but Nurminen moved out of range.
Nice straight punches there by Nurminen. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Nurminen.
Benedetti misses with a few strikes there.
Benedetti walks into a left hand.
Benedetti throws a jab but it's blocked by Nurminen.
Benedetti drops his hands momentarily and Nurminen takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Benedetti slips a straight right by Nurminen.
Nurminen misses with a body shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Benedetti connects with a right hand. Nurminen shakes it off.
Nurminen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Benedetti was well out of range. Poor timing from Nurminen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benedetti scores with a jab to the jaw.
Benedetti connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Benedetti moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Benedetti fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Nurminen looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Benedetti lands with a cross.
Benedetti smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Nurminen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Benedetti manages to avoid it.
A big left from Benedetti misses.
Nurminen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
The fighters circling - Nurminen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Benedetti.
Nurminen jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Benedetti feints a jab promting Nurminen to slip. Benedetti then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Nurminen slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Nurminen throws a lazy right hand but Benedetti sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nurminen takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Nice cross by Benedetti.
Benedetti looks to throw the jab but Nurminen is out of range.
Nice cross by Benedetti.
Nurminen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Benedetti.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benedetti uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nurminen.
Benedetti was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Benedetti ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A jab from Nurminen does it's job there.
A swing and a miss from Nurminen.
Benedetti uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Nurminen.
Nurminen throws a body shot but no joy.
Nurminen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nurminen thumps Benedetti with a low kick.
Nurminen looks to score with a jab to the body but Benedetti is just out of range.
Nurminen misses with an uppercut.
Benedetti fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Nurminen misses with a wild body shot.
Benedetti scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Benedetti ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Benedetti connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Nurminen's hands.
Benedetti uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Nurminen.
Benedetti is looking to counter punch.
Nurminen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Benedetti moves out of range of the strikes.
Benedetti slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

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!
Nurminen misses with a looping right.
A jab from Nurminen misses.
A jab from Nurminen misses.
Nice defenses there by Nurminen.
A telegraphed right hand from Nurminen misses the target.
Nurminen's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Benedetti connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Nurminen scrambles back to his feet.
Nurminen lands with a right hand.
Benedetti just misses with a punch to the body.
Benedetti stuns Nurminen with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Benedetti lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nurminen. Benedetti does a little dance to reset his feet.
Benedetti misses the shot to the body.
Nurminen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Benedetti was well out of range. Poor timing from Nurminen.
Benedetti blocks a jab.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nurminen connects with a single shot there.
Benedetti is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Nurminen.
Nurminen tries to work over Benedetti's front leg with a kick but Benedetti checks it.
Benedetti was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Benedetti misses with a hook. Nurminen ducked under it nicely.
And Nurminen tries to counter it with a takedown but Benedetti pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Benedetti connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mario Benedetti clearly takes that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Nurminen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Benedetti was well out of range. Poor timing from Nurminen.
Nurminen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Benedetti.
Benedetti waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Nurminen.
Benedetti looks to score with a jab to the body but Nurminen is just out of range.
Benedetti takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Benedetti swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Benedetti throws a low kick but Nurminen moves out of range easily.
Nurminen throws a body punch but Benedetti moves out of range.
Benedetti throws a shot to the body.
Nurminen gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Nurminen feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Benedettis jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Benedetti's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Benedetti duly obliges.
A jab from Nurminen misses.
A slapping leg kick lands for Nurminen.
Benedetti throws the left hand but Nurminen avoids the punch easily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Benedetti misses with an uppercut. Nurminen saw that one coming.
Nurminen slips under a jab from Benedetti.
Benedetti fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Nurminen.
Nurminen throws a solid leg kick but Benedetti takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Nurminen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurminen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Benedetti manages to avoid it.
Benedetti throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nurminen with the counter takedown but Benedetti avoids it easily.
Nurminen misses with a looping right.
Jab, jab by Benedetti - just one landing.
Nurminen on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Nurminen misses the shot to the body.
Nurminen fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Nurminen is looking to clinch.
Nurminen throws a lazy right hand but Benedetti sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Benedetti throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Benedetti scores with a jab. Nurminen acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Benedetti uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nurminen.
A telegraphed right hand from Nurminen misses the target.
Nurminen takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Jab by Benedetti.
Nurminen throws a jab but it's blocked by Benedetti.
Nurminen cracks Benedetti with an open hand slap.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nurminen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Benedetti moves away from the strike by Nurminen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nurminen throws the left hand but Benedetti avoids the punch easily.
Nurminen connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Nurminen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Benedetti moves away.
Benedetti throws an overhand right that lands on Nurminen's shoulder, as Nurminen tries to avoid the shot.
Nurminen takes a swing at Benedetti's ribcage but misses.
Nurminen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Benedetti manages to avoid it.
Benedetti thuds his right hand into Nurminen's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Nurminen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Benedetti manages to avoid it.
Nurminen ducks under a wild hook from Benedetti.
Nurminen tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Mario Benedetti is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Benedetti throws a hook to the side of Nurminen's head but Nurminen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Nurminen throws a body shot but no joy.
Jab, jab by Benedetti - just one landing.
Benedetti connects with a body shot that sends Nurminen's belly button to the back.

Nurminen closes the distance and pushes Benedetti back into the cage.
Nurminen scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Nurminen misses with a hook from the clinch.
A short right from Nurminen on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurminen lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Nurminen goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A nice right hand lands inside from Nurminen.
Nurminen lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Benedetti or not.
Nurminen has a couple of punches blocked by Benedetti.
Nurminen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Nurminen has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Benedetti avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Nurminen changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Benedetti fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Nurminen takes a swing at Benedetti's ribcage but misses.
Good exchange - Benedetti coming out on top.
Nurminen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Benedetti was well out of range. Poor timing from Nurminen.
Nurminen misses with an uppercut.
Benedetti throws a shot from downtown. Nurminen moves away and avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nurminen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Benedetti takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Nurminen misses with a looping left.
Benedetti throws an overhand right that lands on Nurminen's shoulder, as Nurminen tries to avoid the shot.
Benedetti slips a jab from Nurminen.
Nurminen misses with a right hand
and Benedetti connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Nurminen throws an overhand right that lands on Benedetti's shoulder, as Benedetti tries to avoid the shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Benedetti swings for the body but Nurminen moves out of range.
Nurminen feints the counter takedown.
Benedetti connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Nurminen momentarily.
Benedetti throws a hook but Nurminen avoids it easily.
Benedetti scores with a shot to the body.
Nurminen wants to clinch.
Benedetti checks a leg kick nicely.
Benedetti lands with a nice body punch.
Benedetti throws a quick inside leg kick.
Nurminen connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Nurminen rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Benedetti counters with a leg kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Mario Benedetti will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Benedetti moves away from the strike by Nurminen.
Benedetti connects with a jab.
Benedetti ducks under a wild hook from Nurminen.
Nurminen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Benedetti.
Nurminen smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Nurminen misses the shot to the body.
Benedetti throws a looping overhand right but Nurminen ducks down to avoid it.
Nurminen throws an overhand right that lands on Benedetti's shoulder, as Benedetti tries to avoid the shot.
Benedetti moves out of range of the strikes.
Benedetti misses with a wild combination.
Benedetti stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nurminen takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Benedetti lands a nice leg kick that just misses Nurminen's sensitive parts.
Nurminen cracks Benedetti with a good jab.
Nurminen throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Benedetti stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
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!
Benedetti throws a looping overhand right but Nurminen ducks down to avoid it.
Nurminen's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Benedetti scores with a jab. Nurminen acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurminen misses the shot to the body.
Benedetti throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Both fighters circling a little - Nurminen finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Benedetti connects with a body shot that sends Nurminen's belly button to the back.
Nurminen thuds his right hand into Benedetti's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Benedetti moves out of range of the strikes.
Nurminen takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Nurminen throws a hook to the side of Benedetti's head but Benedetti sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Benedetti moves away from the strike by Nurminen.
Benedetti throws the left hand but Nurminen avoids the punch easily.
Nurminen misses with a lunging right hand
and Benedetti counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Nurminen jabs at Benedetti's body.
Nurminen moves out of range as Benedetti strikes.
Nurminen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Benedetti was well out of range. Poor timing from Nurminen.
Benedetti throws a hook to the side of Nurminen's head but Nurminen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Nurminen tests Benedetti's chin there with a solid looking shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Benedetti lands a glancing blow to the side of Nurminen's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benedetti with a hook.
Nurminen fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Benedetti has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Nurminen ducks right into an uppercut from Benedetti.
Benedetti tried to score with a low kick but Nurminen checks it.
Nurminen lands with a cross.
Nurminen takes a swing at Benedetti's ribcage but misses.
Benedetti fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Nurminen swings away with a body shot that misses
and Benedetti counters with a nice uppercut.
Benedetti takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Benedetti ducks under a wild hook from Nurminen.
Nurminen throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Benedetti connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Benedetti lands with a shot to the body.
Benedetti lands a body shot.
Benedetti throws a body punch but Nurminen moves out of range.
Nurminen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nurminen. Benedetti does a little dance to reset his feet.
A telegraphed right hand from Benedetti misses the target.
Nurminen is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
A punch combination from Benedetti misses.
The fighters circling - Nurminen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurminen lands a slapping body shot.
Benedetti pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Benedetti fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Nurminen on the side of the head.
Nurminen fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Benedetti on the side of the head.
Nurminen looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Benedetti swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Benedetti scores with a sloppy right hand. Nurminen should have avoided that one.
Benedetti lands a jab to Nurminen's midsection.
Benedetti catches Nurminen with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Kebab Nurminen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nurminen swings for the body but Benedetti moves out of range.
A slow jab from Nurminen misses its intended target.
Nurminen throws a body punch but Benedetti moves out of range.
Benedetti looks to land a combination but Nurminen avoids it well.
Nurminen misses with a wild body shot.
Benedetti lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Benedetti steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Nurminen.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nurminen moves out of range as Benedetti strikes.
Nurminen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Benedetti.
Nurminen throws a right hand that misses
and Nurminen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nurminen throws a leg kick but Benedetti moved away.
Nurminen swings for the body but Benedetti moves out of range.
It looked like Benedetti wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Nurminen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Benedetti.
Nurminen gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Benedetti scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Benedetti jabs at Nurminen's body.
Nurminen tries to clinch there but Benedetti circles away.
Nurminen takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Nurminen scores with a jab to the body.
Benedetti takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Benedetti misses with a straight left.
Benedetti looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Benedetti throws a good cross that connects.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A looping hook to the body misses from Benedetti. Nurminen does a little dance to reset his feet.
A combination from Benedetti does no damage.
A jab lands there for Benedetti.
Benedetti scores with a shot to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mario Benedetti showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Benedetti 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 48:47
Judge William Gold scores the fight 49:46
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mario Benedetti!
Mario Benedetti retains his welterweight title!
During a confident post fight interview, Mario Benedetti thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.