PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mario Benedetti (ranked 36 p4p, 154 weight class) and Kebab Nurminen (ranked 6 p4p, 25 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Benedetti might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Bajafondo. Kebab Nurminen has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Benedetti
vs
Nurminen

179 cm
35
170
32 - 8 - 1

180 cm
33
177
19 - 12 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

SynCity Fightwear
Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)

Voodoo Nutrition
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 32 - 8 - 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 19 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kebab Nurminen!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, James Ackerman and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Benedetti uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Nurminen.
Benedetti pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nurminen needs to keep his hands up - Benedetti had a free shot at his head there.
Nurminen misses with a body shot.
Nurminen throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Benedetti sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Benedetti drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Nurminen misses with a body shot.
Sloppy strikes from Benedetti. Those never looked like landing.
Benedetti moves into range and connects with a jab.

Nurminen closes the distance and clinches.
Nurminen drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Benedetti gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Benedetti's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nurminen 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.
Benedetti misses with a straight left.
Benedetti takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Benedetti defending well as Nurminen loads up on a big left hand.
Benedetti misses with a hook.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Benedetti misses with a low kick.
Benedetti tests Nurminen's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Benedetti connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Benedetti looks to land a right hand but Nurminen moved out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benedetti swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Benedetti connects with an inside leg kick.

Nurminen has taken the fight to the clinch.
Nurminen wants to take the fight to the mat but Benedetti manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Nurminen has a couple of punches blocked by Benedetti.
Benedetti wants to get back to striking at distance but Nurminen won't allow it.
Nurminen tries to score a body lock takedown but Benedetti shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Mario Benedetti has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kebab Nurminen.

Benedetti pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A slow jab from Nurminen misses its intended target.
Benedetti throws a combination. Nurminen tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Benedetti throws a lazy right hand but Nurminen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nurminen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Benedetti.
Nurminen uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Benedetti.
Nurminen staying out of range there.
Nurminen looks to score with a jab to the body but Benedetti is just out of range.
Benedetti takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Benedetti walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nurminen slips under a jab from Benedetti.
Benedetti throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Benedetti looks to land a right hand but Nurminen moved out of range.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Jab, jab by Benedetti - just one landing.
Nurminen blocks a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nurminen throws an overhand right that lands on Benedetti's shoulder, as Benedetti tries to avoid the shot.
Benedetti looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Nurminen gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Benedetti misses with a looping right.
Nurminen ducks under a wild hook from Benedetti.
Nurminen jabs Benedetti right on the nose. Benedetti blinks but takes it well.
Nurminen uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Benedetti.
Benedetti throws a right and a left that Nurminen avoids nicely.
Nurminen wants to counter with a clinch but Benedetti pushes him away.
Nurminen walks into a jab.
Nurminen slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Benedetti digs a good body shot into Nurminen's ribs.
Benedetti thuds his right hand into Nurminen's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Nurminen lands with an overhand left.
A swing and a miss from Nurminen.
Nice cross by Benedetti.
Nurminen misses with a straight right.
As Nurminen looks to move away, Benedetti throws a big counter combo but Nurminen just gets out of the way.
Nurminen misses with a low kick as Benedetti jumps back.
Benedetti was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Nurminen doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Benedetti throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Nurminen.
Nurminen takes a swing at Benedetti's ribcage but misses.
Nurminen lands with a good body shot.
Benedetti uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nurminen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Benedetti misses.
Some wild striking there from Benedetti.
Nurminen swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Benedetti.
Nurminen takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Nurminen takes one to the chin there.
Nurminen throws an overhand right that lands on Benedetti's shoulder, as Benedetti tries to avoid the shot.
Nurminen misses with an uppercut.
Nurminen takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
A telegraphed right hand from Nurminen misses the target.
Benedetti ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A good leg kick by Benedetti.
Nurminen throws a hook but Benedetti avoids it easily.
Nurminen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Benedetti manages to avoid it.
Mario Benedetti is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nurminen lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Benedetti has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Benedetti there as he acknowledges the shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nurminen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Benedetti misses with a straight right.
A shot to the body from Benedetti misses

and Nurminen counters by moving into the clinch.
Benedetti blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nurminen is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Benedetti is defending well.
Benedetti is looking to break free of the clinch but Nurminen has double underhooks.

Benedetti breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Benedetti avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Nurminen throws an overhand right that lands on Benedetti's shoulder, as Benedetti tries to avoid the shot.
Benedetti throws out a loose jab but Nurminen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Benedetti throws a jab but it's blocked by Nurminen.
Nurminen tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Benedetti misses with a straight right.
Benedetti is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Benedetti throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nurminen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Benedetti moves away.
Nurminen checks a leg kick.
Benedetti connects with a single shot there.
A jab from Nurminen finds it's way through Benedetti's defenses.
Nurminen on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Nurminen fails to land the takedown.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Benedetti moves away from the strike by Nurminen.
Benedetti lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Nurminen circles away quickly and effectively.
Nurminen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Benedetti manages to avoid it.
Benedetti swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Nurminen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Benedetti was well out of range. Poor timing from Nurminen.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Mario Benedetti will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Benedetti throws an overhand right that lands on Nurminen's shoulder, as Nurminen tries to avoid the shot.
A punch combination from Benedetti misses.
Nice uppercut lands for Nurminen. That snapped Benedetti's head back.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Benedetti. Nurminen shrugs it off though.
Nurminen takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Horrible takedown attempt by Nurminen or perhaps it was just good defense by Benedetti, which made it look bad.
Nurminen tries to work over Benedetti's front leg with a kick but Benedetti checks it.
Nurminen misses with an uppercut. Benedetti saw that one coming.
Nurminen looks to throw the jab but Benedetti is out of range.
Nurminen misses with an uppercut
and Benedetti counters with a left and a right that stings Nurminen.
A chopping leg kick lands by Benedetti.
Nurminen misses with a lunging right hand
and Benedetti counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nurminen. Benedetti does a little dance to reset his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Benedetti takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Benedetti lands an overhand right.
Nurminen tries to score with a low kick but Benedetti moves his leg out of the way.
Nurminen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Benedetti misses with a hook

and Nurminen counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Nurminen is looking to advance position but Benedetti has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Benedetti stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurminen fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Benedetti avoids it really well and circles away.
Benedetti throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Nurminen walks forward, straight into a front kick from Benedetti.
Benedetti uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Nurminen.
Nurminen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Benedetti lands a really nice looking cross but Nurminen seems unphased.
Nurminen takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Nurminen tries to clinch up.
A right-left combo lands from Benedetti.
Benedetti lands with an uppercut that bounces Nurminen off the cage and back into range.
Nurminen loads up on a big right hand but Benedetti slips the punch.
Nurminen looks to throw the jab but Benedetti is out of range.
Nurminen takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Benedetti fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nurminen manages to avoid it.
Benedetti throws a chopping leg kick but Nurminen manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Nurminen has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benedetti throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Nurminen on the side of the head.
Benedetti ducks right into an uppercut from Nurminen.
Nice uppercut there from Benedetti.
Nurminen gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Nurminen lands with a cross.
Nurminen takes a swing at Benedetti's ribcage but misses.
Benedetti lands a nice shot that snaps Nurminen's head back.
Nurminen looks to throw the jab but Benedetti is out of range.
Nurminen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Benedetti connects with a good right hand that stumbles Nurminen. Nurminen circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Nurminen works Benedetti's body with a nice hook.
Benedetti gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Nurminen.
Benedetti slips under a jab from Nurminen.
Nurminen missing with a left hand there. Benedetti was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Nurminen throws a body punch but Benedetti moves out of range.
Benedetti is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Nurminen can do to turn this around?
Good work by Nurminen as he checks the leg kick.
Benedetti connects with a crisp jab.
Nurminen looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Benedetti is fending him off so far but Nurminen persists. Nope, Benedetti circles away and we're back to standing.
Mario Benedetti has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kebab Nurminen.
Benedetti throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Benedetti throws a jab but it's blocked by Nurminen.
And Nurminen tries to counter it with a takedown but Benedetti pushes his down on his head and steps out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Benedetti finds it's way through Nurminen's defenses.
Nurminen swings for the body but Benedetti moves out of range.
Benedetti throwing a counter right hand but Nurminen manages to avoid it.
Benedetti throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Nurminen.
Benedetti scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Nurminen jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
The crowd cheers as Nurminen lands an impressive looking overhand right. Benedetti doesn't seem phased though.
Mario Benedetti is winning the standup battle so far.
Benedetti uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nurminen.
It looked like Benedetti wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Benedetti throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A big left from Benedetti misses.
Nurminen throws a lazy right hand but Benedetti sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Benedetti looks to land a left hand but Nurminen moved out of range nicely.
A swing and a miss from Benedetti.
Nurminen moves away from the strike by Benedetti.
Nurminen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nice jab there from Benedetti.
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 stiff left hand from Benedetti.
Benedetti pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Benedetti stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Nurminen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Benedetti was well out of range. Poor timing from Nurminen.
Benedetti takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benedetti throws an overhand right that lands on Nurminen's shoulder, as Nurminen tries to avoid the shot.
Nurminen takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Benedetti uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Nurminen.
Benedetti swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Nurminen works the jab nicely.
Nurminen walks into a left hand.
Nurminen takes a swing at Benedetti's ribcage but misses.
Benedetti keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Benedetti staying out of range there.
Nurminen looks to throw the jab but Benedetti is out of range.
Benedetti throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Nurminen stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Nurminen throws a right hand that misses
and Benedetti counters with a series of strikes. Nurminen will be more careful next time no doubt.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nurminen. Benedetti does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nurminen cracks Benedetti with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

Nurminen closes the distance and clinches.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nurminen takes a shot to the head.

Benedetti manages to break the clinch.
A slow jab from Nurminen misses its intended target.
Benedetti ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Benedetti misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Benedetti lands a jab.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mario Benedetti dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Benedetti lands with an uppercut that bounces Nurminen off the cage and back into range.
Nurminen misses with an uppercut. Benedetti saw that one coming.
Benedetti moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Benedetti loads up on a big right hand but Nurminen slips the punch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nurminen. Benedetti does a little dance to reset his feet.
Benedetti misses with a straight right.
Nurminen throws a body punch but Benedetti moves out of range.
Some wild striking there from Benedetti.
Nurminen uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Benedetti.
Benedetti misses with a body shot.
Benedetti lands a jab to Nurminen's midsection.
Benedetti throws a poor cross that misses

and Nurminen moves into the clinch.
Benedetti lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Nurminen backwards.

Benedetti breaks from the clinch.
Benedetti moves out of range of the strikes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Benedetti misses with an uppercut.
That kick from Benedetti tenderised Nurminen's leg. Nurminen is trying to keep his angry face on.
Benedetti swats away the attempt to clinch by Nurminen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurminen shoots for a double leg takedown but Benedetti sprawls well. He's pushed Nurminen's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Nurminen throws a body shot but no joy.
Nurminen is looking to land body kicks.
Benedetti jabs Nurminen right on the nose. Nurminen blinks but takes it well.
Benedetti throws a leg kick which misses Nurminen's front leg but catches the back leg as Nurminen tries to avoid it.
Benedetti gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Benedetti steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Nurminen.
Nurminen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nurminen digs a good body shot into Benedetti's ribs.
Benedetti lands with a good body shot.
Benedetti slips a straight right by Nurminen.
Nurminen looks to land a left hand but Benedetti moved out of range nicely.
A left lands for Benedetti.
Benedetti throws a chopping leg kick but Nurminen manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
The fighters circling - Nurminen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nurminen throws a hook but Benedetti avoids it easily.
Benedetti throws a push kick but Nurminen slaps the foot to one side.
Nurminen on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A nice leg kick from Benedetti, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nurminen misses with a hook
and Benedetti counters with a stiff right hand.
Nurminen connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Benedetti momentarily.
The fighters circling - Benedetti throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nurminen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Benedetti.
Benedetti slips under a jab.
Nurminen needs to keep his hands up - Benedetti had a free shot at his head there.
Benedetti swings for the body but Nurminen moves out of range.
Benedetti misses with a series of wild punches.
Benedetti misses with a straight left.
Benedetti misses with a head kick.
Benedetti moves out of range as Nurminen strikes.
Nurminen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Benedetti.
Benedetti slips under a jab.
Nurminen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nurminen lands with a shot to the body.
Nurminen moves forwards but Benedetti connects with a nice, crisp jab.
A slow jab from Nurminen misses its intended target.
Nurminen misses with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benedetti uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nurminen.
Good exchange - Benedetti coming out on top.
Nurminen takes a jab right on the kisser.
Benedetti lands with a cross.
Nurminen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Benedetti walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
A big right from Benedetti misses.
Nurminen scores with a jab to the body.
Nice defenses there by Nurminen.
Benedetti fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Nurminen on the side of the head.
Benedetti on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Nurminen misses with an uppercut.
A slow jab from Benedetti misses its intended target.
Benedetti is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nurminen slips a straight right by Benedetti.
Benedetti misses with an uppercut. Nurminen saw that one coming.
Benedetti blocks the body kick.
A counter left hand to the body from Benedetti misses its target.
Nurminen takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Benedetti with a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nurminen shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Benedetti misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nurminen ducks under a wild hook from Benedetti.
And Nurminen tries to counter it with a takedown but Benedetti pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Benedetti moves into range and connects with a jab.
The fighters circling - Benedetti throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Benedetti walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Nurminen checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Benedetti misses with a double jab

and Nurminen counters by clinching up.
A head punch on the inside from Benedetti fails to land.
Nurminen scores with a shoulder strike.
Nurminen tries to score a body lock takedown but Benedetti shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Mario Benedetti has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kebab Nurminen.
Nurminen pushes Benedetti back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Benedetti wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Nurminen is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Benedetti gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Benedetti breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Benedetti throws the left hand but Nurminen avoids the punch easily.
Benedetti moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Nurminen shoots in but no luck this time.
Nurminen sizes up Benedetti with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mario Benedetti clearly takes that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Benedetti displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Nurminen throws out the jab.
Benedetti is looking to counter punch.
Benedetti looks to land a combination. Nurminen sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Nurminen misses with a body shot.
Nurminen misses with a left hand
enabling Benedetti to counter with a crisp jab.
Benedetti tries to land a leg kick but Nurminen saw it coming and moves away.
Benedetti throws a shot from downtown. Nurminen moves away and avoids it.
Nurminen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Benedetti was well out of range. Poor timing from Nurminen.
A nice inside leg kick there by Benedetti. That's going to slow Nurminen down.
Nurminen avoids the body shot from Benedetti.
Nurminen moves into range and connects with a jab.
Nurminen tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Benedetti defends well and Nurminen ends up having to push Benedetti into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Nice defenses there by Nurminen.
Benedetti walks into a jab.
Benedetti throws an overhand right that lands on Nurminen's shoulder, as Nurminen tries to avoid the shot.
Nurminen misses with a straight right.
Benedetti scores with a jab to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Benedetti ducks under a wild hook from Nurminen.
Nurminen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Nurminen scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Benedetti doesn't seem bothered though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benedetti looks to throw the jab but Nurminen is out of range.
Nurminen misses with a wild body shot.
Nurminen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Benedetti throws out the jab.
Benedetti ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Benedetti missing with a left hand there. Nurminen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Nurminen looks to score with a jab to the body but Benedetti is just out of range.
Nurminen ducks under a wild hook from Benedetti.
Nurminen takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
A jab lands there for Benedetti.
Benedetti throws a nice inside leg kick.
Nurminen misses with a body shot.
Nurminen lands with an uppercut that bounces Benedetti off the cage and back into range.
Benedetti avoids the body shot from Nurminen.
Benedetti misses with a jab, cross combination.
Nurminen shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Benedetti defends it nicely.
Nurminen's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Nurminen misses with an uppercut. Benedetti saw that one coming.
Nurminen connects with a single shot there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nurminen misses with a body shot.
Nurminen swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Benedetti lands with a kick to the temple. Nurminen shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Benedetti throws a hook but Nurminen avoids it easily.
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 swings and misses with a hook to the body.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Nurminen.
Benedetti was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Mario Benedetti is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Mario Benedetti has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kebab Nurminen.
Benedetti throws a looping overhand right but Nurminen ducks down to avoid it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Nurminen looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Nurminen misses with an uppercut. Benedetti saw that one coming.
Nurminen throws a shot from downtown. Benedetti moves away and avoids it.
Benedetti goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Benedetti avoids the body shot from Nurminen.
Benedetti comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Nurminen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
An attempted straight right counter from Benedetti misses the target.
Nice defenses there by Nurminen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurminen lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Nice body punch from Nurminen.
Benedetti rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Nurminen moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nurminen swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A big right from Nurminen misses.
Nurminen looks to throw the jab but Benedetti is out of range.
Benedetti throwing a counter right hand but Nurminen manages to avoid it.
Nurminen throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Benedetti lands a head shot.
Benedetti throws out a powerful jab.
Nurminen throws a push kick but Benedetti slaps the foot to one side.
Benedetti scores with a hook to the body. Nurminen takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

Nurminen clinches up with Benedetti and pushes him back against the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Nurminen.
Kebab Nurminen seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Nurminen is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Benedetti pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Benedetti blocks an uppercut.
Nurminen wants a takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nurminen lands a body shot in the clinch.

Nurminen has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Benedetti regains guard immediately.

Benedetti kicks Nurminen off and gets to his feet.
Nurminen takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Benedetti delivers a nice body kick.
Nurminen scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Benedetti throws a leg kick but Nurminen moved away.
Benedetti misses with a jab, cross combination.
Nurminen throws a big shot that misses.
Benedetti has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Benedetti there as he acknowledges the shot.
Benedetti stuns Nurminen with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The fighters circling - Benedetti throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Benedetti misses with an uppercut.
Nurminen steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Benedetti.
Benedetti throws a jab when Nurminen was well out of range.
Benedetti scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Nurminen doesn't seem bothered though.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mario Benedetti had his way with Kebab Nurminen in that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

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.
A slow jab from Nurminen misses its intended target.
Benedetti misses the jab.
Nurminen throws a jab but it's blocked by Benedetti.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Benedetti.
Benedetti throws a hook but Nurminen blocks it.
Benedetti misses with a few strikes there.
Nurminen lands an overhand right.
Nurminen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Benedetti throws out the jab.
Benedetti catches Nurminen with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Nurminen moves into range and connects with a jab.
Nurminen ducks under a wild hook from Benedetti.
Nurminen misses with a hook.
Nurminen tries to clinch up.
Benedetti takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Nurminen throws a shot from downtown. Benedetti moves away and avoids it.
Nurminen waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Benedetti.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Benedetti lands an overhand right.
Benedetti dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Nurminen. That did some damage!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurminen takes a swing at Benedetti's ribcage but misses.
Nurminen shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Benedetti but Benedetti pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Benedetti throws a hook to the side of Nurminen's head but Nurminen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Benedetti keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Nurminen.
No luck for Nurminen with that takedown attempt.
Benedetti throws a hook but Nurminen avoids it easily.
Benedetti tries to score with a low kick but Nurminen moves his leg out of the way.
Nurminen changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Nurminen takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Nurminen throws a lazy right hand but Benedetti sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nurminen throws a leg kick
and Benedetti counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Nurminen misses with a body shot.
Nurminen throws a hook to the side of Benedetti's head but Benedetti sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A telegraphed right hand from Nurminen misses the target.
Nurminen defending well as Benedetti loads up on a big left hand.
Nurminen with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Benedetti to score with a decent uppercut.
Nice defenses there by Nurminen.
Kebab Nurminen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benedetti moves out of range as Nurminen strikes.
Benedetti throws a series of punches but Nurminen moves out of range.
Nurminen missing with a left hand there. Benedetti was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nurminen. Benedetti does a little dance to reset his feet.
Decent striking displayed by Benedetti there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Benedetti avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Benedetti drops his hands momentarily and Nurminen takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Benedetti scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Nurminen wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Nurminen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
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.
Nice defenses there by Nurminen.
Benedetti takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Nurminen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Benedetti avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Nurminen throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Benedetti counters with a head kick. That will keep Nurminen thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Nurminen loads up on a big right hand but Benedetti slips the punch.
Benedetti throws a lazy right hand but Nurminen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nurminen throws a jab when Benedetti was well out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurminen swings for the body but Benedetti moves out of range.
Benedetti swings widly with a right hand

and Nurminen counters by clinching up.
Nurminen tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Nurminen makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Nurminen changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Benedetti fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Mario Benedetti has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kebab Nurminen.
Benedetti dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Nurminen. That did some damage!
Benedetti keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nurminen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Benedetti.
Benedetti lands a lovely overhand right.
Nurminen shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Benedetti as he avoids it easily.
Nurminen is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Nice cross by Benedetti.
Nurminen looks to score with a jab to the body but Benedetti is just out of range.
Benedetti throws out a powerful jab.
Benedetti looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Nurminen on the wrong end of a nice hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nurminen throws a leg kick which misses Benedetti's front leg but catches the back leg as Benedetti tries to avoid it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Benedetti clobbers Nurminen with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Nurminen misses with a looping left.
Nurminen tries to clinch there but Benedetti circles away.
Benedetti throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Nurminen stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Benedetti fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Nurminen misses with an uppercut.
Benedetti leaves Nurminen with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Benedetti thumps Nurminen with a low kick.
Benedetti scores with a jab. Nurminen acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Nice cross by Benedetti.
Benedetti checks a leg kick nicely.
Nurminen on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nurminen blocks a jab.
Benedetti uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Nurminen.
Benedetti slips under a jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mario Benedetti showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Benedetti, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 50:45
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 50:45
Judge James Glass scores the fight 50:45

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.