PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Luka Marka (ranked 1275 p4p, 3546 weight class) and Nigel Benn Jr (ranked 34 p4p, 87 weight class). Marka comes to the cage accompanied by HADES. There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Marka
vs
Benn Jr

180 cm
27
185
12 - 8 - 1

185 cm
43
203
35 - 30 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Shadow Realm Apparel

Voodoo Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Luka Marka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 35 - 30 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Nigel Benn Jr!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Paul Aken and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Marka fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Good shot there by Marka.
Benn Jr keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Benn Jr misses the target.
Marka lands a slapping body shot.
Benn Jr blocks a jab.
Marka has been working on his boxing with his coaches at in shig we trust in the buildup to the fight.
Marka scores with a hook to the body. Benn Jr takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Benn Jr throws a lazy right hand but Marka sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Marka closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Benn Jr manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Benn Jr thows a huge punch but Marka dodges it nicely.
Benn Jr not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Benn Jr thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Benn Jr thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
I've been told that Benn Jr has been drilling his wrestling of late, which has already helped him take this fight to the mat. Let's see how much of an impact it has on the outcome of the ground game.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benn Jr not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Benn Jr tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Marka won't allow Benn Jr to pass to mount.
Marka wants to improve his position but Benn Jr is controlling well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Marka trying to control from the bottom.
Benn Jr is pressing down on Marka's thigh, looking to free his foot. Marka is holding on for now.

Benn Jr postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Marka to stand up.
Marka misses with an uppercut.
Benn Jr fails to land with a series of punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marka throws a hook but Benn Jr blocks it.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Benn Jr! But no joy.
Good exchange - Marka coming out on top.
Marka stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Benn Jr staying out of range there.
Benn Jr takes one to the chin there.
Marka misses with a wild body shot.
Benn Jr moves out of range of the strikes.
Benn Jr shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Marka blocks a jab.
Benn Jr misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Marka lands a body shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Marka throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Benn Jr on the side of the head.
Marka uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Benn Jr.
A little feinted left hand from Marka on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Benn Jr slips a straight right by Marka.
Marka lands with an uppercut that bounces Benn Jr off the cage and back into range.
Marka fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Benn Jr manages to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benn Jr slips a straight right by Marka.
Benn Jr is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Marka with a body shot.
Benn Jr misses with a double jab.
Marka wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Marka digs a good hook to Benn Jr's body.
Marka pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Benn Jr jabbing away but nothing is landing.
It looked like Marka was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Benn Jr.
The fighters circling - Benn Jr throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Marka throwing a counter right hand but Benn Jr manages to avoid it.
Marka is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Benn Jr.
Marka throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Marka shoots in for a takedown but Benn Jr shows good takedown defense.
Nigel Benn Jr is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Marka punishes Benn Jr's body with a nice straight punch.
Marka dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Marka scores with a shot to the body.
Marka scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Marka dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Benn Jr looks to score with a jab to the body but Marka is just out of range.
Benn Jr misses the jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marka with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Marka slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Marka lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Benn Jr scores with a jab.
Luka Marka seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Marka misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Benn Jr.
Benn Jr throws out a counter right but Marka avoids it with no problem.
Marka is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
The fighters circling - Benn Jr throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Marka swings for the body but Benn Jr moves out of range.
Marka cracks Benn Jr with a right hand to the side of the head.
Marka misses with a two punch combination.
Benn Jr is looking to land body kicks.
Marka connects with a body shot that sends Benn Jr's belly button to the back.

Marka bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Benn Jr regains half guard.
Benn Jr is trying to stand back up but Marka is controlling him
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

A swing and a miss from Benn Jr.
It looked like Marka wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Benn Jr takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

Marka shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Benn Jr looking for a sweep. Not yet Benn Jr, not yet.
Benn Jr has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Benn Jr has an active guard here but Marka has managed to pass into half guard.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Benn Jr pushes Marka off and gets back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Marka uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Benn Jr.
Marka looks to land a left hand but Benn Jr moved out of range nicely.
Marka misses the shot to the body.
No luck for Marka with that takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Marka is defended easily by Benn Jr.
Benn Jr swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Benn Jr looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Marka cracks a nice hook into Benn Jr's ribs.
Marka fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Benn Jr manages to avoid it.
Benn Jr throws a counter combo.
Benn Jr looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Benn Jr uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Marka.
Benn Jr throws a sloppy head kick and Marka moves out of range easily.
Benn Jr uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Marka.
Marka slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Benn Jr looks for the body kick but Marka saw that one coming.
Marka fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Benn Jr avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Luka Marka. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Marka shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Marka was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Benn Jr throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
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!
Marka moves out of range of the strikes.
Marka missing with a left hand there. Benn Jr was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Marka is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Benn Jr can do to turn this around?
Marka works Benn Jr's body with a nice hook.
Marka misses the jab.
Benn Jr misses with an attempted mid kick.

Benn Jr gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Benn Jr trying to strike off his back.
Nigel Benn Jr has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benn Jr looking for a sweep. Not yet Benn Jr, not yet.

Benn Jr looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Marka is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Benn Jr looking to hit a scissor sweep but Marka is one step ahead there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Benn Jr is looking to stand back up but Marka counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Benn Jr.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Benn Jr wants to control but Marka passes into side.
Benn Jr is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Marka off and has taken his back!

Benn Jr looking to finish the fight with a rear naked choke. Marka is controlling Benn Jr 's left arm and he spins nicely into guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Luka Marka will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Donk. Marka catches Benn Jr right on the button with a cross.
Nice sprawl there from Benn Jr as Marka shoots in.
Benn Jr throws a jab when Marka was well out of range.
Benn Jr takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Benn Jr rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Marka moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Marka lands with a straight right. Benn Jr didn't see that one coming.
Marka dodges the punch combination from Benn Jr.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
No joy there for Marka, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
The fighters circle momentarily. Marka darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
A swing and a miss from Marka.
Marka misses with a wild body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Marka.
Marka staying out of range there.
Nigel Benn Jr is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Benn Jr misses with a looping left.
Marka appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Marka looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Luka Marka. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Benn Jr uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Marka.
Benn Jr ducks right into an uppercut from Marka.
Marka connects with a crisp jab.
Marka fails with the takedown
and Benn Jr connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Benn Jr throws a series of punches but Marka moves out of range.
Marka steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Benn Jr.
Benn Jr throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Marka tests Benn Jr's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Marka misses with a right hand
and Benn Jr counters with a stiff right hand.
Nigel Benn Jr has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Luka Marka is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Luka Marka is winning the standup battle so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benn Jr walks into a straight right hand from Marka.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Benn Jr takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Marka keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Marka with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Benn Jr cracks Marka with a good jab.
Marka swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Benn Jr.
Benn Jr swinging wildly here.
Benn Jr lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Marka circles away quickly and effectively.
Marka sizes up Benn Jr with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Benn Jr uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Marka.
Benn Jr throws out a counter right but Marka avoids it with no problem.
A cross from Marka lands.
Good standup being displayed there by Marka as he connects with a hook.
Marka throws a body punch but Benn Jr moves out of range.
Marka checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marka tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Benn Jr defends well and Marka ends up having to push Benn Jr into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Marka breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Marka feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Benn Jrs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
A telegraphed right hand from Marka misses the target.
Marka lands a jab to Benn Jr's midsection.
Marka with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Benn Jr has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Benn Jr lands with an overhand left.
Marka jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Benn Jr stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Benn Jr wants it to stay on the feet.
Benn Jr swings widly with a right hand
and Marka counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Marka misses with an uppercut.
Benn Jr cracks a nice hook into Marka's ribs.
Benn Jr avoids the body shot from Marka.
Marka throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Benn Jr's waist but Benn Jr gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Marka off to one side.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Benn Jr misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Marka.
Benn Jr misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Marka.
Marka is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Marka throws a hook but Benn Jr blocks it.
Marka misses with a takedown attempt - Benn Jr sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Benn Jr misses with a double jab.
Marka misses the jab.
Marka takes a swing at Benn Jr's ribcage but misses.
Danga de danga de dang - Marka scores with a four punch combination!
Benn Jr doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Marka cracks Benn Jr with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Benn Jr walks into a jab.

Marka feints and as Benn Jr raises his hands in defense, Marka changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Marka is stalling in the full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Luka Marka showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Marka, 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Luka Marka!
Luka Marka seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
Nigel Benn Jr was interviewed post fight and said 'ill be back'.