PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Christ Benoit (ranked 2154 p4p, 5600 weight class) and Twisty Kneereaper (ranked 283 p4p, 556 weight class). Benoit comes to the cage accompanied by Amazing Grace. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Benoit
vs
Kneereaper

176 cm
27
169
13 - 1 - 0

177 cm
33
170
15 - 12 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Christ Benoit!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 12 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Twisty Kneereaper!
The judges for this bout are Darius Henderson, Francis DeMontford and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Benoit scores with a jab.

It looks like Twisty Kneereaper has been cut.
Kneereaper misses with a takedown
and Benoit counters with a nice body kick.
Benoit throws a combination that misses
and Kneereaper counters with a one-two to the body.
Kneereaper tries to score a power double leg takedown but Benoit sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kneereaper somewhat.
Benoit was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Benoit takes a swing at Kneereaper's ribcage but misses.
Kneereaper changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

Kneereaper drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Benoit sneaks out the side door and pushes Kneereaper away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Twisty Kneereaper seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Benoit moves into range and connects with a jab.
Benoit stuffs the takedown attempt from Kneereaper. Kneereaper gets slowly back to his feet.
Christ Benoit has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Twisty Kneereaper.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kneereaper slips under a jab.
Kneereaper shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Benoit as he jumps to the side.
Kneereaper connects with a leg kick.
Benoit lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Kneereaper moves out of range of the strikes.
Benoit takes a swing at Kneereaper's ribcage but misses.
An inside leg kick lands from Benoit.

Kneereaper closes the distance and clinches.
Benoit lands a body shot.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Benoit.
Benoit tries a body shot but Kneereaper blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Benoit.
Benoit misses with a punch to the body.

Benoit pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Benoit moves out of range as Kneereaper strikes.
A big left from Benoit misses.
Benoit throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Benoit throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Benoit misses with a body shot.
Benoit stuffs the takedown attempt from Kneereaper. Kneereaper gets slowly back to his feet.
Benoit tests Kneereaper's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Benoit takes a swing at Kneereaper's ribcage but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kneereaper is trying hard to land a takedown here. Benoit sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Benoit is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Benoit takes a swing at Kneereaper's ribcage but misses.
Kneereaper only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Benoit looks to land a right hand but Kneereaper moved out of range.

Kneereaper closes the distance and clinches.

Kneereaper manages to break the clinch.
Benoit lands a slapping body shot.
Kneereaper fails with an attempt to clinch.
Benoit throws a body shot but no joy.
Benoit fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kneereaper looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Kneereaper pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Benoit tried to counter with a leg kick but Kneereaper avoided it.
Kneereaper pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Kneereaper throws a sloppy head kick and Benoit moves out of range easily.
It looked like Benoit wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benoit attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.

Kneereaper shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Kneereaper showed some decent athleticism there.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kneereaper is looking to advance position but Benoit won't allow it.
Kneereaper prevents Benoit from improving his position.
Kneereaper tries to pass the half guard into mount. Benoit knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Kneereaper throwing shots but Benoit is blocking nicely.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Christ Benoit dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Twisty Kneereaper's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Kneereaper.

Kneereaper stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Benoit throws a poor cross that misses
and Kneereaper counters with a left and a right that stings Benoit.
Kneereaper shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Benoit sprawls well. Benoit wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kneereaper gets slowly back to his feet.
Benoit is looking to wear down Kneereaper with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Benoit defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kneereaper.
Christ Benoit is winning the standup battle so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kneereaper blocks a head kick by Benoit.
Kneereaper let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Benoit throws a big shot that misses.
Kneereaper is trying hard to land a takedown here. Benoit sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Christ Benoit has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Twisty Kneereaper.

Kneereaper throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Benoit tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Kneereaper is in Benoit's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benoit wants to sweep here but Kneereaper controlling him for the moment.
Benoit managing to control the position.
Kneereaper preventing the sweep.
Benoit has Kneereaper pulled in close to control his posture.

Kneereaper decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Kneereaper plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benoit connects with a right hand. Kneereaper shakes it off.
Benoit lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
A head kick by Kneereaper misses
and Benoit counters with a straight right hand.
Benoit scoring well with a low kick there.
Kneereaper dives in for a single leg takedown but Benoit sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Benoit tried to counter with a leg kick but Kneereaper avoided it.
Kneereaper fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Benoit manages to avoid it.
Kneereaper shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Benoit as he jumps to the side.
Benoit is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kneereaper can do to turn this around?
Benoit waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kneereaper.
Benoit lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Benoit misses with an uppercut.
Benoit ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kneereaper moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kneereaper fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Benoit, pushing him back against the cage.
Kneereaper tries to pull guard but Benoit won't allow it.
Benoit trying to land knees to the body.
Kneereaper jumps guard but Benoit turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Kneereaper breaks from the clinch.
Benoit waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kneereaper.
No luck for Kneereaper with that takedown attempt.
Benoit smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Kneereaper misses with a takedown attempt - Benoit sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Benoit misses its intended target.
A big left from Benoit misses.
A telegraphed right hand from Benoit misses the target.
Kneereaper misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Kneereaper takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Kneereaper shoots in looking for a takedown. Benoit tries to sprawl out of it but Kneereaper keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Benoit manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Kneereaper misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kneereaper wants to clinch but Benoit slips to the side
and Benoit finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Christ Benoit dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Twisty Kneereaper's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Kneereaper avoids a wild elbow strike from Benoit.
Kneereaper wants to take the fight to the mat but Benoit manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Kneereaper is trying to pull guard but Benoit turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
With the fighters up against the cage, Benoit throws an elbow but misses.
Kneereaper jumps guard but Benoit turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Christ Benoit has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Twisty Kneereaper.
Kneereaper is looking to take this one to the mat.

Benoit breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Benoit throws a lazy right hand but Kneereaper sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
No luck for Kneereaper with that takedown attempt.
Kneereaper doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Benoit counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kneereaper takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kneereaper throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Benoit's waist but Benoit gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kneereaper off to one side.
Kneereaper shoots in for a double leg but Benoit sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Kneereaper darts in looking for a takedown but Benoit gets double underhooks and turns Kneereaper into the cage.
Benoit lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Benoit misses with a wild body shot.
Kneereaper shoots in looking for a takedown but Benoit manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Kneereaper's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Kneereaper tries to clinch but Benoit is having none of it.
Kneereaper blocks a jab.
Benoit is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kneereaper.
Benoit connects with a leg kick.
Benoit throws a right hand that Kneereaper ducks under and follows up with a left that Kneereaper also avoids with ease.
An inside leg kick from Kneereaper misses.
It looked like Benoit wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benoit moves out of range of the body kick from Kneereaper.
Kneereaper misses with a double jab
and Benoit counters with a leg kick.

Kneereaper is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Benoit's half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Benoit has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kneereaper is working away from the top position though.
Christ Benoit is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kneereaper trying to control from half guard but Benoit is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kneereaper prevents Benoit from improving his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Benoit trying to control from the bottom.
Kneereaper throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Benoit leaves Kneereaper with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Benoit lands a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Kneereaper moves out of range of the body kick from Benoit.
Kneereaper is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Benoit lands a right hook to the body.
Kneereaper looks to land a right hand but Benoit moved out of range.
Kneereaper tries to clinch but Benoit moves out of range.
Kneereaper uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Benoit.
Kneereaper will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Benoit misses the shot to the body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Benoit looks to land a body kick but Kneereaper moved away.
Kneereaper steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Benoit.
Benoit misses with an uppercut

and Kneereaper counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Twisty Kneereaper has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Benoit has his hands clasped together around Kneereaper's back. He's all about the action.

And that's the end of the fight!
Christ Benoit showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Benoit, 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 Darius Henderson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Francis DeMontford scores the fight 30:27
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Christ Benoit!
Christ Benoit seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.