PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Benson Beckley (ranked 3143 p4p, 3641 weight class) and Cristiano Messi (ranked 285 p4p, 311 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Beckley
vs
Messi

175 cm
21
158
7 - 4 - 1

187 cm
24
148
5 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Benson Beckley!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Cristiano Messi!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Dillan Fox and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Messi looks to land a combination but Beckley avoids it well.
Messi doesn't manage to clinch there - Beckley circles away.
Beckley throws a quick counter head kick but Messi was just out of range.
Beckley throws a body shot but no joy.
Messi tries to clinch up but Beckley circles away and keeps his distance.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Beckley rushes Messi and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Beckley gets control of Messi's arms and successfully pulls guard. Beckley will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Messi got a little sloppy there for a moment and Beckley has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Messi has managed to get both his arms back between Beckley's legs - danger averted.

Beckley looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Beckley is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Messi is controlling him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Beckley escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Messi gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Beckley looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Messi passes into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Beckley tries to escape but Messi is in control.
Beckley is trying to get back to half guard.
Beckley might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Beckley throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Beckley walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Messi checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.

Beckley gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Messi is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Messi tries to land knees in the clinch but Beckley avoids the damage to the body.
Messi is working Beckley over against the cage.
Messi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Messi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Beckley fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Messi, pushing him back against the cage.
Nice body punch from Beckley - that landed with a thud.
Messi throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Beckley blocks it with crossed arms.
A short body shot lands from Beckley as the two fighters clinch.

Beckley works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Beckley gets to his feet. Messi looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Messi tries a head kick but it misses.
Messi doesn't manage to clinch there - Beckley circles away.
Messi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Messi looks winded!
Messi connects with a right hand. Beckley shakes it off.
Cristiano Messi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Messi backs away from a small jab... but Beckley lunges forward with a huge superman punch! Messi crumples to the ground as his mouth piece is sent flying! Beckley with a spectacular finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:39 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Superman Punch). Benson Beckley!