|
|
PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mark Beneke (ranked 2913 p4p, 2147 weight class) and Nakagome Kakuzo (ranked 361 p4p, 285 weight class). 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.
 |
|
 |
| 182 cm
24
184
9 - 9 - 0 |
|
185 cm
24
180
11 - 7 - 0 |
BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine |
|
Powerful takedowns
Good kicks
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 9 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mark Beneke!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Nakagome Kakuzo!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Tarja Halkonen and Ben Zyskovitsi.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Beneke lands a nice shot that snaps Kakuzo's head back.
The fighters circling - Beneke throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kakuzo swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sloppy strikes from Beneke. Those never looked like landing.
As Beneke backs off Kakuzo throws a huge counter combo but Beneke manages to avoid it all.
Kakuzo dodges the punch combination from Beneke.
Beneke misses with a straight right.
Kakuzo tries to clinch but Beneke moves out of range.
Kakuzo throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Beneke thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kakuzo is trying to counter with his kicks.
Beneke paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Kakuzo throws a body shot but no joy.
Sloppy strikes from Beneke. Those never looked like landing.
Kakuzo closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Beneke's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Beneke looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Beneke manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Beneke throws an overhand right that lands on Kakuzo's shoulder, as Kakuzo tries to avoid the shot.
Beneke works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Beneke throws a big shot that misses.
Beneke lands a high kick!
That's one minute gone in the round.
Beneke connects with a nice looking jab.
Kakuzo dives in and grabs Beneke's left leg, looking for a takedown. Beneke pushes down on Kakuzo's head and hops out.
Beneke lands with a cross.
Kakuzo shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Beneke as he avoids it easily.
Kakuzo takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Nice shot by Beneke.
Beneke getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Some wild striking there from Beneke.
Kakuzo tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Beneke fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Kakuzo has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Beneke takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Good leg kick by Kakuzo.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Beneke takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Kakuzo avoids a kick to the body.
No joy there for Kakuzo, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Beneke avoids the head kick by Kakuzo.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Beneke throws an overhand right that lands on Kakuzo's shoulder, as Kakuzo tries to avoid the shot.
Kakuzo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Beneke lands a jab to the head.
Beneke misses with a leg kick
and Kakuzo counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kakuzo misses with a head kick.
Beneke connects with a leg kick.
Kakuzo does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Beneke misses with a right hand
and Beneke takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Beneke misses with a kick to the body.
Beneke lands a jab to the nose.
Kakuzo ducks under a wild hook from Beneke.
Kakuzo looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Mark Beneke seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Beneke scores with a hook.
Beneke dives in for a single leg takedown but Kakuzo sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Beneke escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kakuzo pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kakuzo looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kakuzo throws a head kick but Beneke moves out of range.
It looked like Beneke wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kakuzo cracks a nice hook into Beneke's ribs.
Beneke smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
A swing and a miss from Beneke.
Kakuzo steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Beneke.
Beneke looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Kakuzo misses with a low kick.
Beneke throws a big counter combination but Kakuzo scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
A jab lands there for Beneke.
Kakuzo slips a straight right by Beneke.
Beneke misses with a looping left.
Kakuzo is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Beneke scores with a decent looking hook.
Beneke throws a low kick but it's checked well by Kakuzo.
Sloppy strikes from Kakuzo. Those never looked like landing.
Kakuzo swings for the body but Beneke moves out of range.
Beneke avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Beneke scores with a jab. Kakuzo acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Beneke lands with a straight right. Kakuzo didn't see that one coming.
Beneke lands the left hand.
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!
Nice defenses there by Kakuzo.
Beneke rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Kakuzo counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kakuzo keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Beneke scores with a punch to the head.
Beneke avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Beneke misses the jab.
Kakuzo throws a head kick that misses.
Beneke fires out a quick counter leg kick but Kakuzo just manages to avoid it.
Beneke fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Kakuzo is out of range.
Kakuzo thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kakuzo takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Kakuzo throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Beneke.
A low kick from Beneke misses
and Kakuzo connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kakuzo.
Kakuzo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Beneke circles away from the clinch attempt
and Beneke connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A head kick from Beneke lands but Kakuzo takes it in his stride.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Mark Beneke dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.
Kakuzo throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Beneke throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kakuzo throws a fast counter high kick but Beneke manages to duck under it in time.
Kakuzo goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Kakuzo uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Beneke.
Beneke looks to throw the jab but Kakuzo is out of range.
Beneke lands an overhand right.
Kakuzo is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
A punch lands to the side of Beneke 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Beneke loads up on a big right hand but Kakuzo slips the punch.
Beneke jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kakuzo ducks under a wild hook from Beneke.
Beneke is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kakuzo can do to turn this around?
Kakuzo looks to land a combination. Beneke sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Beneke ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kakuzo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Beneke is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kakuzo.
Beneke tries to keep at a distance but Kakuzo has taken the fight into the clinch.
Kakuzo is struggling to control the position.
Kakuzo has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Kakuzo is working for takedown but Beneke is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Beneke pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kakuzo looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Beneke is fending him off so far but Kakuzo persists. Nope, Beneke circles away and we're back to standing.
Kakuzo throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Beneke was covering up waiting for the punch and Kakuzo finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Kakuzo drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Beneke dives on top into guard.
Beneke is stalling in the full guard.
Kakuzo looking to control.
Beneke has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Beneke avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Beneke wanted to stand there but Kakuzo had control of the position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kakuzo has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Beneke can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Beneke wants to stand but Kakuzo has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Beneke gets to his feet - Kakuzo follows without any prompting.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Beneke tried to score with a low kick but Kakuzo checks it.
Kakuzo throws a series of punches but Beneke avoids them all with ease.
Beneke connects with a nice looking jab.
Kakuzo throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Beneke is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Beneke misses with a hook. Kakuzo ducked under it nicely.
Kakuzo moves away from the strike by Beneke.
Beneke throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Kakuzo counters with a nice body shot.
Kakuzo is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Beneke.
Beneke misses with an attempted mid kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Beneke. That's going to slow Kakuzo down.
Kakuzo uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Beneke.
Beneke attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Kakuzo scores with a head kick. Beneke tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Donk. Beneke catches Kakuzo right on the button with a cross.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A swing and a miss from Beneke.
Kakuzo lands a leg kick that knocks Beneke off balance momentarily.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kakuzo needs to keep his hands up - Beneke had a free shot at his head there.
Kakuzo misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Beneke swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Mark Beneke has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nakagome Kakuzo.
Kakuzo is trying hard to land a takedown here. Beneke sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Beneke throws a jab when Kakuzo was well out of range.
Beneke misses with a straight left.
Beneke feints and then cracks Kakuzo's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Kakuzo down.
Kakuzo tries to close the distance and clinch up but Beneke swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kakuzo bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kakuzo misses with a head kick.
A little feinted left hand from Beneke on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Some wild striking there from Beneke.
Kakuzo is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Beneke with a body shot.
Kakuzo lands an overhand right.
A telegraphed right hand from Kakuzo misses the target.
Kakuzo has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Beneke scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Beneke throws a right and a left that Kakuzo avoids nicely.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Mark Beneke dominated that second round.
That's time! Beneke's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!
Beneke is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kakuzo.
Beneke shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kakuzo as he avoids it easily.
Kakuzo changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Beneke scores with a hook.
Kakuzo slips under a jab from Beneke.
Beneke showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kakuzo.
Kakuzo lands a right hook to the body.
Mark Beneke is winning the standup battle so far.
Kakuzo misses with a two punch combination.
Sloppy strikes from Kakuzo. Those never looked like landing.
Kakuzo swings and misses with a hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kakuzo works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Beneke misses with a left hand
and Kakuzo counters with a low kick, right behind Beneke 's knee.
Beneke keeps the fight on the outside.
Kakuzo fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Beneke avoids it really well and circles away.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Beneke tests Kakuzo's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Beneke fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Kakuzo on the side of the head.
Beneke misses with a double jab
letting Kakuzo counter with a right hand.
Kakuzo chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Beneke can pounce on him.
Beneke misses with a straight right.
Beneke throws a wild body kick that Kakuzo sees coming a mile off.
Kakuzo appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Beneke throws the left hand but Kakuzo avoids the punch easily.
Kakuzo misses with a head kick.
Kakuzo moves out of range of the strikes.
Beneke throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Beneke lands a jab to Kakuzo's midsection.
Beneke lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Beneke pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kakuzo is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Beneke tries a head kick but it misses.
Kakuzo shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Beneke manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Beneke is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Beneke wants to break free but Kakuzo has control.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Beneke.
Beneke wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kakuzo has him pressed against the cage.
Beneke pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kakuzo has a takedown stuffed.
Kakuzo scores with the left hand. Beneke knows he should have avoided that one.
Beneke misses with a left hand
and Kakuzo connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kakuzo slips under a jab.
Kakuzo throws a head kick that misses.
Kakuzo throws a nice head kick!
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kakuzo takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Kakuzo gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Kakuzo blocks a jab.
Beneke slips a jab from Kakuzo.
Kakuzo looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kakuzo punishes Beneke's body with a nice straight punch.
Kakuzo slips under a jab.
Beneke catches Kakuzo with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Beneke throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Kakuzo connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Nakagome Kakuzo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Beneke misses with a hook. Kakuzo ducked under it nicely.
Beneke is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kakuzo.
Beneke misses with a straight left.
Kakuzo looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Kakuzo tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Beneke throws a lazy uppercut
and Kakuzo counters with a stiff right hand.
Beneke lands with an uppercut that bounces Kakuzo off the cage and back into range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Donk. Beneke catches Kakuzo right on the button with a cross.
Beneke misses with a wild combination.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kakuzo takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Beneke waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kakuzo.
Nice uppercut there from Beneke.
Kakuzo throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A slow jab from Kakuzo misses its intended target.
Kakuzo is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Beneke.
Kakuzo staying out of range there.
Kakuzo throws a fast counter high kick but Beneke manages to duck under it in time.
Kakuzo misses with an uppercut.
A little feinted left hand from Beneke on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
A nice leg kick lands there from Beneke.
Mark Beneke is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kakuzo's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Beneke scores with a kick to the body.
Kakuzo looks to land a combination but Beneke avoids it well.
Beneke jabs Kakuzo right on the nose. Kakuzo blinks but takes it well.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Beneke scores with a nice right hand.
Beneke tries a head kick but it misses.
And that's the end of the fight!
Mark Beneke showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Beneke, 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:27
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mark Beneke!
Mark Beneke bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
|
S |
C |
G |
|
energy
A | B |
|
hype
A | B |
|
pop
A | B |
|
mgr
A | B |
|
FIGHT
RATING
76% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
