PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Johnny Billabong (ranked 26 p4p, 252 weight class) and Rafael Benedetti (ranked 4 p4p, 38 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Billabong
vs
Benedetti

171 cm
30
155
27 - 11 - 2

175 cm
32
155
24 - 13 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Conviction
Bondi MMA ðŸï¸

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 27 - 11 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, Johnny Billabong!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Rafael Benedetti!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Mauricio Rocha and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Billabong looks to land a left hand but Benedetti moved out of range nicely.
Billabong misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Benedetti.
Benedetti ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Billabong moves away.
We've been hearing reports that Billabong has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Benedetti misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Benedetti takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Benedetti throws a leg kick which misses Billabong's front leg but catches the back leg as Billabong tries to avoid it.
Benedetti scores with a nice strike.
A big left from Billabong misses.
Billabong backing away here, and Benedetti unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Benedetti throws a solid leg kick but Billabong takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Benedetti.
Billabong connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Benedetti's hands.
Billabong paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Benedetti throws a leg kick
and Billabong cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Benedetti tried to score with a low kick but Billabong checks it.
Billabong tries to counter with a takedown but Benedetti is quick to defend against it.
A slapping leg kick lands for Benedetti.
Benedetti jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A quick step to the side and Billabong tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Benedetti moves into range and connects with a jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Benedetti closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Billabong shoots in and drives through. Benedetti sprawls well.
A solid leg kick lands there for Benedetti.
A telegraphed right hand from Benedetti misses the target.
Benedetti misses with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Billabong swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A bone on bone clash there as Billabong blocks the leg kick.
Benedetti lands a head kick. Billabong smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Billabong ducks under a wild hook from Benedetti.
Benedetti uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Billabong.
Benedetti swings for the body but Billabong moves out of range.
Billabong bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Nice body kick there by Benedetti.
Billabong throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Benedetti throws a chopping leg kick but Billabong manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Billabong moves out of range of the leg kick from Benedetti.
Billabong checks the leg kick.
A little feinted left hand from Billabong on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Benedetti lands a lovely overhand right.
Benedetti scores with a jab. Billabong acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Billabong moves out of range as Benedetti strikes.
Benedetti throws a leg kick

and Billabong decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Benedetti's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Benedetti wants to stand and escape but Billabong is having none of it.
Billabong is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Billabong is fighting to break Benedetti's control of his arms but Benedetti is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Benedetti is looking to sweep but instead, Billabong has passed into half guard.
Benedetti is looking to improve his position.
Benedetti pushes Billabong off looking to stand but Billabong dives back in and keeps control.
Benedetti manages to get to full guard.
Billabong postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benedetti wants to stand and escape but Billabong is having none of it.
Billabong won't allow Benedetti to sweep him here.
Billabong controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Billabong looking to pass the guard.
Billabong is in close to Benedetti's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Billabong postures up.
Billabong preventing the sweep.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Benedetti holds on and takes a little breather.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Benedetti moves into the clinch successfully.
Benedetti throws a head punch that misses.
Billabong lands a body shot in the clinch.
Benedetti misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Billabong tries to circle away but Benedetti has him pinned against the cage.
Billabong misses with some punches.
Benedetti swings wildly with an uppercut but Billabong uses good head movement to avoid it.

Benedetti breaks the clinch.
Billabong misses the shot to the body.
Benedetti tries a quick counter leg kick but Billabong is wise to it.
Billabong moves away from the strike by Benedetti.
Benedetti with a body punch. A glancing blow.
A swing and a miss from Billabong.
Benedetti swings widly with a right hand
and Billabong counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Benedetti steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Billabong.
Benedetti tries to clinch up.
Benedetti connects with a looping right hand.
Benedetti throws a shot from downtown. Billabong moves away and avoids it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Benedetti misses with a wild body shot.
Benedetti takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Benedetti chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Billabong throws a jab but it's blocked by Benedetti.
Benedetti throws a leg kick but Billabong checks it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Rafael Benedetti will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Billabong shoots in but no luck this time.
Billabong misses with a straight right.
Benedetti cracks Billabong with an open hand slap.
Billabong throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Benedetti looks to score with a jab to the body but Billabong is just out of range.
Billabong takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Billabong checks a low kick from Benedetti.
Benedetti throws out a loose jab but Billabong uses good head movement to avoid it.

Billabong decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Billabong keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Benedetti is positioning himself well to prevent Billabong advancing to mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Benedetti tries to roll over but Billabong keeps him under control.
Benedetti is looking to escape.
Billabong seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Benedetti controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benedetti is looking for a sweep. Billabong is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Benedetti preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Benedetti is looking to control Billabong's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Benedetti avoid being mounted?
Benedetti is trying to stand up here but Billabong is controlling him well.
Benedetti trying to control from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Billabong looks for a takedown but Benedetti sprawls well.
Benedetti misses the shot to the body.
Rafael Benedetti seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Benedetti dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A big left from Billabong misses.
Benedetti misses with a hook.
Billabong throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Benedetti throws a right hand that misses

and Billabong decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Benedetti's guard.
Billabong postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Benedetti controls Billabong momentarily but Billabong frees himself.
Billabong being controlled here momentarily.

Billabong drops back looking for a leg! Benedetti is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Benedetti manages to kick Billabong off! Billabong jumps back into Benedetti's guard.
Benedetti controls Billabong momentarily but Billabong frees himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benedetti seems keen to control Billabong's posture.
Billabong slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Benedetti keeping moving, preventing Billabong from controlling successfully.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Benedetti is trying to control the position but Billabong postures up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Benedetti closes the distance looking to clinch
and Billabong counters with a left to the body.
Benedetti uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Billabong.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
A low kick lands for Benedetti.
Benedetti scores with a jab to the jaw.
Benedetti throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Billabong counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Benedetti looks to land a right hand but Billabong moved out of range.
Benedetti bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Benedetti throws a fast counter high kick but Billabong manages to duck under it in time.
Benedetti misses with the combination.
Benedetti will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Benedetti tries to clinch there but Billabong circles away.

Billabong gets a takedown into half guard.
Benedetti has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Billabong is working away from the top position though.
Still in half guard, Billabong seems content to control.
Johnny Billabong overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Billabong prevents Benedetti from standing back up.
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 Johnny Billabong will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Billabong misses the shot to the body.
It seemed like Benedetti was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Billabong swings for the body but Benedetti moves out of range.
Benedetti uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Billabong.
A big right from Benedetti misses.
A jab from Benedetti misses.
Billabong throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Billabong uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Benedetti.
Billabong throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Benedetti counters with a stiff right hand.
Benedetti scores with a jab to the jaw.
Benedetti misses with a leg kick
and Billabong makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Benedetti throws a poor cross that misses
and Billabong counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Benedetti lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Benedetti misses the shot to the body.
A jab from Billabong misses.
Billabong misses with a hook.
Billabong slips a straight right by Benedetti.
Billabong throwing a counter right hand but Benedetti manages to avoid it.
Benedetti throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Billabong displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Benedetti throws out the jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Billabong defending well as Benedetti loads up on a big left hand.
Billabong throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Benedetti slips a jab from Billabong.
A lazy body kick from Benedetti

and Billabong counters with a shoot takedown. Benedetti fights it but they end up in guard.

Benedetti has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Billabong is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Billabong lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Benedetti misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Billabong.
A left hand lands to the body for Benedetti.

Billabong breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Benedetti misses with a two punch combination.
Benedetti throws an off balance right hand
and Benedetti takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Billabong misses the shot to the body.
Benedetti was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Benedetti thows a leg kick but Billabong checks it

and Billabong counters with a shoot takedown. Benedetti fights it but they end up in guard.
Benedetti wants to stand but Billabong is controlling the position.
Billabong is standing up over Benedetti. Benedetti looks to escape but Billabong dives into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Billabong in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Billabong cracks Benedetti with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Benedetti tries to buck Billabong off but Billabong is having none of it.
Benedetti wants to control but Billabong postures up.
Billabong cracks Benedetti with a big right hand but Benedetti just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Benedetti struggling a bit here.
Benedetti is looking for a sweep.
Check out the look on Billabong's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benedetti manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Billabong takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Billabong seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Billabong looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Benedetti has hold of Billabong's hands but Billabong slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Billabong controlling the action here.
Benedetti trying to control but Billabong postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well, if Billabong is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Billabong frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Benedetti regains half guard.
Benedetti has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Billabong is working away from the top position though.
Billabong is keen to just control but Benedetti is a slippery customer.
Benedetti is looking to improve his position.
Benedetti moves into full guard.
Billabong wants to control from the top but Benedetti keeps moving.

And that's the end of the fight!
Johnny Billabong showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Billabong has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 29:28
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Johnny Billabong!
Johnny Billabong decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.