PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Luuk Benjamin (ranked 865 p4p, 1023 weight class) and Charles Mesquita (ranked 72 p4p, 90 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Benjamin
vs
Mesquita

177 cm
25
150
13 - 5 - 0

178 cm
25
150
14 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Sakura Style
Uncle Rufus Clothing .Co

Brooklyn Apothecary

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 13 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Luuk Benjamin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Charles Mesquita!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Albert Achterberg and Radbod Blank.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Benjamin leaves Mesquita with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Benjamin jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Benjamin throws a looping overhand right but Mesquita ducks down to avoid it.
Mesquita chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Benjamin can pounce on him.
Nice defenses there by Mesquita.
Benjamin scores with a body shot.
Benjamin misses with a body shot

and Mesquita counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Benjamin!
Mesquita working the head with strikes.
Mesquita trying to control the action but Benjamin is working from the bottom.

Mesquita thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mesquita is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Benjamin has escaped the position, nice work there.
Mesquita throwing strikes but Benjamin manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Mesquita has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Mesquita is trying to control Benjamin's posture but Benjamin avoids it.
Mesquita manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Benjamin is staying active underneath Mesquita, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Benjamin wants to get back to full guard but Mesquita has mounted him!
Mesquita connects with a couple of good shots from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mesquita misses with a head shot.
Mesquita working Benjamin over with strikes here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mesquita looking to control but Benjamin is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Mesquita looking to finish with strikes here!

Benjamin defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Mesquita.
Mesquita landing strikes from the mount.
Mesquita lands a big shot there that rocks Benjamin but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Mesquita landing punches.
Mesquita tries to push Benjamin's head away but Benjamin is holding on tight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benjamin is in all sorts of trouble here.
Mesquita lands a nice shot to the head.
Mesquita has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Benjamin's face.
Benjamin is looking to improve his position but Mesquita isn't that keen on the idea.
Mesquita throwing strikes here but Benjamin is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Benjamin is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Mesquita with a couple of short strikes.
Mesquita can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Benjamin is looking to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Benjamin defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Mesquita.
Mesquita is landing with some decent strikes but Benjamin is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Benjamin wants to hold on but Mesquita pushes him away.
Mesquita throws some wild stikes that Benjamin manages to avoid easily.
Mesquita breaks from Benjamin's wrist control and lands an elbow.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mesquita landing strikes from the mount and Benjamin is in trouble!

Mesquita has hold of Benjamin's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Benjamin manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Mesquita breaks from Benjamin's wrist control and lands an elbow.

Benjamin is rocked!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Charles Mesquita dominated that round.
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.

Mesquita tries to clinch but Benjamin is having none of it.
Benjamin misses with a body shot.
Mesquita is looking to clinch but Benjamin is avoiding it.
Benjamin throwing a counter right hand but Mesquita manages to avoid it.
Benjamin throws a head kick but Mesquita moves out of range.
And Mesquita tries to counter it with a takedown but Benjamin pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Benjamin avoids the body shot from Mesquita.
Benjamin looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Benjamin throws a right hand that misses

and Mesquita counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Mesquita wants to work for an arm triangle but Benjamin is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mesquita is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Benjamin has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Mesquita is working away from the top position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mesquita not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Mesquita missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Mesquita thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Mesquita working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Mesquita sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Benjamin defending well though.
Mesquita throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Benjamin knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Mesquita on the ground.
Mesquita with the ground and pound but Benjamin uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Benjamin keeping moving, preventing Mesquita from controlling successfully.
Mesquita throws a big elbow that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mesquita throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Benjamin preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Mesquita postures up in Benjamin's guard and throws a big left but Benjamin blocks it.
Mesquita postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mesquita trying to control but Benjamin is working from the bottom.
Mesquita throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Benjamin works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Mesquita throws a big right hand that misses.
Mesquita pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Benjamin is keeping the position for now.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Benjamin throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Mesquita throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Mesquita checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mesquita tries to move into range but Benjamin moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Luuk Benjamin is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Benjamin on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Mesquita has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A head kick from Benjamin lands but Mesquita takes it in his stride.
Mesquita doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Benjamin finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Charles Mesquita seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mesquita shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Benjamin counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Mesquita misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
We've been told by Benjamin's head coaches at Bushido Martial Arts that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Luuk Benjamin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Charles Mesquita.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benjamin throws a looping overhand right but Mesquita ducks down to avoid it.
Mesquita steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Benjamin.
Benjamin avoids the body shot from Mesquita.
A quick step to the side and Benjamin tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nice defenses there by Benjamin.
Luuk Benjamin is winning the standup battle so far.
Mesquita swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Benjamin.
Mesquita swings for the body but Benjamin moves out of range.
Benjamin thows a left - swing and a miss!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Benjamin slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mesquita works the jab nicely.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Charles Mesquita will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Benjamin's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Benjamin throws a head kick that misses.
Benjamin throws a poor cross that misses
and Mesquita counters with a nice body shot.
Benjamin throws out a leg kick but Mesquita moves out of range and Benjamin only half commits.
Mesquita wants to clinch but Benjamin slips to the side
and Benjamin counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Mesquita missing with a left hand there. Benjamin was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Mesquita ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Benjamin moves away.
Benjamin throws a lazy body kick

and Mesquita counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Mesquita is working for a kimura but Benjamin is defending it quite comfortably.
Mesquita looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Benjamin with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mesquita seems to be working for a kimura but Benjamin defends the submission attempt.
Mesquita wants to take a breather but Benjamin is having none of it.
Mesquita not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Ground and pound from Mesquita.
Mesquita wants to control but Benjamin is keeping him busy.
Mesquita throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Mesquita drops an elbow to the side of Benjamin's head.
Benjamin regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Mesquita.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mesquita working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Benjamin's head.
Mesquita throwing strikes but missing.
Mesquita trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Mesquita scoring with some ground and pound.
Mesquita with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Benjamin not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Mesquita trying to control the position from guard on top but Benjamin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Benjamin avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Mesquita working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mesquita controlling from the top position.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Mesquita tries to free his leg and advance position but Benjamin is retaining full guard.
Mesquita trying to control the position from guard on top but Benjamin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Mesquita shoots for a double leg takedown but Benjamin sprawls well. He's pushed Mesquita's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Benjamin tries to land a front kick but Mesquita steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Benjamin defending well as Mesquita loads up on a big left hand.
Benjamin walks into a left hand.
Mesquita doesn't manage to clinch there - Benjamin circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benjamin throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Mesquita is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Benjamin takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Mesquita connects with a body shot.
Nice takedown defense from Benjamin. No joy for Mesquita on that attempt.
Benjamin was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Luuk Benjamin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
No luck for Mesquita with that takedown attempt.
A quick step to the side and Benjamin tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Charles Mesquita is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Luuk Benjamin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Charles Mesquita.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mesquita avoids the body shot from Benjamin.
Mesquita blocks a head kick by Benjamin.
Mesquita is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Benjamin with a body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Charles Mesquita comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Mesquita winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Aafke Stam scores the fight 28:29
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 28:30
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Charles Mesquita!