PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Christ Benoit (ranked 3972 p4p, 2373 weight class) and Aslak Maitonaama (ranked 354 p4p, 234 weight class). Benoit kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Amazing Grace. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Benoit
vs
Maitonaama

176 cm
34
169
15 - 5 - 1

185 cm
31
168
12 - 14 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Powerful

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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 15 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Christ Benoit!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Aslak Maitonaama!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Russell Pearce and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maitonaama throws a hook but Benoit avoids it easily.
We've been told by Benoit's head coaches at Copes that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Benoit moves out of range as Maitonaama strikes.
Benoit appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Benoit on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Benoit misses with a wild body shot.

Maitonaama scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Benoit manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Maitonaama keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Maitonaama keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Benoit's efforts to push away.
Benoit on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A short right from Maitonaama.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Maitonaama missing with knees to the body.
Benoit has had enough of the clinch but Maitonaama keeps him there for the moment.
Benoit is trying to break free.
Benoit stops a takedown attempt from Maitonaama.

Benoit manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Maitonaama darts in and clinches Benoit up against the cage.

Benoit's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Benoit walks into a left hand.
Benoit tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Aslak Maitonaama seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Maitonaama gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Benoit breaks from the clinch.
Benoit takes one on the button.
A head kick misses from Benoit.
Benoit misses with a wild body shot.
Maitonaama misses the shot to the body.
Maitonaama slips under a jab.
Maitonaama has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Benoit is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Maitonaama feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Benoits jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Benoit is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Maitonaama.
Maitonaama scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maitonaama thuds a left hand into Benoit's body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Donk. Maitonaama catches Benoit right on the button with a cross.

Maitonaama gets a clinch.
Maitonaama doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A nice right hand lands inside from Benoit.
Maitonaama misses with the head strike.
Benoit tries to circle away but Maitonaama has him pinned against the cage.

Benoit pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Benoit misses with the combination.
Maitonaama just misses with a punch to the body.
Maitonaama shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Benoit counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Benoit misses with a looping right.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Maitonaama forces Benoit back against the cage and clinches.
Maitonaama tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Maitonaama swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Maitonaama misses with a hook to the ribs.
Maitonaama has a couple of punches blocked by Benoit.

Benoit's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Maitonaama moves out of range of the body kick.
Maitonaama displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Christ Benoit is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Maitonaama looks to clinch
and Benoit counters with a thumping low kick.
Good standup being displayed there by Maitonaama as he connects with a hook.
Benoit throws a head kick but Maitonaama moves out of range.
Maitonaama throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Benoit sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Benoit misses with an uppercut. Maitonaama saw that one coming.
Maitonaama connects with a single shot there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benoit throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Maitonaama.
Maitonaama has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Benoit ducks under a wild hook from Maitonaama.
An attempted straight right counter from Benoit misses the target.
Maitonaama clobbers Benoit with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Benoit throws a body shot but no joy.
Maitonaama is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Maitonaama lands a nice hook to Benoit's body. Benoit takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Maitonaama misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Benoit.
Maitonaama scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Benoit doesn't seem bothered though.
Nice takedown defense from Benoit. No joy for Maitonaama on that attempt.
Christ Benoit has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aslak Maitonaama.
Maitonaama slips a jab and a cross from Benoit.
A slow jab from Maitonaama misses its intended target.
Benoit takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Benoit throws the left hand but Maitonaama avoids the punch easily.
Maitonaama scores with a punch to the head.
Benoit lands with a slapping head kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Aslak Maitonaama dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Benoit moves forwards but Maitonaama connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Maitonaama ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Maitonaama throws a lazy uppercut
and Benoit cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Benoit slips a straight right by Maitonaama.
It looked like Benoit wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Benoit shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Aslak Maitonaama seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Maitonaama tests Benoit's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Maitonaama throws a hook to the side of Benoit's head but Benoit sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Maitonaama throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Maitonaama swings widly with a right hand
and Benoit counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Maitonaama closes the distance and clinches up with Benoit, looking for a takedown. Maitonaama pushes Benoit against the cage but Benoit circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A big left from Maitonaama misses.
Benoit throws a lazy right hand but Maitonaama sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Maitonaama misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Benoit.
Maitonaama slips a jab and a cross from Benoit.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Maitonaama shoots in but Benoit avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benoit staying out of range there.
Maitonaama catches Benoit with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Maitonaama keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Maitonaama moves into the clinch.
Maitonaama can't get the takedown.
Christ Benoit has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aslak Maitonaama.
Maitonaama tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Maitonaama throws a punch but it's blocked by Benoit.
Maitonaama looking for a takedown.
Maitonaama working aggressively here.
Maitonaama misses with a punch on the inside.
Maitonaama fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Benoit manages to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maitonaama feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Benoits jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Benoit slips a jab from Maitonaama.
It looked like Benoit wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Maitonaama throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Benoit.
Maitonaama ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Maitonaama misses with an uppercut. Benoit saw that one coming.

Maitonaama instigates a clinch.

Benoit pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Benoit is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

Maitonaama clinches with his opponent.

Benoit breaks the clinch.
Maitonaama thows a left - swing and a miss!
Maitonaama misses with a hook.
Benoit fires out a quick counter leg kick but Maitonaama just manages to avoid it.
Benoit throws a nice inside leg kick.
Maitonaama shoots in looking for a takedown but Benoit manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Maitonaama's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maitonaama tries to bum rush Benoit with a series of wild strikes but Benoit uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Benoit blocks a jab.
Maitonaama getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Maitonaama tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Maitonaama connects with a body shot.
Maitonaama just misses with a punch to the body.
Benoit ducks right into an uppercut from Maitonaama.
Maitonaama scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Maitonaama closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Maitonaama misses with a right hand
and Benoit counters with a three punch combo that has Maitonaama backing up. Maitonaama nods at Benoit to acknowledge the strikes.
Benoit feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Maitonaamas jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Benoit waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Maitonaama.
A lazy left from Maitonaama finds it's target.

Maitonaama has taken the fight to the clinch.
Aslak Maitonaama seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maitonaama misses with a hook from the clinch.

Benoit's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Benoit steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Maitonaama.
Maitonaama lands with a shot to the body.
Maitonaama throws a lazy right hand but Benoit sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Maitonaama connects with a nice looking jab.
Maitonaama misses with a left hand
and Benoit counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Maitonaama throws a predictable looking body shot
and Benoit counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Christ Benoit is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Benoit looks to land a combination but Maitonaama avoids it well.
Maitonaama throws a body punch but Benoit moves out of range.
Benoit throws a predictable looking body shot
enabling Maitonaama to counter with a crisp jab.
Maitonaama throws a looping overhand right but Benoit ducks down to avoid it.
Maitonaama misses the body punch
and Benoit counters with a one-two to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Aslak Maitonaama showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Maitonaama takes a jab right on the kisser.
A cross from Maitonaama lands.
Maitonaama looks to land a right hand but Benoit moved out of range.
Maitonaama lands with a cross.
Benoit is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Maitonaama.
Good standup being displayed there by Maitonaama as he connects with a hook.
Maitonaama has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Maitonaama misses with a looping right.
Maitonaama rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Benoit moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Maitonaama lands a jab to Benoit's midsection.
Benoit moves out of range of the strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maitonaama checks a leg kick.
Maitonaama thuds a left hand into Benoit's body.
Maitonaama throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Maitonaama throws a body punch but Benoit moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benoit lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Maitonaama uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Benoit.
Maitonaama swinging wildly here.
Benoit swings for the body but Maitonaama moves out of range.
Benoit looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Benoit throws a half hearted mid kick.
Benoit slips a straight right by Maitonaama.

Maitonaama shoots in and gets a takedown into Benoit's guard.

Benoit has his feet on Maitonaama's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Benoit displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Maitonaama throws out the jab.
Maitonaama fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Benoit manages to avoid it.
Maitonaama defending well as Benoit loads up on a big left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maitonaama throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Benoit sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Benoit slips a jab from Maitonaama.
Maitonaama clobbers Benoit with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Maitonaama catches Benoit with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Maitonaama swings for the body but Benoit moves out of range.
Maitonaama lands a nice shot that snaps Benoit's head back.
Maitonaama lunges at Benoit with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Benoit's hand.
Maitonaama throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Benoit counters with a nice leg kick.
Maitonaama throws a body punch but Benoit moves out of range.
Good work by Maitonaama as he checks the leg kick.
Maitonaama misses with a left hand
and Benoit counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Benoit plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Maitonaama tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Maitonaama throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benoit pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Maitonaama back to the cage. Benoit follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Maitonaama tries to close the distance and clinch up but Benoit swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Maitonaama misses with a double jab.
Maitonaama throws a shot from downtown. Benoit moves away and avoids it.
No joy there for Benoit, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Benoit slips under a jab from Maitonaama.
Benoit appears to be looking for a big counter.
Benoit throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Maitonaama.
Benoit throws a sloppy head kick and Maitonaama moves out of range easily.
Benoit moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Maitonaama fails with the takedown.
Maitonaama takes one to the chin there.
Christ Benoit has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maitonaama scores with a hook to the body. Benoit takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Maitonaama misses with a takedown attempt - Benoit sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Benoit walks into a left hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Maitonaama misses with a left hand
and Benoit counters with an inside leg kick.
Maitonaama swinging wildly here.
Maitonaama scores with a jab to the jaw.
Benoit throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Maitonaama swings away with a body shot that misses
and Benoit counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Maitonaama is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Benoit.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Aslak Maitonaama.
I've got Maitonaama 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 David Schapiro scores the fight 27:30
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 27:30
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aslak Maitonaama!
Aslak Maitonaama decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.