PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mae Joon (ranked 1891 p4p, 946 weight class) and Ritanzo Benzo (ranked 195 p4p, 107 weight class). Mae Joon has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Joon
vs
Benzo

170 cm
26
161
13 - 8 - 0

177 cm
24
156
5 - 2 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mae Joon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ritanzo Benzo!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Bruno Lombardi and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Joon gets the takedown into side control.
Benzo really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Joon. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Benzo can't do much from the bottom here.

Joon tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Joon has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Joon is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Benzo knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Joon is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Benzo is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Benzo is trying to get back to half guard.

Joon is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Benzo knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Joon is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Benzo knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Benzo is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Benzo bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Benzo tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Benzo misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Joon drops down looking for a counter takedown but Benzo sprawls and moves away.
Benzo scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Benzo tries to score with a low kick but Joon moves his leg out of the way.
Joon misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Ritanzo Benzo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Joon checks the leg kick nicely there.
Benzo looks to land a left hand but Joon moved out of range nicely.
Benzo throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Joon moves out of range as Benzo throws a body kick.

Joon fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Benzo to the ground. Joon is now in Benzo's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Joon drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Joon jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Joon thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Joon passes Benzo's left leg - he's now in half guard.
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!

Joon is working for a submission of some sort.
Benzo is looking to improve his position.
Joon trying to pass the guard but Benzo defending well.

Joon is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Benzo has managed to free his arm - good work.
Benzo looks like he's trying to stand up.

Joon is looking for a kimura here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Joon seems to be working for a kimura but Benzo defends the submission attempt.

Joon is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Benzo defends it well.

Joon is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Joon is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Benzo doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Joon.

Benzo is defending against the submission attempts here by Joon.
Benzo pushes Joon off looking to stand but Joon dives back in and keeps control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Joon seems to be looking for submissions.

Joon is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Benzo wants to control but Joon is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Benzo is looking to escape.

Joon is looking for a kimura here.

Joon is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Benzo is just riding it out for now. Joon eventually gives up the hold.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Joon is working for a kimura but Benzo is defending it quite comfortably.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mae Joon dominated that round.
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.

Joon shoots in and gets a takedown into Benzo's guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Benzo manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.

Joon pulls guard successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Joon working for a triangle but Benzo defends it easily.

Joon has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Benzo can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Joon isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Benzo stacks Joon on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Benzo!
Joon is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Benzo's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benzo wants to stand but Joon has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.

Joon actively working from the bottom here.
The fighters are battling for position here. Joon manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Joon working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Benzo doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Benzo manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Benzo seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Joon keeping full guard, as Benzo tries to pass.
Benzo stopping the sweep attempt from Joon.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Joon is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Benzo is aware though and is defending well.
Joon has a closed guard, preventing Benzo from standing up.

Joon looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Joon is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Benzo tries to free his leg and advance position but Joon is retaining full guard.
Benzo wants to get up but he can't break Joon's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Benzo wants to control from the top but Joon keeps moving.

Joon working for a triangle but Benzo defends it easily.

Joon had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Benzo defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benzo wants to control from the top but Joon keeps moving.
Benzo stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Joon swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Benzo is posturing up here but Joon has hold of an arm and he's gone for an armbar! Benzo tries to roll out but it's too tight and Benzo has to tap! Slick submission there by Joon!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:45 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Mae Joon!
Our winner, Mae Joon, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.