PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ronnie Hearns (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Bessenger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hearns comes to the cage accompanied by From the 'D'. Bessenger has chosen Hostile Mass as his entrance music. Mike Bessenger told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Hearns
vs
Bessenger

178 cm
21
165 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

187 cm
19
170 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

White Gorilla Nutrition

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ronnie Hearns!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mike Bessenger!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Yves DeLean and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bessenger shoots in but no luck this time.
Bessenger fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Bessenger doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Hearns is looking to clinch.
Bessenger shoots in but no luck this time.
Ronnie Hearns has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Bessenger.

Bessenger looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Hearns manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Bessenger manages to get himself to full guard.

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

Hearns drops back looking for a leg! Bessenger is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Bessenger manages to kick Hearns off! Hearns jumps back into Bessenger's guard.
Hearns landing with the ground and pound.
Hearns content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Hearns postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Bessenger had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Hearns is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Bessenger Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Hearns's back instead.
Bessenger looks gassed!
Hearns breaks Bessenger's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bessenger can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Hearns controls the pace.
Bessenger wants to improve his position but instead Hearns has moved into half guard.
Hearns seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Hearns drops an elbow to the side of Bessenger's head.
Bessenger is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Hearns scores with a couple of nice shots.
Hearns tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Hearns passes to side control.
Bessenger looks to move to half guard but instead Hearns has passed into mount! Damn!
Hearns scores with a couple of good head shots there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Hearns gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Horrible takedown by Hearns or perhaps it was just good defense by Bessenger which made him look bad.
Bessenger moves out of range of the body kick.
Hearns tries to clinch up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hearns circles away from the clinch attempt.
Hearns swings for the body but Bessenger moves out of range.
Hearns wants to clinch but Bessenger slips to the side
and Bessenger counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Hearns tries to clinch but Bessenger moves away

and Bessenger counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Bessenger is pressing down on Hearns's thigh, looking to free his foot. Hearns is holding on for now.
Hearns makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Hearns.
Bessenger trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hearns trying to strike off his back.
Bessenger content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
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!
Bessenger passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Bessenger works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Bessenger scores with a couple of short elbows.
Hearns gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Bessenger prevents Hearns from standing back up.
Bessenger missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hearns gets full guard.
Hearns trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

Bessenger avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Hearns wants to get back to his feet but Bessenger is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Hearns trying to keep a closed guard but Bessenger is proving a slippery customer.
Hearns tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Hearns wants to stand but Bessenger is controlling the position.
Hearns wants to sweep but no luck.

Hearns working for a triangle but Bessenger defends it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bessenger trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Bessenger lands a couple of elbows.
Bessenger missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Bessenger slips nicely into half guard.
Hearns keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Bessenger wants to work for an arm triangle but Hearns is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Hearns regains full guard. Nicely done.
Bessenger lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Bessenger trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Hearns is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Hearns has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Bessenger slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bessenger tries to score with some ground and pound. Hearns controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Hearns is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Bessenger off and has taken his back!

Hearns working for the rear naked choke here. He's got one arm under but Bessenger is defending well. A couple of punches soften him up though and Hearns has tightened the hold! This one could be all over! It is! Bessenger taps out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Ronnie Hearns!