PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between MATT BENNETT (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thiago Aybar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Aybar has chosen Samba as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

BENNETT
vs
Aybar

220 cm
18
184 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

188 cm
18
185 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Attliction
Transformer Supplements

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, MATT BENNETT!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Thiago Aybar!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A solid leg kick lands there for BENNETT.
Nice uppercut lands for BENNETT. That snapped Aybar's head back.
BENNETT closes this distance looking for a takedown but Aybar circles away.
BENNETT closes the distance and clinches up with Aybar, looking for a takedown. BENNETT pushes Aybar against the cage but Aybar circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
BENNETT cracks Aybar with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
MATT BENNETT seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
BENNETT tries for a takedown but Aybar sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for MATT BENNETT. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Horrible takedown by BENNETT or perhaps it was just good defense by Aybar which made him look bad.
BENNETT closes the distance and clinches up with Aybar, looking for a takedown. BENNETT pushes Aybar against the cage but Aybar circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
BENNETT tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Aybar paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Aybar tries to clinch up but BENNETT circles away and keeps his distance.
Aybar throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

Aybar gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Aybar lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt BENNETT or not.

Aybar gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, BENNETT regains 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!

Aybar gets to his feet - BENNETT follows without any prompting.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Aybar fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with BENNETT, pushing him back against the cage.
Aybar is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Aybar using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

Aybar gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
BENNETT is breathing heavily.
BENNETT throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
BENNETT tries to land a sweep but no joy.
BENNETT wants to control but Aybar passes easily into half guard.
Aybar winds up and cracks BENNETT with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Aybar wants to pass the guard but BENNETT is defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Aybar is keen to just control but BENNETT is a slippery customer.
Aybar throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aybar is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

Aybar decides to return to a standing position.

Aybar has BENNETT up against the cage in a clinch.

Aybar turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Aybar manages to end up in side control.
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!

Aybar stands up.
Aybar showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from BENNETT.
BENNETT swats away the attempt to clinch by Aybar.

Excellent takedown into side control there by BENNETT.
BENNETT is looking to take a break and control but Aybar is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

BENNETT is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Aybar has escaped the position, nice work there.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Aybar is not content to let BENNETT control the position.

That's four 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.

BENNETT wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Aybar, who protects the arm well.

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

BENNETT is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Aybar knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thiago Aybar dominated that round.
That's time! BENNETT's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

BENNETT throws a series of punches but Aybar avoids them all with ease.
BENNETT shoots in but Aybar avoids the takedown attempt easily.
BENNETT shoots for a double leg takedown but Aybar sprawls well. He's pushed BENNETT's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from BENNETT.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for MATT BENNETT. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Aybar closes the distance but BENNETT moves to the side
and BENNETT counters with a slapping leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
BENNETT has a takedown stuffed.
BENNETT really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Aybar tries to close the distance and clinch up but BENNETT swats him away and circles back towards the center.
MATT BENNETT is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
BENNETT shoots in but no luck this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Aybar has managed to clinch.
Aybar misses with a knee to the head.
Aybar has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. BENNETT is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

BENNETT manages to break the clinch.
BENNETT shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Aybar as he avoids it easily.
A solid body kick from BENNETT.

BENNETT bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

BENNETT working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Aybar is looking to get back to his feet here but BENNETT is keeping cool and he's managed to take Aybar's back.

BENNETT is working hard for the rear naked choke here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Aybar's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Aybar tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Aybar tries to buck BENNETT off but BENNETT takes his back!
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!
Aybar turns into BENNETT and is now in his guard.

Aybar stands up from BENNETT's guard - Aybar perhaps looking for a knockout.
Aybar keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Aybar shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Aybar was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aybar with shots to the head and body - BENNETT looks very uncomfortable down there.

It looks like MATT BENNETT has been cut.

Aybar goes for an armbar but he's not got it… BENNETT turns into him and now he's in Aybar's guard.
BENNETT working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Aybar's head.
Aybar thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Aybar bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in BENNETT's guard.
BENNETT wants to hit a switch here but Aybar passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for BENNETT there!
BOOM! Aybar connects with a massive shot to the dome!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aybar is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. BENNETT can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Aybar lands a heavy elbow.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Aybar cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Aybar punishing his opponent with strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
BENNETT is trying desperately to improve position.
BENNETT tries to hold on but Aybar pushes him away.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Aybar thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
BENNETT tries to lock up and control but Aybar gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Thiago Aybar will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on MATT BENNETT's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! And we move into the final round!

BENNETT clobbers Aybar with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Aybar avoids the body shot from BENNETT.
BENNETT fails with the takedown

and Aybar counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Aybar is pressing down on BENNETT's thigh, looking to free his foot. BENNETT is holding on for now.
BENNETT moves into full guard.
BENNETT is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

BENNETT is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Aybar has managed to free his arm - good work.
Aybar flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Aybar takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aybar wants to get back to his feet.

BENNETT is working for a kimura but Aybar is defending it quite comfortably.
Aybar is not content to let BENNETT control the position.

BENNETT is trying to work for a kimura but Aybar is defending well.
Aybar tries to roll over but BENNETT keeps him under control.

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.
Aybar pushes BENNETT off but BENNETT dives into side control.
Aybar taking punishment in the form of punches.
BENNETT tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
BENNETT with the ground and pound but Aybar regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Aybar makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Aybar.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aybar manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. BENNETT manages to get himself to full guard.

BENNETT has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Aybar can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
BENNETT is looking to sweep but instead, Aybar has passed into half guard.
Thiago Aybar has got the better of the ground game so far.
BENNETT slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Aybar landing with the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

BENNETT is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

BENNETT had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Aybar is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. BENNETT Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Aybar's back instead.
Aybar turns into BENNETT and is now in his guard.

BENNETT keeping busy on the bottom but Aybar has passed one foot through into half guard.
BENNETT tries to roll over but Aybar keeps him under control.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to MATT BENNETT.
I think Aybar has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thiago Aybar!