PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Michael Benoit (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dragon Dagger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dagger has chosen Beow as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Benoit
vs
Dagger

170 cm
21
140 lbs
11 - 1 - 0

160 cm
26
130 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Michael Benoit!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Dragon Dagger!
The judges for this bout are Damien Edna, Steve Erwin and Bruno Hogan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Benoit throws a big shot that misses.
Dragon Dagger seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Benoit throws a predictable looking body shot
and Dagger counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Dagger shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Benoit counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
The fighters circle momentarily. Benoit darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Dagger slips under a jab.
Nice jab there from Benoit.
Benoit looks to land a right hand but Dagger moved out of range.
Benoit misses with a straight right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dagger shoots and misses

and Benoit counters with a right hand that sends Dagger tumbling to the canvas! Can Benoit finish him? He dives into Dagger's guard looking to do just that!

Dagger is rocked!
Benoit sitting in guard, not really doing much.

Dagger is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Benoit defends well.
Benoit is stalling in the full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Dagger is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Benoit defends well.
Benoit has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Benoit controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benoit wants to pass the guard but Dagger is keeping the position.

Dagger looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Benoit slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Dagger working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Benoit doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Benoit manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Benoit not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Benoit has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

Michael Benoit has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Benoit fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Dagger looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Benoit misses with an uppercut. Dagger saw that one coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dagger misses with a takedown
and Dagger takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Michael Benoit has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dragon Dagger.
Benoit thows a body shot but no joy.
Benoit throws a big shot that misses.
Dagger with a lazy takedown attempt
and Benoit connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Benoit drops Dagger with a straight right hand, right on the button! Benoit follows him down to the mat and pounds him out with hammerfists until the referee jumps in to end the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:51 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Michael Benoit!
Michael Benoit retains his bantamweight title!