PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Matthieu Benoit (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ossi Jokinen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jokinen has chosen Prodigy - Omen as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Benoit
vs
Jokinen

185 cm
30
198 lbs
26 - 11 - 2

190 cm
34
215 lbs
35 - 7 - 1

Great wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Dynamic Nutrition $35 159 Recovery
BioPharm Nutrition

Milwaukee's Best 160 SALE $150

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 11 - 2, fighting out of New York, Matthieu Benoit!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 35 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Ossi Jokinen!
The judges for this bout are Alyssa Summers, Anthony Taglia and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Benoit shoots in and gets a takedown into Jokinen's guard.
Benoit is looking to work some ground and pound but Jokinen has wrist control.
Jokinen keeping moving, preventing Benoit from controlling successfully.
Jokinen is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Benoit 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.
Benoit trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Jokinen wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Jokinen connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Benoit's hands.
Jokinen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Benoit misses with a kick to the body.
Ossi Jokinen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benoit throws a looping overhand right but Jokinen ducks down to avoid it.
Benoit will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Benoit tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Jokinen was well out of range. Poor timing from Benoit.
A lazy left from Benoit finds it's target.
Jokinen thows a body shot but no joy.
Jokinen throws a shot from downtown. Benoit moves away and avoids it.
Jokinen throws a body punch but Benoit moves out of range.
Jokinen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Benoit moves away.
Benoit scores with a hook to the body. Jokinen takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Benoit paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
A big left from Benoit misses.
Jokinen throws a wild body kick that Benoit sees coming a mile off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Benoit clinches up against the cage.
Benoit lands a hook that snaps the head of Jokinen backwards.
Jokinen swings wildly with an uppercut but Benoit uses good head movement to avoid it.
Jokinen makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Jokinen tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A right hook to the body lands for Jokinen.
Benoit prevents Jokinen from breaking the clinch.
Benoit managing to block the knees to the body from Jokinen.
Jokinen throws a head punch that misses.
Jokinen with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Jokinen.
Jokinen swings wildly with an uppercut but Benoit uses good head movement to avoid it.
Benoit keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Jokinen's efforts to push away.
Benoit throws a head punch that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benoit is looking to control Jokinen's arms but Jokinen gets an underhook and turns him. Now Benoit has his back to the cage.
Maybe Benoit would be better served going for some more strikes rather than trying to control so much.
A left hand lands to the body for Benoit.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Jokinen.
Jokinen tries a knee to the head but Benoit blocks it.

Jokinen manages to break the clinch.
A jab from Benoit misses.
Benoit is looking to chop away at Jokinen's legs.
Benoit avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Jokinen throws a body punch but Benoit moves out of range.
Jokinen is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Benoit throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Jokinen takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Benoit displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

It looks like Ossi Jokinen has been cut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Benoit lands a glancing blow to the side of Jokinen's head.
Benoit throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Jokinen stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Matthieu Benoit seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Benoit throws a chopping leg kick but Jokinen manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Benoit throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Jokinen counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Jokinen thows a body shot but no joy.
Benoit tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Jokinen throws a shot from downtown. Benoit moves away and avoids it.
Jokinen throws a sloppy head kick and Benoit moves out of range easily.
Jokinen throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Benoit stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Jokinen takes a swing at Benoit's ribcage but misses.
Nice uppercut lands for Jokinen. That snapped Benoit's head back.
Jokinen needs to keep his hands up - Benoit had a free shot at his head there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matthieu Benoit dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ossi Jokinen's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A leg kick checked by Jokinen.
Benoit misses with a looping left.
Jokinen circles away from the clinch attempt
and Jokinen cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Benoit keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Jokinen.
Benoit uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Jokinen.
Jokinen throws a head kick that misses.
Benoit stuns Jokinen with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Jokinen throws a leg kick but Benoit sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Benoit getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Benoit gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Benoit cracks the inside of Jokinen's front leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jokinen lands a leg kick that knocks Benoit off balance momentarily.
Jokinen is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Benoit rather than just go for the knockout.
Benoit takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Jokinen misses with a hook to the body
and Benoit counters with a nice uppercut.
Benoit slips a straight right by Jokinen.
Jokinen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Jokinen takes a jab right on the kisser.
Jokinen staying out of range there.
Jokinen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Benoit moves out of range of the body kick from Jokinen.
Benoit misses with a body shot.
Jokinen looks to land a body kick but Benoit moved away.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Benoit here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Jokinen misses with a hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jokinen throws a leg kick but Benoit checks it.
Benoit checks a leg kick.
Benoit cracks Jokinen with a good jab.
Jokinen lands a head shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Jokinen takes a jab right on the kisser.
A decent looking cross lands there for Benoit.
Benoit tries to close the distance and clinch up but Jokinen swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Benoit takes the fight into the clinch.
Jokinen wants to get back to striking at distance but Benoit won't allow it.
Jokinen misses with some punches.
Nice body punch from Jokinen.
Benoit misses with a punch to the body.
Jokinen lands with a left to the head.
Jokinen throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Benoits head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Benoit.
Jokinen blocks an uppercut.
Jokinen with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Benoit misses with a body punch.
Benoit avoiding damage as Jokinen throws knees to the body.
Benoit tries to stall but Jokinen uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Jokinen misses with the head strike.
A hook to the body from Jokinen.
Benoit avoiding damage as Jokinen throws knees to the body.
Benoit tries a body shot but Jokinen blocks it.
Jokinen misses with a body punch.
Jokinen tries to throw a body punch but Benoit avoids it by throwing Jokinen back against the cage.
Benoit fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Benoit is struggling to control the position.
Jokinen tries a knee to the head but Benoit blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A knee to the head by Jokinen.
Jokinen lands a shoulder strike.
Jokinen tries to throw a body punch but Benoit avoids it by throwing Jokinen back against the cage.
Benoit misses with a punch on the inside.
Jokinen struggles to land a body shot inside as Benoit controls his hands.
Benoit scores with a shoulder strike.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The referee is keeping an eye on Benoit - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Benoit tries a body shot but Jokinen blocks it.
Jokinen tries to work over Benoit's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Jokinen misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Benoit.
Benoit is struggling to control the position.
Benoit is leaning against Jokinen and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Jokinen looking to throw knees to the head but Benoit is blocking nicely.
Jokinen lands a good knee to the midsection. Benoit won't want to take too many of those.
Jokinen tries a knee to the head but Benoit blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ossi Jokinen will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Ossi Jokinen's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Benoit throws a lazy right hand but Jokinen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Benoit fails to land the takedown.
Benoit swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A slow jab from Jokinen misses its intended target.
Benoit fails to land with a series of punches.
Jokinen thows a body shot but no joy.
Jokinen takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Benoit uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Jokinen.
Sloppy strikes from Benoit. Those never looked like landing.
Benoit connects with a right hand. Jokinen shakes it off.

Jokinen instigates a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jokinen tries to land a knee to the head but Benoit blocks with his arms.
Benoit stalling in the clinch but Jokinen improves position.
Jokinen connects with a knee to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Jokinen.
Benoit stalling against the cage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Jokinen blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Jokinen misses with a body punch.
Jokinen tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Jokinen looking to throw knees to the head but Benoit is blocking nicely.
Jokinen tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Benoit's elbow.
Jokinen looking to throw knees to the head but Benoit is blocking nicely.
Benoit is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Benoit is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benoit managing to block the knees to the body from Jokinen.
Benoit misses with a hook to the ribs.
Jokinen goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Benoit is trying to stall.
Ossi Jokinen seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Jokinen scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Benoit lands a left hand.
A right hand to the body from Benoit.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Benoit.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A bit of stalling here from Benoit.
Jokinen misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Benoit.
Jokinen misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Benoit.
Jokinen missing with knees to the body.
Benoit blocking some punches.
Jokinen tries to land knees in the clinch but Benoit avoids the damage to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short body shot lands from Benoit as the two fighters clinch.
Jokinen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Benoit goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Benoit manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Benoit looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Jokinen has picked Benoit up and slammed him! Benoit can't keep hold of the triangle and Jokinen manages to pass to side control!
Benoit is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Jokinen's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Jokinen is pressing down on Benoit's thigh, looking to free his foot. Benoit is holding on for now.
Benoit is holding on to half guard well.
Benoit tries to get to full guard but Jokinen has control of the leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Jokinen decides to stand up.
Benoit misses with a straight right.
Jokinen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Benoit was well out of range. Poor timing from Jokinen.
Benoit connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Benoit, as that shot connected.
Jokinen takes one to the chin there.
Benoit tries to clinch up but Jokinen circles away and keeps his distance.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Benoit throws a push kick but Jokinen slaps the foot to one side.
Matthieu Benoit is winning the standup battle so far.
Benoit misses with a looping right.
Benoit dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Jokinen. That did some damage!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matthieu Benoit clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Ossi Jokinen's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Benoit takes one to the side of the head.

Benoit fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Jokinen, pushing him back against the cage.
Jokinen using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Benoit has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Jokinen tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Benoit's elbow.
Jokinen misses with the head strike.
Jokinen lands a hook that snaps the head of Benoit backwards.
Jokinen takes a shot to the head.
Benoit lands a body shot.
Jokinen scores with a hook to the body.
Jokinen is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Benoit is defending well for now.
Jokinen lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Jokinen tries a body shot but Benoit blocks it.
Benoit misses with a hook to the ribs.
Benoit tries a body shot but Jokinen blocks it.
Jokinen landing knees to the body.
Stalling in the clinch from Benoit.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jokinen misses with a hook to the ribs.
Benoit goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Jokinen has a couple of punches blocked by Benoit.
Jokinen throws a knee to the head but misses.
Benoit lands with a right to the head.
Benoit goes for a takedown attempt but Jokinen pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Jokinen lands a body shot.
Jokinen throws a head kick that misses
letting Benoit counter with a right hand.
Jokinen feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Benoit's calf.
Benoit swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Benoit throws a leg kick which misses Jokinen's front leg but catches the back leg as Jokinen tries to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jokinen misses with a wild body shot.
Benoit misses with an uppercut. Jokinen saw that one coming.
Good exchange - Benoit coming out on top.
Jokinen with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
The fight stays on the outside here - Benoit looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Benoit takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Benoit takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Benoit throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Jokinen sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Jokinen throws an overhand right that lands on Benoit's shoulder, as Benoit tries to avoid the shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Benoit. Jokinen does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Jokinen breaks the clinch.
Jokinen leaves Benoit with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Benoit lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Jokinen thows a body shot but no joy.
Jokinen connects with a leg kick. Benoit looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Benoit throws a body punch but Jokinen moves out of range.
Jokinen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Benoit moves away.
Jokinen slips a straight right by Benoit.
Jokinen connects with a high kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benoit throws a leg kick
letting Jokinen counter with a right hand.
Jokinen checks the leg kick nicely there.
Benoit throws a leg kick but Jokinen sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Benoit throws a looping overhand right but Jokinen ducks down to avoid it.
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!
Benoit is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Benoit swings for the body but Jokinen moves out of range.
Jokinen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Benoit manages to avoid it.
Benoit uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Jokinen.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
The crowd cheers as Benoit lands an impressive looking overhand right. Jokinen doesn't seem phased though.
Jokinen connects with a crisp jab.
Jokinen ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ossi Jokinen dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Ossi Jokinen's cut.
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. This is the final round!

Benoit chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Benoit.
Benoit dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Benoit uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Jokinen.
Jokinen throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Benoit counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Jokinen throws a head kick but Benoit moves out of range.
Jokinen has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Benoit misses with a body shot.
Jokinen checks the leg kick.
Benoit misses with a low kick.
Benoit throws a hook but Jokinen blocks it.
Benoit lands a jab to the nose.
Benoit misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Jokinen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jokinen lands a nice hook to Benoit's body. Benoit takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Benoit cracks Jokinen with an open hand slap.
Benoit fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Jokinen takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Benoit avoids the head kick by Jokinen.
Jokinen fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Benoit swinging wildly here.
Jokinen dodges the punch combination from Benoit.
Benoit takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benoit throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Jokinen.
Jokinen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Benoit manages to avoid it.

Jokinen has closed the distance and engaged Benoit in a clinch.
Jokinen misses with the head strike.
Jokinen using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Benoit has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Jokinen with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Benoit is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Jokinen to keep the fight standing.

Benoit breaks the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Benoit uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Jokinen.
Jokinen throws a hook but Benoit blocks it.

Benoit dives in and scores a takedown into Jokinen's guard.
Jokinen is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jokinen prevents Benoit from improving his position.
Benoit makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Benoit.
Benoit is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Benoit is looking for a triangle but Jokinen pushes his legs off easily.
Jokinen is on the wrong end of a couple of strikes there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jokinen slips nicely into half guard.
Jokinen stalling.
Benoit wants to control but Jokinen is keeping busy.
Benoit is looking for a sweep. Jokinen is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Benoit is trying to maintain the position but Jokinen is very close to passing his half guard.
Jokinen with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matthieu Benoit showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Benoit has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 48:47
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 48:47
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matthieu Benoit!
Matthieu Benoit retains his light heavyweight title!
A less than humble Matthieu Benoit misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.