PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Grant Benton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Luke Kennedy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Benton
vs
Kennedy

180 cm
24
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
24
182 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Intelligent

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Grant Benton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Luke Kennedy!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kennedy misses with a double jab.
Benton misses with a takedown
and Kennedy counters with a series of strikes. Benton will be more careful next time no doubt.
Kennedy circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kennedy misses with a wild combination.
Benton misses with a series of wild punches.
Kennedy misses with a two punch combination.
Kennedy throws a right hand that Benton ducks under and follows up with a left that Benton also avoids with ease.
Kennedy avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kennedy falls off balance throwing a combination

and Benton counters by clinching up.
Benton prevents a takedown attempt there.

Benton manages to break the clinch.
Kennedy blocks a jab.
Benton looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kennedy is fending him off so far but Benton persists. Nope, Kennedy circles away and we're back to standing.
Benton tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kennedy paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A punch combination from Benton misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Benton moves into the clinch.
Kennedy tries for a takedown. No joy.
Benton lands a right hand.

Benton manages to break the clinch.
Benton moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Kennedy throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kennedy misses with a two punch combination.
Kennedy cracks Benton with an open hand slap.
Benton shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kennedy as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Grant Benton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Benton tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Benton wants to clinch up but Kennedy keeps it at a distance.
Benton tries to clinch up.
Kennedy lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Benton circles away quickly and effectively.
Luke Kennedy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Benton is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kennedy sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Kennedy closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Benton did well to prevent Kennedy getting side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Kennedy is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benton gets back to full guard.

Benton manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Benton wants to clinch.
Benton doesn't manage to clinch there - Kennedy circles away.
Kennedy misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Benton is defended easily by Kennedy.
Benton is breathing heavily.
Kennedy digs a good hook to Benton's body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benton takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Benton fails with the takedown.

Kennedy scores with a takedown into Benton's guard.
Kennedy stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Benton swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Benton is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Kennedy sitting in guard here, content to control.
Kennedy throwing strikes but missing.
Benton is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Kennedy really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Benton. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kennedy pushes Benton off looking to stand but Benton dives back in and keeps control.
Still in half guard, Benton seems content to control.
Kennedy wants to get back to his feet.
Benton thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Benton seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kennedy does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kennedy keeping hold of Benton's head, controlling as best he can.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Kennedy can do anything to dispel that myth.
Kennedy wants to get back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Kennedy tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Benton swivels and escapes.
Benton is looking to clinch but Kennedy is avoiding it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Grant Benton will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Kennedy defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Benton.
Benton tries to clinch but Kennedy is having none of it.
Benton tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kennedy swivels and escapes.
Kennedy throws a right and a left that Benton avoids nicely.
Benton dodges the punch combination from Kennedy.
Benton slips a jab and a cross from Kennedy.
Kennedy avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Benton throws the kick towards the body but Kennedy avoids it.
Benton wants to clinch.
Left hook, right uppercut from Kennedy.
Benton tries to bum rush Kennedy with a series of wild strikes but Kennedy uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Benton is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kennedy sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Grant Benton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Horrible takedown by Benton or perhaps it was just good defense by Kennedy which made him look bad.
Benton throws a series of punches but Kennedy avoids them all with ease.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A right-left combo lands from Kennedy.
Good shot there by Kennedy.
Benton wants to clinch up but Kennedy keeps it at a distance.
Kennedy shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Benton but Benton pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Benton swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kennedy swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Benton with a lazy takedown attempt

and Kennedy decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Benton's guard.
Kennedy slips nicely into half guard.
Kennedy looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kennedy trying to pass the guard but Benton defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kennedy content to control rather than advance.
Kennedy wants to lay and pray for a moment but Benton keeps working.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Luke Kennedy.
Kennedy shoots in for a double leg but Benton sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Benton will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Grant Benton is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Benton tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kennedy connects with a crisp jab.
Benton doesn't manage to clinch there - Kennedy circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benton throws a chopping leg kick but Kennedy manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Benton will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Benton tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Benton on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Kennedy fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Benton misses with a hook. Kennedy ducked under it nicely.
Kennedy throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Benton tries to clinch there but Kennedy circles away.
Kennedy scores with a hook.
Kennedy shoots in for a takedown but Benton shows good takedown defense.
Kennedy rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Benton moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Benton is looking to clinch but Kennedy is avoiding it.
Benton takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Benton will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kennedy misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benton showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kennedy.
Benton tries to clinch up.
Benton throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kennedy's waist but Kennedy gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Benton off to one side.
Kennedy will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kennedy lunges at Benton with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Benton's hand.
Benton slaps away a takedown attempt from Kennedy, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Benton misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Kennedy drives through with a takedown into guard.
Benton is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Benton is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luke Kennedy showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Kennedy lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Benton circles away quickly and effectively.
Kennedy slaps away a takedown attempt from Benton, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Kennedy closes this distance looking for a takedown but Benton circles away.
Benton is looking to clinch but Kennedy is avoiding it.
Kennedy ducks under a wild hook from Benton.
Benton wants to slow Kennedy down by chopping away at his legs.
A head kick misses from Benton.

Benton clinches up with Kennedy and pushes him back against the cage.
Kennedy looking for a takedown.

Benton's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Sloppy strikes from Kennedy. Those never looked like landing.
Luke Kennedy seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kennedy misses with a jab, cross combination.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Benton.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kennedy misses with a wild body shot.

Benton gets in close and instigates a clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Kennedy's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Benton's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Benton takes the fight into the clinch.
A short right from Benton on the inside.
Kennedy has had enough of the clinch but Benton keeps him there for the moment.
Kennedy is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Benton.
Kennedy tries to score a body lock takedown but Benton shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Grant Benton has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Luke Kennedy.
Benton is trying to break free.
Benton scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Benton lands an uppercut.
Kennedy keeps control of Benton as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benton is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Kennedy has Benton pressed against the cage, preventing Benton from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Kennedy keeps control of Benton as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Benton.
Benton lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Kennedy tries a body shot but Benton blocks it.
Kennedy has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Benton after a bit of a struggle.
Kennedy has Benton pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Benton manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Kennedy prevents Benton from breaking the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Benton wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kennedy has him pressed against the cage.
Benton can't break the clinch.
Kennedy wants a takedown.
Benton lands a shoulder strike.
Benton lands a hook that snaps the head of Kennedy backwards.
Benton lands with a short shot to the head.
Kennedy is trying to push Benton away but Benton has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Benton's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kennedy misses with a two punch combination.
Benton tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Benton lands a lovely overhand right.
Kennedy throws a nice looking combination but Benton bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Benton misses with a takedown attempt
and Kennedy connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kennedy throws a one two combo.

Benton gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Kennedy to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Kennedy 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.
Benton is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Benton tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kennedy won't allow Benton to get back to his feet.
Kennedy is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Luke Kennedy hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
The fighters circle momentarily. Kennedy darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Kennedy swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kennedy throws a nice looking combination but Benton bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Kennedy scores a takedown into full mount!
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Benton is in all sorts of trouble here.
Benton tries to hold on but Kennedy pushes him away.

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 Grant Benton.
I think Benton 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Grant Benton!