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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Michael Benoit (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tokugawa Kazunari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Benoit comes to the cage accompanied by Praise. Kazunari comes into a darkened arena with his song building. The Seeker kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Tokugawa Kazunari is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.
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| 170 cm
31
140 lbs
31 - 11 - 1 |
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160 cm
29
143 lbs
17 - 5 - 0 |
Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank |
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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
31 - 11 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Michael Benoit!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
17 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Tokugawa Kazunari!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Skip Squint and John Mangel.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kazunari avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kazunari looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Michael Benoit seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Kazunari.
Benoit throws a body punch but Kazunari moves out of range.
Benoit throws a jab when Kazunari was well out of range.
Sloppy strikes from Benoit. Those never looked like landing.
Benoit looks to score with a jab to the body but Kazunari is just out of range.
Benoit throws a shot to the body.
Benoit throws a series of punches but Kazunari moves out of range.
Kazunari fakes the leg kick and cracks Benoit in the body.
Kazunari throws a quick inside leg kick.
Kazunari takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Benoit wants to clinch.
Good exchange - Kazunari coming out on top.
Benoit moves in looking to clinch but Kazunari pushes him off.
Benoit just misses with a punch to the body.
Benoit thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kazunari works the jab nicely.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Benoit lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Benoit misses with a few strikes there.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kazunari.
Benoit misses with a left hand
and Kazunari counters with a takedown into side control.
Benoit isn't going anywhere.
Kazunari landing a few strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Benoit is positioning himself to get back to half 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!
Kazunari working away.
Kazunari throws an elbow but Benoit slips to the side and avoids it well.
Benoit tries to improve position but can't.
Benoit avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Kazunari.
Benoit wants to control but Kazunari postures up.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kazunari in side control lands a decent elbow.
Kazunari working away.
Benoit defending against the ground and pound.
Kazunari working away.
Kazunari scoring with punches from side control.
Kazunari sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Benoit is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Kazunari wants to control but Benoit is keeping him busy.
Kazunari tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Benoit can't do much from the bottom here.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kazunari is putting a hurting on Benoit here, landing some big shots from side control.
Benoit manages to work his way to half guard, despite Kazunari's best efforts.
Kazunari prevents Benoit from improving his position.
Benoit is working hard here to advance position.
Kazunari not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Kazunari is keen to just control but Benoit is a slippery customer.
Benoit avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Kazunari.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kazunari sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Benoit defending well though.
Benoit is concentrating on defense, preventing Kazunari from advancing position.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benoit trying to control but Kazunari postures up.
Benoit tries to roll over but Kazunari keeps him under control.
Benoit is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Michael Benoit.
Benoit misses with a leg kick
and Kazunari counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Benoit regains full guard. Nicely done.
Kazunari prevents Benoit from getting back to his feet.
Kazunari works over Benoit with some ground and pound from guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kazunari cracks Benoit with a solid left hand.
Kazunari stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Benoit swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kazunari has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Tokugawa Kazunari dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
Kazunari lands a nice leg kick that just misses Benoit's sensitive parts.
Kazunari misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Benoit throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kazunari.
Kazunari dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Benoit misses with a straight left.
Kazunari scores with a hook to the body. Benoit takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Kazunari connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Nice uppercut lands for Kazunari. That snapped Benoit's head back.
Benoit scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Kazunari doesn't seem bothered though.
Kazunari throws out a loose jab but Benoit uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kazunari gets the takedown into side control.
Benoit struggling a bit here.
Benoit is looking to regain half guard here but Kazunari keeps moving and retains side control.
Tokugawa Kazunari has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kazunari scoring with punches and elbows.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kazunari working the ground and pound from side control.
Benoit wants to control but Kazunari postures up.
Benoit tries to escape but Kazunari is in control.
Benoit is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Kazunari's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Kazunari missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Benoit is looking for a sweep. Kazunari is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Benoit gets back to full guard.
Benoit keeping moving, preventing Kazunari from controlling successfully.
Benoit bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kazunari's guard.
Benoit trying to stand up but can't free himself from Kazunari's guard.
Benoit has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kazunari escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Benoit gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Benoit trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kazunari keeping moving, preventing Benoit from controlling successfully.
Benoit stays in close to Kazunari's body and controls the position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kazunari is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Kazunari has an active guard here but Benoit has managed to pass into half guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benoit takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Benoit wants to control but Kazunari is keeping him busy.
Benoit is figuring out what he wants to do next.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Kazunari is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Benoit slows the pace down in half guard.
The ref stands the fighters back up. Michael Benoit wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Donk. Benoit catches Kazunari right on the button with a cross.
Kazunari digs a good body shot into Benoit's ribs.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benoit connects with a looping right hand.
Benoit misses the shot to the body.
Kazunari has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Kazunari there as he acknowledges the shot.
Kazunari lands with a nice body punch.
Benoit throws a leg kick which misses Kazunari's front leg but catches the back leg as Kazunari tries to avoid it.
Benoit is looking to clinch but Kazunari is avoiding it.
Benoit tries to clinch but Kazunari moves out of range.
Michael Benoit is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Benoit avoids a kick to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Crunch! Kazunari slams his shin into Benoit's torso.
Benoit takes a swing at Kazunari's ribcage but misses.
Benoit throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kazunari takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Benoit moves forwards but Kazunari connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Benoit throws a hook to the side of Kazunari's head but Kazunari sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kazunari drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Benoit is trying to control the position from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close second round but I would say that Michael Benoit will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
Kazunari looks to land a left hand but Benoit moved out of range nicely.
Kazunari fails with the takedown.
Benoit tries to sprawl but Kazunari drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Benoit is trying to stand back up but Kazunari is controlling him
Kazunari missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Kazunari stops Benoit from getting back to his feet.
Kazunari scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Benoit tries to get to full guard but Kazunari has control of the leg.
Benoit is not content to let Kazunari control the position.
Benoit tries to get to full guard but Kazunari has control of the leg.
Kazunari is thwarting Benoit's attempts to control the position.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Benoit keeps control of the position for the meantime.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Benoit wants to control but Kazunari is keeping busy.
The ref stands the fighters back up because Michael Benoit just wasn't active enough.
A nice leg kick lands there from Kazunari.
Benoit tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Kazunari is able to avoid easily.
Benoit throws a nice looking combination but Kazunari bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kazunari steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Benoit.
Benoit moves forwards but Kazunari connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Michael Benoit is winning the standup battle so far.
Benoit thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kazunari thumps Benoit with a low kick.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kazunari sizes up Benoit with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Kazunari takes a jab right on the kisser.
Benoit misses with a looping right.
Kazunari lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Benoit throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kazunari checks a leg kick.
Benoit works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Benoit misses the jab.
Kazunari dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Benoit. That did some damage!
Kazunari misses with the combination.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kazunari has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Kazunari there as he acknowledges the shot.
Kazunari scores with a hook.
Kazunari 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 is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Benoit fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kazunari shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Benoit sprawls well. Benoit wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kazunari gets slowly back to his feet.
Benoit lands with a good body shot.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kazunari bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Benoit fails in his attempt to clinch.
Benoit throws a leg kick that is checked
so Kazunari counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Kazunari trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kazunari prevents Benoit from getting back to his feet.
Kazunari content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Kazunari preventing the sweep.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Benoit not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Benoit avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Benoit is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Kazunari pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Benoit is keeping the position for now.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kazunari wants to control from the top but Benoit keeps moving.
Michael Benoit has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Benoit fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Kazunari has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Benoit throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Benoit takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Kazunari checks a low kick from Benoit.
Benoit misses with a hook
and Kazunari counters with a shoot takedown. Benoit fights it but they end up in guard.
Kazunari postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Benoit is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Benoit preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kazunari throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kazunari trying to control but Benoit is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Tokugawa Kazunari really dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
Benoit looks to score with a jab to the body but Kazunari is just out of range.
A low kick from Kazunari misses
and Benoit counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kazunari on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Kazunari moves into range and connects with a jab.
Kazunari is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Benoit.
Benoit fails with an attempt to clinch.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kazunari.
Kazunari dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Benoit. That did some damage!
Kazunari throws the left hand but Benoit avoids the punch easily.
Nice uppercut there from Benoit.
Benoit on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Benoit takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Kazunari moves away from the strike by Benoit.
Benoit loads up on a big right hand but Kazunari slips the punch.
Jab, jab by Kazunari - just one landing.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Benoit fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Kazunari is out of range.
Kazunari takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Kazunari swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Benoit.
Kazunari avoids the body shot from Benoit.
Benoit cracks Kazunari with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Benoit just misses with a punch to the body.
Kazunari with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Benoit throws a series of punches but Kazunari moves out of range.
Nice defenses there by Kazunari.
Benoit lands an overhand right.
Kazunari swats away the attempt to clinch by Benoit.
Kazunari connects with a leg kick. Benoit looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Benoit lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
A cross from Benoit lands.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Kazunari. Benoit shrugs it off though.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benoit falls off balance throwing a combination
and Kazunari counters with a nice double leg into side control. Benoit won't be happy with that.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Benoit is looking to reverse the position.
Benoit gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Kazunari moves into full mount! Benoit won't be happy about that!
Kazunari postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Benoit looks a forlorn figure.
Benoit is bucking up trying to escape but Kazunari cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Kazunari postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Benoit looks a forlorn figure.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kazunari lands a big elbow.
Benoit really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Kazunari landing strikes, looking to finish!
Kazunari with the ground and pound from mount.
Benoit really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Kazunari cracks Benoit with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Benoit sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Kazunari scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benoit moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kazunari is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Kazunari postures up and lands a big shot to Benoit's brow.
Kazunari is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Kazunari landing with the ground and pound.
Kazunari wants to control from the top but Benoit keeps moving.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kazunari tries to free his leg and advance position but Benoit is retaining full guard.
Kazunari won't allow Benoit to sweep him here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Tokugawa Kazunari dominated that fourth round.
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 wants to clinch up but Kazunari keeps it at a distance.
Kazunari is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Kazunari motions for Benoit to come forward. Kazunari throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Benoit swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kazunari lands with a nice body punch.
Benoit throws a low kick, looking for Kazunari's leg but Kazunari calmly moves out of range.
Benoit takes one on the button.
Benoit misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kazunari.
Kazunari moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
An inside leg kick lands from Kazunari.
Kazunari on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Benoit walks into a left hand.
Kazunari takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Benoit lands with a hook. Kazunari tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
A cross from Kazunari lands.
Kazunari scores with a nice right hand.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Benoit throws a lazy right hand but Kazunari sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Some wild striking there from Kazunari.
Benoit throws a jab but it's blocked by Kazunari.
Kazunari throws the left hand but Benoit avoids the punch easily.
Benoit looks to land a left hand but Kazunari moved out of range nicely.
Benoit fails to land with a series of punches.
A good leg kick by Kazunari.
Benoit moves into range and connects with a jab.
Kazunari connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Benoit scores with a jab to the head.
Kazunari avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
That kick from Benoit tenderised Kazunari's leg. Kazunari is trying to keep his angry face on.
Benoit tries to clinch up.
Kazunari shoots in for a takedown but Benoit shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kazunari lands a nice shot to the body.
Benoit tries to land a leg kick but Kazunari saw it coming and moves away.
Benoit tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kazunari manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kazunari has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Benoit lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Benoit, right into the meat.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Benoit fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kazunari slips a straight right by Benoit.
Benoit walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Kazunari checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Kazunari uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Benoit.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Kazunari.
Kazunari explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Kazunari digs a good body shot into Benoit's ribs.
Kazunari checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Benoit misses with an uppercut. Kazunari saw that one coming.
Kazunari fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benoit connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Nice uppercut there from Benoit.
A telegraphed right hand from Benoit misses the target.
Benoit misses with a looping left.
Kazunari looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Benoit lands a jab to Kazunari's midsection.
Benoit looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Benoit misses the shot to the body.
Kazunari throws the kick towards the body but Benoit avoids it.
Benoit looks to land a right hand but Kazunari moved out of range.
A swing and a miss from Benoit.
Kazunari defending well as Benoit loads up on a big left hand.
Benoit lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Nice body punch from Benoit.
Benoit cracks Kazunari with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kazunari scores with a kick to the body.
Benoit scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kazunari throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Benoit scores with a crisp jab that stopped Kazunari in his tracks.
Kazunari is rocked!
Benoit misses the jab.
Kazunari is still on wobbly legs! Can Benoit finish him?
Benoit tries to clinch up.
Benoit throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kazunari seems to have recovered his senses.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Kazunari missing with a left hand there. Benoit was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Benoit fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Kazunari throws the left hand but Benoit avoids the punch easily.
Kazunari wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Kazunari connects with an inside leg kick.
Michael Benoit has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Benoit blocks the body kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kazunari throws a chopping leg kick but Benoit manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
No luck for Kazunari with that takedown attempt.
Benoit lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
And that's the end of the fight!
Michael Benoit showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kazunari 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 47:48
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 47:48
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 47:48
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tokugawa Kazunari!
Tokugawa Kazunari is the new bantamweight champion!
Tokugawa Kazunari seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
100% |
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