PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between DJ Benn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Congo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Joe Congo has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with DJ Benn's chin.

Benn
vs
Congo

167 cm
26
144 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

160 cm
21
135 lbs
8 - 9 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, DJ Benn!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Joe Congo!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Congo.
Congo shoots in and drives through. Benn sprawls well.
Congo has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Benn is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Benn is looking to land body kicks.
Congo shoots for a double leg takedown but Benn sprawls well. He's pushed Congo's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
DJ Benn has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joe Congo.

Benn pushes Congo up against the cage in a clinch.
Congo is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Congo goes for a takedown in the clinch but Benn prevents it.
Benn is trying to push Congo away but Congo has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Congo jumps guard but Benn turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Benn is pressed up against the cage. Congo has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Benn down to the mat. Benn avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Benn lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Benn scores with a body shot.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Congo.
Congo fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Congo looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Benn is fending him off so far but Congo persists. Nope, Benn circles away and we're back to standing.
Congo changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Benn tries to avoid it but Congo manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Benn to the ground. Benn escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Benn thuds a left hand into Congo's body.
Congo shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Benn as he jumps to the side.
Congo looks winded!

Benn has closed the distance and engaged Congo in a clinch.

Benn escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Benn lands a jab.
Benn throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Congo looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Benn is fending him off so far but Congo persists. Nope, Benn circles away and we're back to standing.
Congo darts in looking for a takedown but Benn gets double underhooks and turns Congo into the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benn controlling the action here for a moment.
Congo is stalling here.
Congo is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Benn pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Congo has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Benn is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Congo has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Benn avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Congo misses with a punch to the body.
Congo has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Benn is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Benn as Congo tries to tie him up.
Congo is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Benn is defending well.
Congo wants to take the fight to the mat but Benn manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benn tries to break free but Congo pushes him back against the cage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

Benn breaks from the clinch.
Benn slaps away a takedown attempt from Congo, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Congo fails with a takedown attempt.
Congo moves to clinch but Benn breaks away
letting Benn counter with a right hand.
Benn lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Congo dives in and grabs Benn's left leg, looking for a takedown. Benn pushes down on Congo's head and hops out.
Congo looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Congo misses with a takedown attempt - Benn sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benn goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Congo closes this distance looking for a takedown but Benn circles away.
Joe Congo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Congo shoots in for a double leg but Benn sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Benn attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Benn throws a body kick that misses.
A nice combination there by Benn.
Benn lands with a shot to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Congo closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Benn is looking for a sweep. Congo is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Benn is trying to stand back up but Congo is controlling him

Congo is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Benn defends it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

DJ Benn dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Benn closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Benn is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Congo can do to turn this around?
Benn creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Congo gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Benn regains guard.
Congo stands and throws Benn's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Benn managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Congo.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

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

Congo tries for a kimura but Benn is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Benn's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Congo is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Benn knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Congo is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Benn has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Congo is trying to get an arm triangle but Benn is defending well.
Benn tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Congo throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Benn is working to avoid the ground and pound but Congo connects with a decent elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benn is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Congo has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Benn dodges the ground and pound from Congo.

Congo tries for a kimura but Benn is defending well.

Congo is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Benn knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
An elbow from Congo crashes against the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Congo wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Benn, who protects the arm well.
Congo postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

Congo is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Benn knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Benn is looking to regain half guard here but Congo keeps moving and retains side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Congo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Congo closes the distance and clinches up with Benn, looking for a takedown. Congo pushes Benn against the cage but Benn circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Congo shoots in looking for a takedown but Benn manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Congo's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Benn jabs at Congo's body.
Congo fails with the takedown.
DJ Benn has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joe Congo.
Benn scores with a hook to the body. Congo takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Congo shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Benn but Benn pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Congo closes the distance and clinches up with Benn, looking for a takedown. Congo pushes Benn against the cage but Benn circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Congo slips a jab and a cross from Benn.
Congo takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Congo tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Benn is looking to wear down Congo with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Benn throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Congo avoids a kick to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Congo gets tackled into the cage by Benn. Benn maintains the clinch.
Benn gets underhooks to prevent Congo's takedown attempt.
Congo is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Benn gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Congo is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Benn is defending well.

Benn manages to break the clinch.
Benn lands a jab.
DJ Benn is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Congo dives in and grabs Benn's left leg, looking for a takedown. Benn pushes down on Congo's head and hops out.
Benn dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Congo. That did some damage!
Congo dives in and grabs Benn's left leg, looking for a takedown. Benn pushes down on Congo's head and hops out.
Benn throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Congo.

Congo shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Benn's guard.
Benn has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Benn keeping moving, preventing Congo from controlling successfully.
Congo throws a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Congo trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Congo in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Congo postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Benn is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Congo, into his guard.

Congo working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Benn doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Benn manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Benn tries to stand but Congo is controlling from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Congo not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Congo is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Benn defends well.
Congo looking for a sweep. Not yet Congo, not yet.

And that's the end of the fight!
DJ Benn showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Benn 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 29:28
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... DJ Benn!