PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Grant Benton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sami Saari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Benton
vs
Saari

180 cm
32
185 lbs
14 - 8 - 0

170 cm
25
177 lbs
14 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Hellbent

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 14 - 8 - 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 14 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sami Saari!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saari ducks under a wild hook from Benton.
Benton definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Benton uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Saari has time to react.

Saari gets caught napping as Benton dives in and scores a takedown. Saari manages to retain guard.
Saari looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Saari trying to keep a closed guard but Benton is proving a slippery customer.
Saari being controlled here, momentarily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Benton trying to control but Saari is working from the bottom.
Saari wants to get back to his feet but Benton is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saari tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Benton trying to control the position from guard on top but Saari is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Saari 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.
Saari is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Benton controls from within his opponent's guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Benton throws out a loose jab but Saari uses good head movement to avoid it.
Saari misses with a right hand
letting Benton counter with a right hand.
Saari lands a really nice looking cross but Benton seems unphased.
Benton lands a head shot.
Saari throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Sami Saari seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Benton uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Saari.
Saari tries to clinch but Benton is having none of it.
An attempted straight right counter from Benton misses the target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benton lands a slapping body shot.
Saari throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Benton moves into the clinch.
Saari working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Benton lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Saari.

Saari escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Benton cracks Saari with an open hand slap.
Saari misses with a body shot.
Saari throws an off balance right hand
and Benton counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Saari is looking to clinch but Benton is avoiding it.
It looked like Benton wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Saari throws a predictable looking body shot
and Benton counters with a stiff right hand.
Benton uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Saari has time to react.
Sami Saari is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Saari misses with a hook
and Saari takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Benton is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Saari throws a hook but Benton blocks it.
Benton uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Saari.
Saari throws a body shot but no joy.
Benton is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Benton throws a hook to the side of Saari's head but Saari sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saari throws out a loose jab but Benton uses good head movement to avoid it.
Saari misses with an uppercut
and Benton counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

It looks like Sami Saari has been cut.
Benton throws a good cross that connects.
Saari throws a poor cross that misses
and Saari takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Benton missing with a left hand there. Saari was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Saari leaves Benton with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Saari takes a swing at Benton's ribcage but misses.
Benton looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Saari is fending him off so far but Benton persists. Nope, Saari circles away and we're back to standing.
Saari misses with a left hand
and Benton counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Saari throws an overhand right that lands on Benton's shoulder, as Benton tries to avoid the shot.
Benton half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Some wild striking there from Saari.
Benton defending well as Saari loads up on a big left hand.
Benton is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benton goes for a double leg but Saari avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Saari continues to drive forward.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Grant Benton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Saari lands with a shot to the body.
Benton uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Saari.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Saari throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Benton avoids a punch combination nicely.
Benton was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Saari throws a shot to the body.
Saari connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Benton throws an off balance right hand
and Saari counters with a left and a right that stings Benton.
Saari throws a body punch but Benton moves out of range.
Benton avoids the body shot from Saari.
Saari lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Saari swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Benton.
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 cut man is working on Sami Saari's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Benton slips a jab from Saari.
Saari throws a shot from downtown. Benton moves away and avoids it.
Benton was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
A right-left combo lands from Saari.
Saari throws a lazy right hand but Benton sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Benton was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
A punch combination from Saari misses.
Saari looks to throw the jab but Benton is out of range.
Benton throws a shot to the body.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Benton.
Saari takes one to the side of the head.
Saari misses with a straight right.
Saari thows a left - swing and a miss!
Benton changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Saari scores with a nice head shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Saari throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Benton sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Saari closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Saari throws a right hand that misses

and Benton moves into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benton takes a shot to the head.
Benton stalling in the clinch.
Saari lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Saari blocking some punches.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
A body shot lands from Benton.
Saari is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Benton is keeping busy.
Benton wants to take the fight to the mat but Saari manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Benton is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Benton misses with a hook to the ribs.
Saari stalls.
Benton has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Saari after a bit of a struggle.
Benton is trying to drag Saari to the mat but Saari just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Grant Benton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Saari lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Benton or not.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saari misses with a hook to the ribs.
Saari is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Saari doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A right hand to the body from Benton.
Saari fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Saari tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Benton's elbow.

Saari breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Benton moves out of range of the strikes.
Saari bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Saari throws a right hand that misses
and Benton counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Benton goes for a double leg but Saari avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Saari continues to drive forward.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Saari.
Benton is working for takedown but Saari is calmly controlling the position for now.
A head punch on the inside from Saari fails to land.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Benton gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Saari is trying to get back to full guard.
Benton wants to pass the guard but Saari is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benton looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Saari manages to get to full guard.
Benton being controlled here momentarily.
Saari is continuing to stall.
Saari keeping moving, preventing Benton from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Saari wants to sweep but no luck.
Saari has Benton pulled in close to control his posture.
Benton postures up.
Saari keeping moving, preventing Benton from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Saari showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Benton.
Saari darts in trying to clinch
enabling Benton to counter with a crisp jab.
Saari throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Benton.
Benton slips a jab from Saari.
Saari rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Benton counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
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 Grant Benton will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Sami Saari's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Saari rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Benton counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Saari lands a glancing blow to the side of Benton's head.
Saari misses with a hook to the body
letting Benton counter with a right hand.
Benton scores with a jab.
Saari throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Saari takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Saari throws the left hand but Benton avoids the punch easily.
Benton comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Saari misses the body punch
and Benton connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Benton scores with a nice head shot.
Benton swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
The fight stays on the outside here - Saari looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Saari will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Saari stuffs the takedown attempt from Benton. Benton gets slowly back to his feet.
Saari has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saari lands a head shot.
Benton misses with the combination.
Saari misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A quick step to the side and Benton tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
A jab from Saari misses.
Benton tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Saari defends well and Benton ends up having to push Saari into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Saari cracks Benton with a right hand to the side of the head.
Saari is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Saari is looking to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saari tries to clinch up but Benton circles away and keeps his distance.
A telegraphed right hand from Saari misses the target.
Benton tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Saari was well out of range. Poor timing from Benton.
Saari throws out a loose jab but Benton uses good head movement to avoid it.
Saari looks to score with a jab to the body but Benton is just out of range.
Saari throws a big shot that misses.
Saari lands with a good body shot.
Saari slips a jab from Benton.
Benton shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Saari sprawls well. Saari wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Benton gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Grant Benton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Benton throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Saari's waist but Saari gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Benton off to one side.
A telegraphed right hand from Saari misses the target.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Saari clinches up with Benton and pushes him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benton drops down looking for an ankle pick but Saari pulls his leg out and moves away.
Saari throws a body shot but no joy.
Benton looks to throw the jab but Saari is out of range.
Saari throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Benton throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Saari throws a right hand that Benton ducks under and follows up with a left that Benton also avoids with ease.
Benton fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
The fighters circle momentarily. Saari darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Saari scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Saari tries to clinch but Benton moves away
and Benton counters with a right hand to the body.
Saari ducks under a wild hook from Benton.
Benton with a jab.
Saari misses with a lunging right hand
and Benton counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saari misses with a right hand
and Benton counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Benton uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Saari.
It looked like Benton was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Saari.
Saari throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Benton stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Saari misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Saari pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Benton back to the cage. Saari follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

It looks like Grant Benton has been cut.
Saari throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Benton counters with a three punch combo that has Saari backing up. Saari nods at Benton to acknowledge the strikes.
Saari takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Saari just misses with a punch to the body.
Saari keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Benton throws a lazy right hand but Saari sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Saari misses with a double jab

and Benton moves into the clinch.
Benton doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Sami Saari has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Grant Benton is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Benton has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Saari after a bit of a struggle.
Benton looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Sami Saari.
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 Don Winkell scores the fight 30:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!