PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ben Benrod (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johny Cage (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johny Cage acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Benrod
vs
Cage

173 cm
23
138 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

170 cm
23
135 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ben Benrod!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Johny Cage!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, William Peck and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cage ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Benrod moves away.
Benrod throws a counter high kick but Cage was just alert enough to avoid it.
Benrod gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Cage counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Cage clinches up with Benrod and pushes him back against the cage.
Cage throws a head punch that misses.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Cage.
Cage lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Cage scores with a shoulder strike.
Benrod trying to stall but Cage improves his position.
Benrod misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Cage.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Cage creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Cage fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Benrod tries to pull guard but Cage won't allow it.
Cage lands a hook to the side of the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cage is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Cage misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cage misses with a hook to the ribs.
Cage working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Benrod has had enough of the clinch but Cage keeps him there for the moment.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Benrod tries to pull guard but Cage won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ben Benrod. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Benrod taking a breather.
Cage lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Benrod wants to stall.
Cage lands a hook to the side of the head.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Cage working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Cage lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Benrod is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Cage is defending well.
Cage tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benrod tries to pull guard but Cage holds him up against the cage and eventually Benrod drops back down to his feet.
A body shot lands from Cage.
Cage scores with a hook to the body.
The referee is keeping an eye on Cage - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Cage effectively controlling the action here.
Cage continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.
Cage lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Benrod backwards.
Benrod blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cage scores with a shot to the side of Benrod's head.
A short left from Cage.
Cage controlling the action here for a moment.
Cage works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cage manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Good body shot from Cage.
Cage leaning his opponent against the cage.
Cage lands a right hand.
A hook to the body from Cage.
A short right from Cage on the inside.
Benrod has Cage pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Cage manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Cage throws a head punch that misses.
Cage lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Benrod or not.
Benrod is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Cage to keep the fight standing.
Cage lands with a left to the head.
Cage scores with a nice hook to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benrod being controlled against the cage.
Cage pushes Benrod back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Cage displaying some good clinch control by pressing Benrod up against the cage.
Cage lands with a short shot to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Cage.
Cage lands a right hand that snaps the head of Benrod backwards.
Benrod is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Cage blocks a body shot from Benrod.
Cage throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Benrods head.
Cage throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Benrods head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johny Cage dominated that round.
That's time! Benrod's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Benrod blocks a jab.
Benrod tries for a takedown but Cage sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Benrod misses the shot to the body.
Benrod misses with a takedown attempt
and Cage counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Cage clobbers Benrod with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Sloppy strikes from Benrod. Those never looked like landing.
Benrod slips under a jab.
Benrod shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Cage sprawls well. Cage wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Benrod gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ben Benrod. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Cage forces Benrod back against the cage and clinches.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Cage takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Come on Cage - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cage manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Cage.
Benrod trying to land knees to the body.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Cage stalling in the clinch.
Benrod is trying to pull guard but Cage turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Cage lands a right hand.
Benrod trying to stall but Cage improves his position.
Cage blocks the elbow strike.
Cage displaying some good clinch control by pressing Benrod up against the cage.
Benrod has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Cage after a bit of a struggle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benrod drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Cage gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Cage working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Cage lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Benrod letting Cage take a breather here.
Benrod using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Cage has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Cage lands a shoulder strike.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Cage takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Cage fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Cage.

Benrod pulls Cage into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cage is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Benrod on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Benrod tries to get out of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benrod keeping full guard, as Cage tries to pass.
Cage postures up.
Cage passes Benrod's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Benrod is not content to let Cage control the position.
Cage tries to stand but can't do so whilst Benrod controls his leg.
Cage seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Benrod does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

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.
Benrod tries to roll over but Cage keeps him under control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cage wants to stand but his hand is trapped. Benrod uses the opportunity to regain full guard.
Cage wants to control from the top but Benrod keeps moving.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Benrod controlling Cage's posture.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Benrod shoots for a takedown but Cage saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Benrod displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Cage throws out the jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johny Cage showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Cage scores with a nice right hand.
Benrod looks for a takedown but Cage sprawls well.
Benrod shoots in for a takedown but Cage shows good takedown defense.
Benrod shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Cage counters by moving into the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ben Benrod. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Cage.
Cage lands a left hand that snaps the head of Benrod backwards.
Cage scores with a shoulder strike.
Cage lands a hook that snaps the head of Benrod backwards.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cage lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A right hand to the body from Cage.
Cage lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Benrod trying to stall but Cage improves his position.
Cage digs a right hand into Benrod's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Benrod's gas tank.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cage lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Benrod.
Nice body punch from Cage - that landed with a thud.
Cage scores with a nice hook to the head.
Cage is stalling here.
Cage works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Cage lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Benrod.
Cage makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A right hook to the body lands for Cage.
Johny Cage seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A short body shot lands from Cage as the two fighters clinch.
A bit of stalling here from Cage.
Cage lands with a light punch inside.
Cage lands a left hand that snaps the head of Benrod backwards.
A short body shot lands from Cage as the two fighters clinch.
A body shot lands from Cage.
Cage lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Benrod or not.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cage lands a shoulder strike.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cage digs a right hand into Benrod's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Benrod's gas tank.
A bit of stalling here from Cage.
Cage lands with a right to the head.
Still in the clinch, Cage scores with a nice short uppercut.
Cage displaying some good clinch control by pressing Benrod up against the cage.
Cage lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Cage lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Benrod.
Stalling in the clinch from Cage.
Benrod can't get the takedown.
Benrod looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A short right from Cage on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cage stalling against the cage.
A short right from Cage on the inside.
A shot in the inside from Cage.
Benrod being controlled against the cage.
A short left from Cage.
Cage lands with a right to the head.
Cage leaning his opponent against the cage.
Benrod tries to circle away but Cage has him pinned against the cage.
Cage presses Benrod against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Cage stalling in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cage keeps control of Benrod as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Still in the clinch, Cage scores with a nice short uppercut.
Benrod is working for takedown but Cage is calmly controlling the position for now.
Cage has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Cage digs a right hand underneath Benrod's ribcage. Benrod let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Cage scores with a shoulder strike.
Cage scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Cage lands a left hand.
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!
Benrod is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Cage gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Cage working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Cage stalling the fight.
Cage struggles to land a body shot inside as Benrod controls his hands.
Benrod letting Cage take a breather here.
Ben Benrod has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Johny Cage is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Benrod tries to land knees in the clinch but Cage avoids the damage to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Johny Cage comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Cage has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Gregory Folan scores the fight 25:30
Judge William Peck scores the fight 25:30
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Johny Cage!
During a confident post fight interview, Johny Cage thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.