PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Roy McDavid (ranked 485 p4p, 58 weight class) and Mario Benedetti (ranked 722 p4p, 90 weight class). Benedetti comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Bajafondo kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Mario Benedetti will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

McDavid
vs
Benedetti

177 cm
28
163 lbs
11 - 2 - 1

179 cm
22
170 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid Muay Thai
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Granite chin

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 2 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Roy McDavid!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Mario Benedetti!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Konstantin Menshow and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
We've got one fighter who appears to only be looking to counter and the other not looking particularly aggressive either, so we could be in for a dull fight.

Oooooh!!! Benedetti has knocked McDavid down with a huge combo! Benedetti steps away and waves a wobbly McDavid back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!

McDavid is rocked!

It looks like Roy McDavid has been cut.
McDavid keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Benedetti.
McDavid drops down looking for a counter takedown but Benedetti sprawls and moves away.
Oh McDavid is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Benedetti throws a jab but it's blocked by McDavid.
McDavid seems to have got his legs back now.
Benedetti throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
McDavid tries to counter with a takedown but Benedetti is quick to defend against it.
McDavid tries to close the distance and clinch up but Benedetti swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Benedetti now looks to counter with a shot at the body.

McDavid has managed to clinch.
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!
McDavid misses with a shot to the kidneys.
McDavid takes a shot to the head.
We've been hearing reports that McDavid has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
McDavid struggles to land a body shot inside as Benedetti controls his hands.
McDavid taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benedetti struggles to land a body shot inside as McDavid controls his hands.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Benedetti.
McDavid tries to pull guard but Benedetti won't allow it.
McDavid taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
McDavid lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Benedetti misses with a short punch on the inside.
McDavid tries to pull guard but Benedetti forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Benedetti throws a head punch that misses.
McDavid fails to pull guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roy McDavid. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McDavid blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Benedetti lands a hook that snaps the head of McDavid backwards.
Benedetti blocking some punches.
Benedetti lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Benedetti swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDavid's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

Benedetti breaks the clinch.
Benedetti swats away the attempt to clinch by McDavid.

McDavid moves into the clinch successfully.
McDavid blocks an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benedetti lands a shoulder strike.
Benedetti tries to break the clinch but McDavid is controlling the position.
Benedetti working aggressively here.
McDavid is trying to pull guard but Benedetti turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Benedetti lands with a left to the head.
Benedetti lands a left hand that snaps the head of McDavid backwards.
McDavid tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Benedetti is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
McDavid wants to stall.

Benedetti pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
McDavid keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Benedetti.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benedetti ducks down and throws a hook to the body but McDavid moves away.
Benedetti throws an uppercut from half a mile away. McDavid sees it coming and avoids it easily.
McDavid tries to close the distance and clinch but Benedetti swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Benedetti circles away from the clinch attempt.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Benedetti! But no joy.
Benedetti misses with a straight left.
McDavid drops down looking for a counter takedown but Benedetti sprawls and moves away.
Benedetti lands with a cross.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mario Benedetti dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Roy McDavid's cut.
That's time! McDavid's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

McDavid tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Benedetti has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Oooooh!!! Benedetti has knocked McDavid down with a huge combo! Benedetti steps away and waves a wobbly McDavid back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!
McDavid tries to close the distance and clinch up but Benedetti swats him away and circles back towards the center.
McDavid tries to clinch there but Benedetti circles away.

McDavid is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Benedetti's half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Benedetti controlling the position well.
Benedetti trying to control but McDavid postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benedetti controlling the position well.

McDavid is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

McDavid is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Benedetti doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time McDavid.
Benedetti felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Benedetti wants to get back to full guard.
McDavid works his foot free and advances to mount.
Benedetti is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDavid content just to control the position here.
Benedetti tries to lock up and control but McDavid gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Benedetti is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Benedetti regains half guard.

McDavid is looking for a kimura but Benedetti is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for McDavid to get the leverage.
Benedetti has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. McDavid is working away from the top position though.
McDavid looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
McDavid is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benedetti is looking to improve his position.

McDavid is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Benedetti defends it well.
McDavid looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Benedetti has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. McDavid is working away from the top position though.
Benedetti is refusing to be controlled, as McDavid sits in half guard.
Benedetti is concentrating on defense, preventing McDavid from advancing position.
McDavid trying to control from half guard but Benedetti is working away.

McDavid looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

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.
McDavid is trying to control. Benedetti wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Benedetti is looking to improve his position.
McDavid trying to pass the guard but Benedetti defending well.
Benedetti is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McDavid tries to pass to full mount but Benedetti defends it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

McDavid is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Benedetti defends it well.
Benedetti tries to roll over but McDavid keeps him under control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Mario Benedetti will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Roy McDavid's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Benedetti throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent McDavid stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Benedetti listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
McDavid slips a straight right by Benedetti.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McDavid misses with an uppercut. Benedetti saw that one coming.
McDavid doesn't succeed with the takedown
enabling Benedetti to counter with a crisp jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benedetti misses with a looping right.
Benedetti throws a looping overhand right but McDavid ducks down to avoid it.
McDavid moves out of range as Benedetti strikes.
McDavid fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Benedetti avoids it really well and circles away.
Benedetti swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
A telegraphed right hand from Benedetti misses the target.

McDavid throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Benedetti was covering up waiting for the punch and McDavid finishes the takedown easily into guard.
McDavid pushes down on Benedetti's leg and manages to get into half guard.
McDavid wants to pass to mount but Benedetti is defending the position.
McDavid wants to control but Benedetti is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDavid tries to pass to full mount but Benedetti defends it.
Benedetti desperately trying to maintain half guard.
McDavid trying to pass the guard but Benedetti defending well.
Benedetti is refusing to be controlled, as McDavid sits in half guard.
Benedetti is looking for a sweep. McDavid is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
McDavid looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Benedetti is pressing down on McDavid's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Benedetti has McDavid pulled in close to control his posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Benedetti working a defensive guard here.
McDavid preventing the sweep.
McDavid pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Benedetti is keeping the position for now.
McDavid trying to control but Benedetti is working from the bottom.
Benedetti is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Benedetti keeping full guard, as McDavid tries to pass.
Benedetti keeping moving, preventing McDavid from controlling successfully.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Benedetti takes a swing at McDavid's ribcage but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mario Benedetti really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Roy McDavid's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

McDavid darts in and clinches Benedetti up against the cage.
McDavid jumps guard but Benedetti turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Benedetti can't find room to land a body shot as McDavid controls the action.
McDavid is trying to pull guard but Benedetti turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
McDavid tries to pull guard but Benedetti forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roy McDavid. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Nice body punch from McDavid.
McDavid taking a breather.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McDavid keeps control of Benedetti as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Benedetti misses with a punch on the inside.
Benedetti wants to get back to striking at distance but McDavid won't allow it.
Benedetti swings wildly with an uppercut but McDavid uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mario Benedetti seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short left from Benedetti.
Benedetti lands with a right to the head.

Benedetti pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
McDavid misses the jab.
McDavid goes for a double leg but Benedetti avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Benedetti continues to drive forward.
Benedetti is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
McDavid tries to clinch but Benedetti moves out of range.
Benedetti throws out a counter right but McDavid avoids it with no problem.
Benedetti misses with a double jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benedetti will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Decent striking displayed by Benedetti there.
McDavid tries to clinch up.
Benedetti misses with a looping left.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDavid is looking to clinch but Benedetti is avoiding it.
Benedetti looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Benedetti throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
McDavid fails with an attempt to clinch.
A big right from Benedetti misses.
Benedetti missing with a left hand there. McDavid was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
McDavid tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Benedetti manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Mario Benedetti seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A swing and a miss from Benedetti.
Benedetti takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
McDavid misses with a body shot.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
McDavid tries to clinch
letting Benedetti counter with a right hand.
Benedetti throws a jab but it's blocked by McDavid.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mario Benedetti dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Roy McDavid's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

McDavid doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Benedetti counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
McDavid moves out of range of the strikes.
McDavid with a poor takedown
and Benedetti counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Benedetti throws a combination but it was largely blocked by McDavid.
McDavid wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
A big left from Benedetti misses.
McDavid attempts a counter takedown but Benedetti avoids it well and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benedetti swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and McDavid counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Benedetti lands an uppercut.
McDavid blocks an uppercut.
McDavid scores with a hook to the body.
Benedetti swings wildly with an uppercut but McDavid uses good head movement to avoid it.
McDavid avoiding damage.
Benedetti can't break the clinch.
McDavid has Benedetti pressed against the cage, preventing Benedetti from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Roy McDavid has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mario Benedetti is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDavid looking to slow down the pace here.

Benedetti escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Benedetti bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of McDavid's head.
Benedetti looks to throw the jab but McDavid is out of range.
A big left from Benedetti misses.
Benedetti dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McDavid closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Benedetti quickly recovers to half guard.
Benedetti is trying to maintain the position but McDavid is very close to passing his half guard.
McDavid seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Benedetti wants to improve his position but McDavid is controlling well.

McDavid is working for a submission of some sort.
McDavid seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Benedetti does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benedetti preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
McDavid missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Benedetti is concentrating on defense, preventing McDavid from advancing position.
McDavid is keen to just control but Benedetti is a slippery customer.
McDavid tries to pass to full mount but Benedetti defends it.
McDavid is trying to control the action in half guard but Benedetti is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

McDavid is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Benedetti defends it well.
Benedetti keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

McDavid is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Benedetti doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time McDavid.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mario Benedetti comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Benedetti winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Valeri Chadov scores the fight 45:50
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 46:50
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mario Benedetti!
Mario Benedetti is the new lightweight champion!
Mario Benedetti really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.