PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joost Van Buren (ranked 370 p4p, 54 weight class) and Michael Bennet (ranked 476 p4p, 71 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Van Buren
vs
Bennet

188 cm
31
206 lbs
22 - 10 - 0

190 cm
32
209 lbs
19 - 9 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

KOMBAT KLOTHING
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 10 - 0, fighting out of New York, Joost Van Buren!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Michael Bennet!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Yuuki Gou and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bennet throws a body punch but Van Buren moves out of range.
Bennet gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Bennet tries to clinch up.
Van Buren looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Bennet throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Van Buren stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Van Buren throws a wild body kick that Bennet sees coming a mile off.
Van Buren takes a swing at Bennet's ribcage but misses.
Bennet is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Van Buren with a body shot.
Van Buren connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Bennet momentarily.
Bennet displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Van Buren throws out the jab.

Bennet closes the distance and pushes Van Buren back into the cage.
A short right from Bennet.
Van Buren throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Bennet is leaning against Van Buren and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Van Buren is looking to control Bennet's arms but Bennet gets an underhook and turns him. Now Van Buren has his back to the cage.
Van Buren blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Van Buren tries to throw a body punch but Bennet avoids it by throwing Van Buren back against the cage.
Van Buren'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.
Bennet scores with a shot to the side of Van Buren's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Buren trying to stall but Bennet improves his position.
Van Buren misses with some punches.
Van Buren tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Bennet tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A nice left hand lands by Van Buren.
Van Buren lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Bennet or not.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Van Buren.
Van Buren lands a body punch.
Van Buren blocks a body shot from Bennet.
Bennet swings wildly with an uppercut but Van Buren uses good head movement to avoid it.
Van Buren digs a right hand into Bennet's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Bennet's gas tank.
Van Buren's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Bennet wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Van Buren lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Van Buren lands with a short shot to the head.
Van Buren blocks a body shot from Bennet.
Bennet misses with the head strike.
Bennet working aggressively here.
Van Buren has a couple of punches blocked by Bennet.
Bennet misses with a body punch.
Bennet misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Van Buren goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Bennet misses with a body punch.
Van Buren prevents Bennet from breaking the clinch.
Bennet goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Van Buren misses with a punch on the inside.
Bennet lands a body shot.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Van Buren.
Bennet lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Van Buren backwards.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Bennet.
Bennet tries a body shot but Van Buren blocks it.
A head punch on the inside from Bennet fails to land.
A short uppercut from Van Buren.

Van Buren breaks the clinch.
Van Buren loads up on a big right hand but Bennet slips the punch.
Van Buren defending well as Bennet loads up on a big left hand.
Van Buren throws a lazy body kick
and Bennet counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Van Buren thinking.
Van Buren is looking to clinch but Bennet is avoiding it.
Bennet slips under a jab.
Bennet was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Bennet lands a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Buren keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Bennet.
Bennet slips a jab from Van Buren.
Van Buren pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Bennet moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Bennet looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Bennet lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Bennet getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Bennet lands with an uppercut that bounces Van Buren off the cage and back into range.
Bennet lands a slapping body shot.
Van Buren moves forwards but Bennet connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Van Buren throws an off balance right hand
and Bennet counters with a nice uppercut.
Van Buren throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Bennet sees it coming and avoids it easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Van Buren misses with a wild body shot.
Van Buren with a hook.
Van Buren gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Bennet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A shot to the liver by Bennet. Beautiful body shot.
Van Buren walks into a left hand.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Van Buren, as that shot connected.

Bennet gets a clinch.
Bennet throws a head punch that misses.
Van Buren blocking some punches.
Van Buren scores with a nice hook to the head.
Bennet lands a hook that snaps the head of Van Buren backwards.
Van Buren blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Bennet.
Bennet tries to work over Van Buren's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A hook to the body from Van Buren.

Bennet escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A big left from Bennet misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Van Buren throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Bennet looks to land a left hand but Van Buren moved out of range nicely.
Bennet lands with a cross.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Bennet dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Van Buren takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Van Buren swings for the body but Bennet moves out of range.
A little jabbing left from Bennet on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Van Buren takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Bennet scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Van Buren doesn't seem bothered though.
Bennet moves away from the strike by Van Buren.
Bennet lands with an uppercut that bounces Van Buren off the cage and back into range.
Bennet looks for the body kick but Van Buren saw that one coming.
Van Buren misses with an uppercut.
Bennet throws the left hand but Van Buren avoids the punch easily.
Van Buren moves out of range of the body kick.
A shot to the liver by Bennet. Beautiful body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bennet scores with a punch to the head.
Van Buren stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

It looks like Michael Bennet has been cut.
Nice shot by Bennet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Van Buren throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Bennet counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Van Buren slips under a jab from Bennet.
Van Buren is looking for a counter combo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bennet throws a body punch but Van Buren moves out of range.
Bennet lands a nice shot that snaps Van Buren's head back.
Bennet misses with an uppercut.
Michael Bennet seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Van Buren slips under a jab from Bennet.
An attempted straight right counter from Van Buren misses the target.
Bennet connects with a good right hand that stumbles Van Buren. Van Buren circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Van Buren misses with a looping right.
Bennet misses with an uppercut. Van Buren saw that one coming.
Van Buren lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Van Buren waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Bennet.
Van Buren ducks under a wild hook from Bennet.
Bennet throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Van Buren throws a sloppy head kick
and Bennet cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Bennet lunges at Van Buren with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Van Buren's hand.
Van Buren keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Nice defenses there by Van Buren.
Bennet throws the kick towards the body but Van Buren avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bennet tries to land a front kick but Van Buren steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Van Buren throws a hook but Bennet avoids it easily.
Bennet throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Van Buren stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
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!
Bennet connects with a right hand. Van Buren shakes it off.
Van Buren throws a left and a right that both miss
and Bennet counters with a body kick that stops Van Buren in his tracks momentarily.
Bennet tries to land a body kick
and Bennet takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Bennet takes a swing at Van Buren's ribcage but misses.
An attempted straight right counter from Van Buren misses the target.
Michael Bennet seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Van Buren pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A jab lands there for Bennet.
Bennet misses with a kick to the body.
Bennet takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Bennet looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Bennet scores with a jab.
Van Buren walks forward, straight into a front kick from Bennet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Buren uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bennet.
It looked like Van Buren wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Bennet dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Van Buren. That did some damage!
Jab, jab by Bennet - just one landing.
Bennet ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Bennet throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Van Buren stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Bennet digs a good hook to Van Buren's body.
Bennet uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Van Buren.
Bennet has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Van Buren misses with a lunging right hand
and Bennet counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Van Buren blocks the body kick.
The fighters circling - Bennet throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
It looked like Van Buren wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Bennet fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Bennet ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Van Buren moves away.
Bennet lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Bennet dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Bennet throws a body punch but Van Buren moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Van Buren tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Bennet has closed the distance and engaged Van Buren in a clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Van Buren creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Van Buren lands with a left to the head.
Van Buren blocks a body shot from Bennet.
Bennet lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Van Buren backwards.
A shot in the inside from Bennet.
Van Buren tries to throw a body punch but Bennet avoids it by throwing Van Buren back against the cage.
Bennet blocking some punches.
Van Buren lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Van Buren working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Bennet lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Van Buren misses with some punches.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Van Buren.
Van Buren struggles to land a body shot inside as Bennet controls his hands.
A frustrated look appears on Bennet's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Van Buren softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Van Buren.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Bennet showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Michael Bennet's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Van Buren ducks right into an uppercut from Bennet.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Bennet.
A clash of legs there as Van Buren blocks the low kick.
Van Buren swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Van Buren paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Bennet tries to clinch but Van Buren is having none of it.
Van Buren takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Van Buren misses with a few strikes there.
Bennet connects with a body shot that sends Van Buren's belly button to the back.
Bennet will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Van Buren looks to land a right hand but Bennet moved out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Van Buren takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Van Buren scores with a spinning back kick!
A big left from Bennet misses.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bennet connects with a leg kick. Van Buren looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Bennet misses with an attempted mid kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Buren tries to land a front kick but Bennet steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Van Buren looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Bennet moves out of range of the body kick.
Bennet takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Nice uppercut there from Van Buren.
Van Buren misses with a body shot.
Van Buren misses with a hook
and Bennet counters with a nice body shot.
Bennet throws an off balance right hand
and Van Buren counters with a nice uppercut.
Bennet throws a body kick that misses.
Van Buren was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Van Buren uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bennet.
Bennet bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Bennet throws a body shot but no joy.
Bennet scores with the left hand. Van Buren knows he should have avoided that one.
Bennet keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Van Buren thows a left - swing and a miss!
Joost Van Buren has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bennet goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bennet throws a hook but Van Buren avoids it easily.
Bennet tries to land a leg kick but Van Buren saw it coming and moves away.
Van Buren is looking to counter punch.
Bennet takes one on the button.
Bennet lands a head kick. Van Buren smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Van Buren misses with a hook
and Bennet counters with a straight right hand.
Bennet lands a slapping body shot.
Van Buren shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Bennet eats them both and turns towards Van Buren to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Bennet bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Bennet misses with a straight right.
It looked like Van Buren wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Bennet jabs Van Buren to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Bennet throws a looping overhand right but Van Buren ducks down to avoid it.
Bennet misses with a jab to the body
and Van Buren counters with a nice uppercut.

Bennet is rocked!

That has opened up Michael Bennet's cut even more.
Van Buren throws a body punch but Bennet moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bennet misses with a wild body shot.
Van Buren misses the jab.
Bennet let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Van Buren throws a hook but Bennet blocks it.
Bennet appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Bennet slips under a jab.
Bennet with a nice cross.
Van Buren throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Bennet counters with a straight right hand.
Van Buren avoids the body shot from Bennet.
As Bennet looks to move away, Van Buren throws a big counter combo but Bennet just gets out of the way.
A big left from Van Buren misses.
Van Buren takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Van Buren throws a hook but Bennet blocks it.
Bennet will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Van Buren tries to bum rush Bennet with a series of wild strikes but Bennet uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Van Buren scores with a decent looking hook.
Van Buren misses with an uppercut. Bennet saw that one coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bennet tries to close the distance and clinch up but Van Buren swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Bennet lands with an uppercut that bounces Van Buren off the cage and back into range.
Van Buren misses with a body kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bennet misses with a body kick.
Van Buren throws a hook but Bennet avoids it easily.
Bennet scores with a kick to the midsection.
Van Buren uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bennet.
Bennet slips a jab from Van Buren.
Bennet connects with a good right hand that stumbles Van Buren. Van Buren circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Van Buren uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bennet.
Van Buren quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Bennet lunges at Van Buren with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Van Buren's hand.
Van Buren misses with a straight right.
Bennet looks to land a right hand but Van Buren moved out of range.
Bennet lands a right hook to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michael Bennet comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Bennet 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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michael Bennet!
A less than humble Michael Bennet misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.