PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Benson Whyte (ranked 68 p4p, 11 weight class) and Michael Garibaldi (ranked 148 p4p, 25 weight class). Whyte comes into the arena with Bob Marley - Jammin blaring out of the sound system. Garibaldi has chosen Resist and Bite - Sabaton as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Whyte
vs
Garibaldi

183 cm
34
182 lbs
37 - 13 - 0

190 cm
31
185 lbs
22 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing
UnderGround Clothing Co.

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing
Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 37 - 13 - 0, fighting out of London, Benson Whyte!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 13 - 0, fighting out of New York, Michael Garibaldi!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Hirohito Nitta and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Whyte misses with a left hand

and Garibaldi counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Garibaldi prevents a body shot from Whyte.
Whyte misses with the head strike.
Whyte using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Garibaldi has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Garibaldi tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Garibaldi goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Whyte with an attempt at a knee that misses.
A nice left hand lands by Whyte.
Garibaldi working aggressively here.
Whyte goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Whyte.
Garibaldi lands a shot to the body.
Whyte pushes Garibaldi back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A short left from Garibaldi.
Whyte working aggressively here.
A nice right hand lands inside from Garibaldi.
Garibaldi softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Whyte misses with a hook from the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Whyte fails to land.

Garibaldi pulls guard effortlessly.

Garibaldi has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Whyte can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Garibaldi is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Garibaldi has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Whyte is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Garibaldi.
Whyte is looking to take a break and control but Garibaldi is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Garibaldi tries to buck Whyte off but Whyte is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Whyte controlling the position.
Garibaldi is trying to control Whyte's posture but Whyte avoids it.
Whyte tries to advance to mount but Garibaldi denies him.
Whyte is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Garibaldi is looking for a sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Whyte has control of an arm but Garibaldi manages to advance to Whyte's back!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Garibaldi has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Garibaldi has his opponent's back but Whyte is looking to stand. He manages to get to his feet and shakes off Garibaldi.
Garibaldi gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Whyte throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Whyte looks to land a left hand but Garibaldi moved out of range nicely.
Whyte throws a body kick that misses

and Garibaldi counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Whyte lands a nice shot to the body.
Whyte fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Garibaldi blocking some punches.
Garibaldi blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Garibaldi throws a punch but it's blocked by Whyte.
Garibaldi scores with a shot to the side of Whyte's head.
Garibaldi lands an uppercut.
Whyte lands a hook that snaps the head of Garibaldi backwards.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Garibaldi blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Whyte tries to work over Garibaldi's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Whyte with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Garibaldi blocks a body shot from Whyte.
Garibaldi has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Whyte seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Garibaldi can turn it around.
Whyte softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Garibaldi scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Whyte lands with a light punch inside.
Garibaldi tries to pull guard but Whyte won't allow it.
Whyte tries to land a knee to the head but Garibaldi blocks with his arms.
Whyte blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Whyte softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Garibaldi lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Whyte backwards.
Whyte working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Whyte misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Garibaldi.
A short right from Whyte on the inside.
A short left from Whyte.
Garibaldi jumps guard but Whyte stands there with Garibaldi around his waist. Garibaldi gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Garibaldi misses with a short punch on the inside.
Whyte lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Garibaldi.
Whyte misses with some punches.
Whyte misses with a body punch.
Whyte misses with a punch to the body.
Whyte lands a left hand that snaps the head of Garibaldi backwards.
Garibaldi tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Whyte just stands there and leans against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Benson Whyte dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Whyte misses with a straight right.
Whyte with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Whyte cracks Garibaldi with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Whyte lands a nice looking kick to the body. Garibaldi takes a step back to recover.
Garibaldi misses with a body punch
letting Whyte counter with a right hand.
Whyte looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Donk. Whyte catches Garibaldi right on the button with a cross.
Whyte looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Whyte fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Garibaldi looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
A jab from Garibaldi misses.
Whyte slips under a jab from Garibaldi.
Whyte scores with a jab. Garibaldi acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Whyte cracks Garibaldi with a right hand to the side of the head.
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!
Good shot there by Whyte.
Whyte buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Whyte throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Garibaldi on the side of the head.
Whyte misses with a left hand
and Garibaldi counters with a lovely straight right hand!

It looks like Benson Whyte has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Whyte fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

Garibaldi forces Whyte back against the cage and clinches.
Garibaldi lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Whyte backwards.
Garibaldi misses with a body punch.
Whyte has a couple of punches blocked by Garibaldi.
A short uppercut from Whyte.
Garibaldi blocking some punches.
Garibaldi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Whyte's elbow.
Whyte is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Garibaldi can do to turn this around?
Whyte lands a shoulder strike.

Garibaldi gets control of Whyte's arms and successfully pulls guard. Garibaldi will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Whyte slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Whyte trying to control but Garibaldi is working from the bottom.

Garibaldi escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Whyte gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Whyte has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Garibaldi seems keen to control Whyte's posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Garibaldi has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Whyte can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Garibaldi keeping moving, preventing Whyte from controlling successfully.
Whyte preventing the sweep.

Garibaldi escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Whyte gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Whyte wants to control from the top but Garibaldi keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Garibaldi wants to control the position but Whyte says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Whyte stalling.
The fighters are battling for position here. Garibaldi manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Whyte postures up.

Garibaldi working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Whyte doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Whyte manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Garibaldi being controlled here, momentarily.

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.
Garibaldi looking to hit a scissor sweep but Whyte is one step ahead there.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Garibaldi is looking for a triangle but Whyte pushes his legs off easily.

Garibaldi is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Whyte trying to control but Garibaldi is working from the bottom.

Garibaldi has his foot on Whyte's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Whyte works his way back into a safe position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Benson Whyte dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Benson Whyte's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Whyte scoring well with a low kick there.
Benson Whyte seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jab from Garibaldi.
Jab from Whyte.
A head kick misses from Whyte.
Garibaldi takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Whyte smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Whyte misses with a looping right.
Garibaldi checks the leg kick nicely there.
Benson Whyte is winning the standup battle so far.
Whyte tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Garibaldi throws out a counter right but Whyte avoids it with no problem.
Whyte scoring well with a low kick there.
Whyte throws a lazy right hand but Garibaldi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Garibaldi swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Whyte rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Garibaldi moves into the clinch.
Garibaldi scores with a shot to the side of Whyte's head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Garibaldi blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Whyte goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Whyte swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Garibaldi misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Benson Whyte has scored more points in the clinch so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short body shot lands from Garibaldi as the two fighters clinch.
Garibaldi lands a right hand.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Whyte misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Garibaldi fails to land.
Garibaldi throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Whytes head.
Whyte tries a body shot but Garibaldi blocks it.
Whyte lands with a light punch inside.
Whyte throws a head punch that misses.
Garibaldi misses with some punches.
Whyte misses with a punch on the inside.
Garibaldi jumps guard but Whyte turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Garibaldi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Garibaldi lands a right hand.
Garibaldi digs a right hand underneath Whyte's ribcage. Whyte let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Garibaldi lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Garibaldi is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Whyte to keep the fight standing.

Garibaldi jumps guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Garibaldi is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Garibaldi 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Garibaldi has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Whyte can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Garibaldi looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Garibaldi is looking for a triangle but Whyte pushes his legs off easily.

Garibaldi isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Whyte stacks Garibaldi on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Whyte!
You can see the frustration on Garibaldi's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Whyte trying to control the action but Garibaldi is working from the bottom.
Garibaldi tries to improve position but can't.
Michael Garibaldi has got the better of the ground game so far.
Garibaldi manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Garibaldi controlling the position for now.
Garibaldi is looking to improve his position.
Garibaldi trying to control but Whyte postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Garibaldi works his way to full guard. Good work.
Garibaldi is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Garibaldi is trying to hold Whyte in close to prevent damage but Whyte has managed to pass into half guard.

Garibaldi looking for submissions off his back.
Garibaldi is trying to control but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Michael Garibaldi just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Benson Whyte's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Whyte scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Garibaldi tries to land a leg kick but Whyte saw it coming and moves away.
Whyte avoids the head kick by Garibaldi.
Whyte with a hook.
Garibaldi blocks a head kick by Whyte.
Garibaldi throws the left hand but Whyte avoids the punch easily.
Donk. Whyte catches Garibaldi right on the button with a cross.
Whyte just misses with a punch to the body.
Garibaldi throws a leg kick that is checked
and Whyte counters with a nice body kick.
A jab from Whyte finds it's way through Garibaldi's defenses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Whyte turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Good standup being displayed there by Whyte as he connects with a hook.
Garibaldi tries to move into range but Whyte moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Garibaldi tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A bone on bone clash there as Whyte blocks the leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good work by Whyte as he checks the leg kick.
Whyte digs a good body shot into Garibaldi's ribs.
Garibaldi avoids the body shot from Whyte.
A good leg kick by Whyte.
Garibaldi fails in his attempt to clinch.
Garibaldi slips a straight right by Whyte.
Garibaldi throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Whyte wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Whyte misses with a lunging right hand
and Garibaldi counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Whyte is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Garibaldi throws a head kick but Whyte moves out of range.
Whyte connects with a crisp jab.
Garibaldi staying out of range there.
Garibaldi wants to counter with a clinch but Whyte pushes him away.
Whyte lands the left hand.
Whyte will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Garibaldi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Whyte manages to avoid it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Whyte lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Garibaldi takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Whyte with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Good leg kick by Whyte there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Nice body punch from Whyte.
Whyte paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Whyte keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Whyte goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Garibaldi tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Whyte throws a big shot that misses.
Garibaldi looks to land a left hand but Whyte moved out of range nicely.
Whyte lands a nice shot that snaps Garibaldi's head back.
Whyte pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Garibaldi throws a quick inside leg kick.
Whyte is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Garibaldi.
Whyte uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Whyte throws a nice outside leg kick.
Whyte takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Garibaldi's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Whyte connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Garibaldi scrambles back to his feet.
Garibaldi has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Whyte scores with a nice strike.
Whyte takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Whyte scores with a body shot.
Whyte throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Whyte lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Whyte lands a jab to Garibaldi's midsection.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Whyte misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Garibaldi tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Garibaldi misses with a wild body shot.
Whyte misses with a low kick as Garibaldi jumps back.
Garibaldi appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Whyte steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Garibaldi.
Whyte jabs Garibaldi right on the nose. Garibaldi blinks but takes it well.
Whyte swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Whyte looks to score with a jab to the body but Garibaldi is just out of range.
Whyte connects with a right hand. Garibaldi shakes it off.
Garibaldi takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Whyte fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Garibaldi's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Garibaldi moves away from the strike by Whyte.
Garibaldi throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Garibaldi throws a big shot that misses.
Whyte has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Garibaldi.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Benson Whyte had his way with Michael Garibaldi in that round.
The cut man is working on Benson Whyte's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Whyte misses with an attempted mid kick.
Garibaldi on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Garibaldi shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Whyte throws out a leg kick but Garibaldi moves out of range and Whyte only half commits.
Whyte fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Whyte looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Whyte feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Garibaldi's calf.
Whyte tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Whyte throws a low kick but Garibaldi avoids it.
Whyte feints and then cracks Garibaldi's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Garibaldi down.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Whyte walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Whyte chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Garibaldi pivots, looking for a leg kick but Whyte is out of range and Garibaldi settles back down.
Garibaldi moves out of range of the leg kick from Whyte.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Whyte throws a leg kick which misses Garibaldi's front leg but catches the back leg as Garibaldi tries to avoid it.
Garibaldi scoring well with a low kick there.
Whyte checks a leg kick.
Whyte looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Whyte scores with a crisp jab that stopped Garibaldi in his tracks.
Garibaldi with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Whyte to score with a decent uppercut.
Garibaldi is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Whyte thuds his right hand into Garibaldi's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Whyte throws a sloppy body shot
and Garibaldi counters with a nice uppercut.
Whyte avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Garibaldi throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Garibaldi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Michael Garibaldi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Whyte's jab looks to have found its range, popping Garibaldi under the eye.
Jab, jab by Whyte - just one landing.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Whyte with a hook.
A jab lands there for Whyte.
Whyte throws a hook to the side of Garibaldi's head but Garibaldi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Garibaldi takes a jab right on the kisser.
Garibaldi catches Whyte with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Whyte moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Garibaldi fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Whyte checks it well.
Whyte scores with a nice right hand.
Whyte throws a lazy uppercut
and Garibaldi counters with a nice leg kick.
Whyte throws a leg kick but Garibaldi sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Whyte uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Garibaldi.
Whyte tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Garibaldi is able to avoid easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Garibaldi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Garibaldi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Whyte backing away here, and Garibaldi unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Garibaldi keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Whyte tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Garibaldi was well out of range. Poor timing from Whyte.
Whyte throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Whyte works the jab nicely.
Whyte avoids the head kick by Garibaldi.
Whyte takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Whyte connects with a body shot.
Garibaldi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Whyte was well out of range. Poor timing from Garibaldi.
Garibaldi throws out a loose jab but Whyte uses good head movement to avoid it.
Whyte scores with a hook to the body. Garibaldi takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Whyte tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Garibaldi misses with a head kick.
Whyte looks to throw a body kick

and Garibaldi counters by clinching up.
Whyte misses with a punch to the body.
Whyte lands on the inside with an uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Whyte prevents a body shot from Garibaldi.
Whyte misses with some punches.
Garibaldi working aggressively here.
Garibaldi tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Whyte pushes Garibaldi back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Whyte lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Garibaldi working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Whyte.
Garibaldi misses with some punches.
Whyte with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Whyte softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Garibaldi.
A short right from Whyte on the inside.
Whyte lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Garibaldi is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Garibaldi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

And that's the end of the fight!
Benson Whyte showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Whyte 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 49:46
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 49:46
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Benson Whyte!
Benson Whyte retains his welterweight title!
In his post fight interview, Benson Whyte started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.