blue chip prospect right here...
LANCE BENOIST VS. MATT RIDDLE (@riddletuf7)
Round 1 - Referee Dan Miragliotta in charge of this welterweight matchup. Riddle on the outside, and he eats an inside leg kick and a stiff left hand. Benoist looks to follow, but Riddle recovers and defends. Benoist misses an axe kick the wows the crowd, but he follows and pushes into the clinch. Benoist lands a knee to the groin, and we get a quick break. Riddle looks lively on the restart. Benoist with a few more kicks, and they hit the deck. Rubber guard underneath from Benoist. Riddle posturing on top, and he works in a big elbow. Benoist's head against the cage as Riddle grinds from the top. Benoist looks for a kimura and uses it to set up a beautiful sweep to top. Riddle holding tight underneath, but Benoist riding the position and punching when there's room. Riddle tries to escape, but he's stuck until the bell. MMAjunkie.com sees the first for Benoist, 10-9.
Round 2 - Benoist opens with a high kick that's blocked. Riddle answers with a kick to the thigh. Benoist slowing down a bit with his output, but he still looks to be seeking chances. Riddle closes the distance and drags the fight to the floor. However, Benoist gets back up before any real damage is done. Benoist circles off the cage and scores his own takedown. There's a bit of blood smearing around, and it's coming from Benoist's nose. He then blows the blood out and all over Riddle. Yeah, really. Riddle tries to look for submission openings underneath, but Benoist slides out and pummels. It's not high-action, but it's damage. Benoist stands and Riddle upkicks. Benoist's nose is bleeding very badly. less than a minute, and Riddle tries for an armbar, but it's no there. Blood is everywhere as the round ends. The two give a quick embrace as they stand and go to the corner. MMAjunkie.com scores the round for Benoist, 10-9.
Round 3 - Crowd is pumped for these two bloody combatants to re-engage. Replays between rounds showed a knee was responsible for the cut. The pair comes out winging shots, and Riddle looks absolutely charged. He lands a flurry and then drags the fight to the floor, where he sets up in side control. Benoist recovers guard. Riddle creates some room and drops an elbow. Riddle not overwhelming from the top, but he's staying just busy enough for Miragliotta. Benoist brings his legs high. Riddle backs out briefly but pushes right back in. Halfway in, and Riddle has controlled thus far. Riddle advances again to side control.He drops a few elbows, and the blood starts to flow once again. Benoist regains guard. There's on minute left, and Riddle continues the grind. Benoist still bringing his legs high. Riddle postures for some final damage in the closing seconds, and the round ends there. Gutsy fight by both competitors. MMAjunkie.com gives the final frame to Riddle, 10-9, but the fight to Benoist, 29-28. Lance Benoist def. Matt Riddle via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).