David Benavidez Dominates Anthony Yarde, Securing TKO Victory in Riyadh and Eyeing Cruiserweight Challenge.

MMA Fighting provided live, round-by-round updates for what was billed as one of the most anticipated boxing encounters of the year, featuring David Benavidez and Anthony Yarde. The high-stakes light heavyweight contest unfolded at the state-of-the-art ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday night, captivating a global audience. The main event, a significant draw on the boxing calendar, commenced around 8:30 p.m. ET, broadcast exclusively on DAZN pay-per-view. Earlier on the card, a series of compelling undercard bouts set the stage, with full results available on the official Benavidez vs. Yarde results page.

David Benavidez, known to many as "The Mexican Monster," entered the ring with an unblemished professional record of 30 wins and no losses, boasting an impressive 24 victories by knockout. While primarily recognized for his formidable presence in the super middleweight division, Benavidez was, according to the official billing for this event, making his first defense of the WBC light heavyweight title. His reputation precedes him as a high-volume, relentless pressure fighter with significant power in both hands, making him a daunting challenge for any opponent.

Across the ring stood Anthony Yarde, a seasoned British contender with a professional record of 27 wins and 3 losses. Yarde came into this bout riding a wave of momentum, having secured four consecutive victories, including a decisive unanimous decision win over Lyndon Arthur in April of the previous year. Yarde, a natural light heavyweight, is recognized for his explosive power, athleticism, and a fighting style that often seeks to finish opponents early. This contest represented another opportunity for Yarde to assert himself on the world stage, following previous high-profile challenges.

The atmosphere in the ANB Arena was electric as the combatants made their way to the squared circle. Anthony Yarde, exuding confidence, made his entrance accompanied by a distinctive audio clip from the film "Legend," featuring Tom Hardy’s dialogue about a desire for a "shootout." Dressed in a striking forest green robe with gold trim, complementing his matching trunks, Yarde cut an imposing figure, visibly appearing the larger man. His calm demeanor belied the intensity of the impending battle.

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David Benavidez followed, a wide grin plastered across his face, signaling his readiness for war. His walkout attire was a vibrant gator skin robe adorned with the iconic red, white, and green colors of the Mexican flag, a nod to his heritage. His trunks mirrored this patriotic theme, though not in gator skin. Benavidez’s relaxed yet focused expression indicated a fighter completely at ease in the spotlight. The legendary Bruce Buffer handled the introductions, his booming voice echoing through the arena, further amplifying the anticipation. After the final instructions, the fighters touched gloves, and the highly anticipated contest officially began.

Round 1
As the opening bell rang, the physical disparity between the two fighters was immediately apparent, with Yarde looking distinctly larger, embodying the physique of a natural light heavyweight. However, Benavidez wasted no time in asserting his aggressive game plan, immediately applying pressure and forcing Yarde onto the back foot. Yarde found himself cornered early, leading to a tense exchange of heavy blows. Benavidez launched a looping right hand that sailed over the top, connecting with Yarde, though seemingly without maximum impact. Benavidez continued to dictate the pace, pushing Yarde back with relative ease. He targeted Yarde’s body with purpose, a tactic Yarde reciprocated. Yarde landed a well-timed right hand upstairs as Benavidez dipped for a body shot. Benavidez then peppered Yarde’s body with a jab, followed by a sharp lead jab to the head as Yarde momentarily hesitated. Despite Yarde’s imposing size, Benavidez concluded the round with a crisp combination, establishing an early rhythm. MMA Fighting scored the round 10-9 for Benavidez.

Round 2
Yarde initiated the second round by snapping out a series of jabs, attempting to establish his range and deter Benavidez’s relentless forward movement. Benavidez, however, appeared to be operating in a measured, almost "first gear" mode, carefully picking his spots. He maneuvered Yarde into a corner, unleashing a combination, but Yarde displayed good defensive instincts, countering effectively and moving off the ropes. Benavidez continued his methodical assault, focusing on Yarde’s body. Yarde, demonstrating good footwork, moved well around the ring, frequently popping his jab. Benavidez once again trapped Yarde against the ropes, unloading a barrage of punches, but Yarde skillfully blocked most of the incoming fire, showcasing solid defensive responsibility. While Yarde wasn’t landing significant counters, he was effectively avoiding heavy damage, weathering Benavidez’s initial storm. MMA Fighting scored the round 10-9 for Benavidez, extending his overall lead to 20-18.

Round 3
The third round saw Yarde land a soft right hand to the body early, signaling an attempt to vary his attack, though the power behind it was not yet fully unleashed. Benavidez, in turn, sat down on a stepping right hand, but Yarde expertly rolled with the punch, minimizing its effect. Benavidez intensified his forward march, forcing Yarde to rely heavily on his defensive capabilities. Once more, Benavidez cornered Yarde, digging punishing shots to the body. Yarde commendably mixed his defensive levels, but Benavidez’s persistent pressure consistently backed him into disadvantageous positions, allowing Benavidez to unleash combinations. Despite Yarde’s strong defense, consistently blocking and rolling, he struggled to launch effective counter-offensives. Benavidez landed a couple of powerful shots that Yarde absorbed, demonstrating his resilience, but the pattern of Benavidez’s dominance was becoming clear. MMA Fighting scored the round 10-9 for Benavidez, making the overall score 30-27 in his favor.

Round 4
Benavidez maintained his relentless forward march as the fourth round commenced, while Yarde continued to work his jab and slip shots, primarily focused on evasion. A key issue for Yarde was his inability to make Benavidez pay for his aggression, failing to land significant, punishing counters. Benavidez exploited this, landing a nice combination after once again trapping Yarde in a corner. The narrative of the fight saw Benavidez consistently backing Yarde into the ropes and corners, where he could unleash combinations. Yarde, while not getting overwhelmed, was unable to shift the momentum. Benavidez, seemingly sensing Yarde’s defensive posture, waved him on, daring him to engage in a more aggressive exchange, a psychological tactic. Benavidez then significantly escalated his intensity, transitioning into close-range infighting, where he delivered a chain of rapid-fire uppercuts in tight quarters, showcasing his dirty boxing skills. MMA Fighting scored the round 10-9 for Benavidez, putting him ahead 40-36.

Round 5
The fifth round mirrored the preceding ones, with Benavidez continuing to march forward, pushing Yarde back and working effectively with combinations. Yarde, displaying remarkable grit, continued to avoid being completely overrun, but Benavidez’s punch output and landing percentage remained significantly higher. The commentary at this point reflected a sense that the fight’s trajectory was unlikely to change dramatically, potentially settling into a pattern of Benavidez’s sustained pressure for the full twelve rounds if Yarde couldn’t find a breakthrough. MMA Fighting scored the round 10-9 for Benavidez, extending his commanding lead to 50-45.

Round 6
The sixth round began with a sudden shift in momentum. Anthony Yarde, planting his feet, unleashed a powerful right hand that appeared to be his most impactful punch of the fight thus far. The shot seemed to momentarily stun Benavidez, who for the first time in the fight, was forced to retreat, finding himself against the ropes. However, Benavidez quickly recovered, showcasing his championship mettle, and countered off the ropes, pushing Yarde back. Benavidez briefly switched to a southpaw stance before returning to orthodox, landing a sharp right hand followed by a left hook. The fight’s dynamics had changed; Yarde was now meeting Benavidez’s aggression with more fire, turning the contest into a genuine "fist fight." Benavidez, embracing the grimy nature of the exchange, waved Yarde on. He landed a left, and Yarde fired back, prompting Benavidez to pin him against the ropes once more and unload with renewed ferocity. Yarde took a deep breath as the break approached, visibly bleeding from the nose and showing signs of swelling around his eye. Benavidez continued his relentless attack, putting the hammer down as Yarde looked increasingly fatigued. The referee moved in close, intently observing Yarde’s condition as the round concluded. MMA Fighting scored the round 10-9 for Benavidez, increasing his lead to 60-54.

Round 7
What had begun as Yarde’s most promising round, ended as his most challenging. Entering the seventh, Yarde appeared visibly tired and battered. Before the round could officially begin, the referee consulted with the ringside doctor to assess the swelling around Yarde’s orbital bone. After receiving the medical all-clear, the fight resumed. Benavidez immediately went on the offensive, sensing the end was near. Yarde was now bleeding profusely, and Benavidez intensified his assault. Credit to Yarde, who, despite his compromised state, bravely swung back, attempting to turn the tide. This proved to be a risky decision, as Benavidez landed a combination that sent Yarde to the canvas. In the immediate aftermath, Benavidez delivered an additional punch while Yarde was already down, an infraction that resulted in a point deduction for Benavidez.

Upon the restart, Benavidez, though briefly slowed, remained on the hunt. He landed a powerful jab and then delivered a nasty body shot, continuing to work combinations as Yarde moved defensively. Despite Yarde’s efforts to block, Benavidez’s volume was overwhelming. A huge left hook connected flush, leaving Yarde completely covered up against the ropes. Recognizing Yarde’s inability to defend himself further, the referee wisely stepped in, waving off the contest.

Official Decision
David Benavidez defeated Anthony Yarde via TKO at 1:59 of Round 7.

Post-Fight
In the immediate aftermath of his impressive victory, David Benavidez extended credit to Anthony Yarde for delivering a challenging war. Reflecting on his own performance, Benavidez offered a self-assessment of "B+," stating that he had aimed for the knockout in response to pre-fight discussions and criticisms. The biggest news, however, came with Benavidez’s post-fight announcement: he intends to move up to the cruiserweight division to challenge Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez for the WBA and WBO titles, with a target date of May 2. This declaration signals Benavidez’s ambition to become a multi-division world champion and sets the stage for another compelling chapter in his burgeoning career, potentially pitting him against another formidable former super middleweight champion who has also ventured into the cruiserweight ranks. The victory over Yarde firmly cements Benavidez’s status as a dominant force and a major player in boxing’s heavier divisions.

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