BFO 12 : PBP Commentary

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ricardo Lamas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Conan Balboa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Conan Balboa will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Lamas
vs
Balboa

172 cm
25
154 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

186 cm
28
141 lbs
2 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ricardo Lamas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Conan Balboa!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Cecil Peabody and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Lamas drives through with a takedown into Balboa's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Lamas is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Lamas prevents Balboa from getting back to his feet.
Lamas slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Lamas lands a few punches from side control.
Lamas prevents Balboa from escaping the position.

Lamas decides to stand back up. Lamas steps back and let's Balboa get back to his feet.

Lamas shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Balboa taking some punishment here, with Lamas in his half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lamas is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Balboa defends it well.

Lamas is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Balboa doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Lamas.
Balboa is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Lamas scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lamas moves nicely into side control.
Balboa trying to remain calm as Lamas controls from the top position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lamas working the head and body with strikes.
Lamas is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Balboa's shoulder. That is not cool.
Balboa is trying to get back to his feet.
Lamas taking a breather here.
Lamas trying to control the position but Balboa is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balboa is looking to get back to his feet here but Lamas is keeping cool and he's managed to take Balboa's back.
Balboa grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.
Lamas has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Balboa is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Lamas working for the rear naked choke here. He's got one arm under but Balboa is defending well. A couple of punches soften him up though and Lamas has tightened the hold! This one could be all over! It is! Balboa taps out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Ricardo Lamas!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
38%

Co-main event

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Charles Oliveira (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tarmugi Hassan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hassan has chosen No more sorrow-Linkin park as his entrance music. 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.

Oliveira
vs
Hassan

180 cm
25
140 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

170 cm
19
131 lbs
1 - 7 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Charles Oliveira!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tarmugi Hassan!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Frank Dennis and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Oliveira is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Hassan's half guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Oliveira thows a huge punch but Hassan dodges it nicely.
Oliveira slows the pace down in half guard.
Oliveira really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Oliveira is pressing down on Hassan's thigh, looking to free his foot. Hassan is holding on for now.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Charles Oliveira just wasn't active enough.
Oliveira is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hassan throws a half hearted mid kick.
Hassan keeps the fight on the outside.

Oliveira closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Hassan did well to prevent Oliveira getting side control.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Oliveira connects with a nice short shot to Hassan's temple.
Oliveira is controlling the pace.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Charles Oliveira.
Hassan misses the shot to the body.
Hassan tries to land a body kick

and Oliveira counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Hassan's guard now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Oliveira wants to stand but Hassan is controlling his posture from full guard.
Oliveira forces his way into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Oliveira decides to stand up.
Oliveira shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Hassan defends it nicely.
Hassan swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Oliveira counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Oliveira.
Hassan looks winded!
Hassan is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Hassan really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Oliveira. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
The fight stays on the outside here - Oliveira looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Oliveira has a takedown stuffed.
Oliveira lands a high kick!

Hassan is rocked!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Oliveira looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Hassan is still in real trouble! Can Oliveira finish him?
Oliveira with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Oliveira connects with a nice short shot to Hassan's temple.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Oliveira with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Charles Oliveira dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Oliveira avoids the body shot from Hassan.

Oliveira changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Hassan looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Hassan parries the strikes from Oliveira easily there. Oliveira is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Hassan to escape.
Hassan is not content to let Oliveira control the position.
Oliveira taking a breather here.
Hassan seems to have recovered his senses.
Hassan is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Charles Oliveira.
Hassan misses with a wild body shot.
The fight stays on the outside here - Oliveira looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hassan looks to score with a jab to the body but Oliveira is just out of range.
Oliveira throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Hassan's waist but Hassan gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Oliveira off to one side.
Hassan misses with a body kick.
Charles Oliveira is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hassan misses with a shot to the body
and Hassan takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oliveira uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hassan.
Oliveira misses with a takedown attempt - Hassan sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Hassan looks to land a body kick but Oliveira moved away.
Oliveira keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Oliveira shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Oliveira showed some decent athleticism there.
Oliveira keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Oliveira throwing shots but Hassan is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oliveira is figuring out what he wants to do next.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Charles Oliveira wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Oliveira misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Charles Oliveira. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Oliveira scores with a takedown into Hassan's guard.
Oliveira tries to free his leg and advance position but Hassan is retaining full guard.
Oliveira controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Charles Oliveira just wasn't active enough.
Hassan fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Oliveira looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Oliveira stands up and waves to Hassan to follow him.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Oliveira shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hassan as he avoids it easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Oliveira shoots for a double leg takedown but Hassan sprawls well. He's pushed Oliveira's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Hassan misses with a wild body shot.
Hassan punishes Oliveira's body with a nice straight punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Charles Oliveira dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Hassan takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Oliveira on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Hassan misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Oliveira.
Hassan misses the shot to the body.
Hassan takes a swing at Oliveira's ribcage but misses.
Oliveira tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hassan paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Oliveira moves into range and clinches up with Hassan.
Hassan is looking to break free of the clinch but Oliveira has double underhooks.
Hassan looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Oliveira manages to pull guard.
Hassan wants to stand but Oliveira has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Oliveira looking for a guillotine here but Hassan defends easily.
Charles Oliveira overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hassan takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Oliveira is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Hassan is aware though and is defending well.
Hassan is looking to stand up but Oliveira won't let him.

Oliveira throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Hassan got a little sloppy there for a moment and Oliveira has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Hassan has managed to get both his arms back between Oliveira's legs - danger averted.
Tarmugi Hassan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Oliveira throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Oliveira had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Hassan defends it easily.
Oliveira trying to keep a closed guard but Hassan is proving a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Oliveira isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Hassan stacks Oliveira 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 Hassan!
Sloppy strikes there by Hassan.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Oliveira can't do much from the bottom here.
Oliveira gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Oliveira desperately trying to maintain half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

And that's the end of the fight!
Charles Oliveira showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Oliveira has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Charles Oliveira!
Charles Oliveira retains his bantamweight title!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
53%

Main event

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Vitor Belfort (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kendall Grove (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kendall Grove will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Belfort
vs
Grove

182 cm
25
193 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

198 cm
25
192 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Vitor Belfort!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kendall Grove!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Robert Twigg and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Grove tries to sprawl but Belfort drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Belfort seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Grove flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
The fighters are battling for position here. Grove manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Belfort wants to get up but he can't break Grove's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Grove preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Grove is looking for a triangle but Belfort pushes his legs off easily.
Belfort works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Grove tries to roll over but Belfort keeps him under control.
Belfort content to control rather than advance.
Belfort wants to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grove is looking to improve his position.
Belfort sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Grove tries to get to full guard but Belfort has control of the leg.

We're going to have a standup here because Vitor Belfort wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Belfort closes the distance and clinches up with Grove, looking for a takedown. Belfort pushes Grove against the cage but Grove circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Belfort fails with a takedown attempt.
Belfort throws a low kick but Grove avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Belfort is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Grove shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Belfort but Belfort pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Grove misses with the combination.

Belfort feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Grove looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Belfort is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Belfort might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Grove throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belfort tries to stand but Grove is controlling from the bottom.
Belfort stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Grove swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Belfort trying to control but Grove is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Vitor Belfort.
Grove doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Belfort counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Belfort forces Grove back against the cage and clinches.
Grove tries to break free but Belfort pushes him back against the cage.
Belfort jumps guard but Grove turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vitor Belfort. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grove misses with a hook from the clinch.
Grove wants a takedown.
Belfort wants to stall.
Grove has had enough of the clinch but Belfort keeps him there for the moment.
Belfort is looking to control Grove's arms but Grove gets an underhook and turns him. Now Belfort has his back to the cage.
Grove is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Belfort jumps guard and drags Grove to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Belfort manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Grove manages to get himself to full guard.
Belfort is looking to stand up but Grove won't let him.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Grove looking for a sweep. Not yet Grove, not yet.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Grove had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Belfort defends it easily.
Belfort keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Grove's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vitor Belfort dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Grove tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Grove scores with a jab.

Belfort decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Belfort wants to pass the guard but Grove is defending well.
Belfort is controlling the pace.
Grove is looking for a sweep. Belfort is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Belfort in particular looking to stall.
Grove pushes Belfort off looking to stand but Belfort dives back in and keeps control.
Grove is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Belfort jumps into side control!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grove tries to improve position but can't.

Belfort decides to stand back up. Belfort steps back and let's Grove get back to his feet.
Belfort lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Grove circles away quickly and effectively.
Belfort looks for a takedown but Grove sprawls well.
Belfort fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Grove avoids it really well and circles away.
Grove shoots in looking for a takedown. Belfort tries to sprawl out of it but Grove keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Belfort manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Belfort closes the distance and clinches up with Grove, looking for a takedown. Belfort pushes Grove against the cage but Grove circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vitor Belfort. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Belfort fails with a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Belfort wants to clinch.
Grove closes this distance looking for a takedown but Belfort circles away.
Belfort slaps away a takedown attempt from Grove, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Grove fails with a takedown attempt.
Belfort doesn't manage to clinch there - Grove circles away.
Kendall Grove seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Grove tries to clinch up.
Grove circles away from the clinch attempt.
Belfort avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grove fails with a takedown attempt.
Vitor Belfort is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Belfort misses with a takedown attempt - Grove sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Belfort tries to close the distance and clinch up but Grove swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Belfort is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Grove's half guard.
Grove wants to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Belfort stalling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grove tries to roll over but Belfort keeps him under control.
Belfort content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

We're going to have a standup here because Vitor Belfort wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Grove closes this distance looking for a takedown but Belfort circles away.
Grove throws a lazy head kick
and Belfort counters with a head kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Belfort shoots in and bounces Grove off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Belfort content to stall in guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vitor Belfort dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Belfort tries to clinch there but Grove circles away.
Grove shoots in and drives through. Belfort sprawls well.

Grove throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Belfort tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Grove is in Belfort's guard.
Grove postures up.
Belfort managing to control the position.

Belfort has his feet on Grove's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Belfort blocks a head kick by Grove.
Grove misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Belfort darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Grove takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grove flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Grove wants to get back to full guard.
Belfort tries to stand but can't do so whilst Grove controls his leg.
Grove is trying to get back to full guard.
Belfort stalling.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Vitor Belfort wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Grove closes the distance and clinches up with Belfort, looking for a takedown. Grove pushes Belfort against the cage but Belfort circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Grove misses with a takedown attempt

and Belfort decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Grove's guard.
Vitor Belfort has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kendall Grove.

Grove wants to improve his position here. There's a bit of a scramble and Belfort has taken Grove's back! He's locked on a rear naked choke here and Grove has been forced to tap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:41 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Vitor Belfort!
Vitor Belfort is the new middleweight champion!