PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Marco Noriega (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vitor Belfort (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Belfort has chosen Bate Pesadao as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Noriega
vs
Belfort

176 cm
20
192 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

183 cm
20
199 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Vicious Nutrition (159 Recovery With Proof)
Vicious Nutrition (159 Recovery With Proof)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Marco Noriega!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Vitor Belfort!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Alexandre Firmino and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Belfort ducks under a wild hook from Noriega.
Belfort takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

It looks like Vitor Belfort has been cut.
Noriega tries to bum rush Belfort with a series of wild strikes but Belfort uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Belfort misses with a wild combination.
Noriega stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Noriega wants it to stay on the feet.
Noriega swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Noriega thows a body shot but no joy.
Noriega scores with a jab to the jaw.
Belfort looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Noriega looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Noriega swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belfort takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Belfort takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
The crowd cheers as Noriega lands an impressive looking overhand right. Belfort doesn't seem phased though.
Marco Noriega is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Noriega throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Belfort sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Donk. Belfort catches Noriega right on the button with a cross.
Belfort is trying hard to land a takedown here. Noriega sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Marco Noriega has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vitor Belfort.
Noriega keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Belfort moves away from the strike by Noriega.
Belfort looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Noriega falls off balance throwing a combination

and Belfort counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Belfort.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Belfort stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Noriega swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Noriega is pulling down on Belfort's head to control his posture.

Belfort postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Noriega is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Belfort, into his guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Belfort trying to keep a closed guard but Noriega is proving a slippery customer.
Noriega is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Belfort wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Noriega postures up.
Belfort looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Noriega puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Noriega looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Noriega prevents Belfort from improving his position.
Noriega is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Noriega is thwarting Belfort's attempts to control the position.
Noriega tries to pass to full mount but Belfort defends it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Belfort keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Noriega seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Belfort is looking to get back to full guard here but Noriega has managed to pass to side control instead.
Belfort tries to hold on but Noriega pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marco Noriega dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Vitor Belfort's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Noriega jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Noriega lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Belfort circles away quickly and effectively.
Belfort fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Belfort lands with an overhand left.
Belfort tries for a takedown but Noriega sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Belfort takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Belfort slips under a jab from Noriega.
Noriega stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Noriega misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Belfort.
Marco Noriega seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Noriega misses the shot to the body.
Belfort misses with a takedown attempt - Noriega sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Marco Noriega has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vitor Belfort.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Noriega lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Belfort circles away quickly and effectively.
Belfort takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Belfort is breathing heavily.
Noriega swings for the body but Belfort moves out of range.
Belfort shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Noriega as he jumps to the side.

Belfort darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Noriega is looking to improve his position.
Noriega wants to control but Belfort is keeping busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Noriega is staying active underneath Belfort, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Belfort looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Noriega works his way to full guard. Good work.
Noriega manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Belfort manages to get himself to full guard.
Belfort controls Noriega momentarily but Noriega frees himself.
Belfort wants to improve his position but instead Noriega has moved into half guard.
Noriega scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Noriega slows the pace down in half guard.
Noriega has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Belfort trying to control here.
Belfort is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Noriega jumps into side control!
Noriega remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Belfort is trying to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Belfort is being controlled here.
Belfort tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Noriega wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Noriega scores with a couple of short elbows.
Belfort can't do much from the bottom here.
Belfort tries to improve position but can't.
The referee asks Noriega politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Noriega prefers to stall for the moment though.
Belfort is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Belfort is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marco Noriega dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Vitor Belfort's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Belfort shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Noriega but Noriega pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Nice sprawl there from Noriega as Belfort shoots in.
Noriega connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Noriega swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Belfort cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Belfort staying out of range there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Noriega throws a predictable looking body shot

and Belfort counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Noriega has his hands on Belfort's head, controlling the position.
Noriega manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Belfort takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belfort is looking to improve his position but Noriega isn't that keen on the idea.
Noriega tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Belfort is looking to get to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Noriega tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Belfort is trying to escape the mount.

That's two 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.
Belfort is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Belfort is trying desperately to improve position.
Noriega controlling from the full mount.
Noriega prevents Belfort from getting the reversal.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Noriega thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Noriega looking to control and managing it successfully.
Belfort wants to hold on but Noriega pushes him away.
Belfort working to try and regain half guard.
Noriega looking to control and managing it successfully.
Belfort slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

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.
Belfort is trying to maintain the position but Noriega is very close to passing his half guard.
Noriega prevents Belfort from improving his position.
Noriega is thwarting Belfort's attempts to control the position.
Noriega stalling.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Belfort is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Noriega wants to stand up but Belfort is controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Vitor Belfort just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Vitor Belfort's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

A swing and a miss from Noriega.
Noriega misses the body punch
and Belfort counters with a left and a right that stings Noriega.
Noriega falls off balance throwing a combination
and Belfort connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Belfort keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A punch combination from Noriega misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Noriega swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Belfort counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Belfort.
Noriega looking to control.
Belfort wants to pass the guard but Noriega is keeping the position.

Belfort drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Noriega manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Belfort has Noriega in his guard.
Belfort is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belfort trying to keep a closed guard but Noriega is proving a slippery customer.
Belfort looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Belfort looking to control.
Noriega is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Noriega preventing the sweep.
Noriega not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Noriega wants to stand but Belfort is controlling his posture from full guard.
Belfort can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Noriega controls the pace.
Belfort is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Noriega pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Belfort is keeping the position for now.
Noriega has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Noriega is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belfort trying to control the position.
Noriega controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Belfort controls Noriega momentarily but Noriega frees himself.
Noriega is fighting to break Belfort's control of his arms but Belfort is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Belfort keeping full guard, as Noriega tries to pass.
Noriega working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Belfort's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Belfort wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Noriega postures up.
Belfort keeping full guard, as Noriega tries to pass.
Noriega showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Belfort is trying to control the position but Noriega postures up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vitor Belfort dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Vitor Belfort's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Noriega tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Belfort was well out of range. Poor timing from Noriega.
Belfort avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Noriega pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Noriega misses with a hook.
Belfort displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Noriega throws out the jab.
Noriega lands with a cross.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Noriega throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Belfort.
Belfort slips under a jab from Noriega.
Belfort slips under a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A punch lands to the side of Belfort 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Noriega misses with a looping right.

Belfort shoots in and bounces Noriega off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Belfort postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Noriega is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Belfort, into his guard.
Belfort is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Belfort controls Noriega momentarily but Noriega frees himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Noriega is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Noriega wants to pass the guard but Belfort is keeping the position.
Belfort keeping moving, preventing Noriega from controlling successfully.
Noriega stopping the sweep attempt from Belfort.
Noriega controlling from the top position.
Belfort 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 three minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Noriega tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Belfort was well out of range. Poor timing from Noriega.
Noriega misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Belfort.
Noriega swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Belfort counters with a takedown into side control.
Noriega is looking for a sweep.

Belfort thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Belfort is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Noriega has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Noriega gets back to half guard.

Belfort wants to work for an arm triangle but Noriega is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Noriega is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Belfort's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Belfort's back!
Belfort looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
I would not like to be Belfort right now.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Noriega avoiding Belfort 's attempts to control his hands.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Vitor Belfort.
I think Belfort has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Paulo Santos scores the fight 47:48
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 48:48
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Vitor Belfort!
Vitor Belfort is the new middleweight champion!