PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between The Manliest (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vitor Belfort (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Manliest comes to the cage accompanied by Ontlogy. Belfort is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Bate Pesadao. The Manliest has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Manliest
vs
Belfort

195 cm
23
185 lbs
7 - 7 - 0

183 cm
21
199 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Syndicate Drugs

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 7 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, The Manliest!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Vitor Belfort!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Luis Engracia and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Manliest looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Belfort stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Belfort wants it to stay on the feet.
Belfort defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Manliest.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for The Manliest. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Manliest scores with a takedown into Belfort's guard.
Manliest really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Manliest throws a big right hand that misses.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Manliest drops back, looking for a kneebar! Belfort looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Belfort looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Belfort!
Belfort tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Belfort is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manliest manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Manliest is looking for a kimura but Belfort is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Manliest to get the leverage.
Manliest working over Belfort with some ground and pound. Belfort looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Manliest is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Belfort avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Manliest.
Manliest sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Belfort defending well though.

Manliest seems to be looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Belfort trying to control here.

Manliest seems to be working for a kimura but Belfort defends the submission attempt.
Belfort trying to control from the bottom.

Manliest is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Manliest shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Belfort but Belfort pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Manliest.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Manliest drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Manliest thows a big elbow that misses.

Manliest postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Belfort is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Manliest, into his guard.
Belfort wants to stand and escape but instead Manliest has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Manliest throws a big right hand that misses.

Manliest drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Belfort manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Manliest has Belfort in his guard.
Manliest is pulling down on Belfort's head. It's preventing any offense from Belfort, at least for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Belfort would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Manliest looking for a sweep. Not yet Manliest, not yet.
Belfort wanted to stand there but Manliest had control of the position.
Belfort looks gassed!
Manliest seems keen to control Belfort's posture.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

The Manliest dominated that round.
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.

Manliest tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Belfort swivels and escapes.
Manliest shoots in for a takedown but Belfort shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Manliest tries for a takedown but Belfort sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for The Manliest. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Manliest fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Manliest fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Manliest moves out of range as Belfort strikes.
Belfort lands a right hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Belfort stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Belfort wants it to stay on the feet.
Horrible takedown by Manliest or perhaps it was just good defense by Belfort which made him look bad.
No luck for Manliest with that takedown attempt.
Manliest walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manliest looks for a takedown but Belfort sprawls well.
Manliest will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Nice sprawl there from Belfort as Manliest shoots in.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nice sprawl there from Belfort as Manliest shoots in.
Belfort leaves Manliest with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Belfort scores with a jab.
A big left from Belfort misses.
Belfort throws a jab but it's blocked by Manliest.
Belfort misses with a two punch combination.
Manliest tries for a takedown but Belfort sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Manliest closes this distance looking for a takedown but Belfort circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manliest shoots in looking for a takedown. Belfort tries to sprawl out of it but Manliest 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.
Manliest misses with a takedown attempt - Belfort sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Belfort keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Belfort scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Manliest doesn't seem bothered though.
Horrible takedown by Manliest or perhaps it was just good defense by Belfort which made him look bad.
Belfort connects with a body shot.
Belfort slips under a jab from Manliest.
Manliest looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Belfort is fending him off so far but Manliest persists. Nope, Belfort circles away and we're back to standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manliest closes the distance and clinches up with Belfort, looking for a takedown. Manliest pushes Belfort against the cage but Belfort circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Manliest shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Belfort sprawls well. Belfort wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Manliest gets slowly back to his feet.
Belfort misses with a straight right.
Manliest takes one on the button.
Manliest tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Belfort swivels and escapes.
Vitor Belfort is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Manliest misses with a takedown attempt - Belfort sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Manliest is trying hard to land a takedown here. Belfort sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Manliest steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Belfort.
A combination from Belfort does no damage.
Belfort scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Belfort lands with a shot to the body.
Manliest closes the distance and clinches up with Belfort, looking for a takedown. Manliest pushes Belfort against the cage but Belfort circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
The Manliest seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manliest shoots in for a takedown but Belfort shows good takedown defense.
Belfort punishes Manliest's body with a nice straight punch.
Manliest takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Manliest shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Manliest throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Belfort's waist but Belfort gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Manliest off to one side.
Manliest looks to land a right hand but Belfort moved out of range.
Manliest on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Belfort throws a body punch but Manliest moves out of range.
Manliest uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Belfort.
Belfort stuffs the takedown attempt from Manliest. Manliest gets slowly back to his feet.
Manliest fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Manliest fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Belfort avoids it really well and circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vitor Belfort showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Manliest shoots in but Belfort avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Manliest fails with the takedown.
Belfort throws a hook to the side of Manliest's head but Manliest sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Manliest shoots in for a takedown but Belfort shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for The Manliest. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Manliest misses with a takedown attempt - Belfort sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Belfort.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Manliest shoots in for a takedown but Belfort shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Belfort bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Belfort scores with a jab.
Manliest tries to move into range but Belfort moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manliest looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Belfort throws a hook but Manliest avoids it easily.
Manliest shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Belfort defends it nicely.
Belfort lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Manliest at a distance.
Manliest throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Belfort's waist but Belfort gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Manliest off to one side.
Manliest shoots for a takedown but Belfort saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Manliest changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Belfort tries to avoid it but Manliest manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Belfort to the ground. Belfort escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The fighters circle momentarily. Belfort darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Manliest shoots in for a double leg but Belfort sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Belfort misses with a wild body shot.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Manliest is defended easily by Belfort.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manliest fails to land the takedown.
Belfort throws a lazy right hand but Manliest sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Belfort stuffs the takedown.
Manliest shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Belfort pinned against the cage. Belfort gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Manliest shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Belfort but Belfort pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Belfort lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Belfort takes a swing at Manliest's ribcage but misses.
Vitor Belfort seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Manliest has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Belfort finds it's way round the side to connect with Manliest's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belfort cracks Manliest with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Manliest has a takedown stuffed.
Belfort stuffs the takedown attempt from Manliest. Manliest gets slowly back to his feet.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Manliest.
Belfort stuffs the takedown attempt from Manliest. Manliest gets slowly back to his feet.
Belfort throws out a powerful jab.
Belfort works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Manliest blocks a jab.
Nice takedown defense from Belfort. No joy for Manliest on that attempt.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Manliest.
Manliest is putting a hurting on Belfort here, landing some big shots from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Belfort taking punishment in the form of punches.

Manliest looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Manliest will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Manliest goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Belfort rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Manliest's guard! Nice work there by Belfort!
Belfort tries to stand but Manliest is controlling from the bottom.

Manliest is working an open guard so Belfort takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vitor Belfort comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 27:29
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 27:29
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 28:29

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