PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Vitor Belfort (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ronaldo Souza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Belfort comes to the cage accompanied by Bate Pesadão. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Belfort
vs
Souza

183 cm
24
197 lbs
12 - 7 - 0

183 cm
26
184 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Vitor Belfort!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ronaldo Souza!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Luis Engracia and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Belfort displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

Souza closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Belfort quickly recovers to half guard.
Souza thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Belfort keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Belfort is looking to improve his position.
Souza missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Belfort keeping hold of Souza's head, controlling as best he can.
Souza throwing shots but Belfort is blocking nicely.
Souza throwing shots but Belfort is blocking nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belfort blocking the ground and pound attempt from Souza.
Souza throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Souza is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Belfort defends it well.
Souza not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Belfort is staying active underneath Souza, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Souza is nestled in close to Belfort, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Belfort regains full guard. Nicely done.

Souza 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 Souza, into his guard.
Belfort stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Souza swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Belfort trying to stand up but can't free himself from Souza's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belfort controls from within his opponent's guard.
Belfort preventing the sweep.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Belfort wants to get up but he can't break Souza's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Vitor Belfort just wasn't active enough.
Souza fails with the takedown
and Belfort counters with a straight right hand.
Souza tries for a takedown but Belfort circles away easily
and Belfort counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Souza looks gassed!
Belfort lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Souza on the wrong end of a nice hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vitor Belfort dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Belfort sizes up Souza with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Souza walks into a stiff left hand from Belfort.
Belfort scores with a punch to the head.
Belfort digs a good hook to Souza's body.
Belfort moves into range and connects with a jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Souza with a lazy takedown attempt
and Belfort cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Jab, jab by Belfort - just one landing.
Souza is breathing heavily.
Belfort jabs Souza right on the nose. Souza blinks but takes it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Souza on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Belfort thuds his right hand into Souza's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Belfort thuds a left hand into Souza's body.
Souza moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Belfort scores with a punch to the head.
Donk. Belfort catches Souza right on the button with a cross.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Belfort connects with a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Belfort lands a nice hook to Souza's body. Souza takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Belfort fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Belfort jabs Souza to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Souza on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Souza's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Belfort connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Souza scrambles back to his feet.
Belfort smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Belfort lands an overhand right.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belfort works the jab nicely.
Souza takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Belfort getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Belfort lands a head shot.
Belfort works the jab nicely.
Souza takes a shot right to the bread basket.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Belfort lands a two punch combo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Belfort connects with a jab and follows up with a big overhand right! Oh that's hurt Souza! He's out on his feet! Belfort rushes in and drops Souza with another big right hand, forcing the referee to stop the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:09 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Vitor Belfort!