PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rocky Balboa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vitor Belfort (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Balboa
vs
Belfort

185 cm
27
215 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

185 cm
23
205 lbs
10 - 11 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Rocky Balboa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Vitor Belfort!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Yukihiro Shimada and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Balboa throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Belfort shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Balboa's guard.
Belfort pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Balboa is keeping the position for now.
Balboa controlling Belfort's posture.
Belfort throws a big right hand that misses.
Balboa pulls Belfort in close to prevent any damage.
Belfort works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Balboa keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belfort missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Belfort working the head and body with strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Balboa is looking to improve his position.
Belfort is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Belfort throwing shots but Balboa is blocking nicely.
Balboa trying to control but Belfort postures up.
Balboa is looking for a sweep. Belfort is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Balboa knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Belfort on the ground.
Balboa on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Balboa tries to get out of the position.
Belfort winds up and cracks Balboa with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balboa has hold of Belfort's hands but Belfort slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Belfort thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Balboa blocking the ground and pound attempt from Belfort.
Belfort sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Balboa defending well though.
Belfort missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Belfort landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Nice strikes from Belfort there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Belfort missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Belfort lands a nice short elbow.
Belfort thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Balboa's head.
Balboa is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belfort working the head and body with strikes.
Balboa is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Belfort scores with a couple of nice shots.
Belfort looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Belfort missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Balboa is looking to control Belfort's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Balboa avoid being mounted?
Belfort is nestled in close to Balboa, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Belfort thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Balboa's head.
Belfort throwing shots but Balboa is blocking nicely.
Belfort throwing shots but Balboa is blocking nicely.
Belfort is nestled in close to Balboa, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Belfort thows a huge punch but Balboa dodges it nicely.
Balboa avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Belfort.
Belfort working Balboa over with strikes.
Belfort thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Balboa's head.
Belfort lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Belfort missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Belfort sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Balboa defending well though.
Belfort winds up and cracks Balboa with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Balboa blocking the ground and pound attempt from Belfort.
Belfort has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Belfort scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Balboa has hold of Belfort's hands but Belfort slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Belfort looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Belfort thows a huge punch but Balboa dodges it nicely.
Belfort throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Belfort working over Balboa with some ground and pound. Balboa looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Balboa avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Belfort.
Balboa has hold of Belfort's hands but Belfort slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Balboa taking some punishment here, with Belfort in his half guard.
Belfort not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Belfort thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Balboa's head.
Belfort thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Belfort drops an elbow to the side of Balboa's head.
Belfort looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Balboa trying to hold on to Belfort's head to control him but Belfort postures up.
Belfort drops an elbow to the side of Balboa's head.
Belfort working Balboa over with strikes.
Balboa wants to get back to full guard.
Balboa avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Belfort.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Belfort thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Balboa's head.
Belfort looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
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. Belfort connects with a nice short shot to Balboa's temple.
Belfort looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Balboa with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Belfort throwing shots but Balboa is blocking nicely.
Balboa blocking the ground and pound attempt from Belfort.
Belfort is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Balboa is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Belfort looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Belfort is nestled in close to Balboa, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Belfort lands a nice short elbow.
Balboa avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Belfort.
Belfort missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Balboa blocking the ground and pound attempt from Belfort.
Balboa keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
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. Belfort connects with a nice short shot to Balboa's temple.
Belfort not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Belfort scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Balboa is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Belfort scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Balboa keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Belfort not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Belfort is nestled in close to Balboa, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Belfort thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Balboa's head.
Belfort thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Balboa's head.
Belfort thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Balboa's head.
Balboa trying to control but Belfort postures up.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Belfort sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Balboa defending well though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vitor Belfort dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Belfort throws a right hand that Balboa ducks under and follows up with a left that Balboa also avoids with ease.
Belfort fails with a takedown attempt.
Belfort misses with a takedown
and Balboa counters with a stiff right hand.
Balboa pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Belfort slips a jab and a cross from Balboa.
A punch combination from Balboa misses.
Balboa connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Belfort shoots and misses
and Balboa counters with a series of strikes. Belfort will be more careful next time no doubt.
Rocky Balboa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vitor Belfort.
Nice jab there from Balboa.
Belfort avoids the body shot from Balboa.
Belfort misses with a takedown attempt
and Belfort takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Belfort scores with a takedown into Balboa's guard.
Belfort stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Balboa swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balboa manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Belfort manages to get himself to full guard.
Balboa throws a big right hand that misses.
Belfort is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Balboa tries to free his leg and advance position but Belfort is retaining full guard.
Belfort wants to stand and escape but Balboa is having none of it.
Balboa wants to control from the top but Belfort keeps moving.
Belfort wants to get back to his feet but Balboa is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Balboa connects with a couple of short punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Balboa with a nice head shot there.
Balboa trying to control the position from guard on top but Belfort is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Belfort scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Balboa throws a front kick aimed at Belfort's knee but Belfort avoids it well.
Belfort fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Balboa scores with a crisp jab that stopped Belfort in his tracks.
Belfort takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Balboa misses with the combination.
Balboa looks to land a combination but Belfort avoids it well.
Belfort shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Balboa counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belfort shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Balboa counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Balboa throws a series of strikes that have Belfort backpedaling.
Belfort misses with a takedown attempt
and Balboa counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Balboa connects with a body shot.
Belfort shoots and misses
and Balboa counters with a nice body shot.
Belfort with a poor takedown
and Balboa counters with a straight right hand.
Balboa closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Balboa leaves Belfort with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
A right-left combo lands from Belfort.
Balboa punishes Belfort's body with a nice straight punch.
Belfort throws a series of punches but Balboa moves out of range.
Rocky Balboa is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balboa throws a series of punches but Belfort avoids them all with ease.
Belfort shoots in and drives through. Balboa sprawls well.
Balboa scores with a nice head shot.
Belfort misses with a takedown
and Balboa counters with a straight right hand.
Balboa wants to land a leg kick but Belfort is out of range.
Belfort closes the distance and clinches up with Balboa, looking for a takedown. Belfort pushes Balboa against the cage but Balboa circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Belfort takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Belfort misses with a hook. Balboa ducked under it nicely.
Belfort tries for a takedown but Balboa circles away easily
and Balboa counters with a one-two to the body.
Belfort misses with a takedown attempt
and Balboa counters with a straight right hand.

Balboa fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Belfort to the ground. Balboa is now in Belfort's guard.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Balboa content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Belfort is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Balboa misses with a punch to the body.
Belfort fails to pull guard.
Balboa can't break the clinch.
Belfort drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Balboa gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Balboa is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Belfort gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's six 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.
Balboa tries to score a body lock takedown but Belfort shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Belfort drags the fight down to the ground.
Balboa keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Belfort's head.
Balboa throwing strikes from guard but Belfort blocks nicely.
Belfort wants to stand up but Balboa is controlling him.

Belfort scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Belfort shoots in looking for a takedown. Balboa tries to sprawl out of it but Belfort keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Balboa manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Nice shot by Balboa.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Balboa looks for the body kick but Belfort saw that one coming.
Belfort checks the leg kick nicely there.
Balboa throws a left and a right that both miss

and Belfort counters with a takedown into side control.
Balboa is looking to reverse the position.
Belfort advances to mount.
Belfort fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Vitor Belfort has got the better of the ground game so far.
Balboa is looking to improve his position but Belfort isn't that keen on the idea.
Belfort landing strikes from the mount and Balboa is in trouble!

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Belfort landing strikes from the mount and Balboa is in trouble!
Balboa is bucking up trying to escape but Belfort cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Belfort avoids the attempt from Balboa to control.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Belfort cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Balboa working to try and regain half guard.
Belfort has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Balboa's face.
Belfort with a couple of short strikes.
Balboa takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Belfort scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Balboa?
Belfort with the ground and pound from mount.
Belfort working Balboa over with strikes here.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Belfort cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Belfort landing strikes from the mount and Balboa is in trouble!
Belfort landing strikes from the mount and Balboa is in trouble!
Belfort working Balboa over with strikes here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Belfort landing strikes from the mount and Balboa is in trouble!
Rocky Balboa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Belfort working away from the top, dropping strikes.

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 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight for Vitor Belfort!
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight for Vitor Belfort!
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight for Vitor Belfort!

Vitor Belfort wins by unanimous decision!