PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Vitor Belfort (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thiago Alves (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Belfort
vs
Alves

185 cm
21
175 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

186 cm
25
185 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

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 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Vitor Belfort!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Thiago Alves!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Paulsen Ambrosius and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Belfort.
Alves is looking to regain half guard here but Belfort keeps moving and retains side control.

Belfort tries for a kimura but Alves is defending well.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Belfort tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Belfort wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Alves, who protects the arm well.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

Belfort tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Belfort has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Alves is trying to get back to half guard.
Alves manages to work his way to half guard, despite Belfort's best efforts.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Alves is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Belfort pulls his head out easily.

Alves is defending against the submission attempts here by Belfort.
Alves is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Alves looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Belfort looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Belfort passes to full mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Belfort looking for a guillotine from mount but Alves is having none of it.

Belfort looking to secure an arm triangle but Alves defends it well.

Belfort has hold of Alves's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Alves manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.

Belfort working for a guillotine from mount but Alves is in no mood to give up.
Alves working to try and regain half guard.

Belfort looking for a guillotine from mount but Alves is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Belfort jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Alves manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Alves tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Belfort wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Belfort has hold of Alves's arm here. He's working for an Americana. It looks like he might have it! Alves tries to escape but he's just digging himself in deeper - Belfort cranks the arm and Alves screams in pain! The ref makes a decision and ends the fight before the tap - no complains from Alves, who is just happy to have his arm attached to his body.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:45 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Vitor Belfort!