PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Xavier Torquemada (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vitor Belfort (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Torquemada kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Anthrax - 1000 Points of Hate. Belfort has chosen Delinquent Habits - Tres Delinquentes as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Torquemada
vs
Belfort

185 cm
28
208 lbs
16 - 3 - 0

183 cm
23
223 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Zentrope Fighting Universe

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Xavier Torquemada!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Vitor Belfort!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Ivan Kurochkin and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Torquemada tries to clinch up.
Torquemada has a takedown stuffed.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Torquemada.
Torquemada blocks a low kick nicely.
Belfort changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Torquemada checks a leg kick.
Belfort with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Belfort thows a body shot but no joy.
Belfort's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Belfort duly obliges.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Torquemada slips under a jab.
Belfort throws a poor cross that misses
and Torquemada counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Belfort lands a nice hook to Torquemada's body. Torquemada takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Torquemada misses the shot to the body.
Belfort lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Torquemada wants to clinch up but Belfort keeps it at a distance.

Belfort gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Torquemada to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Torquemada trying to control the position from guard on top but Belfort is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Torquemada preventing the sweep.
Torquemada trying to control the position from guard on top but Belfort is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Torquemada controls from within his opponent's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Torquemada pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Belfort is keeping the position for now.
Torquemada advances position into side control!

Torquemada is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Belfort knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Torquemada is looking to take a break and control but Belfort is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belfort tries to escape but Torquemada is in control.
Torquemada advances to mount.
Torquemada wants to control the action but instead Belfort gets a body lock and reverses into Torquemada's guard! Nice work!
Belfort won't allow Torquemada to sweep him here.
Torquemada is pulling down on Belfort's head. It's preventing any offense from Belfort, at least for the moment.
Belfort stands and throws Torquemada's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Torquemada manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Torquemada makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Torquemada.
Belfort passes Torquemada's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Torquemada regains full guard. Nicely done.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Belfort looking to pass the guard.
Torquemada is adopting a defensive guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Xavier Torquemada will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Torquemada tries to clinch up but Belfort circles away and keeps his distance.
Torquemada shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Belfort pinned against the cage. Belfort gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Belfort throws a shot from downtown. Torquemada moves away and avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Belfort tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Torquemada was well out of range. Poor timing from Belfort.
Torquemada takes a jab right on the kisser.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belfort scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Belfort throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Belfort lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Torquemada lands a jab.
Torquemada avoids the body shot from Belfort.
Vitor Belfort seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Belfort throws a leg kick that is checked
and Torquemada counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Belfort throws a jab when Torquemada was well out of range.
Torquemada lands a nice hook to Belfort's body. Belfort takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Belfort throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Belfort lands a body shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Torquemada tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

Torquemada has managed to clinch.
Belfort misses with a hook from the clinch.
Nice body punch from Torquemada - that landed with a thud.
Torquemada misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Torquemada pressing his opponent against the cage.
Torquemada throws a head punch that misses.
Torquemada lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Torquemada tries to work over Belfort's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Torquemada swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Torquemada lands a body shot in the clinch.
Belfort is breathing heavily.
Belfort wants to break the clinch but can't.
Torquemada jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Belfort walks away with a smile on his face. Torquemada gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Belfort throws a jab but it's blocked by Torquemada.
Belfort jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Belfort motions for Torquemada to come forward. Belfort throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Belfort thows a leg kick but Torquemada checks it

and Torquemada decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Belfort's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Torquemada looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Torquemada sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Belfort's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Torquemada is looking to take a break and control but Belfort is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Torquemada not doing much here.

Belfort actively working from the bottom here.
Xavier Torquemada overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Torquemada moves into full mount! Belfort won't be happy about that!
Belfort really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Torquemada goes for an armbar but Belfort turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Belfort.

Torquemada is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xavier Torquemada dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Torquemada clinches up against the cage.
Torquemada struggles to land a body shot inside as Belfort controls his hands.
Belfort can't find room to land a body shot as Torquemada controls the action.

Belfort pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Torquemada.
Torquemada thows a body shot but no joy.
Belfort motions for Torquemada to come forward. Belfort throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Torquemada is looking to clinch but Belfort is avoiding it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belfort looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Belfort looks to land a left hand but Torquemada moved out of range nicely.
Belfort thows a body shot but no joy.
Torquemada fails with an attempt to clinch.
Belfort looks to throw the jab but Torquemada is out of range.
Belfort connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Belfort misses the shot to the body.
Belfort throws a head kick that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Belfort thuds his shin into the meat of Torquemada's side.
Torquemada blocks a head kick by Belfort.
Torquemada on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Vitor Belfort seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Belfort throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Torquemada holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Torquemada tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Torquemada breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Torquemada has a takedown stuffed.

Torquemada fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Belfort sprawls well initially but Torquemada persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Torquemada controlling the action here.
Belfort is not content to let Torquemada control the position.
Belfort is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Belfort is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Torquemada's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Torquemada's back!
Torquemada rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.

Belfort is looking for a kimura here.
Belfort takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Torquemada holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Vitor Belfort has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Belfort throwing shots but Torquemada is blocking nicely.
Belfort lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Torquemada has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Belfort is working away from the top position though.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Torquemada punching from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Vitor Belfort.
I think Torquemada has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a draw!