PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Bruno Belanger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Talib Kweli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kweli comes into a darkened arena with his song building. 2Pac - Hit em up kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Belanger
vs
Kweli

179 cm
27
142 lbs
8 - 6 - 0

160 cm
30
152 lbs
11 - 8 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Experienced

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Steel Terror-Trition: Video Proven 160Q
Steel Terror-Trition: Video Proven 160Q

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Bruno Belanger!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Talib Kweli!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Trevor Gratis and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kweli uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Belanger.
Belanger throws a big shot that misses.
Kweli throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kweli tries to score a power double leg takedown but Belanger sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kweli somewhat.
Some wild striking there from Kweli.

Kweli shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Belanger's guard.
Kweli throwing strikes but missing.
Kweli is fighting to break Belanger's control of his arms but Belanger is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Belanger can't keep his opponent in guard - Kweli advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Kweli is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belanger is looking to improve his position.
Kweli stops Belanger from getting back to his feet.
Belanger trying to hold on to Kweli's head to control him but Kweli postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kweli throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Kweli is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Belanger is trying to stand up here but Kweli is controlling him well.
Kweli stalling.
Belanger is refusing to be controlled, as Kweli sits in half guard.
Belanger is trying to stand up here but Kweli is controlling him well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Belanger lands a body shot.
A swing and a miss from Kweli.
Belanger's corner calls for a 1-2. Belanger obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
A combination from Kweli does no damage.
Belanger scores with a nice head shot.
Belanger throws the left hand but Kweli avoids the punch easily.
Kweli will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Belanger really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Belanger blocks a jab.
Kweli changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Belanger with a body punch. A glancing blow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kweli shoots in looking for a takedown. Belanger tries to sprawl out of it but Kweli keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Belanger manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Bruno Belanger has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Talib Kweli.
Kweli throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Belanger on the side of the head.
Kweli will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Belanger takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Belanger bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Kweli fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Belanger takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Kweli lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Belanger circles away quickly and effectively.
Kweli shoots in looking for a takedown but Belanger manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Kweli's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Belanger looks to score with a jab to the body but Kweli is just out of range.
Kweli thows a left - swing and a miss!
Belanger throws a series of punches but Kweli moves out of range.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Good exchange - Kweli coming out on top.
Bruno Belanger is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kweli fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Belanger looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Kweli closes this distance looking for a takedown but Belanger circles away.
A swing and a miss from Kweli.
Kweli fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Belanger manages to avoid it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nice shot lands for Belanger.
Kweli shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Belanger pinned against the cage. Belanger gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Belanger lands a slapping body shot.
Kweli fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Kweli tries for a takedown but Belanger sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Kweli tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Belanger swivels and escapes.
Bruno Belanger has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Talib Kweli.
Belanger moves into range and connects with a jab.
Belanger avoids the body shot from Kweli.
Belanger digs a good hook to Kweli's body.

Kweli shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Kweli showed some decent athleticism there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Belanger looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Belanger wants to control but Kweli is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Kweli performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Kweli lands strikes from half guard.
Kweli seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Belanger does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Belanger is trying to maintain the position but Kweli is very close to passing his half guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Kweli takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Belanger looking for a kimura from the bottom but Kweli passes into side control!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kweli controlling the position from side mount.
Belanger is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Kweli is controlling him well.

Kweli is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Belanger has escaped the position, nice work there.
Belanger trying to control but Kweli flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!
You can see the frustration on Belanger's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kweli controlling the position well here. Belanger rolled but Kweli kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Kweli has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Kweli's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kweli connects with a big shot to the side of Belanger's head.
Can Belanger hold on?! Kweli is landing more strikes to his hapless foe.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Kweli struggling to keep hold of the position.
Belanger wants to get back to his feet.
You can see the frustration on Belanger's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kweli biding his time, looking for the opening.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kweli has the hooks in. Belanger is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Well, with Kweli on his back, surely it's only a matter of time before Belanger is tapping out... Can he escape the position?
Kweli slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
Talib Kweli has got the better of the ground game so far.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Kweli is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Belanger has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Talib Kweli 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! This is the final round!

Belanger slips under a jab.
Belanger keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kweli.
No luck for Kweli with that takedown attempt.
Bruno Belanger has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Talib Kweli.
Belanger misses with a wild combination.
Belanger is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
A combination from Kweli does no damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kweli ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Kweli drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Kweli gets to mount! Belanger was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Kweli controlling the pace for now.
Belanger tries to lock up and control but Kweli gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kweli controlling his opponent.
Belanger tries to hold on but Kweli pushes him away.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Belanger trying desperately to get to his feet.
Kweli tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A nice elbow there by Kweli.
Kweli looking to control but Belanger is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Belanger is trying to stand but he's not in a good position to be doing that! Kweli has taken his back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kweli doesn't have the hooks in and Belanger manages to turn into his guard.

Kweli has his foot on Belanger's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Belanger works his way back into a safe position though.
Belanger wants to stand but Kweli has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Kweli bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Belanger's guard.

Belanger looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Belanger has his foot on Kweli's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kweli works his way back into a safe position though.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Belanger can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Kweli controls the pace.
Belanger controls Kweli momentarily but Kweli frees himself.
Kweli stands and throws Belanger's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kweli remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Belanger is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Bruno Belanger has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Talib Kweli is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Kweli is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kweli scoring with punches and elbows.

And that's the end of the fight!
Talib Kweli comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Kweli has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Robert Douchet scores the fight 27:30
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Talib Kweli!