PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Joe Belanger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jack Arlovski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Arlovski has chosen Sex, God, Sex by the SWANS as his entrance music. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Belanger
vs
Arlovski

187 cm
35
193 lbs
21 - 6 - 0

194 cm
32
196 lbs
22 - 10 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Very quick

Good takedowns
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 21 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Joe Belanger!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jack Arlovski!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Saam Ante and Radbod Blank.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Belanger connects with a high kick.
Belanger defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Arlovski.
Belanger turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Belanger just misses with a punch to the body.

Arlovski 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.
Arlovski wants to control from the top but Belanger keeps moving.
Arlovski trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Arlovski wants to control from the top but Belanger keeps moving.
Arlovski advances position into side control!
Belanger tries to improve position but can't.

Arlovski is trying to get an arm triangle but Belanger is defending well.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Arlovski wants to control but Belanger is keeping him busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Belanger is trying to improve his position.
Belanger gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arlovski seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

Arlovski is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Arlovski is looking for a kimura but Belanger is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Arlovski to get the leverage.
Belanger trying to control but Arlovski postures up.
Arlovski wants to take a breather but Belanger is having none of it.

Arlovski is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Belanger has managed to free his arm - good work.
Belanger manages to get to full guard.
Arlovski trying to control the position from guard on top but Belanger is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Arlovski preventing the sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arlovski trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Arlovski drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Arlovski jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Arlovski pushes down on Belanger's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Arlovski is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Belanger is just riding it out for now. Arlovski eventually gives up the hold.

Arlovski is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Arlovski is working for a submission of some sort.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Belanger wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belanger is looking to get back to full guard here but Arlovski has managed to pass to side control instead.
Belanger is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Belanger is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Arlovski is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Belanger wants to control but Arlovski is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Belanger manages to get to full guard.
Belanger looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Belanger is pulling down on Arlovski's head to control his posture.
Arlovski wants to pass the guard but Belanger is keeping the position.
Belanger tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Arlovski seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Arlovski drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Belanger dives on top into guard.

Belanger avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Belanger trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Arlovski looking for subs off his back but Belanger has passed one foot through into half guard.

Arlovski is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Belanger pulls his head out easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Arlovski dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Belanger fakes the leg kick and cracks Arlovski in the body.
Arlovski looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Belanger bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Belanger works over Arlovski's head and body with a nice combination.

It looks like Jack Arlovski has been cut.
Belanger stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Belanger wants it to stay on the feet.
A nice leg kick lands there from Belanger.
Belanger throws a nice outside leg kick.
Belanger misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Arlovski.

Belanger gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Belanger is trying to control the position but Arlovski postures up.
Belanger is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Arlovski is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Belanger is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Arlovski drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Belanger dives on top into guard.
Belanger stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Arlovski swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Arlovski utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arlovski manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Belanger manages to get himself to full guard.
Belanger controls Arlovski momentarily but Arlovski frees himself.
Belanger bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Arlovski's guard.
Belanger sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Arlovski's guard.
Belanger missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Belanger wants to pass to mount but Arlovski is defending the position.
Arlovski is looking for a sweep. Belanger is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jack Arlovski has got the better of the ground game so far.

Arlovski is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Belanger pulls his head out easily.
Arlovski is breathing heavily.
Belanger throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Arlovski has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Belanger is working away from the top position though.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Arlovski actively working from the bottom here.
Arlovski wants to control but Belanger is keeping busy.
Belanger slows the pace down in half guard.
Belanger is pressing down on Arlovski's thigh, looking to free his foot. Arlovski is holding on for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belanger is thwarting Arlovski's attempts to control the position.
Belanger passes into side control, despite Arlovski's attempt to control the position.
Arlovski is looking for a sweep.
Arlovski seems a little lost for a moment, as Belanger dominates the positioning.
Arlovski tries to bench press Belanger off him but Belanger keeps the position.
Belanger trying to control the position but Arlovski is working away.
Belanger advances to full mount.
Belanger trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Arlovski blocking the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arlovski is squirming around, avoiding Belanger's attempts to control the action.
Belanger prevents Arlovski from getting the reversal.
Belanger wants to control the pace but Arlovski is squirming around nicely.
Belanger working Arlovski over with strikes here.
Belanger looking to control and managing it successfully.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Arlovski manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Belanger thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Arlovski's head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Arlovski looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Arlovski has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Belanger is working away from the top position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Belanger dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Jack Arlovski's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Arlovski looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Arlovski fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Belanger avoids it really well and circles away.
Belanger slaps away a takedown attempt from Arlovski, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Joe Belanger has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jack Arlovski.

Belanger shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Arlovski looking for submissions off his back.
Belanger is controlling the pace.
Belanger is thwarting Arlovski's attempts to control the position.
Arlovski wants to improve his position but Belanger is controlling well.
Arlovski takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belanger is trying to control. Arlovski wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Arlovski trying to control from the bottom.
Arlovski is trying to get back to full guard.
Arlovski is staying active underneath Belanger, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Well, if Belanger is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

We're going to have a standup here because Joe Belanger wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Belanger fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Arlovski.
Arlovski takes one to the side of the head.
Arlovski shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Arlovski fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Belanger avoids it really well and circles away.
Arlovski has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Belanger.
Belanger throws a sloppy head kick and Arlovski moves out of range easily.
Arlovski shoots in for a double leg but Belanger sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Arlovski walks into a stiff left hand from Belanger.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Arlovski steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Belanger. That one must have hurt.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Belanger manages to break the clinch.
Jack Arlovski is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Belanger wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Arlovski misses with a takedown attempt - Belanger sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Belanger feints and then cracks Arlovski's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Arlovski down.
Belanger lands a leg kick that knocks Arlovski off balance momentarily.
Arlovski walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Arlovski on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Arlovski takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Belanger scoring well with a low kick there.
Belanger tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Arlovski manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Belanger chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Arlovski stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Belanger.
Belanger scoring well with a low kick there.
Arlovski on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Belanger. Belanger obviously looking to wear him down.
Belanger slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belanger fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Arlovski.
Belanger lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Belanger, right into the meat.
Belanger scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Belanger scores with a push kick.
Belanger lets loose with a powerful body kick. Arlovski will feel that in the morning.
Belanger lands a head kick. Arlovski smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Belanger feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Arlovski's calf.
Arlovski takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A jab lands there for Belanger.

Arlovski is rocked!
Arlovski takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Nice body kick there by Belanger.
Arlovski has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Belanger.
Belanger lands a head kick!
Arlovski is still on wobbly legs! Can Belanger finish him?
Belanger turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Arlovski walks forward, straight into a front kick from Belanger.
Belanger scores with a head kick. Arlovski tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Arlovski is defended easily by Belanger.
Belanger lands a big right hand and follows it up with an uppercut. Oh and another big punch and a knee - Arlovski can't take much more of this! Another big shot to the jaw from Belanger and Arlovski drops to the floor. Beaten and bloodied - he had enough there. A vicious beatdown by Belanger.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Joe Belanger!
A relieved looking Joe Belanger thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.