PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Vitor Belfort (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matheus Coelho (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Coelho has chosen Greenday-Holyday as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Belfort
vs
Coelho

180 cm
26
170 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

187 cm
21
180 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Vitor Belfort!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Matheus Coelho!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Seu Braga and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Belfort lands a two punch combo.
Belfort looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
Belfort blocks a head kick by Coelho.
Coelho throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Belfort's head.

It looks like Vitor Belfort has been cut.
Coelho throws a head kick that misses.

Coelho drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Coelho tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Belfort is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Coelho is controlling him well.

Coelho decides to stand back up.
Coelho closes this distance looking for a takedown but Belfort circles away.
Coelho throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Belfort misses the jab.
Coelho tries a head kick but it misses.
Coelho throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Belfort ducks under a wild hook from Coelho.

Belfort closes the distance and pushes Coelho back into the cage.
A knee to the head by Coelho.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Coelho tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Belfort tries to break the clinch but Coelho is controlling the position.

Coelho breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Coelho is looking to clinch but Belfort is avoiding it.
Belfort throws a right and a left that both miss.
Belfort avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Coelho throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Belfort tries to close the distance and clinch but Coelho swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Coelho tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Belfort manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Coelho throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Coelho tries to score a power double leg takedown but Belfort sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Coelho somewhat.
Belfort avoids a kick to the body.
Coelho tries to clinch up but Belfort circles away and keeps his distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Coelho tries to clinch but Belfort is having none of it.
Coelho fails with a takedown attempt.
Vitor Belfort has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matheus Coelho.
Coelho doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Belfort counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Belfort keeps the fight on the outside.
Belfort walks forward, straight into a front kick from Coelho.
Coelho throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Coelho throws a nice looking combination but Belfort bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Coelho tries to clinch but Belfort moves away

and Belfort counters by moving into the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Coelho working hard to break the clinch.

Belfort's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Belfort punishes Coelho's body with a nice straight punch.
Belfort slaps away a takedown attempt from Coelho, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Coelho avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Belfort looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Belfort swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Coelho has closed the distance and engaged Belfort in a clinch.
Belfort can't break the clinch.
Coelho tries a knee to the head but Belfort blocks it.
Belfort keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Coelho's efforts to push away.
Belfort has Coelho pressed against the cage, preventing Coelho from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Belfort avoids a wild elbow strike from Coelho.
Belfort managing to block the knees to the body from Coelho.

Belfort breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Coelho throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Coelho's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Coelho duly obliges.
Coelho throws a sloppy head kick and Belfort moves out of range easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Belfort closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Coelho misses with an elbow strike.
Belfort tries to break free but Coelho pushes him back against the cage.
Coelho wants a takedown.
Coelho tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Belfort escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Coelho closes the distance and pushes Belfort back into the cage.
Belfort tries to break free but Coelho pushes him back against the cage.
Coelho throws an elbow but it misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Coelho has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Belfort is trying to keep an underhook but Coelho manages to get the takedown into half guard.

Belfort is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Coelho pulls his head out easily.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Coelho looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Belfort trying to hold on to Coelho's head to control him but Coelho postures up.
Coelho winds up and cracks Belfort with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matheus Coelho dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Vitor Belfort's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Belfort misses with a double jab.
Coelho tries to clinch there but Belfort circles away.

Coelho moves into range and clinches up with Belfort.
Coelho is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Belfort gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Coelho lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Belfort is trying to stall.
Belfort dodges an elbow strike from Coelho.
Coelho prevents Belfort from breaking the clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Coelho.
Belfort tries to break the clinch but Coelho is controlling the position.
Coelho misses with a punch to the body.
Belfort blocks the elbow strike.
Coelho can't break the clinch.
Coelho is trying to push Belfort away but Belfort has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Belfort dodges an elbow strike from Coelho.
Coelho lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Belfort has had enough of the clinch but Coelho keeps him there for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belfort on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Belfort tries to break free but Coelho pushes him back against the cage.

Coelho breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Coelho misses with a takedown attempt - Belfort sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Belfort tries to clinch up.
Coelho shoots in looking for a takedown but Belfort manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Coelho's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Vitor Belfort has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matheus Coelho.
Coelho wants to clinch.
Coelho misses with a head kick.

Belfort moves into the clinch.
Coelho tries a knee to the head but Belfort blocks it.

Belfort breaks the clinch.
A punch combination from Belfort misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Coelho tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Belfort avoids the head kick by Coelho.
Belfort throws a right hand that Coelho ducks under and follows up with a left that Coelho also avoids with ease.

Belfort moves into the clinch.
Belfort throws a knee to the head but misses.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Coelho just misses with a elbow thrown towards Belfort's brow.
Coelho throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Belfort blocks the elbow strike.
Coelho misses with a short punch on the inside.
Belfort is trying to break the clinch but Coelho is controlling him.
Coelho creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Belfort's defenses.
Coelho using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Coelho gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Belfort can't break the clinch.
Coelho trying to control the position but instead, Belfort has worked for underhooks and has pushed Coelho into the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Coelho throws a head punch that misses.
Belfort with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Belfort blocks the elbow strike.
Belfort tries to circle away but Coelho has him pinned against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Belfort's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Belfort blocks the elbow strike.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Coelho just misses with a elbow thrown towards Belfort's brow.
Coelho lands an elbow inside that Belfort shrugs off.
Belfort blocks an elbow strike.
Coelho lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Knees in the clinch landing for Coelho.
Coelho is looking for a takedown.
Matheus Coelho seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Coelho working hard to break the clinch.
Belfort is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Belfort breaks from the clinch.
Vitor Belfort is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Coelho misses with a combination
and Belfort cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Belfort forces Coelho back against the cage and clinches.
Belfort tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Coelho breaks from the clinch.
Belfort throws a right and a left that Coelho avoids nicely.
Coelho with a poor takedown
and Coelho takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
The crowd cheers as Belfort lands an impressive looking overhand right. Coelho doesn't seem phased though.
Coelho throws a head kick but Belfort moves out of range.

Belfort moves into the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Coelho tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Coelho misses with a knee to the head.
Belfort with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Coelho lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Coelho throws an elbow but it's blocked.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Matheus Coelho will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Vitor Belfort's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Coelho closes the distance and clinches up with Belfort, looking for a takedown. Coelho pushes Belfort against the cage but Belfort circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Coelho dives in and grabs Belfort's left leg, looking for a takedown. Belfort pushes down on Coelho's head and hops out.
Coelho throws a head kick but Belfort moves out of range.
Matheus Coelho seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Coelho misses the body punch
and Belfort counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Belfort has taken the fight to the clinch.

Belfort breaks from the clinch.

Belfort clinches up with Coelho and pushes him back against the cage.
Belfort landing knees to the head.
Belfort tries a knee to the head but Coelho blocks it.
Belfort wants to break free but Coelho has control.
Coelho lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Belfort backwards.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Coelho keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Belfort's efforts to push away.
Coelho throws a head punch that misses.
Belfort avoids a wild elbow strike from Coelho.
Belfort blocks an elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Coelho prevents Belfort from breaking the clinch.
Coelho with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Belfort blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Coelho is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Belfort to keep the fight standing.
Vitor Belfort has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matheus Coelho.
Belfort throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Coelho blocks it with crossed arms.
Belfort is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Coelho pushes off an throws an elbow but Belfort leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Belfort lands a body punch in the clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Belfort escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Coelho throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Belfort sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Coelho drives through and clinches with Belfort against the cage.

Belfort pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Belfort scores with a three punch combo!
Coelho throws a head kick that misses.
Coelho goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Coelho swats away the attempt to clinch by Belfort.

Belfort gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Coelho is pushing Belfort up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Belfort looking to throw knees to the head but Coelho is blocking nicely.
Coelho goes for a takedown attempt but Belfort pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Coelho tries to close the distance and clinch but Belfort swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Belfort slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
A head kick misses from Coelho.
Belfort lands a lovely overhand right.
Coelho fails to land the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belfort jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Coelho tries to clinch but Belfort moves out of range.
Coelho wants to clinch.
Belfort throws a right and a left that both miss.
Coelho tries to close the distance and clinch up but Belfort swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Coelho delivers a nice body kick.
Coelho throws a head kick but Belfort moves out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Belfort looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Coelho throws a nice head kick!
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Coelho.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Coelho.
Coelho is looking to clinch but Belfort is avoiding it.
Belfort lands a two punch combo.
Some wild striking there from Coelho.
Matheus Coelho seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Coelho tries to close the distance and clinch up but Belfort swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Belfort lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Coelho backs up against the cage.
Coelho doesn't manage to clinch there - Belfort circles away.
Coelho misses with a few strikes there.
Coelho wants to clinch but Belfort slips to the side
and Belfort counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Belfort's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Belfort duly obliges.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Belfort fails to land with a series of punches.
Coelho throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Vitor Belfort has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Matheus Coelho is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Belfort throws a right hand that Coelho ducks under and follows up with a left that Coelho also avoids with ease.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Vitor Belfort.
Well Coelho 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 Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 28:29
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 28:30
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matheus Coelho!
Matheus Coelho took his opportunity to call for a title shot in his post fight interview.