PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Noah Bennet (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Viktor Belfort (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bennet kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Unloco - Crashing. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Bennet
vs
Belfort

183 cm
34
193 lbs
12 - 15 - 0

185 cm
25
195 lbs
8 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent MT
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

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 12 - 15 - 0, fighting out of New York, Noah Bennet!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Viktor Belfort!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Paul Aken and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bennet uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Belfort.

Belfort fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Bennet, pushing him back against the cage.
Belfort misses with some punches.
Bennet fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Belfort lands a hook that snaps the head of Bennet backwards.
Bennet tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Bennet misses with a hook to the ribs.
Belfort lands with a right to the head.
Bennet tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Belfort's elbow.
Bennet blocks an uppercut.
Nice body punch from Bennet - that landed with a thud.
Belfort throws a punch but it's blocked by Bennet.
Belfort misses with a hook from the clinch.
Belfort working aggressively here.
Bennet tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Belfort just stands there and leans against the cage.
Belfort gets through Bennet's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Belfort lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Bennet backwards.
Bennet tries to work over Belfort's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Bennet misses with a punch to the body.
Bennet tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Belfort blocks a body shot from Bennet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Bennet breaks the clinch.

Belfort clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belfort tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Bennet goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Belfort swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Belfort throws a punch but it's blocked by Bennet.
Bennet tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Belfort just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Noah Bennet. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Bennet gets control of Belfort's arms and successfully pulls guard. Bennet will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Bennet is working an open guard so Belfort takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Belfort has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Bennet is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Belfort defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Bennet.
Viktor Belfort seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bennet tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Bennet looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Bennet throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Belfort.
Bennet tries to close the distance and clinch up but Belfort swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Bennet gets tackled into the cage by Belfort. Belfort maintains the clinch.

Bennet manages to break the clinch.
A swing and a miss from Belfort.
Bennet misses with a head kick.

Belfort fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Bennet, pushing him back against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A head punch on the inside from Belfort fails to land.
Belfort lands a nice uppercut.
Bennet presses Belfort against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Belfort throws a punch but it's blocked by Bennet.
Belfort misses with a hook from the clinch.
Belfort misses with a short punch on the inside.
Bennet blocking some punches.
Belfort misses with the head strike.
Belfort fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Belfort tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Bennet manages to break the clinch.
Bennet throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Belfort.

Belfort closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Belfort misses with the head strike.
Belfort tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Bennet blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Belfort tries to circle away but Bennet has him pinned against the cage.

Bennet pulls guard effortlessly.

Belfort stands and steps away. Bennet gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Belfort closes the distance and clinches.
Bennet looking to slow down the pace here.
Belfort tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belfort lands with a light punch inside.
A head punch on the inside from Belfort fails to land.
Belfort throws a head punch that misses.
Belfort has a couple of punches blocked by Bennet.
Bennet tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Belfort misses with the head strike.
A head punch on the inside from Belfort fails to land.
Belfort has a couple of punches blocked by Bennet.
Belfort swings wildly with an uppercut but Bennet uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head punch on the inside from Belfort fails to land.
Belfort is trying to force a seperation but Bennet has the dominant position.
Belfort gets through Bennet's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Belfort lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Belfort lands with a left to the head.

Bennet breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Belfort throws a jab when Bennet was well out of range.
Belfort fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Bennet is trying hard to land a takedown here. Belfort sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
A head kick misses from Bennet.
Bennet tries a head kick but it misses.
Bennet misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Belfort drives through and clinches with Bennet against the cage.
Bennet blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Belfort lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Belfort lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A right handed body shot lands from Bennet.
Belfort misses with some punches.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Belfort throws a punch but it's blocked by Bennet.
Bennet is trying to pull guard but Belfort has him pressed against the cage.
Belfort working aggressively here.
Bennet blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Bennet tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Belfort's elbow.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Belfort misses with a punch on the inside.
Belfort lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Belfort lands a right hand.
Belfort misses with a hook from the clinch.

Bennet escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Viktor Belfort dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Belfort avoids a punch combination nicely.
Bennet throws a sloppy head kick and Belfort moves out of range easily.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Belfort misses with a looping left.
Bennet lands a high kick!

Belfort has closed the distance and engaged Bennet in a clinch.
Belfort misses with a punch on the inside.
Belfort misses with a short punch on the inside.
Bennet doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Bennet manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Bennet tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Belfort misses with a hook from the clinch.
Bennet tries to throw a body punch but Belfort avoids it by throwing Bennet back against the cage.
Belfort has a couple of punches blocked by Bennet.
Belfort swings wildly with an uppercut but Bennet uses good head movement to avoid it.
Belfort lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Belfort has a couple of punches blocked by Bennet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belfort misses with a hook from the clinch.
Belfort working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A right hand to the body from Bennet.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Bennet.
Belfort misses with a hook from the clinch.
Belfort working aggressively here.
Belfort is trying to break the clinch but Bennet has him pressed against the cage.
Bennet tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Belfort's elbow.

Bennet's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Belfort scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Belfort wants to stand but his hand is trapped. Bennet uses the opportunity to regain full guard.

Belfort drops back, looking for a kneebar! Bennet looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Bennet looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Bennet!
Belfort is trying to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Belfort is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Bennet's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Belfort tries to roll over but Bennet keeps him under control.
Bennet thows a huge punch but Belfort dodges it nicely.
Belfort works his way to full guard. Good work.

Belfort escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Bennet gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Bennet throwing strikes from guard but Belfort blocks nicely.

Bennet avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Bennet got a little sloppy there for a moment and Belfort has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Bennet has managed to get both his arms back between Belfort's legs - danger averted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Belfort has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Bennet can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Belfort keeping moving, preventing Bennet from controlling successfully.
Belfort looking for a sweep. Not yet Belfort, not yet.
Belfort is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Bennet dives into side control.
Belfort wants to get back to his feet but Bennet is dominant here and he's now got Belfort's back!
Belfort trying to get back to his feet but Bennet is in full control for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bennet controlling well, preventing Belfort from escaping the position.
Belfort breaks Bennet's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Belfort has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Bennet is proving hard to escape from.

Belfort stands up from Bennet's guard - Belfort perhaps looking for a knockout.
Bennet tries for a takedown but Belfort sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Belfort avoids the head kick by Bennet.

Bennet gets tackled into the cage by Belfort. Belfort maintains the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Good body shot from Bennet.
Belfort swings wildly with an uppercut but Bennet uses good head movement to avoid it.
Belfort blocks a body shot from Bennet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Viktor Belfort showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Belfort clinches up with Bennet and pushes him back against the cage.
Bennet's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Belfort working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Belfort working hard to break the clinch.
Belfort misses with a hook from the clinch.
Belfort misses with a short punch on the inside.
Bennet tries to pull guard but Belfort forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Bennet's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Bennet on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Bennet throws a head kick that misses.
Bennet throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Belfort.
Bennet throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Belfort's head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Belfort throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Bennet is trying hard to land a takedown here. Belfort sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Belfort connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

It looks like Noah Bennet has been cut.

Belfort instigates a clinch.
Bennet blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Belfort swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A head punch on the inside from Belfort fails to land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bennet tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Belfort's elbow.

Bennet escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Bennet moves out of range as Belfort strikes.

Belfort rushes Bennet and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Belfort lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Belfort lands an uppercut.
Bennet misses with a hook to the ribs.
Bennet doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Belfort misses with a punch on the inside.
Belfort fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Bennet goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Bennet blocks an uppercut.
Belfort throws a punch but it's blocked by Bennet.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Belfort.
Bennet blocking some punches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Belfort.
Bennet is struggling to control the position.

Bennet pulls Belfort into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Belfort gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Belfort has managed to clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Belfort has a couple of punches blocked by Bennet.
Bennet tries a body shot but Belfort blocks it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Bennet.
Bennet scores with a hook to the body.
Belfort misses with the head strike.
Belfort misses with a punch on the inside.
Belfort misses with some punches.

Bennet's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Belfort.
Belfort misses with a punch on the inside.
Belfort working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Belfort misses with a punch on the inside.
Bennet tries to pull guard but Belfort forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Noah Bennet. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bennet jumps into guard, dragging Belfort to the mat.

Belfort stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Belfort fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Bennet, pushing him back against the cage.
Belfort blocks a body shot from Bennet.
Belfort misses with a hook from the clinch.

Bennet gets control of Belfort's arms and successfully pulls guard. Bennet will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Belfort stands up and waves to Bennet to follow him.
Bennet fails to land with a series of punches.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Belfort clinches with his opponent.
Belfort throws a head punch that misses.
A head punch on the inside from Belfort fails to land.
Belfort working aggressively here.
Bennet blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Bennet tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A left hand lands to the body for Bennet.
Viktor Belfort seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Belfort lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Belfort misses with a punch on the inside.
Bennet lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Belfort.
Belfort misses with a short punch on the inside.

Bennet jumps guard and drags Belfort to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Belfort wants to stand but Bennet is controlling his posture from full guard.

Belfort got a little sloppy there for a moment and Bennet has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Belfort has managed to get both his arms back between Bennet's legs - danger averted.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Belfort gets to his feet - Bennet follows without any prompting.
Noah Bennet has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Viktor Belfort is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bennet goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Bennet tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

And that's the end of the fight!
Viktor Belfort comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Belfort winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Daniel Blasius scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Viktor Belfort!
Viktor Belfort was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.