PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Andr De Fran (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Benjamin Belleville (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). De Fran comes to the cage accompanied by No Worries. Belleville has chosen The Offspring - You're Gonna Go Far, Kid as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

De Fran
vs
Belleville

172 cm
24
158 lbs
12 - 5 - 0

170 cm
25
153 lbs
20 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Affordable Quality + Reliable Laundry

Fury Nutrition Inc.
Milwaukee's Best Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Andr De Fran!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Benjamin Belleville!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Aafke Stam and Nard Betker.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Belleville throws a body punch but De Fran moves out of range.
De Fran throws a big shot that misses.
De Fran throws a head kick that misses.
Belleville has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by De Fran.
De Fran chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Belleville can pounce on him.
De Fran has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
De Fran throws out a leg kick but Belleville moves out of range and De Fran only half commits.
Belleville blocks a leg kick.
Belleville has a takedown stuffed.
Belleville throws a predictable looking body shot
and De Fran counters with a straight right hand.
Benjamin Belleville seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
De Fran checks a leg kick.
Belleville scores with a sloppy right hand. De Fran should have avoided that one.
Belleville scores with the left hand. De Fran knows he should have avoided that one.
A head kick misses from De Fran.
Belleville misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from De Fran.
De Fran lands with a slapping head kick.

It looks like Benjamin Belleville has been cut.
Belleville has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
De Fran takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Belleville tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but De Fran was well out of range. Poor timing from Belleville.

Belleville gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Belleville lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of De Fran backwards.
Belleville takes an elbow to the temple.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De Fran lands an elbow that stopped Belleville in his tracks for a moment.
Belleville scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Belleville misses with a hook to the ribs.
Belleville blocks an elbow strike.
De Fran is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Belleville is keeping busy.
Belleville misses with a punch to the body.
Belleville lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Belleville working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
De Fran working some nice short punches in the clinch.
De Fran lands a damaging elbow.

Belleville works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Belleville loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Belleville drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Belleville jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
De Fran seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Belleville accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
De Fran trying to keep a closed guard but Belleville is proving a slippery customer.
De Fran wants to control the position but Belleville says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Belleville throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Belleville throwing shots but De Fran is blocking nicely.
De Fran regains full guard. Nicely done.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
De Fran avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
De Fran avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
De Fran pulls Belleville in close to his closed guard and prevents Belleville from doing any damage or advancing position.
Belleville missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De Fran is controlling Belleville's posture.
Belleville throwing strikes from guard but De Fran blocks nicely.
De Fran trying to control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Andr De Fran just wasn't active enough.
Belleville scores with a head kick.
Belleville tries a low kick but De Fran avoids it.
Belleville fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but De Fran is out of range.
De Fran waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Belleville.
A shot to the liver by De Fran. Beautiful body shot.
The fight stays on the outside here - De Fran looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Belleville avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
De Fran looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Belleville swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
De Fran tries to clinch there but Belleville circles away.
A slow jab from De Fran misses its intended target.
Belleville steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from De Fran. That one must have hurt.
De Fran misses with the body kick
and Belleville counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Belleville scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
De Fran throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
De Fran thows a left - swing and a miss!
De Fran throws an overhand right that lands on Belleville's shoulder, as Belleville tries to avoid the shot.
De Fran tries a head kick but it misses.

Belleville closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Belleville lands in his opponent's guard.
Belleville in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Belleville with a flurry of punches that miss.
De Fran is trying to control the position but Belleville postures up.
De Fran working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Belleville.
Belleville sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed De Fran's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Benjamin Belleville dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Benjamin Belleville's cut.
That's time! De Fran's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Belleville throws a right and a left that both miss.
Belleville circles away from the clinch attempt
and Belleville counters with an inside leg kick.
De Fran checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Belleville just misses with a punch to the body.
De Fran misses with a low kick.
De Fran throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Belleville sees it coming and avoids it easily.
De Fran moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Belleville looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Belleville shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has De Fran pinned against the cage. De Fran gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
De Fran throws a quick inside leg kick.

Belleville bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
De Fran regains half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
De Fran is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Belleville's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Belleville's back!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belleville covering up well under a series of strikes from De Fran.
De Fran has the hooks in. Belleville is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
De Fran is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Belleville tries to roll but De Fran sticks to his back.
De Fran gets his hands free as Belleville looks to control.
Belleville tries to escape the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De Fran misses with a punch to the head.
Belleville turns into De Fran and is now in his guard.
De Fran has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Belleville chips away with some ground and pound.
This has been an exciting period of action!
De Fran has his hands on Belleville's head, controlling the position.
De Fran working a defensive guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belleville landing with the ground and pound.
Belleville stands up over De Fran, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
De Fran not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
De Fran has control of Belleville's left arm, preventing Belleville from doing any damage.
De Fran looking to control.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Andr De Fran just wasn't active enough.
Belleville dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
De Fran pushes Belleville away with a front kick.
Belleville just misses with a punch to the body.
De Fran on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
De Fran moves out of range as Belleville throws a body kick.
De Fran keeps the fight on the outside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A clash of legs there as Belleville blocks the low kick.
Belleville throws a combination but it was largely blocked by De Fran.
De Fran circles away from the clinch attempt.
Belleville lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

De Fran gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Belleville to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Belleville wants to control from the top but De Fran keeps moving.
Belleville with a nice head shot there.
Belleville postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
De Fran working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Belleville.
Belleville lands a couple of digs.
Belleville missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
De Fran keeping moving, preventing Belleville from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Benjamin Belleville showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Benjamin Belleville's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

De Fran drives through and clinches with Belleville against the cage.
De Fran is trying to stall.
Belleville presses De Fran against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Belleville looking to stall.

Belleville breaks the clinch.
De Fran feints a jab promting Belleville to slip. De Fran then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Belleville slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
A big left from De Fran misses.
Benjamin Belleville seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Belleville has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by De Fran.
De Fran connects with a high kick.
Belleville ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
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!
Belleville fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Belleville throws a sloppy head kick and De Fran moves out of range easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belleville lands a head kick. De Fran smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Belleville misses with a series of wild punches.
Belleville is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down De Fran rather than just go for the knockout.
De Fran lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Belleville misses with a leg kick

and De Fran moves into the clinch.
Belleville struggles to land a body shot inside as De Fran controls his hands.
A short left from Belleville.
Belleville tries to break the clinch but De Fran is controlling the position.
Belleville looking to stall.
Belleville stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Belleville misses with a hook to the ribs.
Belleville drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
De Fran looks to throw an elbow but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Belleville is looking to break free of the clinch but De Fran has double underhooks.
De Fran is struggling to control the position.
Belleville on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Belleville is looking for a takedown.
Andr De Fran has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Benjamin Belleville.
Belleville misses with a body punch.
Belleville lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Belleville struggles to land a body shot inside as De Fran controls his hands.
Belleville is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
De Fran tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
De Fran is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Belleville blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A short right from De Fran on the inside.
Belleville doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Nice body punch from Belleville.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De Fran prevents a body shot from Belleville.
De Fran lands an elbow inside that Belleville shrugs off.

That has opened up Benjamin Belleville's cut even more.
Belleville lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of De Fran backwards.
De Fran stalling.
Belleville tries a body shot but De Fran blocks it.
Nice body punch from Belleville.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A nice left hand lands by Belleville.
Belleville drops to a knee looking for a takedown but De Fran gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Belleville misses with a hook to the ribs.
Belleville drops to a knee looking for a takedown but De Fran gets the underhooks and prevents it.
De Fran struggles to land a body shot inside as Belleville controls his hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Belleville blocks an elbow strike.
Belleville struggles to land a body shot inside as De Fran controls his hands.
De Fran throws an elbow but it misses.

Belleville breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
De Fran slips a straight right by Belleville.
Belleville misses with a wild body shot.
Belleville wants to clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
De Fran pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Belleville.
De Fran tests Belleville's chin there with a solid looking shot.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
De Fran throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Belleville throws out a leg kick but De Fran moves out of range and Belleville only half commits.
Belleville pivots, looking for a leg kick but De Fran is out of range and Belleville settles back down.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Benjamin Belleville really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Benjamin Belleville's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

De Fran keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Belleville throws a body punch but De Fran moves out of range.
A good leg kick by De Fran.
Belleville misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from De Fran.
De Fran avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Belleville moves in looking to clinch but De Fran pushes him off.
De Fran tries to land a front kick but Belleville steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
De Fran uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
De Fran works the jab nicely.
De Fran scores with a nice head shot.
De Fran looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Belleville misses with a wild body shot.
Belleville just misses with a punch to the body.
Belleville throws a leg kick
and De Fran counters with an outside leg kick.

De Fran has closed the distance and engaged Belleville in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De Fran tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Belleville avoids it.
Belleville tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
De Fran is looking to control Belleville's arms but Belleville gets an underhook and turns him. Now De Fran has his back to the cage.
De Fran is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Belleville has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. De Fran avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Belleville tries to score a body lock takedown but De Fran shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Andr De Fran has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Benjamin Belleville.
Belleville wants to get back to striking at distance but De Fran won't allow it.
Belleville dodges an elbow strike from De Fran.
Belleville letting De Fran take a breather here.
De Fran lands an elbow inside.
De Fran pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
De Fran creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Belleville blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Belleville swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De Fran is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Benjamin Belleville seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Belleville tries for a takedown. No joy.
Belleville is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
De Fran gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Belleville.
De Fran lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
De Fran lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Belleville.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A left hand lands to the body for Belleville.
De Fran pushes Belleville back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
De Fran's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
De Fran putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Belleville in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Belleville takes a knee to the side of the body.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by De Fran as Belleville tries to tie him up.
De Fran trying to land knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belleville can't find room to land a body shot as De Fran controls the action.
De Fran gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Belleville.
Belleville misses with a short punch on the inside.
A bit of stalling here from De Fran.

Belleville pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Belleville fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Belleville misses with a leg kick.
De Fran thows a left - swing and a miss!
Belleville avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
De Fran thows a left - swing and a miss!
De Fran moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
De Fran tries to clinch up but Belleville circles away and keeps his distance.
De Fran throws a big shot that misses.
De Fran fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Belleville looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Andr De Fran is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
De Fran blocks a low kick nicely.
De Fran throws a low kick but it's checked well by Belleville.
Belleville moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Belleville cracks De Fran with an open hand slap.
De Fran connects with a right hand. Belleville shakes it off.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A thudding body kick lands there by De Fran!
Belleville stuns De Fran with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from De Fran.
Belleville tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but De Fran paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nice takedown defense from De Fran. No joy for Belleville on that attempt.
De Fran throws a head kick that Belleville semi-blocks.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Belleville takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Belleville dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on De Fran. That did some damage!
Belleville tries to score a power double leg takedown but De Fran sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Belleville somewhat.
De Fran throws a body kick that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andr De Fran had his way with Benjamin Belleville in that round.
The cut man is working on Benjamin Belleville's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Belleville wants to clinch up but De Fran keeps it at a distance.
Belleville swings and misses with a hook to the body.
De Fran pulls out of a head kick attempt.
De Fran thuds his right hand into Belleville's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

De Fran moves into the clinch successfully.
Belleville blocks the elbow strike.
De Fran putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Belleville in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Belleville misses with a punch to the body.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Belleville tries to throw a body punch but De Fran avoids it by throwing Belleville back against the cage.
De Fran comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
De Fran lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Belleville digs a right hand underneath De Fran's ribcage. De Fran let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Belleville doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
De Fran lands a right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belleville struggles to land a body shot inside as De Fran controls his hands.
Good body shot from Belleville.
De Fran lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Belleville misses with a hook to the ribs.
Belleville tries for a takedown. No joy.
De Fran looking to stall.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Belleville.
De Fran working some nice short punches in the clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Belleville tries for a takedown. No joy.
A short right from De Fran.
Belleville misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Belleville breaks from the clinch.
De Fran thows a leg kick but Belleville checks it

and Belleville counters by clinching up.
Belleville lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of De Fran backwards.
Belleville wants a takedown but no success here.
Andr De Fran has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Benjamin Belleville.

Belleville breaks the clinch.
Belleville swings and misses with a hook 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!
Belleville lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Belleville shoots in looking for a takedown but De Fran manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Belleville's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Belleville is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
De Fran scores with a head kick.
Belleville throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Belleville avoids a kick to the body.
Belleville takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
De Fran looks for the body kick but Belleville saw that one coming.
Belleville will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Belleville misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
De Fran throws a solid leg kick but Belleville takes the impact on his shin and smiles at De Fran.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De Fran feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Belleville's calf.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Belleville is defended easily by De Fran.
De Fran lets loose with a powerful body kick. Belleville will feel that in the morning.
De Fran scores with a push kick.
De Fran finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Belleville walks into a jab.
De Fran takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Belleville misses with a low kick.
De Fran doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Belleville throws a leg kick which misses De Fran's front leg but catches the back leg as De Fran tries to avoid it.
Belleville dives in for a single leg takedown but De Fran sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Belleville has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from De Fran.
Belleville stalling in the clinch but De Fran improves position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
De Fran using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
De Fran leaning his opponent against the cage.
De Fran lands with a short shot to the head.
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!
De Fran stalling in the clinch.
De Fran lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

The cut above Benjamin Belleville's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Belleville tried to land a shot to the body but connects with De Fran's elbow.
Belleville throws a punch but it's blocked by De Fran.
De Fran misses with a short punch on the inside.
Still in the clinch, De Fran scores with a nice short uppercut.
Belleville fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
De Fran misses with a body punch.
Belleville scores with a hook to the body.
Andr De Fran has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
De Fran throws an elbow but it misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Andr De Fran showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Belleville has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 47:48
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 47:48
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Benjamin Belleville! Benjamin Belleville retains his featherweight title!
Benjamin Belleville bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.