PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Will Tickel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jordan Belfort (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Tickel
vs
Belfort

196 cm
22
184 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

168 cm
23
176 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

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 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Will Tickel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jordan Belfort !
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tickel blocks the body kick.
Belfort throws a nice outside leg kick.
Tickel really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Tickel throws a looping overhand right but Belfort ducks down to avoid it.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Tickel.
Tickel misses with a takedown
and Belfort counters with a solid body kick.
Tickel throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Tickel misses with a takedown attempt
and Belfort counters with a body kick that stops Tickel in his tracks momentarily.
Tickel 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.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Will Tickel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tickel throws a lazy right hand but Belfort sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Tickel tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Belfort fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Tickel looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Both fighters circling a little - Belfort finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Tickel is breathing heavily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tickel tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Belfort throws a leg kick which misses Tickel's front leg but catches the back leg as Tickel tries to avoid it.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Belfort has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.

A head kick lands from Belfort that sends Tickel to the canvas. Tickel tries to scramble back to his feet but Belfort brings him back down into side control.

It looks like Will Tickel has been cut.
Belfort wants to control but Tickel is keeping him busy.
Belfort tries to advance to mount but Tickel denies him.
Tickel tries to buck Belfort off but Belfort is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belfort advances to mount.
Belfort with some aggressive grappling here, looking for the finish.
Tickel bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

Belfort working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Tickel doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Tickel manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Tickel trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Belfort looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Tickel trying to stand up but can't free himself from Belfort 's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Belfort keeping full guard, as Tickel tries to pass.
Belfort working a defensive guard but Tickel manages to pass into side control anyway.
Belfort sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Tickel looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Tickel is keen to just control but Belfort is a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belfort wants to get back to full guard.
Tickel is thwarting Belfort 's attempts to control the position.

Belfort with the active half guard here but Tickel passes nicely into side control.
Belfort is not content to let Tickel control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Belfort tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Tickel tries to advance to mount but can't.

Tickel is trying to get an arm triangle but Belfort is defending well.
Belfort is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jordan Belfort dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Will Tickel's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Tickel blocks a head kick by Belfort .
Belfort scores with a kick to the midsection.
Tickel stalks Belfort and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Belfort 's face. Belfort staggers backwards, shaken.
Belfort misses with a left hand
and Tickel cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Belfort connects with a solid leg kick.
Tickel takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Tickel throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tickel fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Belfort misses with a looping left.

Belfort moves into the clinch successfully.
Belfort gets underhooks to prevent Tickel's takedown attempt.
Belfort is defending well against a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Will Tickel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Belfort creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Tickel blocking some punches.
A right hand to the body from Belfort .

Belfort wants the takedown. Tickel is fighting it off but Belfort persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Tickel's guard against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belfort stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Tickel swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Tickel will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Belfort sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Tickel's guard.
Ground and pound from Belfort .
Belfort sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Belfort has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

Tickel defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Belfort .

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Belfort controlling his opponent.
Belfort fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Tickel is squirming around, avoiding Belfort 's attempts to control the action.
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!
Belfort is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Tickel tries to hold on but Belfort postures up.
Belfort with good strikes from the mount here!
Belfort tries to control but Tickel wriggling away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belfort unloading with bombs!
Belfort looking to control but Tickel is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Tickel is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Tickel gets back to half guard.
Tickel is looking for a sweep. Belfort is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Tickel tries to kick Belfort off but Belfort keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Well, if Belfort 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.
Belfort is looking to stall here but Tickel recovers full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Belfort engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Belfort in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Tickel looking for a guillotine here but Belfort defends easily.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Belfort content to stall in guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jordan Belfort showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Will Tickel's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

A nice leg kick lands there from Belfort .

Belfort gets caught napping as Tickel dives in and scores a takedown. Belfort manages to retain guard.

Belfort is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Tickel is aware though and is defending well.
Belfort not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Tickel trying to control but Belfort is working from the bottom.

Tickel gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Belfort lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Belfort connects with an inside leg kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tickel is trying hard to land a takedown here. Belfort sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Tickel feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Tickel stands up and waves to Belfort to follow him.

Belfort darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tickel looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Belfort uses his free foot to push down on Tickel's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Tickel.
Belfort tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Belfort lands a big shot there that rocks Tickel but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Tickel is looking to get to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Belfort working away from the top, dropping strikes.
BOOM! Belfort connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Belfort looking to control but Tickel is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Belfort unloading with bombs!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Belfort manages to capitalize on a mistake by Tickel to take his back!
Tickel wants to escape the position.
I would not like to be Tickel right now.
Belfort trying to control.
Belfort lands with a hammerfist to the side of Tickel's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Belfort is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Tickel defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Belfort has the hooks in. Tickel is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

Belfort has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Tickel has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Belfort is throwing strikes from the back here. Oh that last one was to the back of the head. Belfort gets a warning from the referee. He throws another strike to the back of the head straight away though and the referee has seen enough. He breaks up the two fighters and stands them back up. Belfort gets a real talking to here and is lucky not to get a point deducted. Belfort apologises and we restart here on the feet.
Tickel throws a jab when Belfort was well out of range.
Will Tickel seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tickel fails with a takedown attempt.
Belfort tries a head kick but it misses.

Belfort shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tickel on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Will Tickel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Belfort trying to control from half guard but Tickel is working away.
Belfort keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tickel has hold of Belfort 's hands but Belfort slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Belfort takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Jordan Belfort has got the better of the ground game so far.
Tickel wants to get back to full guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Tickel looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Belfort working the head and body with strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jordan Belfort comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Belfort 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jordan Belfort !
After winning the bout, Jordan Belfort thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.