PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Johans Belforte (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Olivier Denis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Denis has chosen Undead as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Belforte
vs
Denis

165 cm
19
147 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

173 cm
18
130 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Organic Peak Performance

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Johans Belforte!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Olivier Denis!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Anthony Taglia and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Belforte closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Belforte is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Denis has managed to free his arm - good work.
Denis regains full guard. Nicely done.
Denis is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Denis looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Belforte trying to control but Denis is working from the bottom.
Belforte is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Belforte trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Belforte wants to pass the guard but Denis is keeping the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

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

Belforte looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Belforte looking for a guillotine here but Denis defends easily.
Belforte is breathing heavily.
Belforte keeping full guard, as Denis tries to pass.
Denis must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Belforte looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Denis puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Denis is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Belforte is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Denis slips a nice elbow through Belforte's hands, connecting with Belforte's forehead.

Denis decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Belforte has a takedown stuffed.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Denis has closed the distance and engaged Belforte in a clinch.

Denis breaks the clinch.
Belforte shoots in but Denis avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Belforte shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johans Belforte. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Denis moves into range and clinches up with Belforte.
Denis lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Stalling in the clinch from Denis.

Denis jumps guard.
Belforte trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Denis throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Denis thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Denis trying to control the position but Belforte is working away.
Belforte is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Belforte can't do much from the bottom here.
Belforte manages to work his way to half guard, despite Denis's best efforts.
Denis is tying to control. Belforte wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Denis thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Belforte is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Denis's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Denis's back!
Belforte is hanging on to Denis's back as he tries to escape.

Belforte is working for the choke. I would put my money on him to finish from this position. He's rolled onto his back and has dragged Denis with him. Denis is trying to defend but Belforte has an arm under the chin now! Denis grimaces and is forced to tap out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:30 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Johans Belforte!