PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Michael Belanger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Daniel Kerrow (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Daniel Kerrow is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Belanger
vs
Kerrow

178 cm
25
150 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

172 cm
26
145 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Michael Belanger!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Daniel Kerrow!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Trevor Gratis and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kerrow shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Belanger sprawls well. Belanger wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kerrow gets slowly back to his feet.
Kerrow looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Kerrow shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Belanger but Belanger pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Belanger fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kerrow avoids it really well and circles away.
Belanger misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Belanger fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Kerrow to the ground. Belanger is now in Kerrow's guard.
Belanger with a flurry of punches that miss.
Kerrow avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Belanger with a flurry of punches that miss.
Belanger throws a big elbow that misses.
Belanger throws a big right hand that misses.
Belanger throws a big right hand that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belanger throws a big right hand that misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Belanger working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Kerrow preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Belanger throwing strikes from guard but Kerrow blocks nicely.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Belanger loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Belanger feints and as Kerrow raises his hands in defense, Belanger changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Belanger cracks Kerrow with a solid left hand.
Belanger working some strikes from top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Belanger prevents Kerrow from getting back to his feet.
Belanger trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Belanger working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Belanger loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Belanger has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Belanger trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Belanger throws a big elbow that misses.
Belanger lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Belanger working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Belanger feints and as Kerrow raises his hands in defense, Belanger changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Belanger scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Belanger scoring with punches to the head and body.
Belanger throws a big right hand that misses.
Belanger chips away with some ground and pound.
Belanger scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Kerrow is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Belanger is controlling him.
Belanger missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kerrow is looking to stand up but Belanger isn't so interested in that idea.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Kerrow defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Belanger.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michael Belanger. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Belanger fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Kerrow to the ground. Belanger is now in Kerrow's guard.
Belanger missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Belanger scoring with some ground and pound.
Belanger connects with a couple of short punches.
Kerrow preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Belanger throws a strike but Kerrow rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Belanger bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kerrow's guard.

Belanger trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Belanger dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Kerrow looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Belanger is fending him off so far but Kerrow persists. Nope, Belanger circles away and we're back to standing.
Belanger has a takedown stuffed.
Belanger is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kerrow sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Belanger shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kerrow but Kerrow pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michael Belanger. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Belanger shoots in for a takedown but Kerrow shows good takedown defense.
Horrible takedown attempt by Kerrow or perhaps it was just good defense by Belanger, which made it look bad.
Kerrow defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Belanger.
Belanger tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kerrow swivels and escapes.
Kerrow closes this distance looking for a takedown but Belanger circles away.
Belanger fails with a takedown attempt.
Kerrow changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Belanger.
Kerrow feints the counter takedown.

Kerrow is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Belanger's half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kerrow trying to mount his opponent but Belanger defends it.
Belanger is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kerrow can do to turn this around?
Kerrow thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Belanger's head.
Kerrow missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Belanger keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kerrow missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Belanger is positioning himself well to prevent Kerrow advancing to mount.
Belanger makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Belanger.
Belanger looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Kerrow postures up.
Kerrow works over Belanger with some ground and pound from guard.
Belanger on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Belanger tries to get out of the position.

That's two 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.
Belanger utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kerrow postures up in Belanger's guard and throws a big left but Belanger blocks it.
Michael Belanger overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kerrow missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Daniel Kerrow seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Belanger shoots in and gets a takedown into Kerrow's guard.
Belanger trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Belanger loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Belanger throws a strike but Kerrow rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Belanger preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Belanger controlling Kerrow's posture.
Kerrow postures up and lands a big shot to Belanger's brow.
Kerrow throws a big elbow that misses.
Kerrow throwing strikes but missing.
Kerrow must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Belanger holds on and takes a little breather.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Kerrow content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Belanger preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Belanger fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Kerrow to the ground. Belanger is now in Kerrow's guard.
Belanger postures up in Kerrow's guard and throws a big left but Kerrow blocks it.
Kerrow preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kerrow avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Belanger throws a big right hand that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Belanger throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kerrow works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kerrow avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Belanger's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Belanger in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Belanger dives in and grabs Kerrow's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kerrow pushes down on Belanger's head and hops out.
Belanger shoots in looking for a takedown but Kerrow manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Belanger's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Kerrow feints and as Belanger raises his hands in defense, Kerrow changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Kerrow is looking to work some ground and pound but Belanger has wrist control.
Kerrow lands a couple of decent looking shots.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Belanger lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Belanger in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Daniel Kerrow showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Belanger's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Kerrow shoots in and drives through. Belanger sprawls well.
Kerrow keeps the fight on the outside.

Belanger drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Kerrow takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Belanger throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Kerrow managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Belanger.
Kerrow avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Belanger.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Belanger is putting a hurting on Kerrow here, landing some big shots from side control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Belanger postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belanger landing a few strikes.
Belanger misses with the ground and pound.
Belanger grinds an elbow into Kerrow's temple.
Belanger sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Kerrow is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Kerrow avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Belanger.
Belanger misses with the ground and pound.
Kerrow takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kerrow is trying to buck Belanger off.
Belanger throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Kerrow works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Belanger lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belanger looks to land a strike but Kerrow avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Belanger in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Belanger fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Kerrow fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Belanger to the ground. Kerrow is now in Belanger's guard.
Belanger seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Kerrow working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Belanger working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kerrow.
Kerrow in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Belanger seems keen to control Kerrow's posture.
Kerrow with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kerrow won't allow Belanger to sweep him here.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Belanger holds on and takes a little breather.
Belanger wants to stand and escape but Kerrow is having none of it.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Kerrow drives through with a takedown into guard.
Belanger looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kerrow is one step ahead there.
Belanger has his hands on Kerrow's head, controlling the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kerrow won't allow Belanger to sweep him here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michael Belanger showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Belanger has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Yves DeLean scores the fight 29:28
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michael Belanger!
Michael Belanger thanked the fans post fight for their support.