PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vin Diesel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vitor Belfort (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Belfort has chosen Evan Blues-Beyond the stars as his entrance music. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Diesel
vs
Belfort

185 cm
24
200 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

168 cm
25
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Solid chin

Sportsmanship Ltd.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Vin Diesel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Vitor Belfort!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Colin Fray and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Diesel shoots in for a double leg but Belfort sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Diesel moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromBelfort.

Belfort rushes Diesel and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Belfort is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Belfort is defending well against a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vin Diesel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Belfort avoiding damage.

Belfort escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Diesel shoots in for a takedown but Belfort shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Diesel misses with a jab, cross combination.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Belfort has eaten all the pies!

Belfort rushes Diesel and presses him up against the cage.
Belfort throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Diesel blocks it with crossed arms.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Diesel has hold of one of Belfort's legs. Belfort is fighting the takedown attempt but Diesel gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.

Diesel thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Belfort is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Diesel drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Diesel jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Diesel trying to control but Belfort is working from the bottom.
Diesel chips away with some ground and pound.
Diesel with a flurry of punches that miss.
Diesel trying to control the position from guard on top but Belfort is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Diesel preventing the sweep.
Diesel trying to control the position from guard on top but Belfort is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Belfort trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Diesel shoots in looking for a takedown. Belfort tries to sprawl out of it but Diesel keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Belfort manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Belfort tries to counter with a clinch but Diesel shakes him off and moves away.
Diesel swings for the body but Belfort moves out of range.
Diesel shoots in for a takedown but Belfort shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Diesel clinches up with Belfort and pushes him back against the cage.
Diesel has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Belfort avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Diesel is looking to take this one to the mat.
Diesel wants a takedown but no success here.
Belfort tries for a takedown but Diesel manages to get underhooks.
Belfort stops a takedown attempt from Diesel.
Diesel is breathing heavily.

Belfort pulls Diesel into guard.
Diesel won't allow Belfort to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belfort trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Belfort utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Diesel won't allow Belfort to get back to his feet.
Diesel's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Diesel drops back looking for a leg! Belfort is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Belfort manages to kick Diesel off! Diesel jumps back into Belfort's guard.

Diesel avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Diesel trying to control the position from guard on top but Belfort is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Belfort shoots in looking for a takedown but Diesel manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Belfort's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Diesel is looking to clinch but Belfort is avoiding it.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Diesel is defended easily by Belfort.
Belfort tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Diesel shoots in looking for a takedown. Belfort tries to sprawl out of it but Diesel keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Belfort manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Belfort stuffs the takedown.
Diesel darts in looking for a takedown but Belfort gets double underhooks and turns Diesel into the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vitor Belfort dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Belfort tries to clinch up.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Diesel is defended easily by Belfort.
Diesel shoots for a double leg takedown but Belfort sprawls well. He's pushed Diesel's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Diesel fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Belfort wants to counter with a clinch but Diesel pushes him away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vin Diesel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Belfort displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Diesel.
Belfort looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Belfort has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Jab by Belfort.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fight stays on the outside here - Belfort looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Belfort fails with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belfort tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Belfort shoots in looking for a takedown. Diesel tries to sprawl out of it but Belfort keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Diesel manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Belfort closes the distance and clinches up with Diesel, looking for a takedown. Belfort pushes Diesel against the cage but Diesel circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Diesel drives through and clinches with Belfort against the cage.
Diesel is looking for a takedown.
Diesel can't find room to land a body shot as Belfort controls the action.
Diesel goes for a takedown attempt but Belfort pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Belfort changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Diesel tries to avoid it but Belfort manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Diesel to the ground. Diesel escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Diesel appears to be looking for a big counter.
Belfort throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Diesel.
Vitor Belfort seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Belfort will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Belfort is breathing heavily.
Belfort misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Diesel tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Belfort looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Diesel is fending him off so far but Belfort persists. Nope, Diesel circles away and we're back to standing.
Diesel wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Diesel tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Belfort swivels and escapes.
Diesel dives in for a single leg takedown but Belfort sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Vin Diesel is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Diesel throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Belfort was covering up waiting for the punch and Diesel finishes the takedown easily into guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Diesel postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Belfort is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Diesel, into his guard.

Diesel preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belfort missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Diesel looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Belfort trying to control but Diesel is working from the bottom.
Belfort wants to get up but he can't break Diesel's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Belfort slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Diesel working for a triangle but Belfort defends it easily.
Belfort slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Diesel keeping moving, preventing Belfort from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Vitor Belfort will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Diesel shoots in looking for a takedown. Belfort tries to sprawl out of it but Diesel keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Belfort manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Belfort shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Diesel looks for a takedown but Belfort sprawls well.
Belfort shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Diesel as he jumps to the side.
A quick step to the side and Diesel tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Diesel fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Belfort avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vin Diesel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diesel misses with a few strikes there.

Diesel tries to keep at a distance but Belfort has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belfort pressing his opponent against the cage.

Belfort pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Diesel tries to keep at a distance but Belfort has taken the fight into the clinch.
Diesel changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Belfort fights it off and pushes away nicely.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Diesel is defended easily by Belfort.
Diesel tries to clinch but Belfort moves out of range.
Diesel tries for a takedown but Belfort sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diesel is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Diesel fails with a takedown attempt.
Belfort scores with a head kick.
Belfort tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Diesel defends well and Belfort ends up having to push Diesel into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
A quick step to the side and Diesel tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Belfort will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A right-left combo lands from Diesel.
Belfort swats away the attempt to clinch by Diesel.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Belfort has Diesel up against the cage in a clinch.
Diesel is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Belfort pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Belfort is working for takedown but Diesel is calmly controlling the position for now.
Diesel tries to score a body lock takedown but Belfort shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Belfort with a knee to the head.
Diesel tries for a takedown. No joy.
Diesel drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Belfort gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Diesel can't get the takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Belfort pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Belfort shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Diesel as he avoids it easily.
Diesel dives in for a single leg takedown but Belfort sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Belfort drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Diesel defends it well.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Belfort.
Belfort shoots in for a takedown but Diesel shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Diesel shoots in but no luck this time.
Diesel looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Diesel tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Belfort manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vitor 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 Paul Gruel scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 28:30
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vitor Belfort!