PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Normand Cleveland (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Raul Morales (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Normand Cleveland has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Cleveland
vs
Morales

164 cm
25
178 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

180 cm
25
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Normand Cleveland!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Raul Morales!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Steve Smith and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Morales connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Morales stuffs the takedown.
And Morales tries to counter it with a takedown but Cleveland pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Cleveland looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Morales misses with a combination

and Cleveland counters with a shoot takedown. Morales fights it but they end up in guard.
Cleveland keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Morales's head.

Cleveland is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Morales has Cleveland pulled in close to control his posture.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cleveland postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morales looking to control but Cleveland passes into half guard.

Morales has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Cleveland is on him like a limpet, forcing Morales back against the cage.
Cleveland will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Morales up against the cage.
Cleveland has Morales pushed against the cage.
Morales is trying to break the clinch but Cleveland has him pressed against the cage.
Morales has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Cleveland after a bit of a struggle.
Morales tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Cleveland just stands there and leans against the cage.
Morales is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Cleveland is defending well for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cleveland taking a breather.

Cleveland breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Cleveland.
Morales steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Cleveland.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Normand Cleveland. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Morales throws a leg kick that misses.
Raul Morales seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cleveland checks a leg kick.
Cleveland looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Morales is fending him off so far but Cleveland persists. Nope, Morales circles away and we're back to standing.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Morales.

It looks like Normand Cleveland has been cut.
Morales swinging wildly here.
Morales shoots in but Cleveland avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cleveland tries to score a power double leg takedown but Morales sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Cleveland somewhat.
Morales will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Cleveland tries to clinch there but Morales circles away.
Morales fails to land the takedown.
Cleveland half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

Morales gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Morales doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Morales utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Morales is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Cleveland has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Morales is proving hard to escape from.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cleveland trying to control the position from guard on top but Morales is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Morales pulls Cleveland in close to prevent any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Raul Morales will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Normand Cleveland's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Cleveland dives in and scores a takedown into Morales's guard.
Morales wants to get back to his feet but Cleveland passes into half guard.

Morales is trying to control but Cleveland manages to pass to mount!
Cleveland landing strikes, looking to finish!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Morales tries to hold on but Cleveland pushes him away.
Cleveland really is a fat lump.
Morales working to try and regain half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cleveland lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morales tries to lock up and control but Cleveland gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Morales tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Cleveland controlling the pace for now.
Cleveland can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Morales is looking to escape.
Morales working to try and regain half guard.

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.
Cleveland looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Cleveland looking to finish Morales with some ground and pound. This is bad for Morales!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Cleveland cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Cleveland controlling his opponent.
Morales keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Cleveland controlling the position easily from mount.
Cleveland is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Morales can do to turn this around?
Cleveland lands a couple of good shots and Morales has given up his back, trying to escape the position!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cleveland controlling from the back.

Cleveland looking for the RNC.
Cleveland is not going to allow Morales to sit and survive in this position.
Cleveland biding his time, looking for the opening.
Cleveland gets his hooks in and is throwing strikes.
Morales trying to survive by controlling the hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Cleveland controlling well, preventing Morales from escaping the position.
Cleveland is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Morales tries to escape but Cleveland has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Cleveland has Morales flattened out and is raining down punches.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cleveland is looking to finish with some ground and pound!
Cleveland throwing damaging strikes from the back! Morales could be in trouble here!
Morales wants to control his opponent's hands but Cleveland gets his hands free.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Normand Cleveland dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Normand Cleveland's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Morales has taken the fight to the clinch.
Morales stalling in the clinch but Cleveland improves position.

Morales pulls guard successfully.
Cleveland is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Morales working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Cleveland has passed into half guard!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cleveland thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Cleveland scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cleveland wants to stand up but Morales has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Cleveland perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Morales strikes from the bottom but Cleveland passes into mount!
Cleveland looking to control and managing it successfully.
Cleveland looking to control but Morales is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Cleveland 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.

That's two 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.
Cleveland looking to finish Morales with some ground and pound. This is bad for Morales!
Cleveland avoids the attempt from Morales to control.
Cleveland controlling from mount.
Cleveland scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Morales?
Morales is squirming around, avoiding Cleveland's attempts to control the action.

Morales somehow manages to escape the mount and get back to his feet!

Cleveland rushes Morales and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morales tries to pull guard but Cleveland holds him up against the cage and eventually Morales drops back down to his feet.
Cleveland leaning his opponent against the cage.
Cleveland is pushing Morales up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Cleveland has Morales pressed against the cage.
Cleveland goes for a takedown in the clinch but Morales prevents it.

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.
Morales tries to pull guard but Cleveland holds him up against the cage and eventually Morales drops back down to his feet.
Morales tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Cleveland smiles and moves away.
Normand Cleveland has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Raul Morales.

Morales instigates a clinch.
Cleveland has Morales pushed against the cage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Cleveland changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Morales fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Cleveland shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Morales defends it nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Normand Cleveland showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Cleveland 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 Ian Loll scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Normand Cleveland!