PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Leon Bassi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brandon Alves (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Brandon Alves enters the cage!

Bassi
vs
Alves

177 cm
23
195 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

180 cm
19
193 lbs
3 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Pitt Nutrition 160Q!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Leon Bassi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brandon Alves!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Alexandre Firmino and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bassi takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

It looks like Leon Bassi has been cut.
Bassi's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Alves connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Bassi scrambles back to his feet.
Alves tries to clinch up but Bassi circles away and keeps his distance.
Alves has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Nice defenses there by Alves.
Bassi avoids the head kick by Alves.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
A head kick misses from Alves.
A swing and a miss from Bassi.
Alves throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Bassi's head.
Alves throws out a loose jab but Bassi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Alves throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Bassi's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Alves connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Bassi scrambles back to his feet.
Bassi ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Alves misses with a head kick.
Alves fails with an attempt to clinch.
Nice jab there from Bassi.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Alves shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Bassi misses with a series of wild punches.
Alves is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Bassi lands a jab to the head.
Alves wants to clinch up but Bassi keeps it at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alves pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Bassi circles away from the clinch attempt.
Brandon Alves seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Alves throws a sloppy head kick and Bassi moves out of range easily.
A head kick misses from Alves.
Bassi half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Alves takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
A punch lands to the side of Alves 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Alves throws a sloppy head kick and Bassi moves out of range easily.
Alves has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Bassi finds it's way round the side to connect with Alves's head.
Bassi throws a jab but it's blocked by Alves.
Bassi throws a shot to the body.
Bassi connects with a good right hand that stumbles Alves. Alves circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Bassi throws an overhand right that lands on Alves's shoulder, as Alves tries to avoid the shot.
Bassi punishes Alves's body with a nice straight punch.
Bassi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A swing and a miss from Alves.
Bassi looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Alves uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Bassi.
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!
Bassi swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Alves misses with a head kick.
Alves pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Bassi drops down looking for a counter takedown but Alves sprawls and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alves tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Alves tries a head kick but it misses.
Alves looks winded!
Bassi blocks a head kick by Alves.
Bassi changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Alves misses with a head kick.
Bassi throws a body shot but no joy.
Alves is looking to clinch but Bassi is avoiding it.
Bassi avoids the head kick by Alves.
Alves steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Bassi.
Alves is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Bassi.
Alves darts in trying to clinch

so Bassi counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Bassi stands and steps away. Alves gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Bassi throws a lazy right hand but Alves sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Bassi avoids the head kick by Alves.
Alves tries to clinch up but Bassi circles away and keeps his distance.
Alves misses with a head kick.
Alves ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bassi connects with a crisp jab.
Alves connects with a jab.
Bassi waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Alves.

Alves clinches up with Bassi and pushes him back against the cage.

Bassi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Bassi avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A head kick misses from Alves.
Bassi takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Alves looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Bassi looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Alves wants to clinch up but Bassi keeps it at a distance.
Alves tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Bassi is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Bassi throws the left hand but Alves avoids the punch easily.
A head kick misses from Alves.
Bassi throws an overhand right that lands on Alves's shoulder, as Alves tries to avoid the shot.
Alves is looking to clinch.
Bassi will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Alves shapes to counter with a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bassi loads up on a big right hand but Alves slips the punch.
A big left from Bassi misses.
Alves tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Bassi manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Alves tries a head kick but it misses.
Alves throws a sloppy head kick and Bassi moves out of range easily.
Alves throws a head kick that misses.
Bassi dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Bassi scores with a crisp jab that stopped Alves in his tracks.
Bassi throws a hook to the side of Alves's head but Alves sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Bassi getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Bassi misses with a series of wild punches.
Bassi lands a nice shot to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bassi lands with a straight right. Alves didn't see that one coming.
Alves tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Alves tries a head kick but it misses.
Alves tries a head kick but it misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leon Bassi dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Leon Bassi's cut.
That's time! Bassi's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Bassi keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Bassi fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Alves scores with a head kick.
Bassi lands a jab to Alves's midsection.
Jab, jab by Bassi - just one landing.
Alves walks into a jab.
Alves throws a jab when Bassi was well out of range.
Alves throws a head kick that misses.
Alves slips a jab and a cross from Bassi.
Bassi blocks a head kick by Alves.
Bassi throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Alves sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Alves takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Alves tries to clinch

and Bassi counters with a takedown into side control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Bassi decides to stand up, so the ref orders Alves to his feet.
Bassi misses with a hook. Alves ducked under it nicely.
Alves shapes to counter with a head kick.
Bassi throws out a powerful jab.
Alves lands a head kick. Bassi smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Alves is breathing heavily.
Alves tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bassi lands the left hand.
Bassi lands a jab to the head.
Alves misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Bassi lands a really nice looking cross but Alves seems unphased.
Bassi misses with a looping right.
Alves throws a fast counter high kick but Bassi manages to duck under it in time.
Alves moves out of range of the strikes.
Alves throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bassi stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Leon Bassi is winning the standup battle so far.
Alves plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Bassi thows a left - swing and a miss!
Alves blocks a jab.
Bassi just misses with a punch to the body.
A shot to the liver by Bassi. Beautiful body shot.
The fighters circling - Bassi throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Bassi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Alves.
Bassi throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Alves sees it coming and avoids it easily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bassi blocks a head kick by Alves.
Bassi drops down looking for a counter takedown but Alves sprawls and moves away.
Alves throws a head kick that Bassi semi-blocks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alves lands a head kick!
Bassi rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Alves moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Alves plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Bassi blocks a head kick by Alves.
Bassi attempts a counter takedown but Alves avoids it well and moves away.
Good standup being displayed there by Bassi as he connects with a hook.
Bassi with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Alves is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Alves misses with a head kick.
Bassi attempts a counter takedown but Alves avoids it well and moves away.
Alves steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Bassi.
Bassi lands with a right hand.
Bassi fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Alves lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Alves throws a head kick that half lands.
Bassi lands with a hook. Alves tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Danga de danga de dang - Bassi scores with a four punch combination!
A big right from Bassi misses.
Alves throws a head kick that half lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A right-left combo lands from Bassi.
Bassi lands a really nice looking cross but Alves seems unphased.
Alves throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Bassi takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Alves tries a head kick but it misses.
Bassi connects with a right hand. Alves shakes it off.
The fight stays on the outside here - Alves looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Alves drives through and clinches with Bassi against the cage.

Bassi breaks from the clinch.
Alves defending well as Bassi loads up on a big left hand.
Bassi avoids the head kick by Alves.

Alves clinches up with Bassi and pushes him back against the cage.

Alves's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Alves takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Alves dodges the punch combination from Bassi.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alves tries a head kick but it misses.
Alves is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Bassi.
Bassi avoids the head kick by Alves.
Alves ducks under a wild hook from Bassi.
Bassi paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Bassi with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Alves throws a head kick but Bassi moves out of range.
Bassi attempts a counter takedown but Alves avoids it well and moves away.
Alves throws a sloppy head kick and Bassi moves out of range easily.
Bassi throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Alves sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Alves throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Bassi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bassi is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Alves can do to turn this around?
Good exchange - Bassi coming out on top.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A head kick misses from Alves.
Alves moves away from the strike by Bassi.
Alves raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Bassi lands a nice looking body shot.
Alves tries a head kick but it misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leon Bassi dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Leon Bassi's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Alves tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A looping hook to the body misses from Alves. Bassi does a little dance to reset his feet.
A head kick misses from Alves.
Bassi fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Alves lands a head kick!
Bassi looks to score with a jab to the body but Alves is just out of range.
Sloppy strikes from Bassi. Those never looked like landing.
Bassi throws a big shot that misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bassi. Alves does a little dance to reset his feet.
Alves misses with a head kick.
Bassi doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Bassi scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Alves doesn't seem bothered though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bassi lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Jab, jab by Bassi - just one landing.
Bassi misses with a wild body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bassi. Alves does a little dance to reset his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bassi looks to land a left hand but Alves moved out of range nicely.
Alves misses with a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bassi takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Bassi avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Bassi lands a jab to the nose.
Bassi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Alves.
Alves lands a high kick!
Bassi throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Alves has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Bassi misses with a series of wild punches.
Bassi looks to score with a jab to the body but Alves is just out of range.
Alves tries a head kick but it misses.
Bassi scores with a nice right hand.
Alves avoids the body shot from Bassi.
Alves connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Bassi momentarily.
A big right from Bassi misses.
Alves throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Bassi.
Alves misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
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!
Bassi lands a body shot.
Leon Bassi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alves lands with a hook. Bassi tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Alves shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Alves is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Bassi.
Bassi throws a jab when Alves was well out of range.
Alves pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Alves has managed to clinch.

Alves breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Bassi throws out a loose jab but Alves uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head kick misses from Alves.
Bassi connects with the punch.
Alves connects with a high kick.
Alves plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Bassi scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Alves doesn't seem bothered though.
Bassi connects with a good right hand that stumbles Alves. Alves circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Bassi blocks a head kick by Alves.
Bassi pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A head kick from Alves lands but Bassi takes it in his stride.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alves misses with a head kick.
Bassi jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Alves has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Bassi finds it's way round the side to connect with Alves's head.
Bassi lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Alves circles away quickly and effectively.
Alves pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Alves dodges the punch combination from Bassi.
Alves throws a head kick that misses.
Bassi circles away from the clinch attempt.
Bassi half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Bassi moves away from the strike by Alves.
Alves defending well as Bassi loads up on a big left hand.
Bassi just misses with a punch to the body.
Bassi throws the left hand but Alves avoids the punch easily.
Alves slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Bassi takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Alves tries a head kick but it misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bassi slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Bassi looks to score with a jab to the body but Alves is just out of range.
Bassi avoids the head kick by Alves.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Alves slips under a jab from Bassi.
Bassi bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Brandon Alves has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bassi takes a swing at Alves's ribcage but misses.
Alves's corner calls for a 1-2. Alves obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Bassi walks into a jab.
Alves takes a swing at Bassi's ribcage but misses.
Alves misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Bassi changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Alves throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Bassi moves into range and connects with a jab.
Bassi has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Alves finds it's way round the side to connect with Bassi's head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bassi misses with a looping left.
Alves throws a sloppy head kick and Bassi moves out of range easily.
Alves fails in his attempt to clinch.
A right-left combo lands from Bassi.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Leon Bassi.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Bassi, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Daniel Cesar scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Leon Bassi!
A relieved looking Leon Bassi thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.