PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Steve Belliveau (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Karim Bashorov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Belliveau comes to the cage accompanied by We will rock you. Bashorov has chosen Hangar 18 as his entrance music. Steve Belliveau is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Belliveau
vs
Bashorov

185 cm
35
195 lbs
31 - 12 - 0

190 cm
35
194 lbs
32 - 5 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Humanoid Nutrition (160Q for 160$)

Urban Fighter
Bullet Proof System

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 31 - 12 - 0, fighting out of London, Steve Belliveau!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 32 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Karim Bashorov!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, James Glass and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bashorov throws a series of punches but Belliveau moves out of range.
Belliveau misses with a low kick.
A nice side step and Bashorov releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Bashorov has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Bashorov scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

Bashorov shoots in and bounces Belliveau off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Bashorov sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Belliveau's guard.
Bashorov lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Belliveau manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Bashorov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
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!
Belliveau throws out a loose jab but Bashorov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Belliveau takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Bashorov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Belliveau swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Belliveau looks to score with a jab to the body but Bashorov is just out of range.
Belliveau uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Bashorov.
Belliveau looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Bashorov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Belliveau.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belliveau on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Belliveau throws a leg kick but Bashorov checks it.
Bashorov missing with a left hand there. Belliveau was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Belliveau dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Bashorov. That did some damage!
Bashorov jabs Belliveau right on the nose. Belliveau blinks but takes it well.
Bashorov takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Bashorov throws out a loose jab but Belliveau uses good head movement to avoid it.
Belliveau misses with a low kick as Bashorov jumps back.
Belliveau cracks Bashorov with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Bashorov scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Bashorov misses with a body shot.
Jab, jab by Bashorov - just one landing.
Belliveau looking to land some kicks to the body here.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Bashorov! But no joy.
Belliveau misses with a low kick as Bashorov jumps back.
Bashorov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Belliveau circles away quickly and effectively.
Belliveau tried to counter with a leg kick but Bashorov avoided it.
Belliveau seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
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!
Bashorov checks a low kick from Belliveau.
Belliveau takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Bashorov is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Belliveau had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Bashorov looks to score with a jab to the body but Belliveau is just out of range.
Bashorov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Belliveau avoids it really well and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circle momentarily. Bashorov darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Bashorov paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Bashorov cracks Belliveau with a good jab.
Belliveau throws a body kick that misses.
Belliveau takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Bashorov just misses with a punch to the body.
Belliveau throws a body punch but Bashorov moves out of range.
Belliveau avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Bashorov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Belliveau defends it nicely.
Nice sprawl there from Belliveau as Bashorov shoots in.
Steve Belliveau has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Karim Bashorov.
Belliveau takes a swing at Bashorov's ribcage but misses.
Bashorov lands a jab-cross combination.
Belliveau shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bashorov tries to keep at a distance but Belliveau has taken the fight into the clinch.
Belliveau doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Bashorov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A nice left hand lands by Belliveau.
Belliveau works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Belliveau swings wildly with an uppercut but Bashorov uses good head movement to avoid it.

Bashorov pulls Belliveau into guard.

Belliveau decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Bashorov, up you get!
Belliveau throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Bashorov on the side of the head.
Bashorov keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Bashorov looks to score with a jab to the body but Belliveau is just out of range.
Bashorov blocks a head kick by Belliveau.
The fighters circling - Bashorov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A clash of legs there as Bashorov blocks the low kick.
A jab from Bashorov misses.
Belliveau connects with a high kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A slapping leg kick lands for Belliveau.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bashorov throws an overhand right that lands on Belliveau's shoulder, as Belliveau tries to avoid the shot.
It appears Belliveau was looking to counter with a kick there.
Belliveau tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Bashorov checks a low kick from Belliveau.
Belliveau walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Belliveau is looking to score with low kicks.
Bashorov blocks a head kick by Belliveau.
Belliveau swings widly with a right hand
and Bashorov counters with a left to the body.
No joy there for Bashorov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Belliveau gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Bashorov lands with a short shot to the head.
Bashorov pushes Belliveau back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Bashorov drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Belliveau gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Bashorov jumps guard but Belliveau turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Belliveau struggles to land a body shot inside as Bashorov controls his hands.
A right hand to the body from Belliveau.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Karim Bashorov will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Belliveau throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Belliveau throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Bashorov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Karim Bashorov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Bashorov checks a leg kick.
Bashorov ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Belliveau misses the target.
Bashorov appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Bashorov throws out a loose jab but Belliveau uses good head movement to avoid it.
Belliveau drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Bashorov thuds his right hand into Belliveau's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Bashorov lands a right hook to the body.
Bashorov just misses with a punch to the body.
Belliveau tried to counter with a leg kick but Bashorov avoided it.
Bashorov lands the left hand.
Bashorov looks to land a left hand but Belliveau moved out of range nicely.
Belliveau feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Belliveau bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Bashorov's head backwards.
Belliveau misses with a low 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!
Belliveau moves away from the strike by Bashorov.
Belliveau throws a leg kick but Bashorov checks it.
Bashorov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bashorov throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Belliveau stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

Bashorov gets tackled into the cage by Belliveau. Belliveau maintains the clinch.

Bashorov pulls guard.
Belliveau is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Belliveau is looking to stand up but Bashorov won't let him.

Bashorov working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Belliveau doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Belliveau manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Belliveau won't allow Bashorov to sweep him here.
Bashorov has a closed guard, preventing Belliveau from standing up.
Bashorov is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Belliveau wants to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bashorov is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Belliveau wants to get back to his feet.
Belliveau is refusing to be controlled, as Bashorov sits in half guard.
Bashorov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Belliveau is controlling Bashorov's trapped leg to prevent Bashorov from advancing to side control.
Belliveau is looking to escape.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Belliveau is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Belliveau pushes Bashorov off looking to stand but Bashorov dives back in and keeps control.
Belliveau is not content to let Bashorov control the position.
Belliveau wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bashorov not doing much here.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
A nice inside leg kick there by Belliveau. That's going to slow Bashorov down.
Good work by Bashorov as he checks the leg kick.
Belliveau connects with a body shot.
Steve Belliveau is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Belliveau wants to slow Bashorov down by chopping away at his legs.
And Bashorov tries to counter it with a takedown but Belliveau pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Steve Belliveau seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Belliveau works Bashorov's body with a nice hook.
Belliveau uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bashorov.
Belliveau is looking to wear down Bashorov with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Belliveau, right into the meat.
Bashorov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Bashorov looks to land a right hand but Belliveau moved out of range.
Bashorov throws a body shot but no joy.
Belliveau looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Bashorov throws a big shot that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bashorov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Belliveau was well out of range. Poor timing from Bashorov.
Belliveau thuds a left hand into Bashorov's body.
Bashorov misses with a body shot.
Belliveau will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Belliveau avoids the body shot from Bashorov.
Belliveau uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bashorov.
Bashorov thows a left - swing and a miss!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Belliveau on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Belliveau fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bashorov manages to avoid it.
Belliveau fails in his attempt to clinch.
Bashorov throws a body punch but Belliveau moves out of range.
Belliveau blocks a jab.
Bashorov lands a nice shot to the body.
Belliveau tries to land a body kick
and Bashorov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Bashorov scores with a nice right hand.
Belliveau scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Belliveau scores with a shot to the body.
Bashorov misses with a wild body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Karim Bashorov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Belliveau's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Belliveau throws a low kick but it's checked well by Bashorov.
Bashorov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Belliveau displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Bashorov.
Belliveau thumps Bashorov with a low kick.
An inside leg kick lands from Belliveau.
Belliveau lands with an overhand left.
Bashorov throws a body punch but Belliveau moves out of range.
Belliveau misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Belliveau throws a head kick that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Belliveau throws a good cross that connects.
Bashorov punishes Belliveau's body with a nice straight punch.
Belliveau scoring well with a low kick there.
Bashorov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Belliveau tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Bashorov is able to avoid easily.
Bashorov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A shot to the liver by Bashorov. Beautiful body shot.
Bashorov clobbers Belliveau with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Good shot there by Bashorov.
Belliveau tries to score with a low kick but Bashorov moves his leg out of the way.
Bashorov lands a really nice looking cross but Belliveau seems unphased.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Bashorov checks a leg kick.

Belliveau rushes Bashorov and presses him up against the cage.
Belliveau can't find room to land a body shot as Bashorov controls the action.
Bashorov lands with a right to the head.
Bashorov lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Belliveau backwards.
Bashorov fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Steve Belliveau has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Karim Bashorov.
Belliveau tries to work over Bashorov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Belliveau working aggressively here.
Bashorov wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Bashorov is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Belliveau is defending well.
Bashorov's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Belliveau can't find room to land a body shot as Bashorov controls the action.
Bashorov tries to throw a body punch but Belliveau avoids it by throwing Bashorov back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Belliveau gets through Bashorov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Belliveau is working Bashorov over against the cage.
Belliveau lands a body shot.
Nice body punch from Belliveau - that landed with a thud.
Bashorov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Belliveau scores with an uppercut up the middle.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Belliveau.
Belliveau throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Belliveau softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Belliveau misses with a hook to the ribs.
Belliveau scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Bashorov tries a body shot but Belliveau blocks it.
Belliveau working aggressively here.
Bashorov blocking some punches.
Belliveau lands a hook that snaps the head of Bashorov backwards.
Bashorov looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Steve Belliveau has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Belliveau has a couple of punches blocked by Bashorov.
Belliveau tries to throw a body punch but Bashorov avoids it by throwing Belliveau back against the cage.
Belliveau tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belliveau can't find room to land a body shot as Bashorov controls the action.
Bashorov works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Belliveau looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Bashorov misses with the head strike.
Bashorov is trying to break the clinch but Belliveau is controlling him.
Bashorov lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Belliveau struggles to land a body shot inside as Bashorov controls his hands.
Bashorov takes a shot to the head.
Belliveau misses with a hook to the ribs.
Belliveau doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Belliveau tries to throw a body punch but Bashorov avoids it by throwing Belliveau back against the cage.
Bashorov working aggressively here.
Belliveau misses with the head strike.
Bashorov lands a nice uppercut.
Belliveau tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Belliveau.
Belliveau lands with a right to the head.
Belliveau tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bashorov pulls guard successfully.

Belliveau decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Crunch! Belliveau slams his shin into Bashorov's torso.
Bashorov misses with a body punch
and Belliveau counters with a straight right hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Belliveau with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Belliveau avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Bashorov lands the left hand.
Bashorov takes one to the chin there.
Belliveau works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Belliveau paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Belliveau throws a leg kick which misses Bashorov's front leg but catches the back leg as Bashorov tries to avoid it.
Bashorov throws an overhand right that lands on Belliveau's shoulder, as Belliveau tries to avoid the shot.
Bashorov blocks a leg kick.
Bashorov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Belliveau clearly takes that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Belliveau looks for the body kick but Bashorov saw that one coming.
Bashorov scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Belliveau doesn't seem bothered though.

Belliveau moves into the clinch successfully.
Belliveau misses with a punch to the body.
Bashorov goes for a takedown attempt but Belliveau pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Bashorov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Belliveau feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Belliveau defending well as Bashorov loads up on a big left hand.
Bashorov takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Belliveau throws a low kick but Bashorov moves out of range easily.
Belliveau misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bashorov.
Bashorov with the counter takedown but Belliveau avoids it easily.
Bashorov misses with a double jab.
The fight stays on the outside here - Belliveau looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bashorov jabs at Belliveau's body.
Bashorov misses with a straight right.
Bashorov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Belliveau sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belliveau scores with a shot to the body.
The fighters circling - Belliveau throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Belliveau throws a low kick, looking for Bashorov's leg but Bashorov calmly moves out of range.
Belliveau throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Bashorov now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Belliveau gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Bashorov.
Bashorov looks to score with a jab to the body but Belliveau is just out of range.
Belliveau looks to clinch

and Bashorov counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Belliveau is trying to stand back up but Bashorov is controlling him
Belliveau is doing well to control the position and prevent Bashorov from advancing to side control.
Bashorov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Belliveau looks like he's trying to stand up.

Belliveau makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Belliveau with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Bashorov to score with a decent uppercut.
Bashorov misses with a wild body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Belliveau with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Bashorov to score with a decent uppercut.
Bashorov connects with a crisp jab.
Belliveau uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Bashorov.
Bashorov works Belliveau's body with a nice hook.
Bashorov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Belliveau pushes Bashorov up against the cage in a clinch.
Belliveau fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Belliveau lands a right hand that snaps the head of Bashorov backwards.
Belliveau can't find room to land a body shot as Bashorov controls the action.
Belliveau goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Belliveau.
Belliveau digs a right hand into Bashorov's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Bashorov's gas tank.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Bashorov.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Bashorov.
Belliveau goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bashorov blocking some punches.
Belliveau is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Steve Belliveau has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Karim Bashorov.
Belliveau blocks a body shot from Bashorov.
Bashorov goes for a takedown in the clinch but Belliveau prevents it.
Bashorov wants to break free but Belliveau has control.
Bashorov blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Bashorov manages to break the clinch.
A nice leg kick lands there from Belliveau.
Belliveau is looking to land body kicks.
Bashorov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Belliveau gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Belliveau works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Bashorov has a couple of punches blocked by Belliveau.
Belliveau can't find room to land a body shot as Bashorov controls the action.

Bashorov manages to break the clinch.
Belliveau drops his hands momentarily and Bashorov takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Belliveau swings for the body but Bashorov moves out of range.
Bashorov misses with a double jab.
Bashorov misses with a hook. Belliveau ducked under it nicely.
Bashorov takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Belliveau ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bashorov moves away.
Bashorov throws a hook to the side of Belliveau's head but Belliveau sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Bashorov throws a sloppy body shot
and Belliveau counters with a body kick that stops Bashorov in his tracks momentarily.
Bashorov is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bashorov shoots in looking for a takedown but Belliveau manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Bashorov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Bashorov steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Belliveau. That one must have hurt.
Belliveau ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Belliveau takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Bashorov throws out a loose jab but Belliveau uses good head movement to avoid it.
It looked like Belliveau was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Bashorov.
Belliveau ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Belliveau swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Belliveau jabs Bashorov right on the nose. Bashorov blinks but takes it well.
Bashorov fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Steve Belliveau will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

A punch lands to the side of Belliveau 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Belliveau is looking to land body kicks.
Bashorov misses with a takedown attempt - Belliveau sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Bashorov looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Bashorov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Bashorov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Belliveau seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Bashorov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Belliveau works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bashorov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Belliveau is trying to keep Bashorov in close.
Bashorov stays in close to Belliveau's body and controls the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bashorov is looking to work some ground and pound but Belliveau has wrist control.
Bashorov throwing strikes from guard but Belliveau blocks nicely.
Bashorov won't allow Belliveau to get back to his feet.
Belliveau controlling Bashorov's posture.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Belliveau throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Belliveau walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Bashorov checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Belliveau tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Bashorov is able to avoid easily.
Bashorov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Belliveau.
Bashorov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Belliveau.
As Bashorov tries to get set, Belliveau tries to push him back and clinch up but Bashorov manages to avoid the attempt.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Bashorov tries to break free but Belliveau pushes him back against the cage.
Belliveau lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Bashorov throws a head punch that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bashorov tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Belliveau misses with a punch on the inside.
Belliveau goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Belliveau.
Belliveau tries a body shot but Bashorov blocks it.
Belliveau prevents a takedown attempt there.
Steve Belliveau has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Karim Bashorov.
Belliveau struggles to land a body shot inside as Bashorov controls his hands.
A short uppercut from Belliveau.
Bashorov blocks a body shot from Belliveau.
Bashorov is looking to break free of the clinch but Belliveau has double underhooks.
Belliveau lands a right hand.
Bashorov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Belliveau goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Belliveau lands with a short shot to the head.
Belliveau throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Bashorovs head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Belliveau breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Belliveau throws a leg kick which misses Bashorov's front leg but catches the back leg as Bashorov tries to avoid it.
Bashorov looks to score with a jab to the body but Belliveau is just out of range.
Belliveau tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bashorov was well out of range. Poor timing from Belliveau.
Bashorov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Belliveau defends it nicely.
Bashorov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Bashorov misses with a looping left.
The fighters circling - Bashorov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Bashorov takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Belliveau on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

Belliveau clinches.
Belliveau lands a right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Belliveau misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Bashorov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Belliveau avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Bashorov.
Belliveau pushes Bashorov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Belliveau lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Belliveau doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Bashorov jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Belliveau walks away with a smile on his face. Bashorov gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Bashorov throws a body punch but Belliveau moves out of range.
Belliveau throws a leg kick

and Bashorov counters with a takedown into side control.
Bashorov lands a nice forearm strike.
Belliveau wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Bashorov is looking to take a break and control but Belliveau is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Steve Belliveau showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Belliveau 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 48:47
Judge James Glass scores the fight 48:47
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Steve Belliveau!
Steve Belliveau is the new middleweight champion!
Steve Belliveau tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.