PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Leonardo Florentino Ernesto Alvarez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ogmak N`bagr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Florentino Ernesto Alvarez
vs
N`bagr

180 cm
40
166 lbs
26 - 11 - 1

187 cm
31
175 lbs
12 - 12 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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 26 - 11 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Leonardo Florentino Ernesto Alvarez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ogmak N`bagr!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Kenichi Hosakawa and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Alvarez misses with a takedown attempt - N`bagr sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
N`bagr throws a front kick aimed at Alvarez's knee but Alvarez avoids it well.
Alvarez fails with the takedown.
A looping hook to the body misses from N`bagr. Alvarez does a little dance to reset his feet.
A looping hook to the body misses from N`bagr. Alvarez does a little dance to reset his feet.

Alvarez closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. N`bagr did well to prevent Alvarez getting side control.
Alvarez is trying to control. N`bagr wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
N`bagr works his way to full guard. Good work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
N`bagr wants to sweep but no luck.
Alvarez missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alvarez throws a big right hand that misses.
Alvarez pushing down on N`bagr's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
N`bagr tries to roll over but Alvarez keeps him under control.
Alvarez wants to pass the guard but N`bagr is defending well.
N`bagr is looking to control Alvarez's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can N`bagr avoid being mounted?

That's one minute gone in the round.
N`bagr desperately trying to maintain half guard.
N`bagr tries to get to full guard but Alvarez has control of the leg.
N`bagr is looking to control Alvarez's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can N`bagr avoid being mounted?
Alvarez lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
N`bagr is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
The fighters are battling for position here. N`bagr manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

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.
Alvarez wants to control from the top but N`bagr keeps moving.
N`bagr tries to land a sweep but no joy.
N`bagr trying to control the position.
Alvarez wants to pass the guard but N`bagr is keeping the position.
Alvarez preventing the sweep.
N`bagr keeps trying to improve his position.
Alvarez lands a couple of digs.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
N`bagr preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
N`bagr is controlling Alvarez's posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of N`bagr's head.
N`bagr bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Alvarez's guard.

N`bagr makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
N`bagr postures up in Alvarez's guard and throws a big left but Alvarez blocks it.
Alvarez utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Alvarez utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
N`bagr throws a big elbow that misses.
N`bagr postures up in Alvarez's guard and throws a big left but Alvarez blocks it.
Alvarez keeping moving, preventing N`bagr from controlling successfully.
Alvarez looking to hit a scissor sweep but N`bagr is one step ahead there.
N`bagr tries to free his leg and advance position but Alvarez is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
N`bagr throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
N`bagr trying to control but Alvarez is working from the bottom.
N`bagr postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
N`bagr stops Alvarez from standing up.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
N`bagr throwing strikes but missing.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Alvarez.
N`bagr tries to buck Alvarez off but Alvarez is having none of it.
Sloppy strikes there by Alvarez.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
N`bagr looking for a sweep but Alvarez has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Alvarez raining down hammerfists from mount.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
N`bagr is trying to escape the mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leonardo Florentino Ernesto Alvarez dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Alvarez avoids the body shot from N`bagr.
N`bagr lands a jab to the head.

Alvarez drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
N`bagr pulls Alvarez in close to prevent any damage.
Alvarez is pushing down on N`bagr's leg trying to pass to half guard. N`bagr is fighting to maintain full guard but Alvarez has managed to sneak the leg through.
N`bagr has hold of Alvarez's hands but Alvarez slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
N`bagr wants to control but Alvarez is keeping busy and won't allow it.
N`bagr gets full guard.
Alvarez trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
N`bagr tries to land a sweep but no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alvarez controlling from the top position.
N`bagr trying to keep a closed guard but Alvarez is proving a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
N`bagr is pulling down on Alvarez's head to control his posture.
Alvarez in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
N`bagr is trying to control the position from the bottom.
N`bagr tries to land a sweep but no joy.

N`bagr is looking for a triangle but Alvarez pushes his legs off easily.
Alvarez lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
N`bagr keeping moving, preventing Alvarez from controlling successfully.
Alvarez distracts N`bagr with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
N`bagr lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Alvarez working for a triangle but N`bagr defends it easily.
N`bagr is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
N`bagr working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Alvarez's head.
N`bagr throws an elbow that misses. Alvarez uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in N`bagr's guard. Nice move by Alvarez!

Alvarez working some strikes from top position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now N`bagr is on top in guard.

N`bagr stands up over Alvarez, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Alvarez keeping moving, preventing N`bagr from controlling successfully.
N`bagr has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
N`bagr working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
N`bagr throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Alvarez works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Alvarez preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
N`bagr trying to control the position from guard on top but Alvarez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
N`bagr is in close to Alvarez's body, working some short punches and elbows.
N`bagr stops Alvarez from standing up.
Leonardo Florentino Ernesto Alvarez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
N`bagr won't allow Alvarez to sweep him here.
N`bagr makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
N`bagr scoring with punches to the head and body.
N`bagr throwing strikes but missing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
N`bagr lands a couple of digs.
N`bagr trying to control the position from guard on top but Alvarez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Alvarez escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. N`bagr gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Alvarez preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
N`bagr working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
N`bagr working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Alvarez has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. N`bagr is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Alvarez is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
N`bagr tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Leonardo Florentino Ernesto Alvarez will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

N`bagr throws a hook to the side of Alvarez's head but Alvarez sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

N`bagr closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Alvarez did well to prevent N`bagr getting side control.
Alvarez is staying active underneath N`bagr, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
N`bagr throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Alvarez to regain full guard.
Alvarez avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
N`bagr is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
N`bagr throws an elbow that misses. Alvarez uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in N`bagr's guard. Nice move by Alvarez!

N`bagr has control of Alvarez's left arm, preventing Alvarez from doing any damage.
N`bagr is continuing to stall.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
N`bagr keeping moving, preventing Alvarez from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alvarez lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
N`bagr managing to control the position.
N`bagr is trying to keep Alvarez in close.
N`bagr tries to land a sweep but no joy.
N`bagr looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Alvarez passes N`bagr's left leg - he's now in half guard.
N`bagr taking some punishment here, with Alvarez in his half guard.
N`bagr is positioning himself well to prevent Alvarez advancing to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
N`bagr is looking for a sweep. Alvarez is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Alvarez lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Alvarez sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. N`bagr defending well though.
N`bagr tries to roll over but Alvarez keeps him under control.
N`bagr wants to control but Alvarez is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
N`bagr is refusing to be controlled, as Alvarez sits in half guard.

N`bagr looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
N`bagr is trying to maintain the position but Alvarez is very close to passing his half guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
N`bagr is looking for a sweep. Alvarez is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Alvarez is looking for a kimura but N`bagr is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Alvarez to get the leverage.
N`bagr avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Alvarez.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Alvarez looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks N`bagr with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
N`bagr is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Alvarez's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Alvarez's back!
Even with his hooks in, N`bagr manages to miss with strikes from the back.
Alvarez prevents N`bagr from getting a body triangle.
N`bagr avoiding Alvarez 's attempts to control his hands.
Alvarez covers up after that shot from N`bagr.
N`bagr lands strikes to the head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Alvarez tries to break free.
Ogmak N`bagr has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
N`bagr trying to control.
N`bagr is punishing Alvarez with strikes - can he finish him?!

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ogmak N`bagr.
I think Alvarez 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 30:28
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Leonardo Florentino Ernesto Alvarez!
Leonardo Florentino Ernesto Alvarez thanked the fans post fight for their support.