PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Harold Meechum (ranked 9198 p4p, 766 weight class) and Gregory Belcher (ranked 3610 p4p, 420 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Meechum
vs
Belcher

190 cm
27
230 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

190 cm
22
270 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

Zenith Nutrition (160q/225$)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Harold Meechum!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Gregory Belcher!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Don Winkell and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Belcher shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Belcher was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Meechum tries to escape but Belcher is in control.

Belcher tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Belcher has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Belcher postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Belcher prevents Meechum from escaping the position.
Belcher creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Meechum tries to escape but Belcher is in control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Belcher tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Belcher is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Meechum is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Meechum is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Belcher is controlling him well.
A lull in the action here.
Meechum tries to escape but Belcher is in control.
Belcher working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

It looks like Harold Meechum has been cut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Belcher is trying to get an arm triangle but Meechum is defending well.
Meechum knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Belcher on the ground.
Belcher is staying tight to Meechum's torso, preventing him from escaping.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Belcher tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Belcher tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Meechum wants to get back to his feet but Belcher drags him back down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Belcher is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Meechum is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Meechum is pushing Belcher's head away, looking to escape. Belcher manages to hold on to the position though.

Belcher tries for a kimura but Meechum is defending well.

Belcher is trying to get an arm triangle but Meechum is defending well.

Belcher thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Meechum pushes Belcher away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Belcher gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Belcher tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Belcher working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Meechum is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Belcher has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Belcher wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Meechum, who protects the arm well.
Meechum being controlled for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gregory Belcher dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Harold Meechum'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.

Belcher tries for a takedown but Meechum circles away easily
and Meechum counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Meechum displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Meechum scores with a hook.
Belcher shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Meechum counters with a three punch combo that has Belcher backing up. Belcher nods at Meechum to acknowledge the strikes.

Belcher gets a double leg takedown into Meechum's guard.
We've been informed that Belcher has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Belcher won't allow Meechum to get back to his feet.
Belcher slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Belcher thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Belcher tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Belcher has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Meechum is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Belcher is breathing heavily.
Belcher wants to control but Meechum is keeping him busy.

Belcher is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Meechum is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Meechum being controlled for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Meechum wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

Belcher goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Meechum rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Belcher's guard! Nice work there by Meechum!
Belcher throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

Belcher is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Meechum defends well.
Belcher looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belcher not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Belcher throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Belcher throws his legs up looking for a submission but Meechum uses it to pass to side control.

Meechum decides to stand up, so the ref orders Belcher to his feet.
Belcher looks for a takedown but Meechum sprawls well.
Harold Meechum has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gregory Belcher.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Meechum connects with a looping right hand.

Belcher drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Meechum is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Belcher asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Belcher trying to control the action but Meechum is working from the bottom.
Meechum wants to get back to his feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Harold Meechum dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Harold Meechum's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Belcher shoots in for a takedown but Meechum shows good takedown defense.
Belcher has a takedown stuffed.
Meechum fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Belcher looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
A combination from Meechum does no damage.
Good shot there by Meechum.
Meechum goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Belcher throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Meechum's waist but Meechum gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Belcher off to one side.
Harold Meechum has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gregory Belcher.
Meechum moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Meechum lands a nice hook to Belcher's body. Belcher takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Meechum shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Belcher eats them both and turns towards Meechum to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Belcher dodges the punch combination from Meechum.
Meechum throws a series of punches but Belcher avoids them all with ease.
Belcher takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Meechum scores with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Meechum lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Meechum lands a nice hook to Belcher's body. Belcher takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Meechum lands a slapping body shot.
Meechum lands a jab-cross combination.
Meechum connects with a good right hand that stumbles Belcher. Belcher circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Gregory Belcher seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Horrible takedown attempt by Belcher or perhaps it was just good defense by Meechum, which made it look bad.
Meechum connects with a crisp jab.
Meechum throws a right hand that Belcher ducks under and follows up with a left that Belcher also avoids with ease.
Meechum will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Belcher is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Meechum lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Meechum stuffs the takedown attempt from Belcher. Belcher gets slowly back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Meechum, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Belcher closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Meechum defending against the ground and pound.
Meechum is trying to get back to his feet.
Meechum trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Belcher advances nicely into full mount.
Belcher won't let Meechum get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Belcher trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Meechum wants to try and get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belcher moves to the back position.

Belcher is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Meechum defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.

Belcher has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Meechum is keeping busy.

Belcher has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Meechum has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Meechum here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Meechum is trying to get back to his feet but Belcher has full control of the position and if anything, Meechum has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Belcher is riding his opponent, not letting Meechum buck him off.
Meechum trying to get back to his feet but Belcher is in full control for now.

Belcher is looking for a choke. Meechum gets to his feet with his opponent on his back and slams him to the mat. Meechum manages to squirm out of the attempted choke and turns into his opponent's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Belcher has his hands on Meechum's head, controlling the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Harold Meechum showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Meechum 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Harold Meechum!
Gregory Belcher spoke after the fight, saying 'Behaaaave'.