PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Carmelo Clark (ranked 24348 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bob Belcher (ranked 6189 p4p, 547 weight class). Bob Belcher has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Carmelo Clark's chin.

Clark
vs
Belcher

208 cm
26
279 lbs
1 - 6 - 0

175 cm
20
225 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 1 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Carmelo Clark!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Bob Belcher!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Paulo Santos and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Belcher tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Clark is able to avoid easily.
Clark is looking for a counter combo.
Belcher should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Clark feints and then cracks Belcher's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Belcher down.

Belcher decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Well, if Belcher is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Belcher's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belcher trying to pass the guard but Clark defending well.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Belcher stands up from half guard.
Clark scores with a head kick. Belcher tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

Clark gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Belcher to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Belcher sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
More stalling from Belcher.
Clark working a defensive guard here.
Belcher slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Belcher stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Clark swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belcher controlling from the top position.
Clark controlling Belcher's posture.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Bob Belcher seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Belcher throws a right hand that Clark ducks under and follows up with a left that Clark also avoids with ease.
Clark is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Belcher.

Clark drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Clark misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Clark decides to stand back up. Clark steps back and let's Belcher get back to his feet.
Belcher throws a nice looking combination but Clark bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
A good leg kick by Clark.
Belcher misses with the combination.
Belcher looks to land a combination but Clark avoids it well.
Clark fires out a quick counter leg kick but Belcher just manages to avoid it.
Clark lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Belcher tries to clinch up but Clark circles away and keeps his distance.
Belcher throws a poor cross that misses
and Clark counters with a good low kick that Belcher was not able to check.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Belcher feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Belcher in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bob Belcher dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Belcher moves in looking to clinch but Clark pushes him off.
Belcher tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Belcher tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Belcher closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Clark's guard.
Belcher wants to control from the top but Clark keeps moving.
Belcher's corner is telling him to maintain position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Belcher wants to control from the top but Clark keeps moving.
Belcher works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belcher looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Belcher with more of the same as he continues to hold on.
Belcher looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Clark moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Bob Belcher has got the better of the ground game so far.
Clark is controlling Belcher's posture.

Clark is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Belcher defends well.

That's two 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.
Clark keeping full guard, as Belcher tries to pass.
Belcher looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Belcher misses with a combination
and Clark counters with a big head kick but Belcher shrugs it off.

Belcher closes the distance and pushes Clark back into the cage.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Belcher takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Clark tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Belcher smiles and moves away.
Belcher moves in looking to clinch but Clark pushes him off.
Belcher fails to land with a series of punches.

Belcher gets a takedown into half guard.
Clark is refusing to be controlled, as Belcher sits in half guard.
Belcher is breathing heavily.
Clark is trying to control but can't.

Belcher is looking for a kimura here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Belcher is pressing down on Clark's thigh, looking to free his foot. Clark is holding on for now.
Clark trying to hold on to Belcher's head to control him but Belcher postures up.
Belcher controlling the pace.
Belcher has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Belcher trying to control from half guard but Clark is working away.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bob Belcher showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Belcher closes the distance but Clark moves to the side
and Clark counters with a three punch combo that has Belcher backing up. Belcher nods at Clark to acknowledge the strikes.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Belcher has eaten all the pies!

Belcher scores with a takedown into Clark's guard.

Clark wriggles free and stands up.

Belcher fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Clark sprawls well initially but Belcher persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Clark wants to stand back up but Belcher manages to pass into side control.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Belcher in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Clark tries to escape but Belcher is in control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belcher controlling the position from side mount.
Belcher working away.
You can see the frustration on Clark's face as Belcher controls the position.
Belcher fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Belcher throwing strikes but Clark manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Clark wants to control but Belcher is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Clark stands up and we're back to a striking position.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Clark is defended easily by Belcher.
The fight stays on the outside here - Belcher looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Belcher closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Clark did well to prevent Belcher getting side control.
Belcher tries to stand but can't do so whilst Clark controls his leg.
Clark blocking the ground and pound attempt from Belcher.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belcher wants to take a breather but Clark is having none of it.
Clark slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Clark is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Belcher tries to free his leg and advance position but Clark is retaining full guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Belcher shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Belcher takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Belcher seems content to control.
Belcher trying to control the action but Clark is working from the bottom.
Belcher is taking a breather. Clark says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Bob Belcher is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Clark keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Clark is refusing to be controlled, as Belcher sits in half guard.
Carmelo Clark has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

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 Carmelo Clark.
I think Belcher has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 28:29
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 28:29
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bob Belcher!