PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Luiz Alves (ranked 4760 p4p, 326 weight class) and James Hetfield (ranked 3126 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Alves
vs
Hetfield

167 cm
27
149 lbs
8 - 7 - 0

170 cm
33
145 lbs
10 - 12 - 1

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Luiz Alves!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, James Hetfield!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Tarja Halkonen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hetfield connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Alves throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
A combination from Hetfield does no damage.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Alves fails to pull guard.

Hetfield's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Hetfield's corner calls for a 1-2. Hetfield obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Hetfield with a hook.
Alves tries to clinch there but Hetfield circles away.
Hetfield throws a body punch but Alves moves out of range.
Hetfield moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

Alves is rocked!
Alves lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Oh Alves is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Hetfield connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Hetfield scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Alves kicks Hetfield off and gets back to his feet.
Hetfield misses with a series of wild punches.
Alves seems to have got his legs back now.

Alves drives through with a takedown into Hetfield's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Alves thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Hetfield has control of Alves's left arm, preventing Alves from doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Alves trying to control but Hetfield is working from the bottom.
Hetfield pulls Alves in close to prevent any damage.
Alves trying to control the position from guard on top but Hetfield is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hetfield pulls Alves in to control the position.

Alves is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Hetfield pulls Alves in close to prevent any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Alves working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hetfield throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Hetfield looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Alves stays in close to Hetfield's body and controls the position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Hetfield misses with the combination.
Alves staying out of range there.
Alves moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

It looks like James Hetfield has been cut.
Alves closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hetfield circles away.
Alves dives in and grabs Hetfield's left leg, looking for a takedown. Hetfield pushes down on Alves's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Luiz Alves. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Alves keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hetfield.

Alves changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Hetfield looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Hetfield takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Alves lands a decent elbow from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alves wants to control but Hetfield is keeping him busy.
Hetfield is trying to improve his position.
You can see the frustration on Hetfield's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Alves is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Hetfield has escaped the position, nice work there.
Hetfield is holding Alves down, trying to stall.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hetfield is looking to reverse the position.
Hetfield defending against the ground and pound.
Hetfield is looking to reverse the position.

Alves wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Hetfield, who protects the arm well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hetfield is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Alves wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Hetfield, who protects the arm well.
Hetfield can't do much from the bottom here.

Alves is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Hetfield has escaped the position, nice work there.
Alves cracks Hetfield with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Hetfield throwing some weak shots from the bottom that do no damage.
Hetfield trying his best to control but Alves has mounted him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luiz Alves dominated that round.
The cut man is working on James Hetfield's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Hetfield scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

Alves darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Hetfield works his way to full guard. Good work.
Alves postures up.
Alves loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Alves would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Hetfield looking for a sweep. Not yet Hetfield, not yet.
Hetfield is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alves working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Alves is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Hetfield is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Hetfield has escaped and now he's on top!

Hetfield won't allow Alves to sweep him here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hetfield is looking to work some ground and pound but Alves has wrist control.
Hetfield is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Alves has Hetfield pulled in close to control his posture.
Alves is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Hetfield throws a big elbow that misses.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Alves holds on and takes a little breather.
Alves has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
James Hetfield seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Alves avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Alves slips a straight right by Hetfield.
Hetfield looks to land a combination but Alves avoids it well.
Alves fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Hetfield avoids it really well and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alves slips a straight right by Hetfield.
Alves tries to counter with a takedown but Hetfield is quick to defend against it.
No joy there for Hetfield, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Alves attempts a counter takedown but Hetfield avoids it well and moves away.
Hetfield connects with a looping right hand.
Alves closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hetfield circles away.
A low kick from Hetfield is predictable there

and Alves counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Alves.
Alves wants to pass the guard but Hetfield is keeping the position.
Alves trying to control but Hetfield is working from the bottom.
Alves has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Alves looking to pass the guard.
Hetfield is pulling down on Alves's head. It's preventing any offense from Alves, at least for the moment.
Alves trying to control the position from guard on top but Hetfield is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Alves is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Alves tries to free his leg and advance position but Hetfield is retaining full guard.
Hetfield throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Hetfield has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Alves dives in for a single leg takedown but Hetfield sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Luiz Alves. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Hetfield rushes Alves and presses him up against the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Hetfield breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Alves shoots in for a takedown but Hetfield shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Alves bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
No joy there for Hetfield, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Hetfield showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on James Hetfield's cut.
That's time! Alves's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Alves fails with a takedown attempt.
Hetfield stuffs the takedown.
Hetfield rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Alves counters with a one-two to the body.
Hetfield feints a jab promting Alves to slip. Hetfield then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Alves slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Hetfield stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Hetfield wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Luiz Alves. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Alves showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Hetfield.
Hetfield misses with a looping left.
Hetfield misses with a few strikes there.

Alves gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Hetfield to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Alves pulls Hetfield in to control the position.
Hetfield takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alves can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Hetfield controls the pace.
Alves controlling Hetfield's posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Hetfield is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Alves looking for a sweep. Not yet Alves, not yet.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Hetfield!
Hetfield throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Alves shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Hetfield manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Hetfield is trying to keep Alves in close.

Alves is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alves is fighting to break Hetfield's control of his arms but Hetfield is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Hetfield is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Alves trying to control the position from guard on top but Hetfield is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Alves accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Luiz Alves overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Alves throws a big elbow that misses.
Hetfield controlling Alves's posture.
Hetfield is trying to control the position but Alves postures up.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Hetfield throws a solid leg kick but Alves takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Hetfield.
Hetfield throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hetfield stuffs the takedown attempt from Alves. Alves gets slowly back to his feet.
Alves fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Hetfield avoids it really well and circles away.
Some wild striking there from Hetfield.
Good exchange - Hetfield coming out on top.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A big right from Hetfield misses.
Luiz Alves is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hetfield waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Alves.
A big right from Hetfield misses.
Hetfield tries to close the distance and clinch up but Alves swats him away and circles back towards the center.

And that's the end of the fight!
James Hetfield comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Hetfield 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Hetfield!
During a confident post fight interview, James Hetfield thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.