PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between John Fadden (ranked 3626 p4p, 0 weight class) and Whorely Alvarez (ranked 2402 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Fadden
vs
Alvarez

177 cm
26
180 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

185 cm
27
185 lbs
8 - 12 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Very strong

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Knockout power

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, John Fadden!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 12 - 0, fighting out of New York, Whorely Alvarez!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Steve Montenegro and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fadden comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Fadden!
Alvarez keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Fadden tries to keep at a distance but Alvarez has taken the fight into the clinch.
Fadden goes for a takedown attempt but Alvarez pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That kick from Alvarez tenderised Fadden's leg. Fadden is trying to keep his angry face on.
Alvarez throws a sloppy head kick and Fadden moves out of range easily.
A low kick from Alvarez is predictable there

and Fadden counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Fadden.
Fadden makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Alvarez can do anything to dispel that myth.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Alvarez not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fadden is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Fadden trying to control but Alvarez is working from the bottom.
Alvarez trying to control the position.
Fadden slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Alvarez wants to sweep but no luck.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fadden trying to control the position from guard on top but Alvarez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Alvarez is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Alvarez looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Fadden trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Alvarez is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Fadden is in close to Alvarez's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Fadden lands a couple of elbows.
Fadden wants to control from the top but Alvarez keeps moving.
Fadden is stalling in the full guard.
Fadden trying to control the position from guard on top but Alvarez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Alvarez working for a triangle but Fadden defends it easily.
Fadden chips away with some ground and pound.
Fadden stopping the sweep attempt from Alvarez.
Alvarez is still trying to improve position.
Alvarez manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Fadden manages to get himself to full guard.

Fadden has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Fadden trying to control the position.
Alvarez throws an elbow that misses. Fadden uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Alvarez's guard. Nice move by Fadden!

Alvarez looking to control.
Fadden is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Alvarez trying to keep a closed guard but Fadden is proving a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Alvarez working for a triangle but Fadden defends it easily.

Alvarez throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Fadden is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Fadden makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Fadden trying to control the position from guard on top but Alvarez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Alvarez is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Fadden scoring with some ground and pound.
Fadden wants to control from the top but Alvarez keeps moving.
Alvarez bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Fadden's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fadden trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Alvarez trying to control the position from guard on top but Fadden is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've been hearing good reports from Fadden's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

Fadden is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Alvarez defends well.
Alvarez in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Alvarez trying to stand up but can't free himself from Fadden's guard.
Alvarez trying to control the position from guard on top but Fadden is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fadden throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fadden looking for a sweep. Not yet Fadden, not yet.

Fadden has his foot on Alvarez's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Alvarez works his way back into a safe position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Fadden dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

That kick from Alvarez tenderised Fadden's leg. Fadden is trying to keep his angry face on.
Alvarez displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Fadden.
Fadden backing away here, and Alvarez unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Fadden moves away from the strike by Alvarez.
Fadden shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Alvarez as he jumps to the side.
Fadden closes the distance looking to clinch
and Alvarez counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Alvarez misses with a head kick.
As Alvarez tries to get set, Fadden tries to push him back and clinch up but Alvarez manages to avoid the attempt.

Fadden has managed to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alvarez blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Alvarez misses with a punch to the body.

Alvarez manages to break the clinch.
Alvarez lands a nice leg kick that just misses Fadden's sensitive parts.
Alvarez swats away the attempt to clinch by Fadden.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fadden defending well as Alvarez loads up on a big left hand.
Fadden drops down looking for a counter takedown but Alvarez sprawls and moves away.
A solid leg kick lands there for Alvarez.
Whorely Alvarez is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nice shot by Fadden.
Fadden misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Alvarez.
Alvarez throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Alvarez misses with a low kick.
Fadden throws a right and a left that Alvarez avoids nicely.
Fadden tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Alvarez is looking to slow Fadden down with leg kicks.
Fadden looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Alvarez appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Fadden blocks a head kick by Alvarez.
Alvarez tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Alvarez fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Fadden is out of range.
Fadden takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
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!
Alvarez circles away from the clinch attempt.
Fadden blocks the body kick.
Fadden just misses with a punch to the body.
Alvarez looks to score with a jab to the body but Fadden is just out of range.

Alvarez pushes Fadden up against the cage in a clinch.
Alvarez lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Fadden or not.
Fadden fails to pull guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Fadden. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Fadden decides to pull guard.
Fadden looking for a sweep. Not yet Fadden, not yet.
Fadden keeping moving, preventing Alvarez from controlling successfully.
Fadden lands some strikes from the bottom.
Alvarez wants to control from the top but Fadden keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fadden is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
John Fadden overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Fadden keeping moving, preventing Alvarez from controlling successfully.
Alvarez preventing the sweep.
Alvarez trying to control but Fadden is working from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Fadden takes a swing at Alvarez's ribcage but misses.
Alvarez just misses with a punch to the body.
Fadden takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Alvarez misses with a body shot.
Fadden with a poor takedown
and Alvarez counters with a nice low kick that buckles Fadden's knee momentarily.
Fadden lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fadden with a poor takedown
enabling Alvarez to counter with a crisp jab.
Alvarez tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Fadden is able to avoid easily.
Fadden tries to counter with a takedown but Alvarez is quick to defend against it.
Fadden shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Alvarez pinned against the cage. Alvarez gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Alvarez tries to clinch but Fadden is having none of it.
A low kick from Alvarez is predictable there

and Fadden decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Alvarez's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Fadden postures up and lands a big shot to Alvarez's brow.
Fadden throws a big right hand that misses.

Alvarez has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Fadden can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Alvarez trying to keep a closed guard but Fadden is proving a slippery customer.
Fadden keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Alvarez's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Whorely Alvarez showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Fadden's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

Fadden shoots in for a takedown but Alvarez shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Alvarez defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Fadden.
Alvarez lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Fadden at a distance.
Alvarez throws a head kick but Fadden moves out of range.
Alvarez throws a chopping leg kick but Fadden manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Fadden blocks a head kick by Alvarez.
A head kick misses from Alvarez.
Alvarez leaves Fadden with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Fadden. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Alvarez fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Fadden checks it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fadden shoots in for a takedown but Alvarez shows good takedown defense.
Fadden is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Alvarez.
Whorely Alvarez seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A head kick misses from Alvarez.
Alvarez throws a leg kick but Fadden sees it coming and moves out of range.
Alvarez lands with a thumping leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Alvarez. Fadden does a little dance to reset his feet.
Alvarez tests Fadden's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A nice leg kick lands there from Alvarez.
Alvarez throws a front kick aimed at Fadden's knee but Fadden avoids it well.
Sloppy strikes from Fadden. Those never looked like landing.
Alvarez tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Alvarez tries a head kick but it misses.
Fadden appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
A looping hook to the body misses from Fadden. Alvarez does a little dance to reset his feet.
Fadden is looking to wear down Alvarez with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Alvarez throws a quick inside leg kick.
Alvarez slips a jab from Fadden.
Alvarez tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Fadden was well out of range. Poor timing from Alvarez.
Alvarez slips a straight right by Fadden.
Alvarez throws out a counter right but Fadden avoids it with no problem.
Alvarez connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An inside leg kick from Alvarez misses.
Fadden is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Alvarez displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Fadden.
Fadden shoots in looking for a takedown. Alvarez tries to sprawl out of it but Fadden keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Alvarez manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Alvarez pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Fadden half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Alvarez lands with an overhand left.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Fadden, as that shot connected.

Alvarez takes the fight into the clinch.
Alvarez has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Fadden misses with a hook to the ribs.
Alvarez misses with a body punch.

Fadden has picked Alvarez up - he's going for a ride! Fadden dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Alvarez wants to control but Fadden is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez is looking for a sweep. Fadden is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Alvarez is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Fadden trying to control the action but Alvarez is working from the bottom.
Alvarez really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Fadden. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Fadden seems to be looking for submissions.
Fadden seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Alvarez wants to get back to full guard.

Fadden is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Fadden keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

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.
Fadden is keen to just control but Alvarez is a slippery customer.
Alvarez gets full guard.
Fadden is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Alvarez not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Fadden sitting in guard here, content to control.
Fadden connects with a couple of short punches.
Fadden is in close to Alvarez's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Alvarez has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Fadden can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Fadden postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Alvarez working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Fadden doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Fadden manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fadden trying to control but Alvarez is working from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Whorely Alvarez comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Alvarez 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 John Kavanagh scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Whorely Alvarez!
In his post fight interview, Whorely Alvarez started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.