PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tyler Alvarez (ranked 2105 p4p, 1817 weight class) and Luigi Bonifacio (ranked 268 p4p, 230 weight class). Bonifacio is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Karate - Kennedy. 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.

Alvarez
vs
Bonifacio

183 cm
25
168
9 - 5 - 0

184 cm
34
163
10 - 12 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tyler Alvarez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Luigi Bonifacio !
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Dmitry Maklakov and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bonifacio misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Alvarez.
Alvarez seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Bonifacio looks to score with a jab to the body but Alvarez is just out of range.
Bonifacio throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Alvarez is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Bonifacio .
Bonifacio swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bonifacio throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bonifacio throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Bonifacio avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Bonifacio lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Alvarez circles away quickly and effectively.
Bonifacio throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bonifacio works Alvarez's body with a nice hook.
Alvarez slips a jab from Bonifacio .
Alvarez ducks under a wild hook from Bonifacio .
Bonifacio is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Alvarez rather than just go for the knockout.
Bonifacio misses the shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Alvarez moves into the clinch successfully.
Alvarez stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

Bonifacio breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Alvarez slips a straight right by Bonifacio .
Bonifacio swings for the body but Alvarez moves out of range.
Alvarez defending well as Bonifacio loads up on a big left hand.
Alvarez is looking to counter the offense by Bonifacio and move into the clinch.
Bonifacio throws a body shot but no joy.
Alvarez is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Bonifacio .

Alvarez clinches up against the cage.
Alvarez is pushing Bonifacio up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

Bonifacio breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bonifacio throws a nice looking combination but Alvarez bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Bonifacio misses with a straight left.
Bonifacio fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Bonifacio looks to throw the jab but Alvarez is out of range.
Alvarez takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Bonifacio just misses with a punch to the body.
Alvarez wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Bonifacio tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Alvarez was well out of range. Poor timing from Bonifacio .
Alvarez ducks under a wild hook from Bonifacio .
Luigi Bonifacio seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bonifacio misses with a body punch

and Alvarez counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bonifacio is trying to break free.
Bonifacio tries to break free but Alvarez pushes him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Alvarez is pushing Bonifacio up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Bonifacio tries to work over Alvarez's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Alvarez.
Alvarez is stalling here.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Alvarez for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.
Bonifacio misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Alvarez is pushing Bonifacio up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

Bonifacio pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

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.
Bonifacio tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Alvarez was well out of range. Poor timing from Bonifacio .
Bonifacio throws a body punch but Alvarez moves out of range.
Bonifacio looks to land a right hand but Alvarez moved out of range.

Alvarez closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Alvarez stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Bonifacio stalling in the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Alvarez manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Alvarez is pushing Bonifacio up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Luigi Bonifacio dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Bonifacio lands with a good body shot.

Alvarez closes the distance and clinches.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Tyler Alvarez.
Alvarez uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bonifacio .
Bonifacio swings away with a body shot that misses

and Alvarez counters by moving into the clinch.

Bonifacio breaks the clinch.
Bonifacio looks to score with a jab to the body but Alvarez is just out of range.
Bonifacio tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Alvarez was well out of range. Poor timing from Bonifacio .
Luigi Bonifacio seems to be getting the better of the standup.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alvarez throws a body shot but no joy.
Bonifacio let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Bonifacio swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Alvarez.
Bonifacio ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Alvarez moves away.
Alvarez tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Bonifacio manages to circle out of the way.
Alvarez uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bonifacio .
Alvarez wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bonifacio shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Alvarez eats them both and turns towards Bonifacio to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Alvarez moves in looking to clinch but Bonifacio pushes him off.
Alvarez uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bonifacio .
Alvarez on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Bonifacio throws a hook but Alvarez avoids it easily.
Bonifacio tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Alvarez was well out of range. Poor timing from Bonifacio .
Alvarez seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Bonifacio misses the shot to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bonifacio . Alvarez does a little dance to reset his feet.
Bonifacio throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Alvarez blocks a jab.
Bonifacio swings for the body but Alvarez moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bonifacio misses the shot to the body.
Alvarez tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Bonifacio manages to circle out of the way.
Bonifacio throws a lazy right hand but Alvarez sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Bonifacio ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Alvarez moves away.
A big right from Alvarez misses.
Bonifacio just misses with a punch to the body.

Alvarez pushes Bonifacio up against the cage in a clinch.
Alvarez stalls.
Alvarez content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Bonifacio being controlled against the cage.
Alvarez seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.
Alvarez is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Alvarez.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Tyler Alvarez.
Bonifacio keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Bonifacio scores with a body shot.
Alvarez avoids the body shot from Bonifacio .
Alvarez wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Bonifacio punishes Alvarez's body with a nice straight punch.
Alvarez throws a body shot but no joy.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bonifacio . Alvarez does a little dance to reset his feet.
Alvarez misses with a body shot
and Bonifacio connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Bonifacio throws the left hand but Alvarez avoids the punch easily.
As Bonifacio tries to get set, Alvarez tries to push him back and clinch up but Bonifacio manages to avoid the attempt.
Alvarez keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Alvarez wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez closes the distance looking to clinch
and Bonifacio counters with a left to the body.
Alvarez uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bonifacio .
Bonifacio tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Alvarez was well out of range. Poor timing from Bonifacio .
Bonifacio throws a body punch but Alvarez moves out of range.
Alvarez tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Bonifacio manages to circle out of the way.
Bonifacio throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Bonifacio with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Alvarez has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Alvarez tries to clinch but Bonifacio moves out of range.

Alvarez closes the distance and pushes Bonifacio back into the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Alvarez taking a breather.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Luigi Bonifacio showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Bonifacio misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Alvarez.
Alvarez is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Bonifacio .
Alvarez takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Alvarez misses with a body shot.
Bonifacio looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Bonifacio scores with a shot to the body.
Alvarez keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Alvarez tries to counter by clinching up but Bonifacio breaks away and moves out of range.
Bonifacio throws a body shot but no joy.
Bonifacio scores with a shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alvarez tries to clinch but Bonifacio moves away
and Bonifacio counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Bonifacio staying out of range there.
Bonifacio lands a really nice looking cross but Alvarez seems unphased.

Alvarez fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Bonifacio , pushing him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bonifacio escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Bonifacio scores with a jab to the body.
Bonifacio swings for the body but Alvarez moves out of range.
Bonifacio has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Alvarez tries to clinch but Bonifacio moves out of range.
A decent looking cross lands there for Bonifacio .
Bonifacio just misses with a punch to the body.

Alvarez gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Alvarez will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Bonifacio up against the cage.
Bonifacio lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Tyler Alvarez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Luigi Bonifacio is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bonifacio lands a nice uppercut.
Bonifacio wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Bonifacio being controlled against the cage.
Alvarez holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Alvarez will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Bonifacio up against the cage.
Alvarez stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bonifacio makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Bonifacio being controlled against the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Tyler Alvarez.
Bonifacio uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Alvarez.
Bonifacio connects with a good right hand that stumbles Alvarez. Alvarez circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Bonifacio misses with a body shot.

Alvarez takes the fight into the clinch.
Alvarez is stalling here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez has Bonifacio pressed against the cage.
Alvarez is struggling to control the position.
Alvarez is pushing Bonifacio up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Alvarez controlling the action here for a moment.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Tyler Alvarez.
Bonifacio fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

And that's the end of the fight!
Luigi Bonifacio comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Bonifacio winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Luigi Bonifacio !
Luigi Bonifacio decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.