PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tommy Belfort (ranked 4692 p4p, 3064 weight class) and Jose Alves (ranked 0 p4p, 69 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Belfort
vs
Alves

190 cm
21
180
0 - 0 - 0

183 cm
20
169
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tommy Belfort!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jose Alves!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Wesley Smith and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A combination from Alves does no damage.
Belfort defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Alves.
As Alves looks to move away, Belfort throws a big counter combo but Alves just gets out of the way.

Belfort shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Alves napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Belfort stands up and beckons Alves to his feet.
Alves shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Belfort as he avoids it easily.

Belfort closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Alves controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Alves is looking to control Belfort's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Alves avoid being mounted?
Belfort not doing much here.
Belfort landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alves trying to control here.
Belfort controlling the action here.
Alves trying to hold on to Belfort's head to control him but Belfort postures up.
Alves is looking to improve his position.
Belfort trying to control the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Belfort working over Alves with some ground and pound. Alves looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Alves moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Belfort won't allow Alves to sweep him here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belfort controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Belfort pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Alves is keeping the position for now.
Belfort throws a big right hand that misses.
Belfort trying to stand up but can't free himself from Alves's guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Belfort shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Alves pinned against the cage. Alves gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Belfort scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Belfort happy to just control the position for now.
Alves struggling a bit here.
Alves tries to escape but Belfort is in control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
You can see the frustration on Alves's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Belfort is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Alves is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tommy Belfort dominated that round.
That's time! Belfort's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Belfort shoots for a double leg takedown but Alves sprawls well. He's pushed Belfort's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Alves works over Belfort's head and body with a nice combination.

Belfort moves into range and clinches up with Alves.
Alves tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Alves is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
A left hand lands to the body for Belfort.
Alves is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Belfort to keep the fight standing.
Tommy Belfort has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jose Alves.
Belfort keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Alves's efforts to push away.
Belfort is stalling here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Belfort has Alves pressed against the cage, preventing Alves from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Alves wants to break free but Belfort has control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belfort goes for a takedown in the clinch but Alves prevents it.

Belfort jumps guard.
Belfort is trying to keep Alves in close.

Belfort is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Alves defends well.
Belfort managing to control the position.
Belfort is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Alves is controlling him.

That's two 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.

Alves gets to his feet. Belfort looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Belfort pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Belfort shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Alves as he avoids it easily.
Belfort misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Alves takes a swing at Belfort's ribcage but misses.

Belfort darts in and clinches Alves up against the cage.
Alves tries to break free but Belfort pushes him back against the cage.

Belfort's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Tommy Belfort is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alves thumps Belfort with a low kick.
Alves throws a head kick that half lands.
Alves misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Belfort leaves Alves with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Belfort throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Alves was covering up waiting for the punch and Belfort finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Alves is breathing heavily.
Alves has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Belfort seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Belfort tries to free his leg and advance position but Alves is retaining full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Belfort controls from within his opponent's guard.
Alves trying to control the position.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Tommy Belfort will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Alves tries to clinch there but Belfort circles away.

Belfort gets the takedown into side control.

Belfort stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Alves shoots in looking for a takedown. Belfort tries to sprawl out of it but Alves keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Belfort manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Belfort gets a double leg takedown into Alves's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Alves is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Belfort defends well.
Alves controlling Belfort's posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Belfort gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Alves closes the distance and clinches up with Belfort, looking for a takedown. Alves pushes Belfort against the cage but Belfort circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Alves takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Belfort shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Alves's guard.
Belfort wants to get up but he can't break Alves's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Belfort seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Alves keeping full guard, as Belfort tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Belfort seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Belfort trying to control but Alves is working from the bottom.
Alves is looking to stand up but Belfort isn't so interested in that idea.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Alves stuffs the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belfort shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nice sprawl there from Alves as Belfort shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tommy Belfort. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Belfort looks to land a combination but Alves avoids it well.
Belfort is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Alves can do to turn this around?
Belfort throws a head kick but Alves moves out of range.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Alves is defended easily by Belfort.
Alves doesn't manage to clinch there - Belfort circles away.
Belfort stuffs the takedown.

Alves tries to keep at a distance but Belfort has taken the fight into the clinch.

Belfort manages to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alves misses with a takedown

and Belfort counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Belfort.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

Belfort has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Alves regains guard immediately.

Alves kicks Belfort off and gets to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Horrible takedown attempt by Belfort or perhaps it was just good defense by Alves, which made it look bad.
Alves tries to clinch up but Belfort circles away and keeps his distance.
Jose Alves has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tommy Belfort is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Belfort.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tommy Belfort showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Belfort, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 George Francis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tommy Belfort!