PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Alfonso Alvarez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve Mazagati (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Alvarez
vs
Mazagati

177 cm
19
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 1

182 cm
22
193 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Alfonso Alvarez!
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, Steve Mazagati!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Edson Gomes and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mazagati lands a jab-cross combination.
Mazagati's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Mazagati duly obliges.
Mazagati throws a big shot that misses.
Mazagati throws a right and a left that Alvarez avoids nicely.
Mazagati throws a right and a left that Alvarez avoids nicely.
Mazagati misses with an uppercut. Alvarez saw that one coming.
Alvarez fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Alvarez showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Mazagati.
Mazagati misses with a wild combination.
Steve Mazagati seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Alvarez misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Alvarez fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alfonso Alvarez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Alvarez slips a jab from Mazagati.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mazagati misses with the combination.
Mazagati misses with a series of wild punches.
Mazagati looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Steve Mazagati is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Alvarez drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Mazagati avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Mazagati working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Alvarez.
Alvarez loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Alvarez is working Mazagati over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Alvarez won't allow Mazagati to get back to his feet.
Mazagati really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Alvarez. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Alvarez content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez thows a big elbow that misses.
Alvarez is looking to work some ground and pound but Mazagati has wrist control.
Alvarez trying to control the position from guard on top but Mazagati is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Alvarez postures up in Mazagati's guard and throws a big left but Mazagati blocks it.
Alvarez missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Alvarez scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Alvarez postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Alvarez thows a big elbow that misses.
Alvarez forces his way into half guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Mazagati can do anything to dispel that myth.
Alvarez missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mazagati is looking for a sweep. Alvarez is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Mazagati is trying to stand up here but Alvarez is controlling him well.
Alvarez throwing shots but Mazagati is blocking nicely.
Alvarez throwing shots but Mazagati is blocking nicely.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Alvarez looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Alvarez accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Alvarez postures up in Mazagati's guard and throws a big left but Mazagati blocks it.
Alvarez prevents Mazagati from getting back to his feet.
Alvarez throws a big right hand that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Alvarez tries to free his leg and advance position but Mazagati is retaining full guard.
Alvarez loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Alvarez lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Alvarez missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Alvarez stands up from Mazagati's guard - Alvarez perhaps looking for a knockout.
Mazagati looks to land a right hand but Alvarez moved out of range.
Mazagati misses with a few strikes there.
A combination from Mazagati does no damage.
Mazagati throws a right and a left that Alvarez avoids nicely.
Alvarez avoids a punch combination nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Steve Mazagati will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Mazagati lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Alvarez backs up against the cage.
Mazagati rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Alvarez moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A decent looking cross lands there for Mazagati.
Mazagati will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Mazagati throws a right hand that Alvarez ducks under and follows up with a left that Alvarez also avoids with ease.
Mazagati misses with the combination.
Alvarez walks into a jab.

Alvarez is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Mazagati's half guard.
Mazagati is trying to stand up here but Alvarez is controlling him well.
Mazagati is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Alvarez is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Mazagati is just riding it out for now. Alvarez eventually gives up the hold.
Alvarez thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Alvarez is nestled in close to Mazagati, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Alvarez slips a nice elbow through Mazagati's hands, connecting with Mazagati's forehead.
Alvarez thows a huge punch but Mazagati dodges it nicely.
Alvarez missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Mazagati looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Alvarez not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mazagati avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Alvarez.
Mazagati avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Alvarez.
Alvarez sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Mazagati defending well though.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
No joy there for Mazagati, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Mazagati looks to land a combination but Alvarez avoids it well.
Alvarez takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Alvarez avoids the body shot from Mazagati.
Mazagati loads up on a big right hand but Alvarez slips the punch.
Mazagati goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mazagati throws a right and a left that Alvarez avoids nicely.
Mazagati getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Mazagati takes a swing at Alvarez's ribcage but misses.
Mazagati misses with the combination.
Alvarez ducks under a wild hook from Mazagati.
Mazagati fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Alvarez manages to avoid it.
Mazagati throws a series of punches but Alvarez avoids them all with ease.
Mazagati throws a series of punches but Alvarez moves out of range.
Mazagati loads up on a big right hand but Alvarez slips the punch.
Mazagati misses with the combination.

Alvarez shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez thows a big elbow that misses.
Alvarez with a flurry of punches that miss.
Alvarez with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Alvarez with a flurry of punches that miss.
Alvarez with a flurry of punches that miss.
Alvarez throwing strikes from guard but Mazagati blocks nicely.
Mazagati is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Alvarez trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Alvarez working some strikes from top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Mazagati 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!

Alvarez closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Mazagati to the mat! Mazagati manages to get full guard.
Mazagati is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Alvarez is controlling him.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Alvarez's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Alvarez throws a big right hand that misses.
Alvarez throwing strikes from guard but Mazagati blocks nicely.
Alvarez makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Alvarez accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Alvarez throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Alvarez missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mazagati utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Alvarez 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.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Alvarez with a flurry of punches that miss.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Mazagati misses with a few strikes there.
Alvarez slips a jab and a cross from Mazagati.

Alvarez shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Mazagati blocking the ground and pound attempt from Alvarez.
Alvarez not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Mazagati wants to get back to his feet.
Alvarez thows a huge punch but Mazagati dodges it nicely.

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.
Mazagati is looking to improve his position.
Alvarez not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Mazagati pushes Alvarez off looking to stand but Alvarez dives back in and keeps control.
Alvarez thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Mazagati looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Alvarez avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Mazagati throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Mazagati throws a right and a left that both miss.
Alvarez slips a straight right by Mazagati.
Alvarez shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Mazagati as he jumps to the side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez defending well as Mazagati loads up on a big left hand.

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

Alvarez tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Alvarez has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Alvarez tries for a kimura but Mazagati is defending well.
An elbow from Alvarez crashes against the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Alvarez in side control, throwing shots but Mazagati defends.
Alvarez fails to land a wild elbow strike.
An elbow from Alvarez crashes against the mat.
Alvarez looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Mazagati is avoiding damage well.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Alvarez keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Mazagati.
Mazagati tests Alvarez's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Alfonso Alvarez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A punch combination from Mazagati misses.
Alvarez is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Mazagati.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alfonso Alvarez showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Mazagati 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 Thiago Cunha scores the fight 28:29
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 28:29
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Steve Mazagati!