PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Russell Belcher (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nate Jayden (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nate Jayden told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Belcher
vs
Jayden

190 cm
20
213 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

190 cm
26
217 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Russell Belcher!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Nate Jayden!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Elvis Blanc and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Jayden darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Belcher is looking to improve his position.
Belcher has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Jayden is working away from the top position though.
Jayden missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Jayden lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jayden is looking to advance position but Belcher won't allow it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jayden prevents Belcher from improving his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jayden thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Jayden scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Jayden trying to control from half guard but Belcher is working away.
Belcher regains full guard. Nicely done.
Belcher 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.
Belcher controls Jayden momentarily but Jayden frees himself.
Belcher is pulling down on Jayden's head. It's preventing any offense from Jayden, at least for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jayden wants to control from the top but Belcher keeps moving.
Belcher preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Belcher working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Jayden.
Belcher looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Belcher working a defensive guard here.
Jayden lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belcher working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Jayden.
Jayden working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Jayden postures up in Belcher's guard and throws a big left but Belcher blocks it.
Jayden lands a couple of elbows.
Jayden engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Jayden trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Jayden postures up.
Jayden throwing strikes from guard but Belcher blocks nicely.
Belcher has control of Jayden's left arm, preventing Jayden from doing any damage.

That's four 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.
Belcher 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.
Jayden is working Belcher over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Jayden stopping the sweep attempt from Belcher.
Belcher wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Jayden is now in half guard.
Jayden content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Belcher is looking to control Jayden's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Belcher avoid being mounted?
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nate Jayden dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Jayden swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Jayden misses the shot to the body.
Jayden throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Belcher's head.
Belcher ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Jayden bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Belcher's head.
Belcher looks to land a left hand but Jayden moved out of range nicely.
Belcher scores with a punch to the head.
Nate Jayden is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Belcher throws a jab but it's blocked by Jayden.
Belcher connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Belcher misses with an uppercut
enabling Jayden to counter with a crisp jab.
Some wild striking there from Jayden.
Jayden avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Jayden swings away with a leg kick that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jayden swats away the attempt to clinch by Belcher.
Belcher throws a right and a left that both miss.
Jayden throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Jayden lands with a good body shot.
Belcher takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Belcher takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Jayden does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Jayden bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Jayden misses with a few strikes there.
Jayden fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
A combination from Jayden does no damage.
Nate Jayden seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Jayden tries to keep at a distance but Belcher has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Belcher lands a hook to the side of the head.
Jayden looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Jayden tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Belcher scores with a shoulder strike.
Belcher scores with a shoulder strike.
Belcher trying to stall but Jayden improves his position.
A short body shot lands from Belcher as the two fighters clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Belcher.
Come on Belcher - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Jayden tries to throw a body punch but Belcher avoids it by throwing Jayden back against the cage.
A right handed body shot lands from Belcher.
Belcher working aggressively here.
A short right from Belcher on the inside.
Stalling in the clinch from Belcher.

Jayden has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Belcher clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Belcher turns into Jayden and is now in his guard.
Belcher looking to pass the guard.
Jayden wants to sweep but no luck.
Jayden is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Belcher has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Jayden is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jayden sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Belcher defending well though.
Belcher is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Jayden scores with a couple of nice shots.
Belcher is refusing to be controlled, as Jayden sits in half guard.
Belcher is looking to improve his position.
Jayden working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Belcher trying to hold on to Jayden's head to control him but Jayden postures up.
Jayden slips a nice elbow through Belcher's hands, connecting with Belcher's forehead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Belcher preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Jayden throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Belcher trying to hold on to Jayden's head to control him but Jayden postures up.
Jayden wants to lay and pray for a moment but Belcher keeps working.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Jayden winds up and cracks Belcher with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Nate Jayden will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Jayden takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Jayden throws a sloppy head kick and Belcher moves out of range easily.
Jayden throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Belcher's waist but Belcher gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Jayden off to one side.
The fighters circling - Belcher throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Jayden fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Jayden fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Belcher misses with a straight left.

Belcher forces Jayden back against the cage and clinches.
Jayden blocking some punches.
Jayden goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Belcher lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Belcher.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Belcher creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Belcher lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Belcher is pressed up against the cage. Jayden has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Belcher down to the mat. Belcher avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Belcher throws an off balance right hand
and Jayden counters with a nice body kick.
Jayden shoots in for a takedown but Belcher shows good takedown defense.
Russell Belcher has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nate Jayden.
Belcher takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belcher on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Jayden tries to land a leg kick but Belcher saw it coming and moves away.
A shot to the body from Belcher misses

and Jayden counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Belcher tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Jayden has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Nate Jayden has got the better of the ground game so far.
Jayden wants to control the pace but Belcher is squirming around nicely.
Belcher can't escape the position.
Jayden can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Belcher is looking to escape.
Belcher on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Belcher tries to get out of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jayden controlling from the full mount.
BOOM! Jayden connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Belcher has worked his way to half guard, taking advantage of Jayden's lack of action.
Jayden missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Jayden is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Jayden has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jayden is keen to just control but Belcher is a slippery customer.
Belcher avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Jayden.
Jayden sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Belcher defending well though.
Jayden wants to take a breather but Belcher is having none of it.
Belcher tries to roll over but Jayden keeps him under control.

That's four 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.
Jayden is keen to just control but Belcher is a slippery customer.
Belcher tries to roll over but Jayden keeps him under control.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Nate Jayden wasn't active enough on the ground.

Belcher has Jayden up against the cage in a clinch.
Jayden tries to throw a body punch but Belcher avoids it by throwing Jayden back against the cage.
Belcher lands with a left to the head.
Jayden takes a shot to the head.
Jayden changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Belcher fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Belcher jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Belcher is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Belcher keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nate Jayden really dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Jayden shoots and misses
enabling Belcher to counter with a crisp jab.
Belcher connects with a right hand. Jayden shakes it off.
Belcher misses with a left hand
and Jayden counters with a nice body shot.
Belcher displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Jayden throws out the jab.
Jayden moves out of range as Belcher strikes.
Jayden attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
A shot to the body from Belcher misses
and Jayden counters with a left to the body.
Jayden throws a push kick but Belcher slaps the foot to one side.
Jayden throws a head kick but Belcher moves out of range.
Jayden walks into a stiff left hand from Belcher.
Belcher tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Jayden throws a sloppy head kick and Belcher moves out of range easily.
An inside leg kick from Jayden misses.
Jayden keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jayden gets the takedown into side control.
Belcher is holding Jayden down, trying to stall.
Belcher is looking for a sweep.
Jayden remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Belcher is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Jayden is looking to take a break and control but Belcher is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jayden throws an elbow but Belcher slips to the side and avoids it well.
Belcher sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Jayden scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Jayden working over Belcher with some ground and pound. Belcher looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Belcher wants to get back to full guard.
Belcher is trying to maintain the position but Jayden is very close to passing his half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jayden is keen to just control but Belcher is a slippery customer.
Belcher won't allow Jayden to pass to mount.
Jayden scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Jayden takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Belcher is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Belcher makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Belcher.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jayden wants to control from the top but Belcher keeps moving.
Belcher manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Jayden manages to get himself to full guard.
Belcher wants to pass the guard but Jayden is keeping the position.
Belcher working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Jayden wants to sweep here but Belcher controlling him for the moment.
Belcher forces his way into half guard.
Jayden tries to roll over but Belcher keeps him under control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Nate Jayden will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Jayden throws a nice outside leg kick.
Belcher throws a hook but Jayden avoids it easily.
Nate Jayden seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Jayden misses with a low kick.
Belcher throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Jayden counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Jayden on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Jayden steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Belcher.
Jayden is looking to land body kicks.
Belcher lands a nice looking body shot.
Jayden keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Belcher.
A slow jab from Belcher misses its intended target.
Belcher throws out a loose jab but Jayden uses good head movement to avoid it.
Belcher avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jayden throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Belcher was covering up waiting for the punch and Jayden finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Jayden missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Belcher looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Belcher is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Belcher is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Belcher controls Jayden momentarily but Jayden frees himself.
Belcher trying to control the position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Russell Belcher wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Belcher jabs at Jayden's body.
Russell Belcher has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jayden throws out a leg kick but Belcher moves out of range and Jayden only half commits.
A looping hook to the body misses from Jayden. Belcher does a little dance to reset his feet.
Jayden takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Jayden attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Jayden misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Jayden bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Nate Jayden is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Jayden laying and praying for a moment but Belcher takes advantage and regains half guard.
Jayden prevents Belcher from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jayden trying to control the action but Belcher is working from the bottom.
Belcher regains full guard. Nicely done.
Jayden pushes down on Belcher's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Belcher is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Jayden's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Jayden's back!

That's four 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.
Belcher lands with a hammerfist to the side of Jayden's head.
Belcher missing with strikes from the back.
Jayden tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Belcher landing strikes from the mount.
Jayden working to try and regain half guard.
Belcher working the ground and pound effectively.
Jayden is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Belcher lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Belcher working Jayden over with strikes here.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Belcher cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Belcher is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Jayden can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
BOOM! Belcher connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Jayden is looking to get to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Russell Belcher showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Jayden 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 47:48
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 46:49
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 47:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nate Jayden!
Nate Jayden is the new light heavyweight champion!