PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Saul Alvarez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jace Nelson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 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.

Alvarez
vs
Nelson

187 cm
20
143 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

177 cm
18
135 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Saul Alvarez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jace Nelson!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Ben Zyskovitsi and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nelson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Nelson tries to clinch but Alvarez is having none of it.

Alvarez has managed to clinch.
Nelson has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Alvarez avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Alvarez manages to break the clinch.
Nelson gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Alvarez counters with a one-two to the body.

Nelson closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Alvarez's guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Nelson wants to control from the top but Alvarez keeps moving.
Alvarez looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nelson is one step ahead there.
Alvarez is looking to stand up but Nelson isn't so interested in that idea.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nelson is looking to work some ground and pound but Alvarez has wrist control.
Alvarez wants to hit a switch here but Nelson passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Alvarez there!

Nelson working for a guillotine from mount but Alvarez is in no mood to give up.
Alvarez looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
Nelson slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nelson looking for the choke from the back.
Alvarez trying to control the hands but Nelson breaks the grip.
Nelson missing with strikes from the back.
Nelson struggling to land strikes to the head as Alvarez covers up.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nelson biding his time, looking for the opening.
Alvarez tries to roll but Nelson sticks to his back.

Alvarez fending off the submission attempt from Nelson.
Nelson has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Alvarez trying to control the action but Nelson just sinks the hooks in.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez is keeping busy.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Alvarez really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Nelson missing with strikes from the back.
Nelson has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Alvarez's body.
Nelson missing with punches from the back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nelson thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.
Nelson has the hooks in. Alvarez is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Nelson not allowing Alvarez to control his hands.
Nelson keeps control of the position as Alvarez tries to break free.
Nelson avoiding Alvarez 's attempts to control his hands.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nelson is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jace Nelson dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Nelson decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Nelson wants to stand up but Alvarez has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Nelson is pressing down on Alvarez's thigh, looking to free his foot. Alvarez is holding on for now.
Alvarez is trying to maintain the position but Nelson is very close to passing his half guard.
Alvarez moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Nelson stays in close to Alvarez's body and controls the position.
Alvarez looking for a sweep. Not yet Alvarez, not yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nelson stands and steps away. Alvarez gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Nelson tries to clinch up.
Nelson wants to clinch up but Alvarez keeps it at a distance.
Alvarez looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Nelson is fending him off so far but Alvarez persists. Nope, Nelson circles away and we're back to standing.

Nelson changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Alvarez looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Nelson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Alvarez keeps working.
Nelson throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nelson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Alvarez keeps working.
Nelson working the ground and pound but Alvarez is defending the strikes.
Nelson misses with the ground and pound.
Nelson in side control, throwing shots but Alvarez defends.
Alvarez wants to control but Nelson postures up.
Nelson misses with the ground and pound.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Alvarez is not content to let Nelson control the position.
Nelson controls the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nelson throws a strike aimed at the side of Alvarez's head but Alvarez avoids it well.
Alvarez prevents Nelson from moving into mount.
Nelson trying to control the position but Alvarez is working away.
Nelson throws an elbow but Alvarez slips to the side and avoids it well.
Alvarez is trying to improve his position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Alvarez defending against the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Alvarez is not content to let Nelson control the position.
Nelson working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Jace Nelson has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez is not content to let Nelson control the position.
Alvarez tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Nelson has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
A head kick by Nelson misses

and Alvarez counters by clinching up.
Alvarez prevents the takedown attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Alvarez pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nelson wants to clinch.
Saul Alvarez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nelson on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jace Nelson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Nelson misses with a left hand
and Alvarez counters with a left to the body.

Alvarez forces Nelson back against the cage and clinches.
Nelson looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Alvarez gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Nelson.

Alvarez breaks the clinch.
A left lands for Alvarez.
Alvarez throws a series of punches but Nelson avoids them all with ease.

Alvarez gets a clinch.
Nelson is trying to pull guard but Alvarez has him pressed against the cage.
Alvarez changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Nelson fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Alvarez has a takedown stuffed.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alvarez circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nelson has a takedown stuffed.
Saul Alvarez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jace Nelson.

Nelson drives through with a takedown into guard.
Alvarez can't keep his opponent in guard - Nelson advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Alvarez trying to control here.
Nelson wants to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez is looking for a sweep. Nelson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Nelson trying to control the pace.

Nelson stands up from half guard.
Nelson has a takedown stuffed.
Nelson tries to clinch up but Alvarez circles away and keeps his distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez moves in looking to clinch but Nelson pushes him off.
Alvarez stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Alvarez wants it to stay on the feet.

Nelson shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Alvarez is trying to defend but Nelson finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Alvarez knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Nelson on the ground.
Alvarez won't allow Nelson to pass to mount.
Nelson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Alvarez is concentrating on defense, preventing Nelson from advancing position.
Alvarez wants to control but Nelson is keeping busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nelson stands up from half guard.
Alvarez ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Alvarez defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Nelson.
Nelson throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Alvarez keeps the fight on the outside.
Alvarez throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Nelson.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Alvarez rushes Nelson and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Saul Alvarez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nelson tries to pull guard but Alvarez forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Alvarez lands a hook to the side of the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jace Nelson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Nelson 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight for Jace Nelson!
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight for Jace Nelson!
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight for Jace Nelson!

Jace Nelson wins by unanimous decision!