PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Roosevelt Stafford (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vitor Belfort (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Belfort has chosen BELFORT as his entrance music. Vitor Belfort has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Roosevelt Stafford's chin.

Stafford
vs
Belfort

216 cm
18
214 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
205 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Roosevelt Stafford!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Vitor Belfort!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Matheus Silva and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Belfort misses with a double jab.
Belfort should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Stafford is looking to score with low kicks.
Belfort uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Stafford.

Stafford closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Belfort trying to hold on to Stafford's head to control him but Stafford postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Belfort looks winded!

Stafford wants to work for an arm triangle but Belfort is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Stafford with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Stafford is keen to just control but Belfort is a slippery customer.
Belfort won't allow Stafford to pass to mount.
Stafford content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Stafford wants to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belfort is positioning himself well to prevent Stafford advancing to mount.

Roosevelt Stafford has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Belfort tries to score a power double leg takedown but Stafford sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Belfort somewhat.

Stafford is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Belfort's half guard.
Stafford really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Well, if Stafford is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Belfort wants to control but Stafford is keeping busy.
Well, if Stafford is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Stafford will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Belfort on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Stafford is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Stafford passes to side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stafford trying to control the action but Belfort is working from the bottom.

Stafford stands up and beckons Belfort to his feet.
Belfort 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.

Belfort gets tackled into the cage by Stafford. Stafford maintains the clinch.
Stafford tries to circle away but Belfort has him pinned against the cage.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Stafford has Belfort pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Belfort manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stafford manages to break the clinch.
Stafford throws a solid leg kick but Belfort takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Stafford.
Belfort looks to clinch

and Stafford counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stafford chips away with some ground and pound.
Stafford has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Stafford controlling from the top position.
Belfort tries to land a sweep but no joy.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stafford tries to free his leg and advance position but Belfort is retaining full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roosevelt Stafford dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Stafford tries to land a leg kick but Belfort saw it coming and moves away.
Belfort throws a right and a left that Stafford avoids nicely.
Belfort shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Belfort takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Stafford closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Belfort quickly recovers to half guard.
Roosevelt Stafford overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Stafford trying to control the pace.
Stafford trying to pass the guard but Belfort defending well.
Belfort is breathing heavily.
Stafford working the head and body with strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stafford sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Stafford lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Belfort won't allow Stafford to pass to mount.
Stafford working the head and body with strikes.
Stafford lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Stafford looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

Stafford looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Stafford is controlling the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stafford's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Stafford moves nicely into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belfort tries to improve position but can't.
Stafford working the ground and pound.
Stafford wants to lay and pray for a moment but Belfort keeps working.
Belfort being controlled for a moment.
Stafford wants to control but Belfort is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stafford moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Stafford wants to lay and pray for a moment but Belfort keeps working.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Roosevelt Stafford wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Stafford shoots in looking for a takedown but Belfort manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Stafford's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Belfort fails in his attempt to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roosevelt Stafford dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Stafford is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Stafford shoots in looking for a takedown but Belfort manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Stafford's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Belfort closes this distance looking for a takedown but Stafford circles away.
Belfort fails with the takedown.
Belfort tries to land a front kick but Stafford steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

Stafford fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Belfort sprawls well initially but Stafford persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Stafford controlling the action here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belfort takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Roosevelt Stafford just wasn't active enough.
Stafford throws a head kick that misses.
Stafford shoots in for a double leg but Belfort sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Belfort shoots in looking for a takedown but Stafford manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Belfort's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Roosevelt Stafford has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vitor Belfort.
Belfort blocks a head kick by Stafford.
Stafford throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Stafford clinches up against the cage.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Stafford takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

Stafford has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Belfort clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Belfort tries to escape the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stafford loading up with punches from the back mount - how long can Belfort hold on?

Stafford tightening his grip on Belfort, looking for the choke.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Stafford is looking to finish with some ground and pound!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stafford is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Belfort has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

Stafford is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Belfort is defending well though. Stafford let's go of the attempt for now.

Stafford looking for the RNC.
Stafford controlling well, preventing Belfort from escaping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Belfort is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
I really don't envy Belfort right now.

Belfort is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Stafford gets his hooks in and is throwing strikes.
Vitor Belfort has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Roosevelt Stafford is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Stafford looking for the RNC.

And that's the end of the fight!
Roosevelt Stafford showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Stafford has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Daniel Cesar scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Roosevelt Stafford!