PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Stephen Bain (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tim Belfort (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Belfort has chosen Downfall as his entrance music. Tim Belfort will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Bain
vs
Belfort

225 cm
20
235 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

190 cm
20
235 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

BLOODCLOT FIGHT GEAR

5th Round

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Stephen Bain!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tim Belfort!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Robert Twigg and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Bain closes the distance and clinches.
Bain takes an elbow to the temple.
Bain changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Belfort fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Bain scores with a jab.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Belfort.
Belfort closes the distance and clinches up with Bain, looking for a takedown. Belfort pushes Bain against the ropes but Bain circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Belfort shoots in but Bain avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Stephen Bain has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tim Belfort.
Belfort fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Bain checks it well.
Belfort throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
The fight stays on the outside here - Bain looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Bain fails with the takedown.
Tim Belfort seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Belfort darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

Belfort is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Bain wants to improve his position but Belfort is controlling well.
Bain is working hard here to advance position.
Belfort winds up and cracks Bain with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Bain is trying to get back to full guard.
Belfort seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Bain does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bain moves into full guard.
Bain is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Belfort is looking to stand up but Bain won't let him.
Belfort preventing the sweep.
Bain is breathing heavily.

Bain has an active guard here but Belfort has managed to pass into half guard.
Belfort lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Belfort wants to stand but Bain has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belfort 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.
Bain missing with punches from the bottom.

Belfort stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Bain to get to his feet.
Belfort tries for a takedown but Bain circles away easily

and Bain counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Belfort is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Bain's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Bain's back!
Bain tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Belfort lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Bain hang on?
Belfort landing punches.
Belfort lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bain keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Belfort scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Bain?
Belfort with the ground and pound from mount.
Belfort looking to control but Bain is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Belfort has his opponent pinned against the ropes, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Bain's face.
Bain is looking to improve his position but Belfort isn't that keen on the idea.
Belfort controlling from mount.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Belfort working away from the top, dropping strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Belfort misses with a takedown attempt - Bain sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Belfort fails with the takedown

and Bain counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Bain.

Bain drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Belfort manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Bain has Belfort in his guard.
Belfort stands up over Bain, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Bain really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Bain manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Belfort tries to hold on but Bain postures up.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Belfort is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bain thowing shots but they're missing.

Bain jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Belfort is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Belfort and Bain has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Belfort is trying to control Bain's posture but Bain avoids it.
Belfort is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Bain is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Belfort is trying to stand back up but Bain is controlling him

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Belfort is trying is best to control the position here.
Bain thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Belfort's head.
Bain working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Belfort's thigh. Belfort counters though and makes it back to full guard.

Belfort looking for a guillotine here but Bain defends easily.

Belfort is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Bain stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Belfort swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bain looking to sit in guard and control but Belfort gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Belfort with a nice head shot there.
Bain trying to keep a closed guard but Belfort is proving a slippery customer.
Bain trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Bain will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Belfort stopping the sweep attempt from Bain.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Belfort tries to clinch

and Bain counters with a single leg into guard. Belfort didn't expect that.
Belfort keeping moving, preventing Bain from controlling successfully.
Bain in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Belfort is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Bain wants to control from the top but Belfort keeps moving.
Belfort 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.
Belfort not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Bain postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Belfort is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Bain, into his guard.
Belfort wants to control from the top but Bain keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stephen Bain dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Belfort tries for a takedown but Bain sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Bain clinches but Belfort breaks the clinch

and Belfort moves into the clinch.

Bain manages to break the clinch.
Nice takedown defense from Bain. No joy for Belfort on that attempt.
Belfort tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Bain swivels and escapes.
Stephen Bain has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tim Belfort.
Belfort fails to land the takedown.
Belfort fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bain moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bain instigates a clinch.

Belfort has hold of one of Bain's legs. Bain is fighting the takedown attempt but Belfort gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.

Bain is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Bain working for submissions but it's allowed Belfort to get to half guard.
Belfort drops an elbow to the side of Bain's head.

Bain is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Belfort pulls his head out easily.
Belfort slows the pace down in half guard.
Bain keeping hold of Belfort's head, controlling as best he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Belfort looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Bain is not content to let Belfort control the position.
Belfort slips a nice elbow through Bain's hands, connecting with Bain's forehead.
Belfort slips a nice elbow through Bain's hands, connecting with Bain's forehead.
Belfort wants to lay and pray for a moment but Bain keeps working.
Bain is looking to improve his position.
Bain trying to get back to full guard but Belfort takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bain tries to lock up and control but Belfort gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Bain is squirming around, avoiding Belfort's attempts to control the action.
Belfort is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Bain tries to hold on but Belfort postures up.
Belfort with shots to the head and body - Bain looks very uncomfortable down there.
Bain throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Belfort putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Belfort raining down shots from the mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bain wants to hold on but Belfort pushes him away.
Bain flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Belfort fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Belfort looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Bain taking shots to the head.

Belfort working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Bain is trying to escape the mount.
Tim Belfort has got the better of the ground game so far.
Bain swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Belfort scores with a couple of good head shots there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Bain circles away from the clinch attempt
and Bain connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Belfort is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Bain misses with a body kick.
Belfort tries to clinch up
enabling Bain to counter with a crisp jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Belfort darts in trying to clinch
and Bain counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belfort shoots and misses
and Bain cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Belfort wants to clinch

and Bain counters with a shoot takedown. Belfort fights it but they end up in guard.

Belfort is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Bain scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Belfort is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Bain is working Belfort over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Bain tries to free his leg and advance position but Belfort is retaining full guard.
Bain trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Bain lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Belfort is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Bain lands a couple of elbows.
Belfort wants to stand and escape but Bain is having none of it.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Belfort tries for a takedown but Bain circles away easily
and Bain counters with a series of strikes. Belfort will be more careful next time no doubt.
Bain misses with a few strikes there.
Bain is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Belfort with a lazy takedown attempt

and Bain counters with a nice double leg into side control. Belfort won't be happy with that.
Stephen Bain has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tim Belfort.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bain working away.
Belfort taking punishment in the form of punches.
Bain grinds an elbow into Belfort's temple.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belfort is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Ground and pound from Bain.
Belfort is on the bottom, trying to hold on to half guard. He's throwing a few small shots here, to keep his opponent honest.
Bain passes the guard and advances to mount!
Bain landing punches.
Bain trying to control but Belfort is having none of it.
Bain sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Belfort wants to hold on but Bain pushes him away.

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.
Bain scoring with strikes but Belfort is staying in there.
Bain avoids the attempt from Belfort to control.
Belfort takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Bain cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Belfort is desperately trying to improve his position but Bain has a good base and remains in mount.
Belfort tries to hold on but Bain pushes him away.
Bain is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Bain punishing his opponent with strikes.
Belfort is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Belfort is trying to escape the mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stephen Bain had his way with Tim Belfort in that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Belfort shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Belfort trying to control the position from guard on top but Bain is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bain trying to control the position.

Belfort is trying to tuck his arms in to keep them safe but Bain has managed to isolate one of them and has got a loose triangle. Belfort is looking to defend but Bain has done well to lock his legs together - this could be big trouble for Belfort! Bain pulls down on the head and a little smile comes across his face - he knows he's got it. Yep, Belfort taps out and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:44 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Stephen Bain!
Stephen Bain is the new heavyweight champion!