PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Matt Moke (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zach Belica (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Moke comes into the arena with Jarrid Mendelson - The Ultimate Fighter blaring out of the sound system. Zach Belica acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the ring.

Moke
vs
Belica

178 cm
25
200 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

188 cm
19
191 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Matt Moke!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Zach Belica!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Shigeki Sano and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Belica scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Belica misses with a few strikes there.
Moke went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Moke is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Belica throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Belica scores with a three punch combo!
No joy there for Belica, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Moke seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Moke tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Belica manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Moke takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Belica throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Belica leaves Moke with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Moke.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Moke shoots for a double leg takedown but Belica sprawls well. He's pushed Moke's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matt Moke. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Belica lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Moke dives in for a single leg takedown but Belica sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the ropes.
Belica unleashes a big counter combination but Moke bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Belica moves out of range of the strikes.
Belica lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Moke.
Belica has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Moke is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Moke dives in for a single leg takedown but Belica sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the ropes.
Moke wants to clinch but Belica slips to the side
and Belica counters with a two punch combo.

Moke is rocked!
Moke goes for a double leg but Belica avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the ropes as Belica continues to drive forward.
Moke shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Belica sprawls well. Belica wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Moke gets slowly back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Belica lands with a nice body punch.
Belica swinging wildly here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Moke tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Belica manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Moke shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Belica but Belica pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Belica unleashes a big counter combination but Moke bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Belica, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Moke throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Belica's waist but Belica gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Moke off to one side.
Despite the aggression on Belica's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Moke shoots in for a takedown but Belica shows good takedown defense.
Moke fails with an attempt to clinch.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Belica is defended easily by Moke.
Moke misses with a takedown attempt

and Belica counters by clinching up.
Belica lands a left hand that snaps the head of Moke backwards.

Moke breaks from the clinch.
Moke misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Belica moves into the clinch successfully.
Belica pushes Moke back against the ropes and unloads with a body punch.
Belica is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.

Moke breaks from the clinch.

Belica moves into the clinch.

Belica breaks the clinch.
Belica misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Moke is looking to counter the offense by Belica and move into the clinch.
Moke closes this distance looking for a takedown but Belica circles away.
Matt Moke seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Moke is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zach Belica dominated that round.
That's time! Moke's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Moke tries for a takedown but Belica sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Sloppy strikes from Belica. Those never looked like landing.
Moke lands with a thumping leg kick.
Moke misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Belica gets tackled into the ropes by Moke. Moke maintains the clinch.

Moke breaks from the clinch.
Belica misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Moke fires out a quick counter leg kick but Belica just manages to avoid it.
Matt Moke is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Moke darts in looking for a takedown but Belica gets double underhooks and turns Moke into the ropes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Belica looks for a takedown but Moke sprawls well.
Moke throws a sloppy head kick and Belica moves out of range easily.
Despite the aggression on Belica's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck for Moke with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matt Moke. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Belica misses with a series of wild punches.
As Belica tries to get set, Moke tries to push him back and clinch up but Belica manages to avoid the attempt.
Zach Belica seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A punch combination from Belica misses.
Moke tries to clinch but Belica moves out of range.
Belica is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Moke tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Belica manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Despite the aggression on Belica's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Moke shoots in for a takedown but Belica shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Belica scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Moke avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Belica.
Belica is trying to control. Moke wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Belica missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Moke is staying active underneath Belica, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Moke pushes Belica off looking to stand but Belica dives back in and keeps control.
Belica scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Moke is in trouble now - Belica has advanced to mount!

Belica looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Belica tries to control but Moke wriggling away.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Moke defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Belica.
Moke avoids a series of strikes thrown by Belica.
Belica thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Belica misses with a head shot.
Belica looking to ground and pound but Moke is blocking nicely.
Belica trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Moke is looking to improve his position but Belica isn't that keen on the idea.
Belica throws some wild stikes that Moke manages to avoid easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Belica thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Belica has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Moke blocking the ground and pound.
Poor strikes thrown by Belica there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Moke is trying desperately to improve position.

Belica working for a guillotine from mount but Moke is in no mood to give up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Moke is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
A nice elbow there by Belica.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zach Belica showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Belica swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Moke wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.

Belica takes the fight into the clinch.
Belica tries to circle away but Moke has him pinned against the ropes.
Belica wants to break free but Moke has control.
Belica wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Belica working hard to break the clinch.
Belica wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Moke has him pressed against the ropes.
Moke is working for takedown but Belica is calmly controlling the position for now.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Belica wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Moke has him pressed against the ropes.
Belica tries to break free but Moke pushes him back against the ropes.
Belica holding his opponent close, against the ropes.
Belica wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Belica breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Moke dives in for a single leg takedown but Belica sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the ropes.
Belica wants to counter the offense by Moke and move into the clinch position.
Belica lands a right hook to the body.

Moke drives through with a takedown into guard.

Belica is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Zach Belica has got the better of the ground game so far.

Moke postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Belica is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Moke, into his guard.

Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Moke bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Belica's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Moke keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Belica's head.
Moke wants to control from the top but Belica keeps moving.

Belica looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Moke avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Moke gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Moke - that will leave a mark!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Moke will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Belica is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matt Moke. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Moke shoots in for a takedown but Belica shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Belica on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Belica swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Moke avoids a punch combination nicely.
Belica stuffs the takedown attempt from Moke. Moke gets slowly back to his feet.
Belica unleashes a big counter combination but Moke bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Belica pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Moke back to the ropes. Belica follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Zach Belica is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Belica gets the takedown into side control.
Belica wants to lay and pray for a moment but Moke keeps working.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Belica is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Moke has escaped the position, nice work there.
Belica in side control lands a decent elbow.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Belica tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

Belica has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zach Belica comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Belica has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Shirou Masuda scores the fight for Zach Belica!
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight for Zach Belica!
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight for Zach Belica!

Zach Belica wins by unanimous decision!
Matt Moke was interviewed post fight and said 'My opponent clearly outclassed me today, and fair play to him.'.