PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jake Belcher (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jeff Probst (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Belcher
vs
Probst

180 cm
25
181 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
173 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Leviathan Clothing
Ace of Spades

Leviathan Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight 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 The Island, Jake Belcher!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Jeff Probst!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Michael Johnstone and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Probst gets caught flat footed, as Belcher shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Probst has control of Belcher's left arm, preventing Belcher from doing any damage.
Probst keeping full guard, as Belcher tries to pass.
Belcher trying to control the position from guard on top but Probst is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Belcher working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Belcher pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Probst is keeping the position for now.
Belcher has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Belcher engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Probst keeping full guard, as Belcher tries to pass.
Probst looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Probst holds on and takes a little breather.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Belcher wants to control from the top but Probst keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Belcher manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Probst on his heels. He'll look to pass Probst's guard now, I'm sure.
Belcher wants to pass the guard but Probst is keeping the position.
Probst keeping moving, preventing Belcher from controlling successfully.
Belcher lands a couple of elbows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Belcher pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Probst is keeping the position for now.
Probst keeping moving, preventing Belcher from controlling successfully.
Belcher wants to pass the guard but Probst is keeping the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Belcher stands and throws Probst's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Belcher scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Probst to see if he's OK.
Probst is looking to regain half guard here but Belcher keeps moving and retains side control.
Belcher tries to score with some ground and pound. Probst controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belcher throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Probst works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Probst taking some punishment here, with Belcher in his half guard.

Probst looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Belcher controlling the action here.

Belcher is trying to work for a kimura but Probst is defending well.
Probst trying to control here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Belcher is looking to pass Probst's guard but actually Probst recovers to full guard.
Probst working a defensive guard but Belcher manages to pass into side control anyway.
Probst taking punishment in the form of punches.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Belcher advances nicely into full mount.
Belcher throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jake Belcher dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Belcher looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Probst is fending him off so far but Belcher persists. Nope, Probst circles away and we're back to standing.
Probst with the counter takedown but Belcher avoids it easily.
Belcher throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Probst's waist but Probst gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Belcher off to one side.
Probst is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

Belcher shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Belcher was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Belcher working the strikes but Probst uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Belcher is trying to control the action in half guard but Probst is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Probst is trying to maintain the position but Belcher is very close to passing his half guard.
Probst is controlling Belcher's trapped leg to prevent Belcher from advancing to side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Probst is staying active underneath Belcher, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Belcher is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Probst can do to turn this around?
Probst wants to control but Belcher is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belcher wants to control but Probst is keeping him busy.
Probst trying to hold on to Belcher's head to control him but Belcher postures up.
Probst avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Belcher.
Probst on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Probst actively working from the bottom here.
Belcher lands strikes from half guard.
Belcher passes to side control.
Probst prevents Belcher from improving position.
You can see the frustration on Probst's face as Belcher controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A control attempt from Probst but he's now mounted!
Belcher with shots to the head and body - Probst looks very uncomfortable down there.
Belcher controlling the pace for now.
Belcher wants to control the pace but Probst is squirming around nicely.
Probst tries to lock up and control but Belcher gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Probst is bucking up trying to escape but Belcher cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Belcher trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Belcher in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Probst holds on for dear life, controlling Belcher's posture momentarily.
Belcher wants to control the pace but Probst is squirming around nicely.
Belcher pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Probst is squirming around, avoiding Belcher's attempts to control the action.
Jake Belcher overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Belcher lands a big elbow.
Belcher lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.

Belcher looking to secure an arm triangle but Probst defends it well.
Probst wants to control but Belcher is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Probst is in all sorts of trouble here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Belcher dominating with strikes here.
Belcher landing strikes from the mount.
Belcher postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Probst looks a forlorn figure.
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!
Poor strikes thrown by Belcher there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Belcher lands a couple of good shots and Probst has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
A bit of a pause in the action here. Belcher controlling the positon.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jake Belcher dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action!

A slow jab from Probst misses its intended target.
No luck for Belcher with that takedown attempt.
Belcher looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Probst is fending him off so far but Belcher persists. Nope, Probst circles away and we're back to standing.
Belcher tries to score a power double leg takedown but Probst sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Belcher somewhat.
Probst is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jake Belcher. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Belcher fails with a takedown attempt.
Belcher is trying hard to land a takedown here. Probst sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belcher shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Probst pinned against the cage. Probst gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Probst tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Belcher was well out of range. Poor timing from Probst.
Belcher attempts a counter takedown but Probst avoids it well and moves away.
Belcher will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Probst changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

Probst gets the takedown into side control.
Probst tries to move into full mount but can't pass Belcher's legs.
Probst misses with the ground and pound.
Probst has control of an arm but Belcher manages to advance to Probst's back!
Probst turns into Belcher and is now in his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Belcher is on top in guard.

Belcher looking to pass the guard.
Belcher is looking to work some ground and pound but Probst has wrist control.

Belcher avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Belcher pushes down on Probst's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Probst looking for submissions off his back.
Probst keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Probst wants to control but Belcher is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Belcher throwing shots but Probst is blocking nicely.
Belcher looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Probst with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Belcher is trying to control the action in half guard but Probst is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Belcher is figuring out what he wants to do next.

Belcher is working for a kimura from half guard. He's really concentrating on the hold and it's allowed Probst to slip a leg under and get back to full guard.
Belcher postures up in Probst's guard and throws a big left but Probst blocks it.
Belcher pushes down on Probst's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Probst looking for submissions off his back.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Belcher trying to advance position but Probst counters by regaining guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Belcher shoots for a double leg takedown but Probst sprawls well. He's pushed Belcher's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Probst misses the shot to the body.
Probst throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Belcher feinted with a counter takedown.

Belcher drives through with a takedown into Probst's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Belcher got a little sloppy there for a moment and Probst has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Belcher has managed to get both his arms back between Probst's legs - danger averted.
Probst is trying to keep Belcher in close.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Probst tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Belcher wants to control from the top but Probst keeps moving.
Probst pulls Belcher in to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belcher wants to pass the guard but Probst is keeping the position.
Probst utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Belcher working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Belcher is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Belcher postures up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Belcher dives in and grabs Probst's left leg, looking for a takedown. Probst pushes down on Belcher's head and hops out.
Probst feints the counter takedown.
Nice sprawl there from Probst as Belcher shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jake Belcher. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Belcher decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Probst is looking to improve his position.

Probst actively working from the bottom here.
Belcher is nestled in close to Probst, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Belcher missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Probst is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Belcher looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Probst with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Belcher thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Probst is not content to let Belcher control the position.
Belcher content to control rather than advance.
Belcher seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Probst for as long as he can get away with.

Belcher is looking for a kimura but Probst is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Belcher to get the leverage.
Belcher seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Belcher not landing any meaningful shots this time.

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 thwarting Probst's attempts to control the position.
Belcher perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Belcher seems to be working for a kimura but Probst defends the submission attempt.
Probst trying to control from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Probst will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Belcher feinted with a counter takedown.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Belcher tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Probst defends well and Belcher ends up having to push Probst into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Belcher tries for a takedown but Probst sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jake Belcher had his way with Jeff Probst in that 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. This is the final round!

Probst misses with a right hand

and Belcher counters with a shoot takedown. Probst fights it but they end up in guard.
Probst keeping full guard, as Belcher tries to pass.
Probst has his hands on Belcher's head, controlling the position.
Belcher is looking to work some ground and pound but Probst has wrist control.
Belcher trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Probst is working actively from the bottom, looking for submissions. He's escaped his hips to the side and he's going for an armbar! Belcher has his hands clasped together but Probst extends and breaks Belcher's desperate grasp, forcing a tap out due to armbar! Nice BJJ displayed there by Probst.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:59 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Jeff Probst!
Jeff Probst is the new welterweight champion!