PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between John Bridge (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Xavier Belial (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). John Bridge has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Bridge
vs
Belial

175 cm
19
185 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

182 cm
24
185 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Knockout power

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 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, John Bridge!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Xavier Belial!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, William Peck and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Belial lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Belial lands a head kick!
Bridge shoots in but no luck this time.
Bridge fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Belial fakes the leg kick and cracks Bridge in the body.
Bridge has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Bridge there as he acknowledges the shot.
Belial keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Bridge. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bridge is breathing heavily.

Belial moves into the clinch.

Belial pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Belial lands a head kick. Bridge smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

Belial rushes Bridge and presses him up against the cage.

Belial breaks the clinch.

Bridge fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Belial sprawls well initially but Bridge persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Belial makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!

Belial has managed to clinch.

Belial's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Belial throws a head kick that half lands.

It looks like John Bridge has been cut.

Belial closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Bridge is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Belial pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Belial breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Belial closes the distance and pushes Bridge back into the cage.

Belial escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Belial clinches up with Bridge and pushes him back against the cage.

Belial's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Danga de danga de dang - Belial scores with a four punch combination!
A head kick from Belial lands but Bridge takes it in his stride.
Bridge takes a head kick and keeps coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Belial gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Belial breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Bridge fails with a takedown attempt.
Belial plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

Belial has closed the distance and engaged Bridge in a clinch.
Bridge goes for a takedown in the clinch but Belial prevents it.
Belial landing knees to the head.
Belial lands a knee to the head.
Bridge tries for a takedown. No joy.

Belial pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Belial clinches up with Bridge and pushes him back against the cage.
A short uppercut from Belial.

Belial pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Belial fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Bridge, pushing him back against the cage.
Belial trying to control the position but instead, Bridge has worked for underhooks and has pushed Belial into the cage.
Belial throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Bridge blocks it with crossed arms.
Bridge has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Belial avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Belial breaks from the clinch.

Belial clinches.
Bridge can't get the takedown.
Bridge drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A knee to the head by Belial.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Belial's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Belial closes the distance and clinches.
Bridge has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Belial avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Belial breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Belial lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

Belial pushes Bridge up against the cage in a clinch.
Belial tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Belial manages to break the clinch.
Belial throws a combination. Bridge tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Belial has closed the distance and engaged Bridge in a clinch.

Belial breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Bridge fails with the takedown.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
A left and a right from Belial both land. Nice combination.

Belial clinches up with Bridge and pushes him back against the cage.
Bridge is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Belial with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Belial tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Bridge is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Belial pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Belial misses with a knee to the head.
Belial tries a knee to the head but Bridge blocks it.
Bridge can't get the takedown.

Bridge gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bridge is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Belial is trying to stand back up but Bridge is controlling him
Belial controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Bridge is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Belial has managed to free his arm - good work.
Belial gets full guard.

Belial pushes Bridge off and gets back to his feet.
Bridge fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Belial throws a nice head kick!
Belial dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Bridge fails with the takedown.
Belial throws a nice head kick!
Belial lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Xavier Belial is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Belial scores with a one two! Bridge had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

Bridge feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Belial wants to stand up but Bridge is controlling him.

Belial escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Bridge gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Bridge drops back looking for a leg! Belial is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Belial manages to kick Bridge off! Bridge jumps back into Belial's guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bridge throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xavier Belial dominated that round.
The cut man is working on John Bridge's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Bridge takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Belial tries to clinch up.

Belial clinches.

Bridge is trying to trip Belial. He has hold of a leg but Belial is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Bridge persists though and gets the takedown into guard.

Belial working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Bridge doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Bridge manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Belial is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Bridge is pushing down on Belial's leg trying to pass to half guard. Belial is fighting to maintain full guard but Bridge has managed to sneak the leg through.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bridge is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

Bridge is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Belial defends it well.
Bridge missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Belial controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bridge throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Belial moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Belial get's back to his feet.
Belial throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Bridge's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Belial breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Bridge changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Belial tries to avoid it but Bridge manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Belial to the ground. Belial escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Belial creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Bridge's defenses.
Belial wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Belial gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Bridge.
Bridge is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Bridge. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Belial looking to throw knees to the head but Bridge is blocking nicely.

Belial's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Belial gets a clinch.

Belial breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Belial keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Belial tries to clinch up but Bridge circles away and keeps his distance.
Belial throws a head kick that half lands.
Nice sprawl there from Belial as Bridge shoots in.

Belial drives through and clinches with Bridge against the cage.
Belial gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Bridge.

Belial's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belial throws a one two combo.
Bridge fails with a takedown attempt.
Bridge drops his hands momentarily and Belial takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Xavier Belial seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Belial forces Bridge back against the cage and clinches.

Belial escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Bridge closes this distance looking for a takedown but Belial circles away.

Belial rushes Bridge and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Belial landing knees to the head.

Bridge has picked Belial up - he's going for a ride! Bridge dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

Belial is defending against the submission attempts here by Bridge.
Belial works his way to full guard. Good work.

Bridge drops back looking for a leg! Belial is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Belial manages to kick Bridge off! Bridge jumps back into Belial's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Belial has his foot on Bridge's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Bridge works his way back into a safe position though.
Xavier Belial has got the better of the ground game so far.
Belial is trying to control the position but Bridge postures up.

Belial has his foot on Bridge's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Bridge works his way back into a safe position though.
Bridge working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Belial's head.

Bridge drops back, looking for a kneebar! Belial looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Belial looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Belial!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bridge is looking for a sweep.
Bridge is working hard here to advance position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Belial lands an elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xavier Belial showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on John Bridge's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Belial closes the distance and pushes Bridge back into the cage.
Bridge has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Belial avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Bridge has Belial pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Belial manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Belial breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Belial lands a head kick!

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Belial breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Belial throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Bridge takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

Belial pushes Bridge up against the cage in a clinch.
Bridge prevents Belial from breaking the clinch.
Bridge looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Bridge. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Belial wants to get back to striking at distance but Bridge won't allow it.
Belial is looking to control Bridge's arms but Bridge gets an underhook and turns him. Now Belial has his back to the cage.

Belial escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Belial closes the distance and pushes Bridge back into the cage.
Bridge has Belial pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Belial manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Bridge has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Belial avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Belial pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Belial moves into the clinch.

Belial manages to break the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Belial plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Bridge shoots in looking for a takedown. Belial tries to sprawl out of it but Bridge keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Belial manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bridge shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Belial pinned against the cage. Belial gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Belial has Bridge up against the cage in a clinch.
Belial lands an elbow just above Bridge 's eye.
Belial lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Belial with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Bridge has picked Belial up - he's going for a ride! Bridge dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Bridge missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Bridge seems to be working for a kimura but Belial defends the submission attempt.
Bridge thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Belial's head.

Bridge wants to work for an arm triangle but Belial is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Belial looks like he's trying to stand up.
John Bridge has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Belial manages to get to full guard.
Belial wants to stand but Bridge is controlling the position.
Bridge pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Belial is keeping the position for now.

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

Belial moves into the clinch successfully.
Belial has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Bridge gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Belial seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

Belial throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

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

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:03 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Xavier Belial!