PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Steve Prefontaine (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vitor Belfort (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Prefontaine
vs
Belfort

187 cm
22
194 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

183 cm
22
196 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Prefers standup

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Steve Prefontaine!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Vitor Belfort!
The judges for this bout are , and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice body punch from Prefontaine.
Belfort tries to clinch up but Prefontaine circles away and keeps his distance.
Prefontaine is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A combination from Prefontaine does no damage.
Prefontaine throws a nice looking combination but Belfort bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Prefontaine fails with the takedown.

Prefontaine changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Belfort looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Belfort is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Prefontaine tries to advance to mount but Belfort denies him.
Belfort wants to get back to his feet but Prefontaine is dominant here and he's now got Belfort's back!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Prefontaine 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.
Belfort is trying to get back to his feet but Prefontaine has full control of the position and if anything, Belfort has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Prefontaine seems to be going for a rear naked choke. He has an arm under Belfort's chin but Belfort turns very nicely into Prefontaine's guard. Good BJJ skills being displayed there by Belfort.

Prefontaine is working an open guard so Belfort takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Prefontaine swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Prefontaine swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Prefontaine looks for a takedown but Belfort sprawls well.
Prefontaine is breathing heavily.
Prefontaine tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Belfort moves into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Belfort keeps control of Prefontaine as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Belfort avoiding damage.
Prefontaine drops down looking for an ankle pick but Belfort pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steve Prefontaine. That's going to take a lot out of him.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Prefontaine manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Prefontaine is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Belfort gets to his feet. Prefontaine looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Belfort darts in trying to clinch

and Prefontaine counters by moving into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Prefontaine tries to pull guard but Belfort won't allow it.
Belfort taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Belfort is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Prefontaine is trying to drag Belfort to the mat but Belfort just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Belfort is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

Prefontaine breaks from the clinch.
Prefontaine doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Belfort counters by clinching up.
Stalling in the clinch from Belfort.
Belfort continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Vitor Belfort.
Prefontaine fails with the takedown

and Belfort counters by moving into the clinch.
Belfort will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Prefontaine up against the cage.
Belfort receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
Prefontaine has had enough of the clinch but Belfort keeps him there for the moment.
The referee calls for Belfort to work.
Belfort stalling in the clinch but Prefontaine improves position.

Prefontaine pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Prefontaine throws a left and a right that both miss

and Belfort holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Steve Prefontaine will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Prefontaine throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Belfort counters by clinching up.
Prefontaine is trying to break the clinch but Belfort has him pressed against the cage.
Prefontaine is trying to drag Belfort to the mat but Belfort just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Belfort gets underhooks to prevent Prefontaine's takedown attempt.
Belfort avoiding damage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Vitor Belfort.
Prefontaine misses with a takedown attempt

and Belfort counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steve Prefontaine. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Belfort trying to stall but Prefontaine improves his position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Belfort stops a takedown attempt from Prefontaine.
Belfort is trying to stall.
Belfort unloads a knee to the mid-section. Prefontaine lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Prefontaine is trying to drag Belfort to the mat but Belfort just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Belfort just leaning against Prefontaine, taking a breather.
The crowd are getting on Belfort's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Vitor Belfort.

Prefontaine has taken the fight to the clinch.
Belfort is trying to stall.

Prefontaine wants the takedown. Belfort is fighting it off but Prefontaine persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Belfort's guard against the cage.
Belfort is looking to stand up but Prefontaine isn't so interested in that idea.
Belfort utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Belfort is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Prefontaine is controlling him.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Prefontaine trying to control the position from guard on top but Belfort is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Prefontaine tries to free his leg and advance position but Belfort is retaining full guard.
Prefontaine won't allow Belfort to get back to his feet.
Prefontaine tries to stand but Belfort is controlling from the bottom.
Belfort is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Prefontaine is controlling him.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Prefontaine doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Belfort counters by clinching up.
Prefontaine tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Belfort is trying to maintain a safe position but Prefontaine gets an underhook and turns Belfort into the cage.
Prefontaine has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Belfort avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Prefontaine wants a takedown but no success here.
Belfort's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

Prefontaine turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Belfort is trying to buck Prefontaine off.
Prefontaine in side control, throwing shots but Belfort defends.
Belfort manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Prefontaine wants to improve his position but Belfort is controlling well.

Belfort stands up out of the half guard.
Prefontaine throws a left and a right that both miss

and Belfort counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Prefontaine just leaning against Belfort, taking a breather.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Belfort is trying to maintain a safe position but Prefontaine gets an underhook and turns Belfort into the cage.
Prefontaine drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Prefontaine's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Prefontaine tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Belfort just stands there and leans against the cage.
Prefontaine tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Belfort smiles and moves away.
Belfort tries to close the distance and clinch but Prefontaine swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Prefontaine falls off balance throwing a combination

and Belfort counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vitor Belfort showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Belfort doesn't manage to clinch there - Prefontaine circles away.
Prefontaine tries to close the distance and clinch but Belfort swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Prefontaine throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Belfort moves into the clinch.
Prefontaine wants a takedown.
Belfort's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Prefontaine goes for a takedown in the clinch but Belfort prevents it.
Prefontaine fails to pull guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steve Prefontaine. 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.
Belfort stalling in the clinch.

Prefontaine breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Belfort slips a jab and a cross from Prefontaine.
Prefontaine throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Prefontaine misses with the body kick

and Belfort counters by moving into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belfort stops a takedown attempt from Prefontaine.
Prefontaine wants a takedown.
Belfort is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Prefontaine is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Belfort pulls him back up using the underhooks.
The is referee keeping an eye on Belfort - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Vitor Belfort.
Prefontaine throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Belfort moves into the clinch.
Belfort will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Prefontaine up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Prefontaine drops down looking for an ankle pick but Belfort pulls his leg out and moves away.
Prefontaine misses with a double jab

and Belfort counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Belfort.
Belfort is looking to control Prefontaine's arms but Prefontaine gets an underhook and turns him. Now Belfort has his back to the cage.
Prefontaine tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Come on Belfort - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Belfort prevents Prefontaine from breaking the clinch.

Prefontaine is trying to trip Belfort. He has hold of a leg but Belfort is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Prefontaine persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Prefontaine tries to free his leg and advance position but Belfort is retaining full guard.
Prefontaine working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Belfort uses the cage to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Prefontaine doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Belfort counters by moving into the clinch.
Prefontaine is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Belfort slowing the pace effectively.
Prefontaine controlling the action here for a moment.
Prefontaine wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Belfort stalling against the cage.

Prefontaine jumps guard and drags Belfort to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Belfort avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Belfort stands up and waves to Prefontaine to follow him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Prefontaine tries a head kick but it misses.
Belfort tries to clinch but Prefontaine moves away
and Prefontaine counters with a nice body kick.
Vitor Belfort is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Prefontaine shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Belfort counters by moving into the clinch.
Prefontaine tries to pull guard but Belfort won't allow it.
Prefontaine tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Belfort just stands there and leans against the cage.
Belfort is trying to maintain a safe position but Prefontaine gets an underhook and turns Belfort into the cage.
Prefontaine fails to pull the fight into his guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vitor Belfort comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Belfort has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Suge Night scores the fight 28:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vitor Belfort!