PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Thiago Belfort (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Harold Slasher (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Belfort
vs
Slasher

187 cm
22
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
22
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Thiago Belfort!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Harold Slasher!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Franklyn Lucas and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Belfort lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

Belfort drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Slasher is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Belfort stopping the sweep attempt from Slasher.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belfort stands and throws Slasher's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Belfort is trying to get an arm triangle but Slasher is defending well.

Belfort goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Slasher has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Belfort but great work by Slasher.
Slasher controls the position from side control.
Slasher throwing shots but missing, from side control.

That's two 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.
Belfort looks to move to half guard but instead Slasher has passed into mount! Damn!
Slasher takes Belfort's back.
Belfort staying busy and making it hard for Slasher to control.
Belfort controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
Belfort tries to escape but Slasher has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Slasher doesn't have the hooks in and Belfort manages to turn into his guard.
Slasher 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 throwing strikes from guard but Slasher blocks nicely.
Belfort trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
A head kick misses from Slasher.
Belfort shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Slasher defends it nicely.
Slasher slaps away a takedown attempt from Belfort, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Belfort punishes Slasher's body with a nice straight punch.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Belfort.
Thiago Belfort seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Belfort tries to score with a low kick but Slasher moves his leg out of the way.
Belfort will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thiago Belfort. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Belfort closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Slasher did well to prevent Belfort getting side control.
Belfort works his way into side control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Slasher gets back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thiago Belfort dominated 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.

Belfort misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Belfort fails with a takedown attempt.
Some wild striking there from Belfort.
Belfort changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Slasher tries to avoid it but Belfort manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Slasher to the ground. Slasher escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Belfort scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Belfort scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Belfort goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Slasher has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Belfort but great work by Slasher.
Slasher wants to control but Belfort is keeping him busy.
Belfort tries to buck Slasher off but Slasher is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Slasher trying to control the position but Belfort is working away.
Belfort is trying to get back to half guard.
Slasher is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Belfort will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Slasher is looking to take a break and control but Belfort is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Belfort is looking to reverse the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Belfort is working hard here to advance position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Slasher slaps away a takedown attempt from Belfort, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thiago Belfort. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Belfort thows a body shot but no joy.
Belfort blocks a head kick by Slasher.

Slasher gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Belfort to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Slasher pulls Belfort in close to prevent any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Slasher manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Belfort is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Belfort keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Belfort is trying to reverse the position but instead Slasher has taken his back - oops!
Slasher controlling the position well here. Belfort rolled but Slasher kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Belfort tries to escape the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Belfort has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Thiago Belfort will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Belfort wants to clinch up but Slasher keeps it at a distance.
Belfort throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Slasher's waist but Slasher gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Belfort off to one side.
Slasher throws a sloppy head kick and Belfort moves out of range easily.
Belfort tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Slasher swivels and escapes.
Nice sprawl there from Slasher as Belfort shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thiago Belfort. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Belfort goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Belfort avoids the head kick by Slasher.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Belfort is looking to clinch but Slasher is avoiding it.
Slasher throws a head kick that misses.
Belfort clobbers Slasher with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Belfort wants to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belfort looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Slasher is fending him off so far but Belfort persists. Nope, Slasher circles away and we're back to standing.
Belfort tries to score a power double leg takedown but Slasher sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Belfort somewhat.
Slasher slaps away a takedown attempt from Belfort, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Slasher tries a head kick but it misses.
Belfort throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Slasher keeps the fight on the outside.

Belfort changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Slasher looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Harold Slasher has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Belfort tries for a kimura but Slasher is defending well.
Slasher tries to improve position but can't.
Belfort sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Slasher is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.

Belfort is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Slasher is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Belfort cracks Slasher with a big right hand but Slasher just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Slasher defending against the ground and pound.
Slasher sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Belfort looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Slasher is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Thiago Belfort is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Belfort is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Slasher sees it coming and defends easily.
Slasher is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Belfort's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Belfort's back!
Belfort wants to escape the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Slasher lands a shot to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Thiago Belfort.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Belfort, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Russell Pearce scores the fight 29:28
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 30:27
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 30:28

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