PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between The Greek (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Belanger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Greek
vs
Belanger

177 cm
22
181 lbs
11 - 3 - 0

180 cm
23
180 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 11 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, The Greek!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Michael Belanger!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Eddie Farnsworth and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Greek checks the leg kick.
Belanger throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Greek.
Belanger stalks Greek and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Greek's face. Greek staggers backwards, shaken.
Greek fails in his attempt to clinch.
Greek fails to land with a series of punches.
Belanger connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Greek's hands.
Greek throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Belanger counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Greek pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Belanger throws a series of punches but Greek avoids them all with ease.
Greek is looking to clinch but Belanger is avoiding it.
Greek's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Greek duly obliges.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Greek gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Greek throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Belanger tries to break the clinch but Greek is controlling the position.
A frustrated look appears on Belanger's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Greek lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Belanger backwards.
Belanger working hard to break the clinch.
Belanger can't break the clinch.
Greek swings wildly with an uppercut but Belanger uses good head movement to avoid it.
Belanger wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Greek lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Greek lands a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belanger takes an elbow to the temple.
Belanger tries to break free but Greek pushes him back against the cage.
Greek lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

It looks like Michael Belanger has been cut.
Greek lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Belanger.
Belanger working hard to break the clinch.
Greek lands an uppercut.
Belanger looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Belanger is looking to break free of the clinch but Greek has double underhooks.
A nice left hand lands by Greek.
Greek lands an uppercut.
Belanger has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Greek lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Greek lands a right hand.
Greek utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Belanger looks gassed!
Greek is struggling to control the position.
Greek lands an elbow that stopped Belanger in his tracks for a moment.
Greek has Belanger pressed against the cage, preventing Belanger from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Greek working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Greek stalling.
Greek working Belanger over with knees to the body.
A right hook to the body lands for Greek.
Nice elbow from Greek.
Greek lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Belanger backwards.
A bit of stalling here from Greek.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A short right from Greek.
Greek creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Belanger's defenses.
Belanger wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Belanger drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Greek gets the underhooks and prevents it.
A shot in the inside from Greek.
Greek lands with a right to the head.
Belanger takes a shot to the head.
A short left from Greek.
Belanger has had enough of the clinch but Greek keeps him there for the moment.
Greek lands with a light punch inside.
Greek avoiding damage.
Greek is pressed up against the cage. Belanger has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Greek down to the mat. Greek avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Greek connects with a body shot.
Belanger swats away the attempt to clinch by Greek.
Greek misses with a double jab
and Belanger counters with a straight right hand.
Belanger throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Belanger on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Greek is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Greek misses with a straight right.
A telegraphed right hand from Greek misses the target.
Greek looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Greek moves in looking to clinch but Belanger pushes him off.
Greek tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Belanger avoids the head kick by Greek.
Belanger misses with a two punch combination.
Belanger misses with a jab, cross combination.
Greek lands a lovely overhand right.
Greek looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Greek tries to close the distance and clinch up but Belanger swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Belanger avoids the head kick by Greek.
Belanger lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Belanger fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Greek is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Belanger.
Greek walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Belanger scores with a punch to the head.

Belanger gets the takedown into side control.
Belanger lands an elbow.
Greek is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Belanger connects with a nice short shot to Greek's temple.
Greek on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Greek tries to get out of the position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Belanger lands a nice short elbow.
Belanger is pressing down on Greek's thigh, looking to free his foot. Greek is holding on for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Belanger sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Greek defending well though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

The Greek dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Michael Belanger's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Greek tries to clinch but Belanger moves out of range.
Greek doesn't manage to clinch there - Belanger circles away.
Greek is looking to clinch but Belanger is avoiding it.
Greek swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Belanger connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Belanger moves out of range of the strikes.
The Greek seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A combination from Greek does no damage.
Greek misses with a head kick.
Greek misses with a two punch combination.
Belanger tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Michael Belanger seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Belanger darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Belanger throwing shots but Greek is blocking nicely.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Belanger throws a strike but Greek avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Belanger has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Belanger working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belanger is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Greek is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Belanger throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Greek works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Belanger working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Belanger postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Greek working a defensive guard here.
Belanger won't allow Greek to sweep him here.
Greek trying to keep a closed guard but Belanger is proving a slippery customer.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Greek throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's two 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.
Belanger throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Greek stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
The Greek is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Greek wants to clinch up but Belanger keeps it at a distance.
Belanger throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Greek counters with a straight right hand.

Greek darts in and clinches Belanger up against the cage.
Belanger has Greek pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Greek manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Belanger wants to get back to striking at distance but Greek won't allow it.
Greek is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Belanger is keeping busy.
Greek misses with the head strike.
Greek creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Belanger's defenses.
Greek lands an elbow inside that Belanger shrugs off.
Belanger drops down looking for an ankle pick but Greek pulls his leg out and moves away.
Greek misses with a straight right.
Greek takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Belanger jabs Greek right on the nose. Greek blinks but takes it well.
Greek is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Belanger.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belanger moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Greek tries to clinch but Belanger moves out of range.
Belanger digs a good body shot into Greek's ribs.
Greek showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Belanger.

Greek has Belanger up against the cage in a clinch.
Greek lands a left hand.
A frustrated look appears on Belanger's face as he tries to break the clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for Greek.
Belanger goes for a takedown in the clinch but Greek prevents it.
The Greek has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Belanger.
Greek lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Greek stalls.
Greek lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Belanger.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Greek.
Greek is working Belanger over against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Belanger tries to score a body lock takedown but Greek shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Greek lands a nice shot to the body.
Greek lands a damaging elbow.
Greek lands a nice shot to the body.
Belanger is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Greek is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Greek lands an elbow inside that Belanger shrugs off.
The Greek has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Belanger letting Greek take a breather here.
Belanger tries for a takedown but Greek manages to get underhooks.
A nice left hand lands by Greek.
Belanger stalling in the clinch but Greek improves position.
Greek makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Greek lands a hook that snaps the head of Belanger backwards.
Nice body punch from Greek - that landed with a thud.
Belanger takes a shot to the head.
Still in the clinch, Greek scores with a nice short uppercut.
Greek pushes Belanger back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Belanger drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Greek gets the underhooks and prevents it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Belanger.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Michael Belanger will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Michael Belanger's cut.
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!

Greek has closed the distance and engaged Belanger in a clinch.
Belanger is trying to break the clinch but Greek is controlling him.
Greek controlling the action here for a moment.
Belanger blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Greek stops a takedown attempt from Belanger.
Belanger wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Greek has him pressed against the cage.
Greek lands an uppercut.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Greek creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Greek dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Greek prevents Belanger from breaking the clinch.
Belanger wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Greek has him pressed against the cage.
Greek leaning against his opponent.
Greek seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Greek scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Greek lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Belanger misses with the head strike.
The referee is keeping an eye on Greek - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Greek lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Greek lands with a left to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belanger tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Greek's elbow.
Greek lands a hook that snaps the head of Belanger backwards.
Greek scores with a shot to the side of Belanger's head.
Greek lands a shoulder strike.
Greek lands a knee to the body.
Greek misses with some punches.
Belanger wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Belanger is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Belanger wants to get back to striking at distance but Greek won't allow it.
Greek throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Greek lands a shoulder strike.
Belanger wants a takedown but no success here.
Greek lands with a right to the head.
Greek lands an elbow inside that Belanger shrugs off.
Greek gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Greek.
Greek lands with a light punch inside.
Belanger being controlled against the cage.
A right hook to the body lands for Greek.
Greek lands an elbow inside.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Greek lands a nice shot to the body.
Belanger has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Still in the clinch, Greek scores with a nice short uppercut.
Belanger's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Belanger drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Greek gets the underhooks and prevents it.
The Greek has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Belanger.
Greek leaning his opponent against the cage.
Belanger takes a shot to the head.
Belanger has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Greek avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Greek lands a left hand.
Greek lands with a light punch inside.
A nice right hand lands inside from Greek.
Belanger has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Belanger takes an elbow to the forehead.
Greek lands a shoulder strike.
Greek lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Greek lands a nice shot to the body.
Greek dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Greek.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good body shot from Greek.
Belanger wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Greek has him pressed against the cage.
Belanger wants to break the clinch but can't.
Greek unloads a knee to the mid-section. Belanger lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Greek lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Belanger backwards.
Still in the clinch, Greek scores with a nice short uppercut.
Greek is pushing Belanger up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Nice body punch from Greek - that landed with a thud.
A short left from Greek.
Greek has Belanger pressed against the cage, preventing Belanger from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Belanger scores with a shot to the side of Greek's head.
Greek is pushing Belanger up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Knees in the clinch landing for Greek.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Greek.
A short right from Greek.
Belanger changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Greek fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Greek misses with a jab to the body
and Belanger cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Belanger throws a series of punches but Greek moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Greek misses the jab.
Belanger steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Greek.
Some wild striking there from Belanger.
Greek misses with a two punch combination.
Greek is looking to clinch but Belanger is avoiding it.
Greek throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Belanger counters with a stiff right hand.
Belanger lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Belanger ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Greek slips a jab and a cross from Belanger.
Greek throws a lazy right hand but Belanger sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Greek is looking to clinch.
Greek thows a body shot but no joy.
Greek doesn't manage to clinch there - Belanger circles away.

And that's the end of the fight!
The Greek showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Greek has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Steve Montenegro scores the fight 30:28
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 29:28
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... The Greek!