PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Michael Belanger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Evan Morgan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Belanger
vs
Morgan

180 cm
23
180 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

187 cm
24
180 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Big right hand

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Michael Belanger!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Evan Morgan!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, David Schapiro and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A looping hook to the body misses from Morgan. Belanger does a little dance to reset his feet.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Belanger wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Morgan has him pressed against the cage.
Morgan scores with a nice hook to the head.
Belanger goes for a takedown attempt but Morgan pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Morgan throws a right and a left that Belanger avoids nicely.
Morgan misses with the combination.
Morgan misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Morgan moves into the clinch successfully.
Morgan trying to land knees to the body.

Morgan's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Morgan scores with a jab to the head.
Belanger blocks a low kick nicely.
Morgan closes the distance and clinches up with Belanger, looking for a takedown. Morgan pushes Belanger against the cage but Belanger circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Belanger misses with a two punch combination.
Morgan misses with a looping left.
Belanger slips under a jab.
Morgan fails in his attempt to clinch.
Belanger misses with a hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morgan buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Morgan misses with a looping right.
Morgan throws a sloppy head kick and Belanger moves out of range easily.
Belanger lands with a nice combination. Morgan backs away looking to recover.
Belanger misses with the combination.
Morgan takes one to the side of the head.
Morgan throws a big shot that misses.
Morgan looks to throw the jab but Belanger is out of range.
Morgan misses with a straight left.
Morgan lands a right hook to the body.
Belanger throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Belanger connects with a nice looking jab.
Belanger slips a jab from Morgan.
Morgan chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Morgan keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Belanger.
No luck for Morgan with that takedown attempt.
Michael Belanger has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Evan Morgan.
Morgan throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Evan Morgan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Belanger throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Morgan drives through and clinches with Belanger against the cage.
Belanger throws a head punch that misses.

Morgan's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Belanger fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Morgan tries to clinch up.

Morgan drives through and clinches with Belanger against the cage.
Morgan keeps control of Belanger as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Belanger tries to circle away but Morgan has him pinned against the cage.
Good body shot from Morgan.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Morgan doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Morgan pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Belanger steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Morgan.
Morgan shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Belanger defends it nicely.
Morgan swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Belanger has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Belanger misses with a double jab.
Morgan tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Morgan clinches up with Belanger and pushes him back against the cage.

Morgan manages to break the clinch.

Morgan closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Morgan misses with a short punch on the inside.
Morgan misses with a body punch.
Morgan lands a good knee to the midsection. Belanger won't want to take too many of those.
Morgan lands with a right to the head.
Belanger is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Morgan gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Morgan lands a nice shot to the body.
Belanger can't break the clinch.
Belanger looking for a takedown.
Belanger wants a takedown.
Belanger is breathing heavily.
Belanger working hard to break the clinch.
A short left from Morgan.
Belanger has had enough of the clinch but Morgan keeps him there for the moment.
Morgan crunches a lovely knee into Belanger's ribcage.
Belanger takes an elbow to the forehead.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Belanger.
Belanger misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Morgan.
Belanger wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Morgan breaks the clinch.
Morgan throws a combination that misses
and Belanger counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Morgan misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Belanger.
Morgan throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Belanger misses with a wild combination.
Morgan shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Belanger but Belanger pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Nice sprawl there from Belanger as Morgan shoots in.
Morgan throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Belanger counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Morgan scores with a leg kick.
Morgan misses with a double jab
letting Belanger counter with a right hand.
Belanger swats away the attempt to clinch by Morgan.
Belanger goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Morgan looks to clinch
and Belanger counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Morgan closes the distance looking to clinch
and Belanger counters with a two punch combo.
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!
Belanger throws a series of punches but Morgan avoids them all with ease.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Evan Morgan will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A punch combination from Belanger misses.
Morgan waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Belanger.
Belanger avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Morgan fails with an attempt to clinch.
Morgan fails in his attempt to clinch.
Morgan tries to close the distance and clinch but Belanger swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Morgan shoots in but Belanger avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Morgan feints and then cracks Belanger's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Belanger down.
Morgan connects with a single shot there.
Belanger misses with a low kick as Morgan jumps back.
Morgan throws an overhand right that lands on Belanger's shoulder, as Belanger tries to avoid the shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Belanger misses with a series of wild punches.
Belanger walks into a left hand.
Belanger takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Belanger lands a glancing blow to the side of Morgan's head.
Michael Belanger is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Morgan lands a front kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belanger wants to land a leg kick but Morgan is out of range.
Morgan is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Belanger.
Belanger takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Belanger shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Belanger fails to land with a series of punches.
Morgan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Belanger.
Morgan tries to clinch up.
Morgan looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Morgan lands a glancing blow to the side of Belanger's head.
Belanger scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Morgan misses with a straight right.
Morgan swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Belanger counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Morgan trying to keep a closed guard but Belanger is proving a slippery customer.
Morgan preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Belanger trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Belanger tries to free his leg and advance position but Morgan is retaining full guard.

Morgan is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Morgan is breathing heavily.
Belanger trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Belanger throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Morgan works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Morgan wants to sweep but no luck.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Morgan misses with a low kick.
Belanger misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Morgan throws a leg kick but Belanger sees it coming and moves out of range.
Belanger throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Belanger scores with a three punch combo!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Morgan swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Morgan takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Belanger circles away from the clinch attempt
and Belanger counters with a three punch combo that has Morgan backing up. Morgan nods at Belanger to acknowledge the strikes.

Morgan is rocked!

It looks like Evan Morgan has been cut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belanger rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Morgan moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Belanger scores with a body shot.
Belanger has a takedown stuffed.
Belanger looks to land a left hand but Morgan moved out of range nicely.
Belanger steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Morgan.
Morgan is trying desperately to land a takedown but Belanger is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Morgan.
Morgan swings for the body but Belanger moves out of range.
Belanger walks forward, straight into a front kick from Morgan.
Morgan misses with a body punch
and Belanger counters with a nice uppercut.

Belanger shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Morgan is trying to defend but Belanger finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Morgan is pressing down on Belanger's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Belanger looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Belanger stopping the sweep attempt from Morgan.
Belanger trying to control the position from guard on top but Morgan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Belanger postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Belanger scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Belanger content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Belanger has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Morgan wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Belanger manages to pass to side control.
Morgan wants to control but Belanger is keeping busy and won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Belanger dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Evan Morgan's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're 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.

Belanger fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Morgan lands with an uppercut that bounces Belanger off the cage and back into rage.
Belanger swats away the attempt to clinch by Morgan.
Morgan looks to land a right hand but Belanger moved out of range.
Belanger throws a right hand that Morgan ducks under and follows up with a left that Morgan also avoids with ease.
Belanger has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Belanger there as he acknowledges the shot.
Morgan misses with a body shot.
Morgan falls off balance throwing a combination
enabling Belanger to counter with a crisp jab.
Morgan is looking to score with low kicks.
Belanger closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Morgan takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Belanger connects with a jab.
Morgan fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Morgan blocks a jab.
Morgan showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Belanger.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morgan shoots in for a double leg but Belanger sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Donk. Morgan catches Belanger right on the button with a cross.
Belanger lands an overhand right.
Morgan connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Belanger's hands.
Belanger smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Morgan is still on wobbly legs! Can Belanger finish him?
Morgan fakes the leg kick and cracks Belanger in the body.
Morgan seems to have recovered his senses.
Belanger scores with a jab. Morgan acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Morgan fails to land the takedown.
Belanger stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Morgan closes this distance looking for a takedown but Belanger circles away.
Michael Belanger has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Evan Morgan.
Morgan takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Morgan moves into range and clinches up with Belanger.
Morgan tries a knee to the head but Belanger blocks it.
Belanger wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Belanger has Morgan pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Belanger pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Morgan tumbling to the mat - Belanger dives into Morgan's guard.
Belanger is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Morgan trying to keep a closed guard but Belanger is proving a slippery customer.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Belanger accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Morgan is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Morgan not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Belanger chips away with some ground and pound.
Belanger keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Morgan's head.
Belanger throws a big right hand that misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Belanger throws a series of punches but Morgan avoids them all with ease.
Belanger misses with a looping right.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morgan misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Belanger defending well as Morgan loads up on a big left hand.
A big right from Morgan misses.
Belanger uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Morgan.
Morgan stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Morgan wants it to stay on the feet.
Morgan misses with a combination
and Belanger counters with a left and a right that stings Morgan.
Morgan shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Belanger pinned against the cage. Belanger gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Morgan tries to clinch up but Belanger circles away and keeps his distance.
Morgan checks the leg kick nicely there.
Morgan misses with a wild body shot.
Belanger swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Morgan dodges the punch combination from Belanger.
Belanger lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Belanger gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Morgan tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Morgan misses with a straight right.
Belanger connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Morgan's hands.
Morgan misses with a body shot.
A punch combination from Belanger misses.
Morgan misses with a body kick.
Morgan rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Belanger moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Morgan throws a predictable looking body shot
and Morgan takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Morgan tries for a takedown but Belanger circles away easily
enabling Belanger to counter with a crisp jab.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Belanger throws a one two combo.
Morgan looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Belanger rushes Morgan with punches - Morgan moves straight backwards instead of circling and gets clipped by the second strike... and the third... and the fourth! Oh, Morgan goes down! Belanger follows up with more strikes and the ref steps in to end the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Michael Belanger!