PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Joe Belanger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jay Lopez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lopez has chosen Can't be touched as his entrance music. Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Belanger
vs
Lopez

187 cm
27
193 lbs
13 - 4 - 0

187 cm
27
190 lbs
10 - 2 - 1

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Very strong

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

[CBK] Smashwear Clothing
[CBK] Smashwear Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Joe Belanger!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Jay Lopez!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Shigeki Fujiwara and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Belanger attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Belanger cracks Lopez with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Nice body kick from Belanger.
Belanger throws a sloppy head kick and Lopez moves out of range easily.
Lopez checks a low kick from Belanger.
Belanger looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Belanger throws a sloppy head kick and Lopez moves out of range easily.
Lopez misses with a body kick.
Belanger leaves Lopez with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Joe Belanger seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Belanger lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Lopez scores with a three punch combo!
Lopez fails with the takedown
and Belanger counters with a nice body kick.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Lopez lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Belanger has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Belanger and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
That kick from Belanger tenderised Lopez's leg. Lopez is trying to keep his angry face on.
No joy there for Lopez, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Lopez lands a nice looking body shot.
Lopez fails with the takedown
and Belanger counters with a good low kick that Lopez was not able to check.
Joe Belanger has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jay Lopez.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lopez moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Belanger defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Lopez.
Lopez looks gassed!
Lopez throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Belanger's waist but Belanger gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Lopez off to one side.
Belanger throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A slapping leg kick lands for Belanger.
Belanger explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Joe Belanger is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Belanger looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Belanger lands with a thumping leg kick.
Belanger connects with a leg kick. Lopez looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Lopez takes one to the chin there.
Belanger connects with an inside leg kick.
Belanger lands with a straight right. Lopez didn't see that one coming.
Belanger tries a head kick but it misses.
Lopez takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Belanger throws a body kick that misses.
Belanger misses with a kick to the body.
Lopez doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Belanger counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A head kick misses from Belanger.
A decent looking cross lands there for Belanger.
Belanger lands with a hook. Lopez tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Belanger throws the kick towards the body but Lopez avoids it.
Belanger lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Lopez moves out of range of the body kick from Belanger.
A chopping leg kick lands by Belanger.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Belanger pushes Lopez away with a front kick.
Belanger ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Belanger lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Lopez takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Belanger lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
A slapping leg kick lands for Belanger.
Belanger fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Lopez.
Belanger looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Lopez crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Belanger - the referee stops the clock and Lopez gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Belanger. Lopez manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Belanger scores with a nice right hand.
Lopez uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Belanger.
Lopez drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Belanger's corner calls for a 1-2. Belanger obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Belanger dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Belanger bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Lopez 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 Lopez.
Belanger throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Lopez's head.
Belanger buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Belanger pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Lopez has his takedown stuffed
and Belanger counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belanger dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Lopez. That did some damage!
The crowd cheers as Belanger lands an impressive looking overhand right. Lopez doesn't seem phased though.
Belanger throws a body kick that misses.
Belanger throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Lopez's head.
Good shot there by Belanger.
Belanger is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Belanger listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Belanger throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Belanger swats away the attempt to clinch by Lopez.

Lopez feints and as Belanger raises his hands in defense, Lopez changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Belanger pulls Lopez in to control the position.
Belanger on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Belanger tries to get out of the position.
Lopez stopping the sweep attempt from Belanger.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Belanger is on top in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Belanger is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Lopez has his foot on Belanger's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Belanger works his way back into a safe position though.
Belanger pushing down on Lopez's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Belanger wants to take a breather but Lopez is having none of it.
Lopez missing with punches from the bottom.
Belanger wants to pass the guard but Lopez is defending well.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Lopez tries to roll over but Belanger keeps him under control.

Lopez actively working from the bottom here.
Belanger moves nicely into side control.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Belanger controlling the position from side mount.
Lopez tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Belanger wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Lopez is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Lopez is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Belanger takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Lopez wants to control but Belanger is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Lopez wants to improve his position but Belanger is controlling well.
Belanger is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Lopez is trying to control but can't.
Belanger wants to control but Lopez is keeping him busy.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Joe Belanger has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Lopez with a poor takedown
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Lopez moves out of range of the body kick.
Lopez shoots in for a takedown but Belanger shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Belanger misses with the combination.
Lopez throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Lopez avoids the body shot from Belanger.
Belanger lands a leg kick that knocks Lopez off balance momentarily.
Lopez tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Lopez blocks a leg kick.
Lopez throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Belanger's waist but Belanger gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Lopez off to one side.
Belanger swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Belanger goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Belanger goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Belanger thows a leg kick but Lopez checks it

and Lopez counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Belanger's guard now.
Belanger is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Lopez won't allow Belanger to sweep him here.
Lopez postures up in Belanger's guard and throws a big left but Belanger blocks it.
Lopez throwing strikes from guard but Belanger blocks nicely.
Belanger preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Belanger looking to hit a scissor sweep but Lopez is one step ahead there.
Belanger has control of Lopez's left arm, preventing Lopez from doing any damage.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Lopez postures up in Belanger's guard and throws a big left but Belanger blocks it.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Lopez wants to control from the top but Belanger keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Joe Belanger.
Lopez fails with a takedown attempt.
Belanger will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Belanger connects with an inside leg kick.
Belanger lets loose with a powerful body kick. Lopez will feel that in the morning.
Lopez shoots in and drives through. Belanger sprawls well.
Belanger throws a leg kick that misses.
Lopez's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Lopez misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Belanger lands with a slapping head kick.
Lopez lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Lopez fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nice takedown defense from Belanger. No joy for Lopez on that attempt.
Belanger lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Lopez at a distance.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Belanger.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Belanger connects with a solid leg kick.
Belanger lands a jab to the head.
A slapping leg kick lands for Belanger.
Belanger scores with a head kick. Lopez tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Belanger fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Lopez has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Belanger throws a head kick but Lopez moves out of range.
A slapping leg kick lands for Belanger.
Lopez misses with an attempted mid kick.
Lopez avoids the body shot from Belanger.
Lopez fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
An inside leg kick lands from Belanger.
Lopez takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Lopez has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Lopez there as he acknowledges the shot.
Belanger lands a front kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A good leg kick by Belanger.
Belanger lands with a kick to the ribs.
Belanger lands a nice looking body kick.
Belanger goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Belanger smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Belanger dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Belanger bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Lopez's head backwards.
A decent looking cross lands there for Belanger.
Belanger throws a body kick the misses

and Lopez counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Lopez stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Belanger swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Belanger looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Lopez looking to pass the guard.
Belanger has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Lopez stopping the sweep attempt from Belanger.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Joe Belanger.
Some bone on bone action there as Lopez checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belanger jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Lopez is trying hard to land a takedown here. Belanger sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Lopez.
Lopez moves out of range of the body kick.
A slapping body kick lands there for Belanger.
Jay Lopez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lopez swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Lopez fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Joe Belanger has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jay Lopez.
Belanger misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Belanger scores with a nice head shot.
A head kick misses from Belanger.
Lopez avoids a punch combination nicely.
Belanger scoring well with a low kick there.
Belanger lands with an overhand left.
Lopez has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Belanger.
Belanger lands a nice looking kick to the body. Lopez takes a step back to recover.
Belanger throws a head kick that half lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lopez takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Lopez takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
A jab from Belanger misses.
A chopping leg kick lands by Belanger.
Belanger scores with a nice head shot.
Belanger cracks Lopez with a right hand to the side of the head.
Belanger displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Lopez.
Belanger throws out a loose jab but Lopez uses good head movement to avoid it.
Lopez shoots in but no luck this time.
Belanger throws a front kick that sends Lopez stumbling back into the cage.
Belanger lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Lopez on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Belanger scores with a spinning back kick!
Belanger dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Lopez. That did some damage!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nice jab there from Belanger.
Belanger stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Belanger wants it to stay on the feet.
Good shot there by Belanger.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belanger lands a head kick. Lopez smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Lopez tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Belanger connects with a solid leg kick.
Nice sprawl there from Belanger as Lopez shoots in.
Belanger thumps Lopez with a low kick.
Belanger jabs Lopez to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Belanger throws a shot to the body.
Belanger throws a front kick that sends Lopez stumbling back into the cage.
Belanger scores with a jab.
Belanger throws a head kick but Lopez moves out of range.
A slapping body kick lands there for Belanger.
Belanger fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Lopez.
Belanger scores with a head kick.
Belanger lands a nice looking kick to the body. Lopez takes a step back to recover.
Lopez has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Belanger.
Belanger smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Belanger dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A shot to the liver by Belanger. Beautiful body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Belanger lands a front kick.
Belanger goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Belanger scores with a kick to the midsection.
Belanger pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Lopez tries to clinch up but Belanger circles away and keeps his distance.
A lazy body kick from Belanger

and Lopez counters with a shoot takedown. Belanger fights it but they end up in guard.
Lopez won't allow Belanger to sweep him here.
Belanger is working hard here to advance position.
Lopez working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Lopez throws a big right hand that misses.
Lopez in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Belanger preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Belanger looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Belanger utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Lopez with a flurry of punches that miss.
Lopez throws a big right hand that misses.
Lopez postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Belanger looking for a sweep. Not yet Belanger, not yet.

Belanger kicks Lopez off and gets to his feet.
Belanger throws a body kick, spinning off balance

so Lopez counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Lopez trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Belanger utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Lopez throwing strikes from guard but Belanger blocks nicely.
Belanger seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Lopez trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Belanger avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Lopez wants to pass the guard but Belanger is keeping the position.
Lopez throwing strikes from guard but Belanger blocks nicely.
Belanger striking off his back but it's not causing Lopez any problems.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Belanger trying to control the position.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Lopez with a flurry of punches that miss.
Belanger is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Joe Belanger just wasn't active enough.
A punch combination from Lopez misses.
Lopez has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
An inside leg kick lands from Belanger.
Joe Belanger is winning the standup battle so far.
A head kick from Belanger lands but Lopez takes it in his stride.
Lopez checks a low kick from Belanger.
Belanger goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Lopez lands with a hook. Belanger tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Lopez fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Belanger connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
A lazy body kick from Belanger
and Lopez counters with a low kick, right behind Belanger 's knee.
Jay Lopez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Belanger attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Lopez on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
A slapping body kick lands there for Lopez.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Belanger.
Belanger keeps Lopez at a distance using the push kick.
Lopez shoots for a takedown but Belanger saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Lopez walks into a straight right hand from Belanger.

Belanger gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Lopez to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Jay Lopez has got the better of the ground game so far.
Belanger is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Belanger is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Belanger seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Lopez has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Lopez gets full guard.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Belanger trying to control the position from guard on top but Lopez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Lopez looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Belanger preventing the sweep.
Lopez can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Belanger controls the pace.

Lopez is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Belanger has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Belanger pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Lopez is keeping the position for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Belanger trying to control the position from guard on top but Lopez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

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

Lopez throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Lopez tries to strike from the bottom.
Joe Belanger is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Lopez throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Belanger engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lopez thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joe Belanger showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Belanger 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 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight for Joe Belanger!
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight for Joe Belanger!
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight for Joe Belanger!

Joe Belanger wins by unanimous decision!