PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Trey Pickett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thiago Alves (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the ring.

Pickett
vs
Alves

186 cm
20
212 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

182 cm
21
205 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Kangaroo Muscle

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Trey Pickett!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Thiago Alves!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Timothy Bukovac and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Alves throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Pickett's waist but Pickett gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Alves off to one side.
Alves connects with a single shot there.
Pickett shoots and misses

and Alves counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Pickett looking for a guillotine here but Alves defends easily.
Pickett tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Alves wants to get up but he can't break Pickett's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Pickett tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Pickett had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Alves is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Pickett Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Alves's back instead.
Pickett is working the ground and pound. Can Alves escape?

Alves defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Pickett's arms.
Alves is trying to stand back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pickett tightening his grip on Alves, looking for the choke.
Pickett is breathing heavily.

Pickett looking to break Alves's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Alves remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Pickett will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!

Alves defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Alves is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Pickett lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns Alves.

Pickett looking for the RNC.

Alves manages to stand up with Pickett still on his back. Eventually Pickett drops to his feet and we're back in the standing position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Pickett feints and as Alves raises his hands in defense, Pickett changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Alves is rocked!

Pickett stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Alves throws a hook to the side of Pickett's head but Pickett sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Pickett fails with the takedown

and Alves counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Pickett!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Alves wants to get back to his feet but Pickett is holding on tight.

Alves gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Pickett avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Pickett doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Alves counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Alves.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Trey Pickett. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Alves has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Pickett is proving hard to escape from.

Pickett is working an open guard so Alves takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alves gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Pickett counters with a takedown into side control.

Pickett tries for a kimura but Alves is defending well.

Pickett wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Alves, who protects the arm well.
Alves tries to escape but Pickett is in control.
Pickett tries to advance to mount but can't.
Pickett moves into full mount!
Pickett fails to move to back control.

Pickett get's back to his feet.

Pickett moves into the clinch successfully.
Alves gets underhooks to prevent Pickett's takedown attempt.
Alves wants to get back to striking at distance but Pickett won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pickett lands a knee to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Pickett tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Pickett is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Alves wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Pickett has him pressed against the ropes.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

Pickett pulls guard effortlessly.
Alves has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Pickett is proving hard to escape from.
Pickett bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Alves's guard.
Pickett trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Pickett stops Alves from standing up.
Pickett stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Alves swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Alves is edging up against the ropes. He's using the ropes to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Pickett wants a takedown.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Pickett tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Pickett tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Alves just stands there and leans against the ropes.
Pickett fails to pull guard.
Pickett tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Alves wants to get back to striking at distance but Pickett won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Thiago Alves will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Pickett shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Alves counters with a single leg into guard. Pickett didn't expect that.
Alves has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Pickett is proving hard to escape from.

Alves stands up and waves to Pickett to follow him.
Alves swats away the attempt to clinch by Pickett.
Pickett has his takedown stuffed
and Alves counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Alves fails with the takedown.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Alves swats away the attempt to clinch by Pickett.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pickett with a lazy takedown attempt

and Alves counters with a nice double leg into side control. Pickett won't be happy with that.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Trey Pickett. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Alves decides to take the fight back to the feet.

Pickett has managed to clinch.
Pickett goes for a takedown attempt but Alves pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Pickett gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Alves decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Pickett's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Alves wants to stand but Pickett is controlling his posture from full guard.

Alves gets to his feet. Pickett looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Alves looks to clinch

and Pickett decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Alves's guard.
Alves is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Pickett is controlling him.

Pickett decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Alves, up you get!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Pickett feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Pickett is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Alves is looking to stand up but Pickett isn't so interested in that idea.

Pickett is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Pickett stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Alves swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Pickett is pushing down on Alves's leg trying to pass to half guard. Alves is fighting to maintain full guard but Pickett has managed to sneak the leg through.

Pickett is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Alves pushes Pickett off and gets back to his feet.
Pickett fails with the takedown

and Alves decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Pickett's guard.
Alves wanted to stand there but Pickett had control of the position.

Pickett is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alves wants to stand but Pickett is controlling his posture from full guard.

Pickett working for a triangle but Alves defends it easily.

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

Pickett working for a triangle but Alves defends it easily.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Pickett lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Alves!

Pickett has control of Alves's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Alves regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Alves prevents Pickett from taking his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Pickett jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Alves manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Alves is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

Pickett stands up and beckons Alves to his feet.
Pickett misses with a takedown attempt
and Alves counters with a nice uppercut.
Thiago Alves seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Pickett.

Pickett shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Alves's guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Pickett stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Alves swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Alves is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Pickett is controlling him.

Alves has his feet on Pickett's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Pickett has a takedown stuffed.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thiago Alves showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Alves throws a nice looking combination but Pickett bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Pickett fails in his attempt to clinch.
Alves rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Pickett moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Pickett shoots for a double leg takedown but Alves sprawls well. He's pushed Pickett's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Alves lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Alves has his takedown stuffed

and Pickett counters with a takedown into side control.

Pickett thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Pickett has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Alves!
Alves is wriggling around here but as he tries to escape, Pickett has taken his back.
Alves takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Pickett looking for the RNC.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pickett has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Alves has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.

Alves is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Pickett gets his way!
Alves trying to get back to his feet but Pickett is in full control for now.
Trey Pickett overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Pickett is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Alves defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.

Pickett is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Alves has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

Alves is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Pickett is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Alves trying to get back to his feet but Pickett is in full control for now.

Alves manages to escape to his feet.
Alves lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Alves.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Pickett fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Alves sprawls well initially but Pickett persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Pickett missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Pickett prevents Alves from standing back up.

Alves is defending against the submission attempts here by Pickett.
Alves wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Pickett is working for a submission of some sort.
Alves tries to kick Pickett off but Pickett keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Pickett seems to be working for a kimura but Alves defends the submission attempt.

Pickett is working for a kimura but Alves is defending it quite comfortably.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.

Alves shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.

Alves stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.

Pickett looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Pickett uses his free foot to push down on Alves's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Alves.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alves's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Pickett wants to control the pace but Alves is squirming around nicely.
Alves is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Alves is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Alves is squirming around, avoiding Pickett's attempts to control the action.
Alves is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.

Pickett is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Alves can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Alves is really trying hard to get back to his feet.

Pickett with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Alves squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Pickett has control of Alves's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Alves regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Alves is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Trey Pickett clearly takes that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Pickett has his takedown stuffed
and Alves counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Pickett thinking.

Pickett scores with a takedown into Alves's guard.
Alves has a closed guard, preventing Pickett from standing up.
Alves is looking to stand up but Pickett isn't so interested in that idea.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Pickett looking to pass the guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
The fight stays on the outside here - Alves looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Alves fails to pull guard.
The is referee keeping an eye on Pickett - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

Alves ties up his opponent against the ropes and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Alves no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Alves keeping full guard, as Pickett tries to pass.

Alves manages to escape and get back to his feet.

Alves bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Pickett is looking to regain half guard here but Alves keeps moving and retains side control.
Pickett is working hard here to advance position.
Alves wants to stand but Pickett is controlling his arm.
Pickett wants to control but Alves postures up.
Alves wants to stand but Pickett has his arm trapped.
Pickett regains half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Pickett looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Alves tries to stand but can't do so whilst Pickett controls his leg.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Pickett drives through with a takedown into guard.
Pickett tries to free his leg and advance position but Alves is retaining full guard.
Alves is looking to stand up but Pickett isn't so interested in that idea.

Pickett thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Alves feints and as Pickett raises his hands in defense, Alves changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Pickett pushes a forearm under Alves's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Alves is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:19 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Trey Pickett!
Trey Pickett retains his light heavyweight title!