PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Thiago Alvarez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Crash Bandicoot (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Alvarez comes to the cage accompanied by Filter - Hey man, nice shot.. Bandicoot has chosen Crash Bandicoot: Jungle Rollers Remix as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Alvarez
vs
Bandicoot

175 cm
26
171 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

172 cm
30
170 lbs
11 - 9 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Das Labor
[CBK] The Smashwear Corporation

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Thiago Alvarez!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Crash Bandicoot!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Alvarez throws a right and a left that Bandicoot avoids nicely.
Alvarez thows a body shot but no joy.

Bandicoot darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Bandicoot seems to be looking for submissions.
Bandicoot is controlling the pace.

Bandicoot is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Alvarez has managed to free his arm - good work.

Bandicoot is working for a kimura but Alvarez is defending it quite comfortably.

Bandicoot is working for a submission of some sort.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alvarez wants to get back to full guard.
Alvarez wants to get back to his feet.
Bandicoot prevents Alvarez from improving his position.

Bandicoot is working for a kimura but Alvarez is defending it quite comfortably.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Bandicoot is looking for a kimura but Alvarez is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Bandicoot to get the leverage.
Alvarez is looking to improve his position.

Alvarez is defending against the submission attempts here by Bandicoot.
Bandicoot seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Alvarez pushes Bandicoot off and gets back to his feet.
Alvarez fails with the takedown.

Bandicoot scores a takedown into full mount!
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!
Alvarez tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Bandicoot with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Bandicoot tries to control but Alvarez wriggling away.

Bandicoot looking for a guillotine from mount but Alvarez is having none of it.
Alvarez tries to reverse the position but Bandicoot maintains control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez is working hard here to advance position.
Bandicoot lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.

Alvarez defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Bandicoot.
Bandicoot scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Bandicoot in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Bandicoot breaks from Alvarez's wrist control and lands an elbow.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bandicoot raining down shots from the mount!
Alvarez can't escape the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bandicoot has control of Alvarez's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Alvarez regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Bandicoot avoids the attempt from Alvarez to control.
Alvarez is desperately trying to improve his position but Bandicoot has a good base and remains in mount.

Bandicoot stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
Bandicoot fails in his attempt to clinch.

Bandicoot shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Bandicoot showed some decent athleticism there.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Bandicoot is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Alvarez trying to control from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Crash Bandicoot dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Bandicoot wants to clinch.
Bandicoot fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Alvarez is out of range.
A jab from Alvarez misses.
Alvarez misses with a series of wild punches.

Alvarez gets a clinch.
Bandicoot leaning against his opponent.
Alvarez is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Bandicoot to keep the fight standing.
Bandicoot leaning against his opponent.
Bandicoot tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Alvarez avoids it.

Bandicoot breaks from the clinch.
Alvarez moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

It looks like Crash Bandicoot has been cut.
Crash Bandicoot seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A right-left combo lands from Alvarez.
Bandicoot tries to close the distance and clinch up but Alvarez swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A combination from Alvarez does no damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bandicoot wants to clinch up but Alvarez keeps it at a distance.

Bandicoot rushes Alvarez and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Bandicoot manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Bandicoot is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Alvarez is aware though and is defending well.
Alvarez trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Alvarez thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Alvarez lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Alvarez working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Alvarez looking to pass the guard.
Alvarez is in close to Bandicoot's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Alvarez trying to control but Bandicoot is working from the bottom.

Bandicoot looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Bandicoot working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Alvarez doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Alvarez manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Bandicoot looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Bandicoot is trying to control the position but Alvarez postures up.
Bandicoot throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Alvarez trying to control the position from guard on top but Bandicoot is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bandicoot utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Alvarez in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Bandicoot is looking for a triangle but Alvarez pushes his legs off easily.
Alvarez trying to control the position from guard on top but Bandicoot is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Bandicoot looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Alvarez trying to control the position from guard on top but Bandicoot is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Bandicoot throws his legs up looking for a submission but Alvarez uses it to pass to side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bandicoot defending against the ground and pound.
Bandicoot manages to work his way to half guard, despite Alvarez's best efforts.
Bandicoot is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The fighters are battling for position here. Bandicoot manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Bandicoot is trying to hold Alvarez in close to prevent damage but Alvarez has managed to pass into half guard.
Alvarez wants to control but Bandicoot is keeping him busy.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Bandicoot looking for submissions off his back.
Alvarez is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bandicoot makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Bandicoot.

Bandicoot looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Alvarez has picked Bandicoot up and slammed him! Bandicoot can't keep hold of the triangle and Alvarez manages to pass to side control!
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 Alvarez will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Crash Bandicoot's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Bandicoot darts in trying to clinch
and Alvarez counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Alvarez keeps the fight on the outside.
Alvarez swats away the attempt to clinch by Bandicoot.
Bandicoot avoids a punch combination nicely.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Alvarez letting Bandicoot take a breather here.
Alvarez is trying to pull guard but Bandicoot turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Bandicoot manages to break the clinch.

Bandicoot instigates a clinch.
Alvarez is trying to break the clinch but Bandicoot is controlling him.

Bandicoot ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Bandicoot no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bandicoot has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Alvarez can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Alvarez wants to pass the guard but Bandicoot is keeping the position.
Alvarez trying to control the position from guard on top but Bandicoot is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Alvarez sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Bandicoot's guard.
Bandicoot throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

Alvarez is working for a submission of some sort.

Bandicoot looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Bandicoot gets back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bandicoot looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Alvarez got a little sloppy there for a moment and Bandicoot has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Alvarez has managed to get both his arms back between Bandicoot's legs - danger averted.
Alvarez wants to pass the guard but Bandicoot is keeping the position.
Alvarez wants to control from the top but Bandicoot keeps moving.

Bandicoot looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Alvarez passes into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bandicoot trying to control but Alvarez postures up.
Alvarez blocks the strikes from Bandicoot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Alvarez seems to be looking for submissions.
Bandicoot is trying to stand.

Alvarez is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Bandicoot sees it coming and defends easily.
Alvarez works his foot free and advances to mount.
Bandicoot wants to control but Alvarez is having none of it.
Alvarez throws some wild stikes that Bandicoot manages to avoid easily.
Bandicoot is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Bandicoot looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Alvarez is looking for the choke from the back position but Bandicoot is controlling his hands well.
Alvarez struggling to keep hold of the position.

Alvarez is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Bandicoot knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Bandicoot for a finish.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Alvarez looking to break Bandicoot's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Bandicoot remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Alvarez will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bandicoot turns into Alvarez and is now in his guard.

Bandicoot decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Bandicoot has taken the fight to the clinch.

Bandicoot breaks the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Alvarez tries to bum rush Bandicoot with a series of wild strikes but Bandicoot uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Bandicoot clinches with his opponent.
Alvarez is trying to break the clinch but Bandicoot has him pressed against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Crash Bandicoot just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Crash Bandicoot'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.

Bandicoot shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Alvarez napping and manages to drive through into side control!
You can see the frustration on Alvarez's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Bandicoot wants to lay and pray for a moment but Alvarez keeps working.
Alvarez sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Alvarez looking for submissions off his back.
Bandicoot is looking to advance position but Alvarez won't allow it.
Bandicoot trying to control from half guard but Alvarez is working away.

Bandicoot is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Alvarez is just riding it out for now. Bandicoot eventually gives up the hold.
Bandicoot is looking to advance position but Alvarez won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bandicoot is looking for a kimura here.
Alvarez is looking to escape.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

Alvarez is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Bandicoot pulls his head out easily.

Bandicoot wants to work for an arm triangle but Alvarez is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bandicoot is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Alvarez defends it well.

Bandicoot is working for a submission of some sort.
Alvarez is trying to control but can't.
Alvarez wants to get back to his feet.
Nice strikes from Bandicoot there.
Alvarez wants to get back to his feet.
Bandicoot thows a huge punch but Alvarez dodges it nicely.

Bandicoot is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Alvarez is in trouble now - Bandicoot has advanced to mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bandicoot dominating with strikes here.
Alvarez wants to control but Bandicoot is having none of it.
Bandicoot trying to control but he's not successful this time.
The referee warns Alvarez that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.

Bandicoot looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.

Bandicoot is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Bandicoot fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Alvarez fails with an attempt to clinch.

Bandicoot moves into the clinch successfully.
Alvarez tries to break the clinch but Bandicoot is controlling the position.
Bandicoot lands a nice knee to the body.
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!
Bandicoot stalling in the clinch.

Bandicoot breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Alvarez throws a hook but Bandicoot avoids it easily.
Alvarez works over Bandicoot's head and body with a nice combination.
Alvarez will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Bandicoot drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Bandicoot thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Bandicoot tries for a kimura but Alvarez is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Crash Bandicoot dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Crash Bandicoot's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Bandicoot tries to clinch but Alvarez is having none of it.

Bandicoot closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Alvarez is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

Bandicoot tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Alvarez is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Bandicoot lands a nice forearm strike.
Alvarez is not content to let Bandicoot control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alvarez taking punishment in the form of punches.
Alvarez can't do much from the bottom here.
Bandicoot looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Alvarez is avoiding damage well.

Bandicoot is trying to get an arm triangle but Alvarez is defending well.
Bandicoot lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Alvarez down.
Bandicoot lands some shots froms side control.

Bandicoot has hold of Alvarez's arm. He's looking for a kimura. Alvarez seems comfortable defending it but Bandicoot has shifted his position slighty and is cranking on the arm! Alvarez is real pain and he's forced to tap out! Alvarez is disgusted with himself for not defending it better but Bandicoot couldn't care less - he's delighted!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:51 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Crash Bandicoot!
Crash Bandicoot is the new welterweight champion!
Crash Bandicoot very nearly forgot to thank [CBK] The Smashwear Corporation amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.