PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Satoshi Kon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vitor Belfort (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Kon
vs
Belfort

175 cm
24
178 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

185 cm
25
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Satoshi Kon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Vitor Belfort!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Paulo Santos and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Belfort throws a sloppy head kick and Kon moves out of range easily.

Kon gets tackled into the cage by Belfort. Belfort maintains the clinch.
Kon drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Belfort gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Belfort breaks from the clinch.

Kon shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Belfort is trying to defend but Kon finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Belfort is positioning himself well to prevent Kon advancing to mount.
Belfort wants to get back to his feet.
Kon trying to pass the guard but Belfort defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belfort is looking to improve his position.
Kon lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Belfort is trying to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kon throwing shots but Belfort is blocking nicely.
Belfort tries to roll over but Kon keeps him under control.
Belfort won't allow Kon to pass to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Belfort trying to control from the bottom.
Belfort is trying to get back to full guard.
Belfort is still trying to improve position.
Kon is thwarting Belfort's attempts to control the position.
Kon wants to pass to mount but Belfort is defending the position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Kon lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kon stuffs the takedown attempt from Belfort. Belfort gets slowly back to his feet.
Belfort looks winded!
Kon pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Belfort misses with a takedown

and Kon counters with a nice double leg into side control. Belfort won't be happy with that.
Belfort wants to control but Kon postures up.
Belfort is looking for a sweep.
Kon tries to move into full mount but can't pass Belfort's legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Belfort explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Kon scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Kon is trying to control the action in half guard but Belfort is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Kon lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Belfort trying to control from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kon is pressing down on Belfort's thigh, looking to free his foot. Belfort is holding on for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Belfort stuffs the takedown attempt from Kon. Kon gets slowly back to his feet.
No luck for Belfort with that takedown attempt.
Belfort cracks a nice hook into Kon's ribs.
Belfort scores with a jab to the body.
Belfort ducks right into an uppercut from Kon.
Kon leaves Belfort with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Kon looking to score a takedown here. Belfort is defending well but Kon drives through and ends up in Belfort's guard.
Belfort strikes from his own guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Belfort throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kon won't allow Belfort to sweep him here.
Belfort trying to control the position.
Kon trying to control but Belfort is working from the bottom.
Kon is really struggling to control Belfort but he's trying to hold on to the position.

Satoshi Kon has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Belfort misses with a takedown attempt - Kon sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Satoshi Kon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vitor Belfort.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kon lands a nice leg kick that just misses Belfort's sensitive parts.
Kon closes the distance and clinches up with Belfort, looking for a takedown. Kon pushes Belfort against the cage but Belfort circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Belfort leaves Kon with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Kon stuffs the takedown attempt from Belfort. Belfort gets slowly back to his feet.
Belfort shoots in but no luck this time.
Satoshi Kon seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Belfort looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Belfort takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kon lands a two punch combo.
Sloppy strikes from Kon. Those never looked like landing.
Belfort pushes Kon away with a front kick.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Belfort.
Kon connects with an inside leg kick.
Belfort tries to close the distance and clinch but Kon swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Belfort wants to clinch.
Kon stuffs the takedown.

Kon shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Belfort's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kon trying to control but Belfort is working from the bottom.
Kon tries to free his leg and advance position but Belfort is retaining full guard.

Belfort working for a triangle but Kon defends it easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kon is working Belfort over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kon not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Satoshi Kon dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

A nice combination there by Belfort.
Kon throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Belfort counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Belfort shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Belfort controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Belfort postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Kon is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Belfort, into his guard.

Belfort is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Kon is aware though and is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kon would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Belfort looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Belfort trying to control the position.
Kon is looking to stand up but Belfort won't let him.
Belfort looking for a sweep. Not yet Belfort, not yet.

Kon gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Belfort tries to clinch but Kon is having none of it.
Kon is trying hard to land a takedown here. Belfort sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Belfort tries to clinch there but Kon circles away.
Kon swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Belfort shoots in but Kon avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Kon misses with a body shot.

Kon scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Kon is looking to take a break and control but Belfort is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Belfort manages to work his way to half guard, despite Kon's best efforts.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belfort tries to roll over but Kon keeps him under control.
Belfort trying to control but Kon postures up.
Kon is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Kon with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Belfort keeping hold of Kon's head, controlling as best he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Belfort trying to control here.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Vitor Belfort.

Belfort gets tackled into the cage by Kon. Kon maintains the clinch.

Belfort pulls guard.
Belfort keeping moving, preventing Kon from controlling successfully.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kon won't allow Belfort to sweep him here.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Vitor Belfort.
I think Kon 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 Daniel Cesar scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 29:28
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Satoshi Kon!