PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Leonardo Florentino Ernesto Alvarez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brother Firetribe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Florentino Ernesto Alvarez
vs
Firetribe

180 cm
29
166 lbs
17 - 3 - 1

180 cm
26
169 lbs
22 - 8 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

Sex Panther!
Sparta Fightware

Soul Supremacy Nutrition (90% laundry)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Leonardo Florentino Ernesto Alvarez!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Brother Firetribe!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Phil Schofield and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Alvarez drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Firetribe avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Firetribe keeping moving, preventing Alvarez from controlling successfully.
Alvarez passes Firetribe's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Alvarez 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.
Firetribe wants to control but Alvarez is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Alvarez thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Alvarez wants to take a breather but Firetribe is having none of it.
Alvarez lands strikes from half guard.
Firetribe avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Alvarez.
Alvarez not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alvarez lands with a punch from half guard.
Alvarez trying to pass the guard but Firetribe defending well.
Alvarez controlling the action here.
Firetribe is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Alvarez sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Firetribe defending well though.
Firetribe is looking to control Alvarez's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Firetribe avoid being mounted?

Alvarez is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Firetribe blocking the ground and pound attempt from Alvarez.
Alvarez lands with a punch from half guard.
Alvarez lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Firetribe blocking the ground and pound attempt from Alvarez.
Alvarez looks to land a strike but Firetribe avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Alvarez wants to control from the top but Firetribe keeps moving.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Firetribe trying to keep a closed guard but Alvarez is proving a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez trying to control the position from guard on top but Firetribe is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Alvarez with a flurry of punches that miss.
Alvarez lands a couple of elbows.

Firetribe is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Firetribe controls Alvarez momentarily but Alvarez frees himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez looking to pass the guard.
Alvarez sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Firetribe's guard.
Firetribe tries to roll over but Alvarez keeps him under control.
Alvarez lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Alvarez is trying to control. Firetribe wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Alvarez with the ground and pound but Firetribe uses the opportunity to regain guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leonardo Florentino Ernesto Alvarez dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Alvarez throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Firetribe tries to work over Alvarez's front leg with a kick but Alvarez checks it.
Firetribe ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Alvarez moves away.
Firetribe fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Alvarez looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Firetribe connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Alvarez momentarily.
Nice uppercut there from Alvarez.
Firetribe scores with a jab to the jaw.
Firetribe is looking to clinch.

Alvarez closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Check out the look on Alvarez's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Alvarez lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Firetribe down.
Firetribe has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Firetribe is trying to improve his position.
Leonardo Florentino Ernesto Alvarez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Alvarez scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Firetribe to see if he's OK.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alvarez creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Firetribe sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Alvarez is chipping away with strikes.
Firetribe is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Alvarez tries to move to mount but Firetribe blocks the move with his legs.
Alvarez is working hard here to advance position.

Alvarez swings around for an armbar but Firetribe sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Alvarez's guard.
Firetribe must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Firetribe trying to control the position from guard on top but Alvarez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Alvarez looking to hit a scissor sweep but Firetribe is one step ahead there.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Brother Firetribe.
Alvarez just misses with a punch to the body.
Firetribe looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Firetribe misses with a wild body shot.
Firetribe throws a solid leg kick but Alvarez takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Firetribe.
Alvarez dives in for a single leg takedown but Firetribe sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Alvarez lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Firetribe is concentrating on defense, preventing Alvarez from advancing position.
Firetribe is looking for a sweep. Alvarez is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Alvarez passes the guard and advances to mount!
Alvarez lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Alvarez sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Alvarez can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Firetribe is looking to escape.
Alvarez controlling the position easily from mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Alvarez landing strikes, looking to finish!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Alvarez with a couple of short strikes.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Firetribe wants to control but Alvarez is having none of it.
Alvarez connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leonardo Florentino Ernesto Alvarez dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Alvarez takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Alvarez tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Firetribe was well out of range. Poor timing from Alvarez.
A good leg kick by Firetribe.

Firetribe rushes Alvarez and presses him up against the cage.
Firetribe lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Firetribe tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Firetribe obliges.
Firetribe with a knee to the head.
Firetribe is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
I was talking to Alvarez's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Firetribe misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Firetribe lands with a left to the head.
Firetribe tries a body shot but Alvarez blocks it.
Firetribe using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Alvarez has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Firetribe misses with a punch to the body.
Alvarez prevents a body shot from Firetribe.
Firetribe connects with a knee to the head.

Alvarez pulls guard.
Firetribe pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Alvarez is keeping the position for now.
Alvarez is trying to keep Firetribe in close.
Alvarez looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez has a closed guard, preventing Firetribe from standing up.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Brother Firetribe hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Firetribe throws a jab when Alvarez was well out of range.
Brother Firetribe seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Alvarez throws out a leg kick but Firetribe moves out of range and Alvarez only half commits.
A low kick from Firetribe is predictable there

and Alvarez counters with a nice double leg into side control. Firetribe won't be happy with that.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Alvarez landing a few strikes.
Alvarez lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Firetribe down.
Firetribe can't do much from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

Alvarez looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Firetribe is trying to get back to half guard.
Alvarez trying to control the position but Firetribe is working away.
Alvarez misses with the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Firetribe gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Alvarez scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Firetribe?
Alvarez looking to control but Firetribe is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Firetribe is desperately trying to improve his position but Alvarez has a good base and remains in mount.
Alvarez takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Alvarez looking to control but Firetribe is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Alvarez unloading with bombs!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Leonardo Florentino Ernesto Alvarez did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Alvarez throws a body punch but Firetribe moves out of range.
Firetribe misses with an attempted mid kick.
Alvarez ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Firetribe moves away.
Alvarez misses with a hook. Firetribe ducked under it nicely.
Firetribe fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Alvarez.
Firetribe tries to score with a low kick but Alvarez moves his leg out of the way.
Nice shot by Alvarez.
Firetribe slips under a jab.
Firetribe throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Alvarez tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Firetribe swings for the body but Alvarez moves out of range.
A big left from Firetribe misses.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Firetribe.
Alvarez swinging wildly here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Firetribe lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Alvarez at a distance.
Firetribe throws a nice outside leg kick.
Alvarez misses with a wild body shot.
Alvarez jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Brother Firetribe is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Firetribe is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Alvarez blocks a jab.
Alvarez darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Alvarez doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
A big left from Alvarez misses.
Firetribe defending well as Alvarez loads up on a big left hand.
Firetribe throws a lazy right hand but Alvarez sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Firetribe moves out of range as Alvarez strikes.
A solid leg kick lands there for Firetribe.
Firetribe slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Firetribe keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Firetribe takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Alvarez misses with a hook to the body

and Firetribe moves into the clinch.
Alvarez tries for a takedown but Firetribe manages to get underhooks.
Alvarez blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Firetribe lands an elbow that stopped Alvarez in his tracks for a moment.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Alvarez blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Alvarez wants to stall.
Alvarez on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Firetribe just misses with a elbow thrown towards Alvarez's brow.
Firetribe throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Alvarez blocks it with crossed arms.
Firetribe throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Alvarezs head.
Firetribe creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Alvarez prevents a body shot from Firetribe.
Firetribe tries to work over Alvarez's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Firetribe connects with a nasty looking knee right to Alvarez's face.
Firetribe avoiding damage.
Alvarez takes an elbow to the forehead.
Firetribe tries to throw a body punch but Alvarez avoids it by throwing Firetribe back against the cage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Alvarez as Firetribe tries to tie him up.
Firetribe pressing his opponent against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Alvarez breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A punch combination from Alvarez misses.
Alvarez misses with a hook. Firetribe ducked under it nicely.
Firetribe attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Firetribe uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Alvarez.
The crowd cheers as Alvarez lands an impressive looking overhand right. Firetribe doesn't seem phased though.
Alvarez checks the leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brother Firetribe dominated that fourth round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Firetribe walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Firetribe throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Firetribe scores with a jab to the head.
A solid leg kick lands there for Firetribe.
Firetribe throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Firetribe on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Alvarez throws a jab but it's blocked by Firetribe.
Firetribe misses with a head kick.
Firetribe uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Alvarez.
Firetribe throws a leg kick that is checked

and Alvarez counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Alvarez lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Firetribe tries to roll over but Alvarez keeps him under control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Alvarez seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Alvarez is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Alvarez missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Alvarez is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Firetribe is just riding it out for now. Alvarez eventually gives up the hold.
Brother Firetribe has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez tries to pass to full mount but Firetribe defends it.
Alvarez stalling.
Firetribe wants to control but Alvarez is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez wants to take a breather but Firetribe is having none of it.
Alvarez drops an elbow to the side of Firetribe's head.
Firetribe is refusing to be controlled, as Alvarez sits in half guard.
Alvarez thows a huge punch but Firetribe dodges it nicely.
Alvarez throws a strike but Firetribe avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Firetribe keeping moving, preventing Alvarez from controlling successfully.
Alvarez is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Firetribe is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Leonardo Florentino Ernesto Alvarez is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Alvarez is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Leonardo Florentino Ernesto Alvarez wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Firetribe misses with a looping left.
Firetribe lands a high kick!
Alvarez throws a nice looking combination but Firetribe bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Nice shot by Firetribe.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Firetribe enables Alvarez to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Firetribe manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
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!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Alvarez controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Alvarez trying to control but Firetribe is working from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Leonardo Florentino Ernesto Alvarez showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Alvarez 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 49:46
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 49:46
Judge William Gold scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Leonardo Florentino Ernesto Alvarez!
Leonardo Florentino Ernesto Alvarez retains his lightweight title!
A victorious Leonardo Florentino Ernesto Alvarez thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.