PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sam Bellafontane (ranked 7862 p4p, 0 weight class) and JaDarian Michaels (ranked 3793 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Bellafontane
vs
Michaels

150 cm
18
300 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

225 cm
18
300 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Solid boxing
Big right hand

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Sam Bellafontane!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, JaDarian Michaels!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, John Kavanagh and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Michaels tries to work over Bellafontane's front leg with a kick but Bellafontane checks it.
Bellafontane avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

Bellafontane closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Bellafontane lands in his opponent's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Michaels is on top in guard.

Bellafontane might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Michaels stopping the sweep attempt from Bellafontane.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Bellafontane manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Bellafontane wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Bellafontane tries to break the clinch but Michaels is controlling the position.
Michaels blocks a body shot from Bellafontane.

Michaels escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Bellafontane shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Michaels napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Michaels is looking for a sweep.

Bellafontane stands up and we're back to a striking position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bellafontane drives through with a takedown into guard.
Michaels is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Bellafontane really is a fat lump.

Bellafontane gets to his feet. Michaels looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Michaels looks winded!

Bellafontane shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Michaels trying to hold on to Bellafontane's head to control him but Bellafontane postures up.

Bellafontane decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.

Bellafontane closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Michaels quickly recovers to half guard.
Michaels trying to control but Bellafontane postures up.

Bellafontane escapes and gets back to his feet.

Bellafontane changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Michaels looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Bellafontane stands up and we're back to a striking position.

Bellafontane closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Bellafontane lands in his opponent's guard.

Michaels is working an open guard so Bellafontane takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Bellafontane shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Bellafontane showed some decent athleticism there.

Bellafontane decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.

Bellafontane manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Michaels on his heels. He'll look to pass Michaels's guard now, I'm sure.

Bellafontane gets to his feet - Michaels follows without any prompting.

Bellafontane closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Bellafontane decides to stand and escape the position.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Bellafontane enables Michaels to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Bellafontane manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Bellafontane scrambles and gets back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bellafontane gets a double leg takedown into Michaels's guard.
Michaels working a defensive guard here.

Bellafontane decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Michaels, up you get!
Michaels pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Bellafontane misses with the combination.

Michaels gets caught flat footed, as Bellafontane shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Bellafontane gets to his feet - Michaels follows without any prompting.
Bellafontane circles away from the clinch attempt.
Bellafontane throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Michaels.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bellafontane fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Michaels sprawls well initially but Bellafontane persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Michaels tries to roll over but Bellafontane keeps him under control.

Bellafontane decides to return to a standing position.

Michaels trying to control but Bellafontane is working from the bottom.

Bellafontane has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Michaels is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.

Bellafontane breaks the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Bellafontane dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Bellafontane 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.
Bellafontane looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.

Michaels has his foot on Bellafontane's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Bellafontane works his way back into a safe position though.

Bellafontane gets to his feet - Michaels follows without any prompting.
Sam Bellafontane is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Bellafontane looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Bellafontane stands up from half guard.

Bellafontane closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Michaels did well to prevent Bellafontane getting side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Bellafontane escapes and gets back to his feet.

Bellafontane changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Michaels looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Bellafontane decides to take the fight back to the feet.

Michaels tries to sprawl but Bellafontane drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Bellafontane stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Michaels to get to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Bellafontane closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bellafontane decides to take the fight back to the feet.

Bellafontane changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Michaels looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
You can see the frustration on Michaels's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Bellafontane stands up and we're back to a striking position.

Bellafontane closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Michaels did well to prevent Bellafontane getting side control.

Bellafontane stands up out of the half guard.

Bellafontane shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Michaels is trying to defend but Bellafontane finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Michaels wants to control but Bellafontane is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Michaels might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Bellafontane haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Bellafontane stands up and beckons Michaels to join him on the feet.

Bellafontane throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Michaels was covering up waiting for the punch and Bellafontane finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Bellafontane gets to his feet. Michaels looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Bellafontane gets a double leg takedown into Michaels's guard.
Michaels looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bellafontane is one step ahead there.

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

Bellafontane closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Michaels did well to prevent Bellafontane getting side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bellafontane gets to his feet - back to striking we go!

Bellafontane shoots in and gets a takedown into Michaels's guard.
Michaels working a defensive guard here.

Michaels has his foot on Bellafontane's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Bellafontane works his way back into a safe position though.

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

Bellafontane shoots in and gets a takedown into Michaels's guard.

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

Bellafontane drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Bellafontane decides to stand up, so the ref orders Michaels to his feet.

Michaels gets caught flat footed, as Bellafontane shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Michaels is pulling down on Bellafontane's head to control his posture.
Sam Bellafontane overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Bellafontane gets to his feet - Michaels follows without any prompting.

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

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

Bellafontane gets the takedown into side control.

Bellafontane decides to stand back up. Bellafontane steps back and let's Michaels get back to his feet.

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

Bellafontane postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Michaels to stand up.

Bellafontane throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Michaels was covering up waiting for the punch and Bellafontane finishes the takedown easily into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Bellafontane dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Bellafontane shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Michaels defends it nicely.
Michaels has a takedown stuffed.
Michaels is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Michaels wants to land a leg kick but Bellafontane is out of range.

Bellafontane gets a takedown into half guard.

Bellafontane decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bellafontane showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Michaels.

Bellafontane looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bellafontane gets to his feet - Michaels follows without any prompting.

Bellafontane fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Michaels sprawls well initially but Bellafontane persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Bellafontane gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Michaels lands with an overhand left.

Michaels gets caught flat footed, as Bellafontane shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Michaels pushes Bellafontane off and scrambles back to his feet.
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!

Bellafontane drives through with a takedown into guard.

Bellafontane gets to his feet - Michaels follows without any prompting.
Bellafontane looks to land a combination but Michaels avoids it well.

Michaels gets caught flat footed, as Bellafontane shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bellafontane stands and steps away. Michaels gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Bellafontane tries to bum rush Michaels with a series of wild strikes but Michaels uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Michaels gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Michaels is working an open guard so Bellafontane takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Sam Bellafontane seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bellafontane throws a right and a left that both miss.
Bellafontane shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
No joy there for Bellafontane, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Michaels tries to sprawl but Bellafontane drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Bellafontane stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Michaels to get to his feet.
Bellafontane shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Michaels but Michaels pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sam Bellafontane. That's going to take a lot out of him.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Michaels enables Bellafontane to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Michaels manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Michaels has his feet on Bellafontane's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bellafontane shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Bellafontane postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Michaels to stand up.
Bellafontane looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Bellafontane shoots in and bounces Michaels off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Bellafontane decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Michaels, up you get!
Bellafontane shoots for a double leg takedown but Michaels sprawls well. He's pushed Bellafontane's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Michaels is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Bellafontane is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Michaels can do to turn this around?

Bellafontane looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Michaels has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Bellafontane is on him like a limpet, forcing Michaels back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bellafontane wants to get back to striking at distance but Michaels won't allow it.
Bellafontane can't break the clinch.

Bellafontane's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Michaels wants to clinch.

Bellafontane shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Bellafontane showed some decent athleticism there.

Bellafontane stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Michaels to get to his feet.
JaDarian Michaels has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sam Bellafontane is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Bellafontane drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to JaDarian Michaels.
Well Bellafontane has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Chad Campbell scores the fight 29:28
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 29:28
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sam Bellafontane!