PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Elijah Judah (ranked 2631 p4p, 128 weight class) and Carlos Beltran (ranked 1877 p4p, 96 weight class). Elijah Judah has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Judah
vs
Beltran

175 cm
30
147 lbs
16 - 6 - 2

171 cm
40
145 lbs
27 - 18 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 6 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Elijah Judah!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 18 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Carlos Beltran!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Russell Pearce and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Judah looks to land a left hand but Beltran moved out of range nicely.
Despite the aggression on Beltran's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

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

Judah kicks off Beltran and gets to his feet.
Judah lands a really nice looking cross but Beltran seems unphased.
The fighters circling - Judah throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Judah tries a low kick but Beltran avoids it.
A telegraphed right hand from Judah misses the target.
Beltran tries to counter with a clinch but Judah shakes him off and moves away.
Judah throws a hook but Beltran blocks it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Beltran gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Judah lands with a good body shot.
Beltran blocks a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Judah lands a nice looking body shot.
Judah connects with a right hand. Beltran shakes it off.
Decent striking displayed by Judah there.
Judah misses the shot to the body.
Beltran throws a counter combo.
Beltran takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Judah looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Judah is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Beltran keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Judah.
Beltran lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Judah scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Judah is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Beltran.
Judah misses the shot to the body.
Beltran wants to counter the offense by Judah and move into the clinch position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Judah connects with a crisp jab.
Judah looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Judah throws a shot from downtown. Beltran moves away and avoids it.
Judah throws a lazy uppercut
and Beltran cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Judah chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Judah pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Beltran ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Beltran is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Elijah Judah is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Judah fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Beltran manages to avoid it.
Beltran unleashes a big counter combination but Judah bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Judah misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Beltran.
Judah throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Judah looks to throw the jab but Beltran is out of range.
Beltran bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
As Judah backs off Beltran throws a huge counter combo but Judah manages to avoid it all.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Judah lands with a nice body punch.
Beltran blocks a jab.
Beltran steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Judah.
Judah throws a hook but Beltran blocks it.

Beltran darts in and clinches Judah up against the cage.
Judah misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Judah misses with some punches.
Beltran wants to take the fight to the mat but Judah manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Judah swings wildly with an uppercut but Beltran uses good head movement to avoid it.
Beltran has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Judah after a bit of a struggle.

Judah breaks the clinch.
Judah misses with a wild body shot.
Beltran defending well as Judah loads up on a big left hand.
Beltran walks into a jab.
Judah is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Judah.
A slow jab from Judah misses its intended target.
Judah ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Judah throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Beltran stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
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!
Judah throws a hook but Beltran avoids it easily.
Beltran steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Judah.
Judah is looking to chop away at Beltran's legs.
Elijah Judah seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Beltran slips a jab from Judah.
Beltran checks the leg kick nicely there.
Beltran lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Judah connects with the punch.
Judah thuds his shin into the meat of Beltran's side.
Judah throws a series of punches but Beltran moves out of range.
Beltran wants to counter with a clinch but Judah pushes him away.
Beltran needs to keep his hands up - Judah had a free shot at his head there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Elijah Judah dominated that round.
That's time! Judah's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

A looping hook to the body misses from Judah. Beltran does a little dance to reset his feet.
Beltran is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
A bone on bone clash there as Beltran blocks the leg kick.
Beltran avoids the body shot from Judah.
Beltran throws a counter combo.
Some wild striking there from Judah.
Beltran defending well as Judah loads up on a big left hand.

Beltran looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Judah trying to keep a closed guard but Beltran is proving a slippery customer.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Beltran missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Judah 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.
Judah is working hard here to advance position.
Beltran throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Judah looking for a sweep. Not yet Judah, not yet.
Beltran in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Judah pulls Beltran in close to prevent any damage.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Judah takes a swing at Beltran's ribcage but misses.
Judah jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Beltran unleashes a big counter combination but Judah bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Beltran uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Judah.
Judah throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Beltran sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Beltran with the counter takedown but Judah avoids it easily.
Judah tries to work over Beltran's front leg with a kick but Beltran checks it.
Judah lands with a nice body punch.
Beltran takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Despite the aggression on Beltran's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

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

Judah is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Beltran presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Beltran has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Judah is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Beltran's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Beltran takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Beltran moves out of range of the strikes.
That kick from Judah tenderised Beltran's leg. Beltran is trying to keep his angry face on.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Judah with a nice cross.
Judah cracks a nice hook into Beltran's ribs.
Judah stuffs the takedown.
Judah throws out a leg kick but Beltran moves out of range and Judah only half commits.
Judah connects with a single shot there.
Beltran takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Beltran slips a jab from Judah.
Beltran takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Judah is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Beltran can do to turn this around?
Judah uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Beltran has time to react.
Judah throws a leg kick but Beltran sees it coming and moves out of range.
Beltran takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Beltran closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Beltran lands in his opponent's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Judah seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Beltran must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Beltran missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Judah looking to control.
Beltran is looking to work some ground and pound but Judah has wrist control.
Beltran looking to pass the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Judah throws a shot from downtown. Beltran moves away and avoids it.
Judah jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Judah scores with a hook to the body. Beltran takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Some wild striking there from Judah.
Judah lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Beltran circles away quickly and effectively.
Beltran lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Judah looks to land a right hand but Beltran moved out of range.
Beltran steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Judah.
Beltran misses with a takedown attempt - Judah sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Judah lands an overhand right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Judah works Beltran's body with a nice hook.
Judah cracks Beltran with a right hand to the side of the head.
Beltran is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Judah.

Beltran is rocked!
Judah throws a right and a left that both miss.
Beltran is still on wobbly legs! Can Judah finish him?
Elijah Judah is winning the standup battle so far.
Judah looks to land a right hand but Beltran moved out of range.
Judah misses with an uppercut. Beltran saw that one coming.
Judah throws a sloppy head kick and Beltran moves out of range easily.
Judah misses with a few strikes there.
Beltran throws a counter combo.
Beltran tries to clinch there but Judah circles away.
Beltran seems to have recovered his senses.

Judah takes the fight into the clinch.
Beltran lands with a left to the head.
Judah throws a head punch that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Judah swings wildly with an uppercut but Beltran uses good head movement to avoid it.
Judah digs a right hand underneath Beltran's ribcage. Beltran let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Beltran is working Judah over against the cage.
Judah blocks an uppercut.
Beltran with a knee to the head.
Judah lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Beltran throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Beltran looking to stall.
Beltran lands a right hand.
Judah working aggressively here.
Judah is pressed up against the cage. Beltran has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Judah down to the mat. Judah avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Judah just misses with a punch to the body.
Beltran blocks the body kick.
Beltran is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
The fighters circle momentarily. Judah darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Judah connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Beltran changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Judah tries to avoid it but Beltran manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Judah to the ground. Judah escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
It looked like Judah wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Elijah Judah has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Carlos Beltran.
Judah misses with an uppercut. Beltran saw that one coming.
Judah misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Beltran.
Judah misses with a straight left.
Beltran's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Judah connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Beltran scrambles back to his feet.
Judah looks to land a left hand but Beltran moved out of range nicely.
Judah throws a poor cross that misses
and Beltran counters with a series of strikes. Judah will be more careful next time no doubt.
Judah keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Judah swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Judah tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Beltran was well out of range. Poor timing from Judah.
Judah throws a low kick, looking for Beltran's leg but Beltran calmly moves out of range.
A big left from Judah misses.
Judah throws a low kick, looking for Beltran's leg but Beltran calmly moves out of range.
Beltran throws a counter combo.
Judah misses with a wild body shot.
Despite the aggression on Beltran's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
A shot to the liver by Judah. Beautiful body shot.
Beltran blocks a jab.
Beltran showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Judah.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Judah jabs at Beltran's body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Elijah Judah clearly takes that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Beltran slips under a jab from Judah.
Beltran doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
A slow jab from Judah misses its intended target.
Judah throws a body shot but no joy.
Beltran throws a counter combo.
Beltran is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Judah.
Judah chopping away at his opponent's legs.
The fight stays on the outside here - Beltran looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Judah wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Judah throws a leg kick but Beltran checks it.
Judah lands with a straight right. Beltran didn't see that one coming.
Judah lands a slapping body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Judah works Beltran's body with a nice hook.
Judah getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Beltran has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Judah.
A big left from Judah misses.
Judah will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Good shot there by Judah.
Judah throws a looping overhand right but Beltran ducks down to avoid it.
Judah looks to land a right hand but Beltran moved out of range.
Beltran steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Judah.
Judah throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Beltran tries to counter by closing the distance.
Carlos Beltran is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Judah throws a nice inside leg kick.
Beltran moves out of range as Judah strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Beltran takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Beltran keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Judah sets himself, and Beltran steps forward looking for the clinch! Judah avoids it this time.
A jab from Judah misses.
Beltran is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Judah digs a good body shot into Beltran's ribs.
Judah looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Beltran throws a counter combo.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Judah throws a body shot but no joy.
Beltran shoots in for a takedown but Judah shows good takedown defense.
Judah misses with a hook
and Beltran counters with a left and a right that stings Judah.
An inside leg kick from Judah misses.
Beltran is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Beltran takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Beltran slips a jab and a cross from Judah.
Beltran tries to counter by closing the distance.
Beltran shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Judah defends it nicely.
Judah lands a nice hook to Beltran's body. Beltran takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Judah tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Beltran was well out of range. Poor timing from Judah.
Beltran replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Judah blocks it well.
Judah does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Beltran doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Judah throws a body punch but Beltran moves out of range.
As Judah backs off Beltran throws a huge counter combo but Judah manages to avoid it all.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Beltran takes one on the button.
Beltran has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Beltran uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Judah.
Judah sets himself, and Beltran steps forward looking for the clinch! Judah avoids it this time.

Judah gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Beltran postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Beltran gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Judah swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Beltran unleashes a big counter combination but Judah bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Judah loads up on a big right hand but Beltran slips the punch.
As Judah backs off Beltran throws a huge counter combo but Judah manages to avoid it all.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Judah throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Elijah Judah had his way with Carlos Beltran in that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Judah misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Beltran.
As Judah backs off Beltran throws a huge counter combo but Judah manages to avoid it all.
Judah misses with a straight left.
Judah scores with a jab.
Judah throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Beltran sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A telegraphed right hand from Judah misses the target.
Beltran lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
A slow jab from Judah misses its intended target.
Beltran is looking for the big counter here.
Judah misses with a looping left.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Judah misses the shot to the body.
Beltran feints a counter leg kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for Judah.
Judah lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Judah misses with a straight right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Judah throws a predictable looking body shot
and Beltran counters with a two punch combo.
Judah throws a hook but Beltran avoids it easily.
Judah fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Judah tried to score with a low kick but Beltran checks it.
A jab from Judah misses.
Beltran tries to counter by closing the distance.
Judah throws a lazy right hand but Beltran sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Judah jabs Beltran right on the nose. Beltran blinks but takes it well.
Judah chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Judah throws a body punch but Beltran moves out of range.
Judah scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A chopping leg kick lands by Judah.
Beltran blocks a jab.
Despite the aggression on Beltran's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Judah thows a left - swing and a miss!
Beltran wants to counter with a clinch but Judah pushes him away.
Judah fakes a head shot and lands one 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!
Judah swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Beltran blocks a jab.
Beltran slips a straight right by Judah.
Beltran tries to counter with a clinch but Judah shakes him off and moves away.
Judah missing with a left hand there. Beltran was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Judah throws a looping overhand right but Beltran ducks down to avoid it.
Carlos Beltran has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Beltran moves out of range of the body kick.
Beltran is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Judah lands a nice shot to the body.
Judah misses with a body punch
and Beltran counters with a two punch combo.

Judah tries to sprawl but Beltran drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Beltran not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Judah blocking the ground and pound attempt from Beltran.
Judah wants to improve his position but Beltran is controlling well.
Beltran stops Judah from getting back to his feet.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Judah manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Beltran keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A nice left hand lands by Beltran.
Beltran has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Judah after a bit of a struggle.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Judah creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Judah wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Elijah Judah is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Beltran lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Beltran tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Beltran throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Beltran throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Judahs head.
Beltran tries to work over Judah's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
I was talking to Judah's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Judah tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Judah breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A swing and a miss from Judah.

And that's the end of the fight!
Elijah Judah showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Judah, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Joseph Jones scores the fight 50:45
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 50:45
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Elijah Judah!
Elijah Judah is the new bantamweight champion!
Elijah Judah decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.