PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Evan Morgan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Belanger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Evan Morgan has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Morgan
vs
Belanger

187 cm
22
180 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

180 cm
22
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good in bed

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

Gold Standard Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Evan Morgan!
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, Michael Belanger!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Joseph Jones and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Morgan changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Belanger tries to avoid it but Morgan manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Belanger to the ground. Belanger escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Belanger stuffs the takedown.
Morgan will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Evan Morgan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Morgan closes this distance looking for a takedown but Belanger circles away.
Morgan fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Morgan shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Belanger as he jumps to the side.
Morgan uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Belanger.
Morgan misses with a takedown attempt - Belanger sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Morgan moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Morgan throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Belanger's waist but Belanger gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Morgan off to one side.
Morgan is breathing heavily.
Belanger lands the left hand.
Nice sprawl there from Belanger as Morgan shoots in.
Morgan tries to clinch there but Belanger circles away.
Belanger scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Belanger lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belanger misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Evan Morgan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Belanger thuds his right hand into Morgan's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Nice shot by Belanger.
Belanger throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Morgan stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Horrible takedown by Morgan or perhaps it was just good defense by Belanger which made him look bad.
Belanger cracks Morgan with a right hand to the side of the head.
The fighters circle momentarily. Belanger darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Morgan closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Belanger lands a slapping body shot.
Belanger lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Morgan fails with the takedown.
Belanger wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Belanger lands a really nice looking cross but Morgan seems unphased.
Morgan on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Morgan takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Belanger lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Morgan tries to clinch up but Belanger circles away and keeps his distance.
Belanger jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Belanger leaves Morgan with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Belanger works the jab nicely.
A jab from Belanger finds it's way through Morgan's defenses.
Some wild striking there from Belanger.
Morgan tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Morgan looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Belanger is fending him off so far but Morgan persists. Nope, Belanger circles away and we're back to standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morgan shoots in but Belanger avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Belanger scores with a hook.
Belanger fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Belanger lands with a nice body punch.
Belanger fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Belanger keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Decent striking displayed by Belanger there.
Belanger throws a series of strikes that have Morgan backpedaling.
Morgan shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Belanger as he jumps to the side.
Morgan takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Belanger scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Belanger cracks Morgan with an open hand slap.
Belanger looks to land a combination. Morgan sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Morgan on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Belanger, as that shot connected.
Belanger cracks Morgan with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Belanger throws a shot from downtown. Morgan moves away and avoids it.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Belanger!
Morgan is looking to clinch.

Morgan shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
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!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Morgan throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Belanger because Morgan loaded up on that one.
Morgan unloads with some shots from mount but Belanger bucks and avoids them well.
Belanger squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Belanger tries to get back to half guard but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Belanger dominated 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.

Morgan shoots in for a takedown but Belanger shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Belanger bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Morgan's head backwards.
Morgan is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Belanger might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Belanger throws a hook but Morgan blocks it.
Morgan shoots in for a takedown but Belanger shows good takedown defense.
Morgan takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Morgan moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

Morgan scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Morgan prevents Belanger from improving his position.
Belanger wants to get back to his feet.
Belanger is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belanger keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Morgan passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Belanger!
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Belanger is trying to get back to his feet but can't.

Morgan jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Belanger manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Belanger really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Morgan. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Morgan in side control, throwing shots but Belanger defends.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Belanger can do anything to dispel that myth.
Morgan misses with the ground and pound.
Morgan in side control, throwing shots but Belanger defends.
Morgan working the ground and pound.
Morgan working away.
Belanger is looking to regain half guard here but Morgan keeps moving and retains side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Belanger scores with a hook.
Morgan tries for a takedown but Belanger sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Evan Morgan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Belanger fails to land with a series of punches.
Morgan tries for a takedown but Belanger sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Belanger misses with a two punch combination.
Nice straight punches there by Belanger. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Belanger.
Morgan slips under a jab.
Morgan shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Belanger as he jumps to the side.
Belanger lands a really nice looking cross but Morgan seems unphased.
Nice straight punches there by Belanger. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Belanger.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Morgan with that takedown attempt.
Michael Belanger is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Belanger fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Belanger stuffs the takedown.
Left hook, right uppercut from Belanger.
Jab by Belanger.
Belanger fails to land with a series of punches.
Morgan looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
The fight stays on the outside here - Morgan looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Belanger swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Morgan shoots in for a takedown but Belanger shows good takedown defense.
Morgan shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Belanger defends it nicely.
Morgan shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Belanger sprawls well. Belanger wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Morgan gets slowly back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Belanger jabs Morgan right on the nose. Morgan blinks but takes it well.
Belanger lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Belanger lands a glancing blow to the side of Morgan's head.
Belanger misses with a hook.
Morgan shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Belanger sprawls well. Belanger wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Morgan gets slowly back to his feet.
Belanger leaves Morgan with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Belanger showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Belanger cracks Morgan with an open hand slap.
Morgan fails with a takedown attempt.
Morgan closes the distance and clinches up with Belanger, looking for a takedown. Morgan pushes Belanger against the cage but Belanger circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Belanger scores with a three punch combo!
A decent looking cross lands there for Belanger.
Morgan shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Belanger as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Evan Morgan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Belanger getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Belanger jabs Morgan right on the nose. Morgan blinks but takes it well.
Morgan shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Belanger pinned against the cage. Belanger gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Belanger throws a series of punches but Morgan moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belanger bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Belanger scores with a nice head shot.
Belanger scores with a jab. Morgan acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Belanger scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Good standup being displayed there by Belanger as he connects with a hook.
A cross from Belanger lands.
Belanger will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Belanger misses with a jab, cross combination.
Belanger lands with a right hand.
Morgan shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Belanger pinned against the cage. Belanger gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Morgan shoots in and drives through. Belanger sprawls well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice jab there from Belanger.
A left and a right from Belanger both land. Nice combination.
Belanger moves into range and connects with a jab.

Morgan 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.
Belanger wants to stand and escape but Morgan is having none of it.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Morgan accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Belanger tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Belanger keeping moving, preventing Morgan from controlling successfully.
Belanger tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Morgan trying to control but Belanger is working from the bottom.
Morgan postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morgan trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Morgan has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Belanger finds it's way round the side to connect with Morgan's head.
Belanger throws a series of strikes that have Morgan backpedaling.
Belanger takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Morgan moves in looking to clinch but Belanger pushes him off.
Michael Belanger seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Belanger stuffs the takedown.
Belanger connects with a good right hand that stumbles Morgan. Morgan circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Morgan takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Morgan shoots in but Belanger avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Belanger pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Evan Morgan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Morgan shoots in but Belanger avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Morgan has a takedown stuffed.
Morgan drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Belanger throws out a loose jab but Morgan uses good head movement to avoid it.
Morgan fails with a takedown attempt.
Belanger scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Morgan shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Belanger sprawls well. Belanger wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Morgan gets slowly back to his feet.
Morgan takes a body punch but keeps moving.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michael Belanger comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Belanger winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Dean Styles scores the fight 27:30
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michael Belanger!