PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vitor Belfort (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nuriyuki Kazuma (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Nuriyuki Kazuma was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Belfort
vs
Kazuma

185 cm
18
205 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

190 cm
21
200 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Vitor Belfort!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Nuriyuki Kazuma!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Ren Mimura and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Belfort tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kazuma sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Belfort somewhat.
Vitor Belfort seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kazuma keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Belfort closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Belfort wants to pass the guard but Kazuma is defending well.
Belfort missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Belfort moves into full mount! Kazuma won't be happy about that!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kazuma is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kazuma holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Belfort tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Belfort throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Belfort throwing strikes here but Kazuma is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Belfort lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Belfort throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Kazuma because Belfort loaded up on that one.
Belfort throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Belfort thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Belfort is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Kazuma can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Belfort lands with some strikes.
Kazuma taking shots to the head.
Belfort with the ground and pound from mount.
Kazuma looks gassed!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kazuma blocking the ground and pound.
Kazuma is in a horrible position here. Belfort smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Kazuma is trying desperately to improve position.
Belfort thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Belfort is landing with some decent strikes but Kazuma is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Kazuma is trying desperately to improve position.
Belfort avoids the attempt from Kazuma to control.
A nice elbow there by Belfort.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belfort with a couple of short strikes.
Kazuma is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Belfort connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Belfort landing shots from mount.
A nice elbow there by Belfort.
Belfort dominating with strikes here.
Belfort landing strikes from the mount and Kazuma is in trouble!
Belfort lands with some strikes.
Belfort lands a heavy elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Belfort with good strikes from the mount here!
Belfort landing punches.
Belfort with shots to the head and body - Kazuma looks very uncomfortable down there.
BOOM! Belfort connects with a massive shot to the dome!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Belfort cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Belfort 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.
Belfort cracks Kazuma with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Belfort lands a nice shot to the head.
Belfort breaks from Kazuma's wrist control and lands an elbow.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kazuma takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Belfort cracks Kazuma with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
A nice elbow there by Belfort.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vitor Belfort dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Belfort drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Belfort thows a big elbow that misses.
Belfort throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kazuma works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Belfort trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Belfort is looking to work some ground and pound but Kazuma has wrist control.
Belfort connects with a couple of short punches.
Belfort scoring with some ground and pound.
Belfort working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Belfort postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Belfort avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belfort scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Belfort landing some decent shots from guard.

Kazuma looking for a guillotine here but Belfort defends easily.
Belfort thows a big elbow that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Kazuma avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kazuma utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Belfort trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Belfort scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Belfort with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Belfort keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Kazuma's head.
Belfort lands a couple of digs.
Kazuma preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Belfort throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Kazuma is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

Belfort lands a takedown into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belfort with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Belfort in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Belfort accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kazuma is trying to control the position but Belfort postures up.
Belfort throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kazuma throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Kazuma trying to control the position.
Belfort landing with the ground and pound.

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.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Belfort fails with a takedown attempt.
Kazuma tries to clinch there but Belfort circles away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kazuma with a poor takedown

so Belfort counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Belfort working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Kazuma's head.
Belfort scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Belfort shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

so Kazuma counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Belfort bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kazuma's guard.
Belfort with a nice head shot there.
Belfort is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Kazuma utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Belfort postures up in Kazuma's guard and throws a big left but Kazuma blocks it.
Kazuma is trying to keep Belfort in close.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kazuma preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Belfort accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Belfort with a nice head shot there.
Kazuma has momentary wrist control but Belfort slips an elbow through the middle.
Belfort trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Belfort shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Kazuma is trying to defend but Belfort finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Kazuma keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Belfort looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Kazuma with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Belfort throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Vitor Belfort is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Belfort working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Kazuma's thigh. Kazuma counters though and makes it back to full guard.

Kazuma is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Belfort working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Belfort distracts Kazuma with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Kazuma keeping moving, preventing Belfort from controlling successfully.
Vitor Belfort overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Kazuma looking for a guillotine here but Belfort defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Belfort avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Belfort in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Belfort trying to control the position from guard on top but Kazuma is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Belfort slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Kazuma gets caught flat footed, as Belfort shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Nuriyuki Kazuma has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kazuma preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vitor Belfort showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Belfort, 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 30:26
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 30:26
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vitor Belfort!