PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Dux Ithamar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bj Alves (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 Bj Alves was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Ithamar
vs
Alves

182 cm
22
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

176 cm
20
158 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Big right hand

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Tends to cut

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Dux Ithamar!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bj Alves!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Franklyn Lucas and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ithamar looks for a takedown but Alves sprawls well.
Alves looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!

Alves scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Ithamar wants to improve his position but Alves is controlling well.
Ithamar blocking the ground and pound attempt from Alves.
Alves thows a huge punch but Ithamar dodges it nicely.
Ithamar wants to control but Alves is keeping busy.
Ithamar is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alves thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Alves prevents Ithamar from improving his position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Alves drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Ithamar not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Alves throws a big right hand that misses.
Alves postures up and lands a big shot to Ithamar's brow.
Alves stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ithamar swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ithamar looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ithamar avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Ithamar trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Alves has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Alves accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Ithamar misses with a takedown attempt

and Alves counters with a nice double leg into side control. Ithamar won't be happy with that.
Ithamar dodges the ground and pound from Alves.
Ithamar is looking for a sweep.
Alves fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Alves fails to land a wild elbow strike.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Alves postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Ithamar defending against the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Alves throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
The ground and pound from Alves seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Ithamar is looking to clinch but Alves is avoiding it.
Ithamar throws a looping overhand right but Alves ducks down to avoid it.
Ithamar moves in looking to clinch but Alves pushes him off.
Ithamar tries for a takedown but Alves circles away easily

and Alves counters with a single leg into guard. Ithamar didn't expect that.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dux Ithamar. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alves throwing strikes from guard but Ithamar blocks nicely.
Ithamar avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Alves loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Ithamar looking to hit a scissor sweep but Alves is one step ahead there.
Alves is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Alves working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Alves throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Ithamar utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bj Alves dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Ithamar doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Alves counters with a nice double leg into side control. Ithamar won't be happy with that.
Ithamar managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Alves.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ithamar tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The ground and pound from Alves seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Ithamar knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Alves on the ground.
Alves misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Alves misses with the ground and pound.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Alves. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Alves working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alves working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Ithamar clinches but Alves breaks the clinch

and Alves counters with a shoot takedown. Ithamar fights it but they end up in guard.
Alves scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Alves throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Alves throwing strikes from guard but Ithamar blocks nicely.
Ithamar preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Alves throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ithamar works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ithamar utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Alves preventing the sweep.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Ithamar misses with a takedown

and Alves counters with a shoot takedown. Ithamar fights it but they end up in guard.
Alves is looking to work some ground and pound but Ithamar has wrist control.
Alves is looking to work some ground and pound but Ithamar has wrist control.
Ithamar looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Alves working some strikes from top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ithamar is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Ithamar avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Alves is looking to work some ground and pound but Ithamar has wrist control.
Alves postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Ithamar gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

so Alves counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dux Ithamar. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Alves throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ithamar works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Alves missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ithamar avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Alves throwing strikes but missing.
Alves won't allow Ithamar to sweep him here.
Alves thows a big elbow that misses.
Alves missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Bj Alves has got the better of the ground game so far.
Ithamar working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Alves.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Ithamar shoots and misses

and Alves counters with a nice double leg into side control. Ithamar won't be happy with that.
Ithamar takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Alves throws an elbow but Ithamar slips to the side and avoids it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bj Alves showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down 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.

Alves closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Ithamar to the mat! Ithamar manages to get full guard.
Alves won't allow Ithamar to sweep him here.
Alves throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ithamar works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Alves is looking to work some ground and pound but Ithamar has wrist control.
Ithamar preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Alves throws a big right hand that misses.
Alves throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ithamar works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alves in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Alves throws a big right hand that misses.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Ithamar with a lazy takedown attempt

and Alves counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alves missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Ithamar has hold of Alves's hands but Alves slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Alves missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Alves thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ithamar's head.
Alves winds up and cracks Ithamar with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Alves missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Ithamar avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Alves.
Alves scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Alves thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Alves thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ithamar actively working from the bottom here.
Alves lands strikes from half guard.
Alves thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Alves throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Ithamar trying to control here.
Alves thows a huge punch but Ithamar dodges it nicely.
Alves slips a nice elbow through Ithamar's hands, connecting with Ithamar's forehead.
Alves uses his free foot to push down on Ithamar's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Ithamar.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alves lands a nice shot to the head.
Alves cracks Ithamar 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 Alves.
Ithamar taking shots to the head.
Alves cracks Ithamar with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Alves with a couple of short strikes.
Alves breaks from Ithamar's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Alves with shots to the head and body - Ithamar looks very uncomfortable down there.
Ithamar is bucking up trying to escape but Alves cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
A nice elbow there by Alves.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alves lands a nice shot to the head.
Ithamar is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Alves scoring with strikes but Ithamar is staying in there.
Alves landing strikes, looking to finish!
Dux Ithamar has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Alves looking to ground and pound but Ithamar is blocking nicely.
Alves throws some wild stikes that Ithamar manages to avoid easily.
Alves with good strikes from the mount here!
Alves putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Ithamar really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bj Alves comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Alves has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 26:30
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 26:30
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bj Alves!