PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Aaron Law (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Belanger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Aaron Law could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Mike Belanger's chin.

Law
vs
Belanger

184 cm
19
160 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

185 cm
20
145 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Aaron Law!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mike Belanger!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Stewart Dunkirk and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Belanger displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Law tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Law slips a jab and a cross from Belanger.
Belanger lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Law circles away quickly and effectively.
Belanger throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Belanger tries to bum rush Law with a series of wild strikes but Law uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Law darts in trying to clinch
and Belanger counters with a series of strikes. Law will be more careful next time no doubt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Belanger misses with a two punch combination.
Law moves to clinch but Belanger breaks away
and Belanger counters with a lovely shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belanger tries to bum rush Law with a series of wild strikes but Law uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Law shoots in for a takedown but Belanger shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Belanger swinging wildly here.

Law gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Law using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Belanger has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Belanger tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Belanger is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Belanger throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Law blocks it with crossed arms.

Law pulls Belanger into guard.
Belanger stops Law from standing up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Belanger stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Law swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Law not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Aaron Law just wasn't active enough.
The fight stays on the outside here - Law looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Law closes the distance looking to clinch
and Belanger counters with a two punch combo.
Belanger looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Belanger lands a nice shot that snaps Law's head back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Law is looking to clinch but Belanger is avoiding it.
Belanger closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Mike Belanger is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Law has a takedown stuffed.
Law throws a left and a right that both miss
and Belanger connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Belanger tries to bum rush Law with a series of wild strikes but Law uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Belanger swats away the attempt to clinch by Law.
Law tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Belanger paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Law takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Belanger swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A shot to the liver by Law. Beautiful body shot.
Law wants to clinch up but Belanger keeps it at a distance.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Belanger ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Belanger moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Belanger scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Law tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Belanger swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aaron Law. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Belanger throws a nice looking combination but Law bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Law tries to clinch but Belanger is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Belanger dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Belanger lands a jab to the head.
Law wants to clinch.
Law tries to clinch up but Belanger circles away and keeps his distance.
Belanger throws a right and a left that both miss.
Belanger cracks Law with a good jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Law tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Belanger paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Law is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Belanger throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Law counters by moving into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belanger tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Belanger pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Law blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Belanger. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Belanger is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Law is defending well for now.
Law is trying to stall.
Law on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Law pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Law tries to clinch up but Belanger circles away and keeps his distance.
Law doesn't manage to clinch there - Belanger circles away.
Law tries to clinch up but Belanger circles away and keeps his distance.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Belanger!
Belanger throws a combination that misses

and Law counters by moving into the clinch.
Belanger misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Law.
Belanger missing with knees to the body.
Law lands an elbow inside that Belanger shrugs off.

It looks like Mike Belanger has been cut.
Law taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Belanger tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Law avoiding damage as Belanger throws knees to the body.

Law manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Law is looking to stand up but Belanger isn't so interested in that idea.

Belanger stands and steps away. Law gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Belanger misses with the combination.
The fight stays on the outside here - Law looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Law throws a combination that misses
and Belanger counters with a right hand to the body.
Belanger swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Law moves into the clinch.
Belanger with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Belanger missing with knees to the body.
Belanger with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Law tries to pull guard but Belanger won't allow it.
Law crunches a lovely knee into Belanger's ribcage.
Belanger looking to throw knees to the head but Law is blocking nicely.
Law blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Belanger takes a knee right on the jaw!
Belanger throws a knee to the head but misses.
Belanger tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Law drags the fight down to the ground.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Law is trying to keep Belanger in close.
Law wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Aaron Law wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Law is looking to clinch.
Law throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Belanger counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Law closes the distance but Belanger moves to the side
and Belanger counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Belanger misses with a combination

and Law counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Aaron Law will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Mike Belanger's cut.
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!

Left hook, right uppercut from Belanger.
Belanger avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Law tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Belanger paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Law tries to clinch up but Belanger circles away and keeps his distance.
Belanger misses with a wild combination.
Belanger throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Law holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Belanger with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Belanger misses with a knee to the head.
Law lands a shoulder strike.
Belanger tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Law breaks the clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Law looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Law falls off balance throwing a combination
and Belanger counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belanger keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Belanger swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Law counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Belanger is lucky that one didn't land flush.

Law moves into range and clinches up with Belanger.
Law throws a knee to the head but misses.

Law pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Belanger misses with a jab, cross combination.
Belanger throws a left and a right that both miss

and Law moves into the clinch.

Law escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Belanger misses with a double jab.
Law fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Belanger lands a two punch combo.
Aaron Law is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Belanger lands a nice hook to Law's body. Law takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Law is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Belanger throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Law.
Belanger circles away from the clinch attempt
and Belanger counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Belanger tries to bum rush Law with a series of wild strikes but Law uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belanger fails to land with a series of punches.
Law shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Law tries to clinch up.
Belanger avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Belanger misses with a double jab
and Law cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Law takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Law misses with a left hand
and Law takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Law misses with a double jab
and Belanger connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Law fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Belanger swats away the attempt to clinch by Law.
Belanger throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Law.
Law slips a jab and a cross from Belanger.
Belanger misses with a double jab.
Law shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Law tries to close the distance and clinch but Belanger swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mike Belanger.
I think Belanger has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:30
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Mike Belanger!