PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Matthieu Belle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paulie Wahlburg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Belle
vs
Wahlburg

178 cm
22
175 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

178 cm
20
171 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Knockout power

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Matthieu Belle!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Paulie Wahlburg!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Eliza Hachem and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Belle fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Belle throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Belle throws a right and a left that both miss.
Belle throws a body punch but Wahlburg moves out of range.

Wahlburg takes the fight into the clinch.
Belle is trying to break free.

Belle manages to break the clinch.

Wahlburg has taken the fight to the clinch.
Wahlburg taking a breather.
Wahlburg lands an elbow inside that Belle shrugs off.

It looks like Matthieu Belle has been cut.
Belle lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Wahlburg landing knees to the body.
Belle lands with a right to the head.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Belle as Wahlburg tries to tie him up.
Wahlburg lands a knee to the head.
Come on Wahlburg - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Wahlburg softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Belle fails to land.
Wahlburg stalls.
Belle has had enough of the clinch but Wahlburg keeps him there for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belle misses with an elbow strike.
Belle goes for a takedown attempt but Wahlburg pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Wahlburg is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Belle instigates a clinch.

Belle manages to break the clinch.

Belle has taken the fight to the clinch.

Belle escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Wahlburg is looking to clinch.
Wahlburg doesn't manage to clinch there - Belle circles away.
Belle is looking to clinch.

Wahlburg drives through with a takedown into guard.

Wahlburg stands up and waves to Belle to follow him.
Belle is breathing heavily.
Wahlburg wants to clinch.

Belle takes the fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wahlburg lands an elbow inside.
Wahlburg crunches a lovely knee into Belle's ribcage.
Knees in the clinch landing for Wahlburg.
Belle is trying to break the clinch but Wahlburg has him pressed against the cage.
Wahlburg stalling in the clinch.

Wahlburg's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Wahlburg has Belle up against the cage in a clinch.
Belle drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Wahlburg gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Wahlburg manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Wahlburg scores with a knee to the head.
Belle takes a knee right on the jaw!
A knee to the head by Wahlburg.
Wahlburg lands a damaging elbow.
Wahlburg stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Belle misses with a knee strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wahlburg with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

Wahlburg pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Wahlburg wants to clinch.

Wahlburg fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Belle, pushing him back against the cage.
Wahlburg pressing his opponent against the cage.
Wahlburg lands a knee to the head.
Wahlburg keeps control of Belle as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Wahlburg just leaning against Belle, taking a breather.
Wahlburg lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Wahlburg connects with a nasty looking knee right to Belle's face.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wahlburg scores a nice knee to the body.
A knee to the head by Wahlburg.
Belle jumps guard but Wahlburg stands there with Belle around his waist. Belle gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matthieu Belle. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Wahlburg is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Wahlburg unloads a knee to the mid-section. Belle lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Wahlburg leaning his opponent against the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Paulie Wahlburg.
Wahlburg moves in looking to clinch but Belle pushes him off.
Belle takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Wahlburg breaks the clinch.
Wahlburg is looking to clinch but Belle is avoiding it.

Wahlburg moves into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paulie Wahlburg dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Matthieu Belle's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

A slow jab from Belle misses its intended target.
Wahlburg tries to close the distance and clinch up but Belle swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Belle throws a series of punches but Wahlburg avoids them all with ease.
Belle looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Belle feints and as Wahlburg raises his hands in defense, Belle changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Wahlburg pushes Belle off and gets back to his feet.
Wahlburg doesn't manage to clinch there - Belle circles away.
Wahlburg tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Belle paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Wahlburg is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Wahlburg tries to close the distance and clinch but Belle swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Wahlburg has Belle up against the cage in a clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Wahlburg lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Wahlburg landing some nice looking knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wahlburg landing knees to the body.
Wahlburg tries for a takedown. No joy.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Wahlburg landing knees to the head.
Wahlburg with an attempt at a knee that misses.
A knee to the head by Wahlburg.
Wahlburg just leaning against Belle, taking a breather.
Wahlburg misses with a knee strike.
Wahlburg lands a nice knee to the body.

Wahlburg pulls guard.

Wahlburg uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Wahlburg fails in his attempt to clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Wahlburg looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Wahlburg moves in looking to clinch but Belle pushes him off.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wahlburg tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Wahlburg with a knee to the head.
Wahlburg lands an elbow that stopped Belle in his tracks for a moment.
Belle wants to break the clinch but can't.
Wahlburg lands a nice knee to the body.
Wahlburg effectively controlling the action here.
Belle wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Wahlburg tries to land a knee to the head but Belle blocks with his arms.
Wahlburg scores with a knee to the head.
Stalling in the clinch from Wahlburg.
Belle takes an elbow to the temple.
Wahlburg lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Wahlburg landing knees to the body.
Belle takes an elbow to the temple.
Wahlburg with a knee to the head.
Wahlburg lands a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Belle can't break the clinch.
Wahlburg with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Wahlburg throws a knee to the head but misses.
Belle tries to break the clinch but Wahlburg is controlling the position.
Wahlburg lands an elbow just above Belle 's eye.
Wahlburg scores with a knee to the head.

Wahlburg escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Wahlburg moves in looking to clinch but Belle pushes him off.
Wahlburg tries to clinch up but Belle circles away and keeps his distance.

Wahlburg moves into range and clinches up with Belle.
Wahlburg prevents Belle from breaking the clinch.
Wahlburg just leaning against Belle, taking a breather.

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.

Wahlburg turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Belle is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Belle tries to contro but end up mounted... ooooh, that's bad.

Wahlburg is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Belle can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Belle is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Wahlburg controlling his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paulie Wahlburg showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Matthieu Belle's cut.
That's time! Belle's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Wahlburg drives through with a takedown into guard.
Belle wants to get back to his feet but Wahlburg passes into half guard.

Wahlburg stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Wahlburg tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Belle paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Wahlburg instigates a clinch.
Wahlburg stalling the fight.

Wahlburg manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Wahlburg uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Wahlburg has managed to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belle takes an elbow to the temple.
Belle gets underhooks to prevent Wahlburg's takedown attempt.

Wahlburg manages to break the clinch.
Wahlburg wants to clinch up but Belle keeps it at a distance.
Belle is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Wahlburg tries to clinch up.

Wahlburg moves into the clinch successfully.
Wahlburg with a knee to the head.
Knees in the clinch landing for Wahlburg.
Wahlburg lands a damaging elbow.
Belle is trying to break free.
Wahlburg scores a nice knee to the body.
Wahlburg lands an elbow just above Belle 's eye.
Wahlburg with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Belle tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Wahlburg smiles and moves away.

Wahlburg takes the fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wahlburg with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Belle wants to get back to striking at distance but Wahlburg won't allow it.
Wahlburg with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Belle takes a knee right on the jaw!
Wahlburg stalling in the clinch but Belle improves position.
Wahlburg connects with a knee to the head.
Belle lands with a right to the head.
Paulie Wahlburg seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Belle takes an elbow to the temple.
Belle wants to break free but Wahlburg has control.
Wahlburg lands an elbow that stopped Belle in his tracks for a moment.
Wahlburg stalling in the clinch but Belle improves position.
Wahlburg keeps control of Belle as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Belle has had enough of the clinch but Wahlburg keeps him there for the moment.
Belle prevents the takedown attempt.

Belle manages to break the clinch.
Wahlburg tries to clinch up but Belle circles away and keeps his distance.
Matthieu Belle seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Belle dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Wahlburg. That did some damage!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Wahlburg.
Matthieu Belle has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Paulie Wahlburg.
Belle avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Wahlburg tries to clinch up but Belle circles away and keeps his distance.
Wahlburg is looking to clinch but Belle is avoiding it.
Wahlburg wants to clinch.

Belle moves into the clinch.
Belle tries for a takedown. No joy.
Wahlburg looking to throw knees to the head but Belle is blocking nicely.
Wahlburg connects with a knee to the head.
Belle has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Wahlburg is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
A knee to the head by Wahlburg.
Belle wants a takedown.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Wahlburg landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Belle throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Wahlburg landing knees to the head.
A bit of stalling here from Wahlburg.
Belle blocks the elbow strike.
Wahlburg trying to land knees to the body.
Belle wants to break free but Wahlburg has control.
Wahlburg stalling in the clinch.

Belle escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Wahlburg shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Belle controls Wahlburg momentarily but Wahlburg frees himself.
Belle trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Matthieu Belle has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Paulie Wahlburg is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Belle wants to get back to his feet but Wahlburg is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Paulie Wahlburg comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Wahlburg 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 Skip Squint scores the fight 27:30
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 27:30
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paulie Wahlburg!