PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Dominic Leval (ranked 4846 p4p, 4962 weight class) and Casual Ferguson (ranked 427 p4p, 229 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Leval
vs
Ferguson

175 cm
25
135
0 - 0 - 0

165 cm
19
135
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Likes comics

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dominic Leval!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Casual Ferguson!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice sprawl there from Leval as Ferguson shoots in.
Ferguson throws a head kick but Leval moves out of range.
Sloppy strikes from Ferguson. Those never looked like landing.
Leval attempts a counter takedown but Ferguson avoids it well and moves away.

Leval has managed to clinch.
Leval managing to block the knees to the body from Ferguson.
Leval is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Ferguson is keeping busy.
Ferguson has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Leval avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Leval jumps guard.
Ferguson postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ferguson preventing the sweep.
Ferguson is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Leval has Ferguson pulled in close to control his posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferguson controlling from the top position.
Ferguson wanted to stand there but Leval had control of the position.

Leval looking for subs off his back but Ferguson has passed one foot through into half guard.
Leval is trying to control but can't.

That's two 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.
Well, if Ferguson is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Leval really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ferguson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Leval throws a quick counter kick to the body but Ferguson avoids it.
Leval shoots for a double leg takedown but Ferguson sprawls well. He's pushed Leval's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Nice sprawl there from Ferguson as Leval shoots in.
Ferguson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Ferguson moves into range and clinches up with Leval.
Ferguson is pressed up against the cage. Leval has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Ferguson down to the mat. Ferguson avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dominic Leval. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ferguson takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leval tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ferguson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Leval somewhat.

Ferguson shoots in and gets a takedown into Leval's guard.

Leval manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Ferguson misses with the combination.

Leval gets tackled into the cage by Ferguson. Ferguson maintains the clinch.
Leval is trying to force a seperation but Ferguson has the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leval has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Ferguson avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Ferguson as Leval tries to tie him up.

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

Leval closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ferguson leaning his opponent against the cage.

Ferguson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ferguson shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

Leval drives through with a takedown into Ferguson's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Ferguson wants to sweep but no luck.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Dominic Leval will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A left and a right from Leval both land. Nice combination.
Ferguson keeps the fight on the outside.
Leval shoots for a takedown but Ferguson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Leval tries to close the distance and clinch but Ferguson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Ferguson shoots in and gets a takedown into Leval's guard.

Leval manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.

Leval's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
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!
Leval tries to clinch up but Ferguson circles away and keeps his distance.

Leval gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Leval pushes Ferguson off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Leval tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ferguson paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leval moves in looking to clinch but Ferguson pushes him off.

Ferguson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Leval tries to stall but Ferguson uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Ferguson gets underhooks to prevent Leval's takedown attempt.
Leval tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Ferguson manages to break the clinch.
Leval shoots for a takedown but Ferguson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dominic Leval. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ferguson takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Ferguson gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Leval counters with a shoot takedown. Ferguson fights it but they end up in guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ferguson pulls Leval in close to his closed guard and prevents Leval from doing any damage or advancing position.
Ferguson looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ferguson isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Leval stacks Ferguson on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Leval!
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Ferguson can do anything to dispel that myth.

Leval tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Ferguson gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leval trying to control from half guard but Ferguson is working away.

Ferguson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Leval prevents Ferguson from improving his position.
Ferguson looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Leval is looking for a kimura here.
Leval stalling.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Leval is keen to just control but Ferguson is a slippery customer.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dominic Leval dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Leval takes the fight into the clinch.
Ferguson trying to land knees to the body.
Leval goes for a takedown attempt but Ferguson pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Leval blocks a head kick by Ferguson.

Ferguson shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Ferguson has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Leval is squirming around, avoiding Ferguson's attempts to control the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferguson looking to finish Leval with some ground and pound. This is bad for Leval!
Leval is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Ferguson controlling from the full mount.
Ferguson is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Ferguson controlling from mount.
Ferguson raining down shots from the mount!
Leval working to try and regain half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leval tries to lock up and control but Ferguson gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Ferguson landing shots from mount.
Ferguson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Leval is looking to escape.
Ferguson might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Leval haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Leval wants to control but Ferguson is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leval is in all sorts of trouble here.
Leval tries to lock up and control but Ferguson gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Ferguson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Leval is looking to escape.
Dominic Leval overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ferguson takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Ferguson breaks from Leval's wrist control and lands an elbow.

That's four 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.
Leval really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Ferguson trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Leval is trying desperately to improve position.

Ferguson swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Leval is now in Ferguson's guard. A big mistake from Ferguson there, giving up the dominant position!
Ferguson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Casual Ferguson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dominic Leval is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Leval trying to control but Ferguson is working from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Casual Ferguson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Leval has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Dominic Leval!