PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Eliott Leighton (ranked 2827 p4p, 3019 weight class) and Zuillnic Canto (ranked 358 p4p, 379 weight class). Leighton comes to the cage accompanied by Bad to the Bone - George Thorogood. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Leighton
vs
Canto

191 cm
31
204
13 - 15 - 0

190 cm
29
218
11 - 6 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Arcticus University: London
Brooklyn Apothecary

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 13 - 15 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Eliott Leighton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Zuillnic Canto!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Shigeki Sano and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Canto lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Leighton circles away quickly and effectively.
Leighton changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Canto's jab looks to have found its range, popping Leighton under the eye.
Canto misses with a series of wild punches.
Leighton half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Canto thows a left - swing and a miss!
Leighton wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Leighton slips under a jab.
Canto swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Canto fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Leighton manages to avoid it.
Leighton appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Canto ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Canto misses the body punch

and Leighton counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Leighton.

Leighton got a little sloppy there for a moment and Canto has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Leighton has managed to get both his arms back between Canto's legs - danger averted.
Leighton trying to control the position from guard on top but Canto is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Leighton is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Canto is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Canto has escaped and now he's on top!

Leighton keeping full guard, as Canto tries to pass.
Canto is still trying to improve position.
Canto is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Leighton escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Canto gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Canto passes Leighton's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Canto wants to free his trapped foot but Leighton is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Leighton looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
We've been hearing good reports from Leighton's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

Leighton looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Canto uses his free foot to push down on Leighton's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Leighton.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Canto moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Leighton has worked his arm free - good work by Leighton!

Canto tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Canto has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Canto is trying to get an arm triangle but Leighton is defending well.
Leighton manages to work his way to half guard, despite Canto's best efforts.
Canto stops Leighton from getting back to his feet.

Canto is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Leighton doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Canto.
Canto is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Leighton reverses the position - he's now on top in Canto's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Leighton drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Canto dives on top into guard.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Canto passes Leighton's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Canto is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Canto is trying to improve position by moving to mount. Leighton has hold of his neck though and manages to move into guard! All of a sudden, Canto is in a lot of trouble! Leighton is straining to finish and he's done it! Canto taps out! Amazing!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Eliott Leighton!
An out of breath Eliott Leighton thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
Zuillnic Canto spoke after the fight, saying 'F*ck you all.'.