PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Douglas Cardozo (ranked 2903 p4p, 2693 weight class) and Fernando Leyva (ranked 390 p4p, 375 weight class). Cardozo's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, DMX - Lord Give Me A Sign. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Cardozo
vs
Leyva

178 cm
20
173
1 - 1 - 0

185 cm
20
180
3 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Douglas Cardozo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Fernando Leyva!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Leyva misses with an uppercut

and Cardozo counters with a single leg into guard. Leyva didn't expect that.
Cardozo slips nicely into half guard.
Cardozo prevents Leyva from standing back up.
Cardozo trying to pass the guard but Leyva defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Leyva wants to get back to his feet.
Cardozo has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Leyva has one foot on Cardozo's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Leyva throws an off balance right hand

and Cardozo counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cardozo is taking a breather. Leyva says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Cardozo sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Leyva defending well though.
Cardozo trying to control from half guard but Leyva is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leyva looks like he's trying to stand up.
Leyva won't allow Cardozo to pass to mount.
Cardozo sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Leyva defending well though.
Leyva looks like he's trying to stand up.

Cardozo wants to work for an arm triangle but Leyva is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Cardozo stops Leyva from getting back to his feet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Cardozo on the wrong end of a nice hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leyva just misses with a punch to the body.
Cardozo half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Leyva lands a really nice looking cross but Cardozo seems unphased.
Nice shot by Leyva.
Leyva misses with a hook. Cardozo ducked under it nicely.
Leyva lands a jab.
Leyva jabs Cardozo to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Cardozo takes one to the chin there.
Cardozo slips a jab from Leyva.
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!

Cardozo closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Leyva to the mat! Leyva manages to get full guard.
Cardozo is pushing down on Leyva's leg trying to pass to half guard. Leyva is fighting to maintain full guard but Cardozo has managed to sneak the leg through.
Leyva is trying to stand.

Leyva kicks Cardozo off and gets back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leyva throws a series of punches but Cardozo moves out of range.
Cardozo avoids the body shot from Leyva.
Cardozo's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Leyva connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Cardozo scrambles back to his feet.
Leyva with a hook.
Leyva throws a combination that misses

and Cardozo counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Leyva has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Cardozo is on him like a limpet, forcing Leyva back against the cage.
Leyva has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cardozo tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Leyva smiles and moves away.
Leyva throws a jab when Cardozo was well out of range.
Cardozo drops down looking for a counter takedown but Leyva sprawls and moves away.
Leyva lands with a good body shot.
Leyva slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Fernando Leyva seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cardozo fails with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leyva throws a sloppy body shot

and Cardozo counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Leyva wants to stand but Cardozo is controlling the position.
Leyva can't keep his opponent in guard - Cardozo advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Leyva wants to get back to his feet.

Cardozo wants to work for an arm triangle but Leyva is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Leyva wants to get back to his feet.

Cardozo is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Cardozo works his way into side control.
Leyva wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Cardozo is looking to take a break and control but Leyva is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Leyva felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fernando Leyva dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Cardozo lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Leyva throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Cardozo sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Leyva comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Leyva lands a nice shot that snaps Cardozo's head back.
Leyva throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Cardozo takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Leyva swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Cardozo.
Leyva closes the distance and lands a one-two.

It looks like Douglas Cardozo has been cut.

Leyva gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Cardozo to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cardozo with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cardozo trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Leyva wants to stand up but Cardozo is controlling him.
Leyva preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Cardozo pushes down on Leyva's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Cardozo not doing much here.

Leyva kicks Cardozo off and gets back to his feet.
Cardozo tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Leyva was well out of range. Poor timing from Cardozo.
Leyva throws a hook to the side of Cardozo's head but Cardozo sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A right-left combo lands from Leyva.
Cardozo moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Cardozo ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leyva defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Cardozo.
Leyva scores with a jab. Cardozo acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cardozo drops his hands momentarily and Leyva takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

Cardozo looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Leyva!
Cardozo prevents Leyva from escaping the position.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Cardozo throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Leyva wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Leyva tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.
Leyva is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.

Cardozo is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Leyva to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Leyva shrugs it off.
Cardozo wants to control the pace but Leyva is squirming around nicely.
Leyva wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leyva is squirming around, avoiding Cardozo's attempts to control the action.
Leyva is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Cardozo is trying to take his opponent's back.
Leyva is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Cardozo is trying to take his opponent's back.
Leyva is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Cardozo throwing strikes here but Leyva is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Leyva really wants to buck Cardozo off and get back to his feet.
Cardozo wants to take his opponent's back but he's not managed it.
Leyva is trying to stand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leyva is squirming around, avoiding Cardozo's attempts to control the action.
Leyva wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Cardozo trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Leyva has given up his back, trying to stand up. Not clever.
Leyva is trying to get back to his feet but Cardozo has full control of the position and if anything, Leyva has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Cardozo has his opponent's back but Leyva is looking to stand. He manages to get to his feet and shakes off Cardozo.
Leyva throws a series of punches but Cardozo moves out of range.
Leyva throws an overhand right that lands on Cardozo's shoulder, as Cardozo tries to avoid the shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cardozo takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Leyva throws a series of punches but Cardozo avoids them all with ease.
Cardozo throws a poor cross that misses
and Leyva counters with a left to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fernando Leyva showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Douglas Cardozo's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Leyva throws a right hand that misses

and Cardozo counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Cardozo is trying to work for a kimura but Leyva is defending well.
Leyva has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Leyva looks like he's trying to stand up.
Cardozo has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Cardozo is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Leyva is just riding it out for now. Cardozo eventually gives up the hold.
Cardozo is trying to control. Leyva wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Leyva avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Cardozo.
Leyva is trying to stand.
Cardozo looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Cardozo is trying to control the action in half guard but Leyva is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Cardozo looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leyva wants to get back to his feet.
Leyva is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Cardozo is keen to just control but Leyva is a slippery customer.
Leyva looks like he's trying to stand up.

Cardozo is looking for a kimura here.

Cardozo is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Leyva has managed to free his arm - good work.
Leyva wants to get back to his feet.

Leyva manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Leyva feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Cardozos jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leyva uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Leyva throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Leyva throws a right hand that misses

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

Leyva manages to escape and get back to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Leyva connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

Cardozo shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Leyva scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Cardozo manages to mount him!

Leyva bucks up and throws Cardozo to the side - he's got back to his feet. Great escape!
Leyva connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Leyva digs a good hook to Cardozo's body.
Leyva connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Cardozo's hands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cardozo shoots in looking for a takedown but Leyva manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Cardozo's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Leyva paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Cardozo staying out of range there.
Cardozo feinted with a counter takedown.
A big left from Leyva misses.
Leyva takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Douglas Cardozo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Leyva misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cardozo.
Leyva throws a lazy uppercut

and Cardozo counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Cardozo trying to control the action but Leyva is working from the bottom.
Leyva avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Cardozo.
Cardozo is pressing down on Leyva's thigh, looking to free his foot. Leyva is holding on for now.
Cardozo stops Leyva from getting back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cardozo passes to side control.
Leyva is not content to let Cardozo control the position.
Leyva dodges the ground and pound from Cardozo.

Leyva sneaks out the side door and pushes Cardozo away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Leyva lands a nice shot to the body.
Leyva dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Fernando Leyva is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nice cross by Cardozo.

And that's the end of the fight!
Fernando Leyva comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Leyva winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Fernando Leyva!