PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Tony Levin (ranked 3594 p4p, 3639 weight class) and Eli Austen (ranked 305 p4p, 310 weight class). Eli Austen will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Levin
vs
Austen

162 cm
25
153
1 - 0 - 0

167 cm
25
145
1 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Tony Levin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Eli Austen!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, David Hoff and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Austen misses the jab.
Levin uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Austen.
Austen looks to throw the jab but Levin is out of range.
Austen throws a hook but Levin blocks it.
Nice uppercut there from Austen.
Nice shot lands for Austen.
Austen takes a swing at Levin's ribcage but misses.
Austen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Levin shoots in and gets a takedown into Austen's guard.
Levin showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Levin's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Levin has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Levin in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Levin trying to control the position from guard on top but Austen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Austen has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Levin throwing strikes from guard but Austen blocks nicely.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Austen has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Levin walks into a jab.
Austen throws a right hand that misses

so Levin counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Austen is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Levin dives into side control.

Austen is trying to control Levin's posture but Levin avoids it.

Levin is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Austen knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Austen sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Levin is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Levin takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Austen working to try and regain half guard.
We've been hearing good reports from Levin'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.
Austen holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Levin tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Austen is squirming around, avoiding Levin's attempts to control the action.
Austen can't escape the position.
Levin avoids the attempt from Austen to control.
Levin thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Levin moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Austen has worked his arm free - good work by Austen!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Tony Levin will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

A telegraphed right hand from Austen misses the target.
Levin ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Levin feinted with a counter takedown.
Austen scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Austen sizes up Levin with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Donk. Austen catches Levin right on the button with a cross.
Austen misses with a two punch combination.
Austen throws a jab but it's blocked by Levin.
Levin feinted with a counter takedown.
Austen cracks Levin with a good jab.
Austen scores with the left hand. Levin knows he should have avoided that one.

Austen tries to sprawl but Levin drives through with a takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Levin is pressing down on Austen's thigh, looking to free his foot. Austen is holding on for now.
Austen trying to control from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Levin passes to full mount!

Levin has control of Austen's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Austen regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Levin throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Levin trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Austen looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!

Austen fending off the submission attempt from Levin.
Levin has the hooks in. Austen is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Austen keeps trying to improve his position.
Levin is trying to stick to Austen's back but Austen is turning into Levin. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Levin's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Austen.
Levin wants to sweep but no luck.
Levin is controlling Austen's posture.
Levin looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Levin is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Austen trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Levin manages to pass to mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Levin trying to control but Austen is having none of it.
Austen is working to get back to half guard.
Levin trying to control but Austen is having none of it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Levin is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Austen is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Tony Levin will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Levin takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Levin avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Levin changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Austen might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Austen thows a left - swing and a miss!
Levin tries to counter with a takedown but Austen is quick to defend against it.

Austen gets caught napping as Levin dives in and scores a takedown. Austen manages to retain guard.
Levin trying to control but Austen is working from the bottom.
Levin sitting in guard here, content to control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Levin trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Austen looking to control but Levin passes into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Austen wants to get back to full guard.
Austen is trying to control but can't.
Levin wants to pass the guard but Austen is defending well.
Austen is trying to maintain the position but Levin is very close to passing his half guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Austen scores with a jab to the body.

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.
Levin uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Austen.
Levin appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Levin defending well as Austen loads up on a big left hand.
Levin appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Austen scores with a jab.
Austen waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Levin.
Austen throws a combination that misses

and Levin counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Austen is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Austen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Levin.
Austen is trying to control the position but Levin postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Levin looking to sit in guard and control but Austen gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Levin looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Levin keeping full guard, as Austen tries to pass.

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.
Austen wants to control from the top but Levin keeps moving.
Austen sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Levin's guard.
Levin is trying to get back to full guard.
Eli Austen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Levin is working hard here to advance position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Levin trying to hold on to Austen's head to control him but Austen postures up.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Eli Austen.
I think Levin 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 Sandra Marshall scores the fight 29:28
Judge David Hoff scores the fight 29:29
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Tony Levin!
Tony Levin seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.