PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Chris Leben (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tom Brandt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chris Leben has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Leben
vs
Brandt

200 cm
31
280 lbs
8 - 11 - 0

188 cm
25
268 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Powerful

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 11 - 0, fighting out of New York, Chris Leben!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tom Brandt!
The judges for this bout are Alyssa Summers, Russell Pearce and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Leben throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Brandt fails in his attempt to clinch.
Brandt shoots in for a double leg but Leben sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
A head kick from Leben lands but Brandt takes it in his stride.

It looks like Tom Brandt has been cut.
Leben getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Brandt throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Leben scores with a three punch combo!
Leben throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Brandt misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Brandt throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Leben's waist but Leben gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Brandt off to one side.
Chris Leben has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tom Brandt.
Brandt throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Leben's waist but Leben gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Brandt off to one side.
Leben comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Leben circles away from the clinch attempt.
Leben scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Brandt tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Leben swivels and escapes.
Leben stalks Brandt and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Brandt's face. Brandt staggers backwards, shaken.
Brandt looks gassed!
Brandt takes a kick to the side of the head.
Brandt fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Leben pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Brandt back to the cage. Leben follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Leben lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Brandt backs up against the cage.
A right-left combo lands from Leben.
Leben throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Left hook, right uppercut from Leben.
Leben plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Brandt is defended easily by Leben.
Brandt is looking to clinch.
Leben scores with a three punch combo!
Leben delivers a nice body kick.
Chris Leben is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Leben lands with a cross.
Brandt shoots in for a double leg but Leben sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Nice takedown defense from Leben. No joy for Brandt on that attempt.
Leben throws a head kick that half lands.
Leben scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Brandt takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Leben goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Brandt walks forward, straight into a front kick from Leben.
Leben lands a jab-cross combination.
Leben lands with a nice combination. Brandt backs away looking to recover.
Leben scores with a push kick.
Leben pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Brandt back to the cage. Leben follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Brandt is trying desperately to land a takedown but Leben is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Brandt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leben moves out of range of the body kick from Brandt.
Brandt closes the distance and clinches up with Leben, looking for a takedown. Brandt pushes Leben against the cage but Leben circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Leben displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Left hook, right uppercut from Leben.
A punch lands to the side of Brandt 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Nice uppercut there from Leben.
A nice inside leg kick there by Leben. That's going to slow Brandt down.
Brandt shoots in for a takedown but Leben shows good takedown defense.
Leben thumps Brandt with a low kick.
Leben scores with a head kick. Brandt tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Leben lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Leben throws a combination. Brandt tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Leben scores with a one two! Brandt had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Brandt misses with a takedown attempt - Leben sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Leben throws a head kick that half lands.
Leben lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Leben throws a combination. Brandt tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Leben lands a two punch combo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brandt fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
A nice combination there by Leben.
Leben lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Brandt backs up against the cage.
Leben displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Nice takedown defense from Leben. No joy for Brandt on that attempt.
A nice combination there by Leben.
Leben stuffs the takedown.
Brandt has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Leben lands a jab-cross combination.
Brandt fails in his attempt to clinch.
Leben looks to land a combination. Brandt sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Leben ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

Brandt moves into the clinch successfully.
Leben blocking some punches.

Brandt manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Leben throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Brandt works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Leben chips away with some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Brandt manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Brandt thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Leben is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Brandt throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.

Brandt is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Leben can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Leben knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Brandt on the ground.

Brandt has hold of Leben's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Leben manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Brandt can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Leben is looking to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Leben dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Tom Brandt's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Leben goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Leben scores with a nice strike.
Brandt shoots in but no luck this time.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Leben!
Leben lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Leben is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Brandt shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Leben as he jumps to the side.
Leben is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Brandt can do to turn this around?
Leben lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Brandt is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Leben throws a head kick that Brandt semi-blocks.
Leben plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Leben is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
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!
Leben lands a high kick!
Chris Leben is winning the standup battle so far.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Leben.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Brandt.
Chris Leben has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tom Brandt.
Brandt tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Leben manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Brandt tries to land a front kick but Leben steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Brandt tries to score a power double leg takedown but Leben sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Brandt somewhat.
Leben lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leben lands a high kick!
Leben throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Leben scores with a head kick. Brandt tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Chris Leben is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Leben fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Brandt on the side of the head.
Good exchange - Leben coming out on top.
Brandt throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Leben's waist but Leben gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Brandt off to one side.
Leben scores with a kick to the midsection.
Brandt shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Leben pinned against the cage. Leben gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Leben is working the combinations to good effect here.
Leben scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Leben lands a lovely overhand right.
Leben throws a nice outside leg kick.
Leben lands with a nice body punch.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Brandt is defended easily by Leben.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Leben throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Brandt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leben lands a head kick. Brandt smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Leben looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Leben lands a two punch combo.
Brandt is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Leben throws a head kick that Brandt semi-blocks.
Leben scores with a three punch combo!
Some wild striking there from Leben.
Brandt shoots for a double leg takedown but Leben sprawls well. He's pushed Brandt's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Leben scores with a body shot.
Brandt shoots in for a double leg but Leben sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
A left and a right from Leben both land. Nice combination.
Leben scores with a three punch combo!
A left and a right from Leben both land. Nice combination.
Leben stuffs the takedown attempt from Brandt. Brandt gets slowly back to his feet.
Leben lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leben lands a body shot.
Brandt fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Leben pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Brandt back to the cage. Leben follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Brandt takes one to the chin there.
Leben ducks under a wild hook from Brandt.
Leben throws a head kick that Brandt semi-blocks.
Brandt shoots for a takedown but Leben saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Leben connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Brandt's hands.
Leben throws a head kick that half lands.
Brandt fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Brandt takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Brandt changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Leben tries to avoid it but Brandt manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Leben to the ground. Leben escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Left hook, right uppercut from Leben.
Brandt shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Leben defends it nicely.
Leben closes the distance and lands a one-two.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leben circles away from the clinch attempt.
Brandt looks for a takedown but Leben sprawls well.
A right-left combo lands from Leben.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Leben.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Leben pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Brandt back to the cage. Leben follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Brandt is looking to clinch.
Leben goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Brandt shoots in looking for a takedown. Leben tries to sprawl out of it but Brandt keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Leben manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Leben!
Leben connects with a good right hand that stumbles Brandt. Brandt circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Leben lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Brandt looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Leben lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Leben.
Brandt shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Leben as he avoids it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Leben dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Tom Brandt's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Leben throws a head kick that half lands.
Leben swats away the attempt to clinch by Brandt.
Brandt tries to clinch there but Leben circles away.
Brandt tries to score a power double leg takedown but Leben sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Brandt somewhat.
Leben checks the leg kick nicely there.
Leben scores with a leg kick.
Leben looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Leben swats away the attempt to clinch by Brandt.
Leben scores with a one two! Brandt had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Brandt throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Leben's waist but Leben gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Brandt off to one side.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Leben lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Leben lands with a kick to the temple. Brandt shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Leben throws a combination. Brandt tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Leben defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Brandt.
Chris Leben has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tom Brandt.
Leben scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Leben lands a two punch combo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leben digs a good body shot into Brandt's ribs.
Brandt shoots in and drives through. Leben sprawls well.
Brandt moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Leben scores with a jab.
Brandt shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Leben as he jumps to the side.
Leben pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Brandt back to the cage. Leben follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Brandt's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Leben works over Brandt's head and body with a nice combination.
Leben lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

Brandt shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Leben napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Brandt throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Brandt working away.
Brandt working the ground and pound.

Brandt is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Leben has escaped the position, nice work there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Brandt wants to lay and pray for a moment but Leben keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The ground and pound from Brandt seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Brandt sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Leben is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Brandt advances nicely into full mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Leben wants to control but Brandt is having none of it.
Brandt tries to control but Leben wriggling away.
Brandt thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brandt thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!

Brandt working for a submission but Leben is keeping him at bay.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Leben is squirming around, avoiding Brandt's attempts to control the action.
Brandt controlling the position easily from mount.
Tom Brandt has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Brandt quickly switches position and commits to an armbar! It's a big risk for Brandt but it's paid off an Leben is forced to tap! Nice work by Brandt.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:27 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Tom Brandt!
Tom Brandt took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, Happy Pills for their support in the buildup to the fight.