PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Phil DeBlunt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bobby Leshley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think DeBlunt might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Westside Connection - Bow Down. Leshley has chosen Step into a World as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

DeBlunt
vs
Leshley

195 cm
32
280 lbs
22 - 20 - 0

190 cm
33
265 lbs
25 - 18 - 2

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Heavy handed

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 22 - 20 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Phil DeBlunt!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 18 - 2, fighting out of Los Angeles, Bobby Leshley!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Leshley gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Leshley manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Leshley lands a hook that snaps the head of DeBlunt backwards.
DeBlunt is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Leshley works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
DeBlunt wants to stand but Leshley is controlling the position.
Leshley throwing strikes from guard but DeBlunt blocks nicely.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Leshley passes into half guard.
Leshley is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Leshley has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Leshley wants to lay and pray for a moment but DeBlunt keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leshley missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
DeBlunt wants to stand back up but Leshley manages to pass into side control.
Sloppy strikes there by Leshley.
Leshley prevents DeBlunt from escaping the position.
Leshley landing a few strikes.
The strikes coming from Leshley are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
DeBlunt avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Leshley.
Leshley wants to lay and pray for a moment but DeBlunt keeps working.
Leshley working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
DeBlunt defending against the ground and pound.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Leshley postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The strikes coming from Leshley are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Leshley working the head with strikes.
Leshley wants to control but DeBlunt is keeping him busy.
DeBlunt parries the strikes from Leshley easily there. Leshley is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable DeBlunt to escape.
Leshley trying to control the position but DeBlunt is working away.
Leshley laying and praying for a moment but DeBlunt takes advantage and regains half guard.
DeBlunt is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Leshley's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Leshley's back!
Leshley rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leshley tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Leshley is trying to maintain the position but DeBlunt is very close to passing his half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Leshley gets back to full guard.
DeBlunt stopping the sweep attempt from Leshley.
Leshley is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
DeBlunt is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

DeBlunt got a little sloppy there for a moment and Leshley has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, DeBlunt has managed to get both his arms back between Leshley's legs - danger averted.
DeBlunt wants to control from the top but Leshley keeps moving.

Leshley escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. DeBlunt gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Leshley striking off his back but it's not causing DeBlunt any problems.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
DeBlunt is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Leshley will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bobby Leshley dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

DeBlunt misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Leshley.
Leshley shoots in for a double leg but DeBlunt sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
DeBlunt lands a head shot.
DeBlunt lands the left hand.
DeBlunt misses with a looping right.
DeBlunt's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and DeBlunt duly obliges.
Leshley moves away from the strike by DeBlunt.
DeBlunt steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Leshley.
DeBlunt connects with the punch.

It looks like Bobby Leshley has been cut.
Some wild striking there from DeBlunt.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Leshley.
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!
Leshley lands with a nice body kick.
DeBlunt takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
DeBlunt throws a series of punches but Leshley avoids them all with ease.
DeBlunt throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leshley gets cracked with a nice right hand there by DeBlunt.
Leshley wants to land a leg kick but DeBlunt is out of range.
Nice takedown defense from DeBlunt. No joy for Leshley on that attempt.
Phil DeBlunt has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bobby Leshley.
Leshley with a body punch. A glancing blow.

Leshley scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Leshley sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. DeBlunt defending well though.
Leshley throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Leshley is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Leshley is trying to control. DeBlunt wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
DeBlunt is looking to control Leshley's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can DeBlunt avoid being mounted?
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Leshley prevents DeBlunt from standing back up.
Leshley is just content to waste time from the top position. DeBlunt takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leshley keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of DeBlunt's head.
Leshley slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
DeBlunt struggling a bit here.
Leshley is working DeBlunt over with some ground and pound from side control.
Leshley works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
The strikes coming from Leshley are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Bobby Leshley has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leshley wants to lay and pray for a moment but DeBlunt keeps working.
DeBlunt gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Leshley throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
DeBlunt looks like he's trying to stand up.
Leshley lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
DeBlunt is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Leshley lands strikes from half guard.
Leshley wants to take a breather but DeBlunt is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Leshley is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Leshley throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Leshley looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
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!
Leshley wants to control but DeBlunt is keeping him busy.
Leshley seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Leshley missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
DeBlunt tries to kick Leshley off but Leshley keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Leshley has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
DeBlunt tries to hold on but Leshley pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bobby Leshley showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Bobby Leshley's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

No joy there for DeBlunt, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Leshley drives through with a takedown into guard.
Leshley trying to control the position from guard on top but DeBlunt is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Leshley postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Leshley landing with the ground and pound.
Leshley is looking to work some ground and pound but DeBlunt has wrist control.
DeBlunt controls Leshley momentarily but Leshley frees himself.
Leshley with a flurry of punches that miss.
Leshley trying to control the position from guard on top but DeBlunt is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Leshley slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Bobby Leshley was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Leshley is trying hard to land a takedown here. DeBlunt sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
DeBlunt cracks a nice hook into Leshley's ribs.
Leshley on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Leshley on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
DeBlunt throws a body punch but Leshley moves out of range.
Leshley misses with a straight left.
DeBlunt takes a swing at Leshley's ribcage but misses.
Leshley tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but DeBlunt swivels and escapes.
DeBlunt throws a lazy right hand but Leshley sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leshley tries to land a leg kick but DeBlunt saw it coming and moves away.
Phil DeBlunt is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Leshley uses good head movement to avoid the hook from DeBlunt.
DeBlunt misses the shot to the body.
Leshley shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with DeBlunt but DeBlunt pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Phil DeBlunt has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bobby Leshley.
DeBlunt jabbing away but nothing is landing.
DeBlunt throws a big shot that misses.
DeBlunt has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from DeBlunt there as he acknowledges the shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
DeBlunt looks to land a left hand but Leshley moved out of range nicely.
DeBlunt moves forwards but Leshley connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Leshley pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Leshley throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
DeBlunt slips a jab from Leshley.
DeBlunt misses with a jab, cross combination.
Leshley has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
DeBlunt throws a body punch but Leshley moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
DeBlunt misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Leshley.
Leshley ducks down and throws a hook to the body but DeBlunt moves away.
Leshley shoots in for a takedown but DeBlunt shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Leshley looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Leshley thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Leshley lands strikes from half guard.
DeBlunt is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Leshley landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Leshley trying to control the action but DeBlunt is working from the bottom.
Bobby Leshley is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Leshley seems content to control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Leshley seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but DeBlunt does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Phil DeBlunt has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

OK we're going to have a standup here. Bobby Leshley hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
A big left from DeBlunt misses.
Leshley lands a nice shot to the body.
DeBlunt misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Leshley.

DeBlunt gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Leshley looking to pass the guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Leshley working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bobby Leshley comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Leshley 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bobby Leshley!
Our winner, Bobby Leshley, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.