PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Chrisoff Lebene (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Will Tickel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lebene's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Go to Sleep-Eminem. 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.

Lebene
vs
Tickel

176 cm
22
178 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

196 cm
20
184 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

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 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Chrisoff Lebene!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Will Tickel!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Wesley Smith and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tickel uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Lebene.
Tickel scores with a one two! Lebene had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Sloppy strikes from Tickel. Those never looked like landing.
Lebene throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Lebene dives in for a single leg takedown but Tickel sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Tickel has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Lebene is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Tickel is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Lebene is defending well.
Tickel is working for takedown but Lebene is calmly controlling the position for now.
Chrisoff Lebene has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Will Tickel.
Tickel drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Tickel is looking to take this one to the mat.

Tickel is fighting off a takedown attempt but Lebene is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Tickel to the mat. Tickel regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Lebene might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lebene trying to control the position from guard on top but Tickel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tickel working a defensive guard here.
Lebene in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Lebene in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Tickel escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Lebene gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Lebene postures up in Tickel's guard and throws a big left but Tickel blocks it.
Lebene makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Lebene with a nice head shot there.
Tickel is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Tickel working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Lebene has passed into half guard!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lebene working the head and body with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tickel avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Lebene.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lebene thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Tickel is trying to get back to full guard.
Lebene not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Tickel tries to roll over but Lebene keeps him under control.
Lebene seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Tickel does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Tickel wants to get back to full guard.

Tickel actively working from the bottom here.
Lebene thows a huge punch but Tickel dodges it nicely.
Lebene wants to pass the guard but Tickel is defending well.
Lebene throwing shots but Tickel is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Lebene throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Lebene slips a nice elbow through Tickel's hands, connecting with Tickel's forehead.
Lebene lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Tickel keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Tickel moves into full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Lebene accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Lebene postures up and lands a big shot to Tickel's brow.
Tickel avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Tickel utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Tickel preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Lebene preventing the sweep.
Lebene distracts Tickel with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Lebene throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lebene throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lebene wants to control from the top but Tickel keeps moving.
Lebene keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Tickel's head.
Lebene scoring with some ground and pound.
Tickel working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Lebene.

Tickel is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Lebene defends well.
Lebene working some strikes from top position.
Lebene landing some decent shots from guard.
Lebene wants to control from the top but Tickel keeps moving.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Lebene scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Lebene throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tickel works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Tickel jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Lebene defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Tickel.
Tickel stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Tickel moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Tickel looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Tickel dips to his left and cracks Lebene with an uppercut!
Tickel fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Tickel has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Lebene is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Chrisoff Lebene has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Will Tickel.

Tickel manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Lebene on his heels. He'll look to pass Lebene's guard now, I'm sure.
Tickel trying to control the position from guard on top but Lebene is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tickel looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tickel looking to sit in guard and control but Lebene gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Lebene throws a big elbow that misses.

Tickel escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Lebene gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Lebene postures up.
Lebene throwing strikes but missing.

Lebene got a little sloppy there for a moment and Tickel has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Lebene has managed to get both his arms back between Tickel's legs - danger averted.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lebene lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Tickel trying to keep a closed guard but Lebene is proving a slippery customer.

Tickel has his foot on Lebene's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Lebene works his way back into a safe position though.
Lebene distracts Tickel with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Tickel is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Lebene with a flurry of punches that miss.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Lebene accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Tickel has his foot on Lebene's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Lebene works his way back into a safe position though.
Lebene postures up in Tickel's guard and throws a big left but Tickel blocks it.
Lebene throwing strikes but missing.
Lebene postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lebene stopping the sweep attempt from Tickel.

Lebene avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Chrisoff Lebene overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Lebene working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Tickel looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Lebene preventing the sweep.
Lebene with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Lebene throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Lebene is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Lebene is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lebene scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Lebene scoring with punches to the head and body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Tickel has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Lebene can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Lebene lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Lebene pushes down on Tickel's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Lebene winds up and cracks Tickel with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Lebene is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Tickel reverses the position - he's now on top in Lebene's guard.
Tickel wants to control from the top but Lebene keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Will Tickel will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Tickel throws a series of punches but Lebene avoids them all with ease.
Tickel shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Lebene as he jumps to the side.
Tickel's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Tickel duly obliges.
Lebene moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Tickel looks to land a right hand but Lebene moved out of range.
Tickel throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tickel falls off balance throwing a combination
and Lebene counters with a straight right hand.
Lebene throws a right hand that Tickel ducks under and follows up with a left that Tickel also avoids with ease.
Will Tickel seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Tickel.
Lebene throws a series of punches but Tickel avoids them all with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lebene lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Lebene defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Tickel.
Chrisoff Lebene has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Will Tickel.
Tickel misses with a double jab
and Lebene counters with a two punch combo.
Tickel takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Tickel shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Lebene pinned against the cage. Lebene gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Lebene closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Tickel's guard.
Lebene cracks Tickel with a solid left hand.
Lebene working some strikes from top position.
Lebene is working Tickel over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Lebene trying to control the position from guard on top but Tickel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lebene postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Lebene has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lebene throws a strike but Tickel rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Tickel stands up from Lebene's guard - Tickel perhaps looking for a knockout.
Tickel lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Lebene takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Tickel has his takedown stuffed

so Lebene counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lebene wants to control from the top but Tickel keeps moving.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Lebene's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Lebene with a nice head shot there.
Tickel tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Lebene throws a strike but Tickel rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Tickel postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Lebene is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Tickel, into his guard.

Tickel throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Lebene escapes and throws Tickel's legs to the side, diving into side control!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tickel takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Lebene scoring with punches from side control.
Tickel dodges the ground and pound from Lebene.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lebene lands a nice forearm strike.
Lebene tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Tickel is looking to regain half guard here but Lebene keeps moving and retains side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tickel is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Tickel wants to control but Lebene postures up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chrisoff Lebene showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Lebene 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 30:27

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