PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Eliott Leighton (ranked 2752 p4p, 5891 weight class) and Abraham Alcantara (ranked 359 p4p, 591 weight class). Leighton comes to the cage accompanied by Bad to the Bone - George Thorogood. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Leighton
vs
Alcantara

191 cm
32
204
14 - 16 - 0

180 cm
33
200
11 - 17 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 16 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Eliott Leighton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Abraham Alcantara!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Gwen Towbar and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Alcantara just misses with a punch to the body.
Jab from Alcantara.
Alcantara pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Leighton back to the cage. Alcantara follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Alcantara waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Leighton.
Leighton tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Alcantara manages to circle out of the way.

Leighton tries to keep at a distance but Alcantara has taken the fight into the clinch.
Alcantara looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Alcantara misses with some punches.
Leighton has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Leighton has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Alcantara is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Alcantara throws a punch but it's blocked by Leighton.
Leighton wants to stall.
Alcantara misses with the head strike.
Alcantara using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Leighton lands a hook to the side of the head.
Leighton controlling the action here for a moment.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Leighton tries to score a body lock takedown but Alcantara shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leighton has Alcantara pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Alcantara manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eliott Leighton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Alcantara swings wildly with an uppercut but Leighton uses good head movement to avoid it.

Leighton escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Leighton moves away from the strike by Alcantara.
Alcantara looks to score with a jab to the body but Leighton is just out of range.
Leighton tries to counter with a takedown but Alcantara is quick to defend against it.
Alcantara pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Leighton attempts a counter takedown but Alcantara avoids it well and moves away.
Leighton avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Alcantara closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Leighton escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nice straight punches there by Alcantara. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Alcantara.
Alcantara throws out a loose jab but Leighton uses good head movement to avoid it.
Alcantara scores with a jab.

Leighton feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Leighton trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leighton is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Leighton wants to control from the top but Alcantara keeps moving.
Leighton is really struggling to control Alcantara but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Leighton is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Alcantara is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Alcantara is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Leighton won't allow Alcantara to sweep him here.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Alcantara moves into the clinch successfully.
Leighton dodges an elbow strike from Alcantara.
Leighton has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Alcantara avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Leighton tries for a takedown. No joy.
Leighton blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Alcantara prevents the takedown attempt.

Leighton manages to break the clinch.
Alcantara throws a hook but Leighton avoids it easily.
Leighton feinted with a counter takedown.
Alcantara lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Alcantara fails to land with a series of punches.
Alcantara throws a jab when Leighton was well out of range.
Alcantara connects with a good right hand that stumbles Leighton. Leighton circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Abraham Alcantara seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Alcantara tries a low kick but Leighton avoids it.
Leighton takes a shot to the body in his stride.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leighton uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Alcantara.
Leighton tries to counter with a takedown but Alcantara is quick to defend against it.
Leighton bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Leighton defending well as Alcantara loads up on a big left hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Leighton scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Alcantara manages to work his way to half guard, despite Leighton's best efforts.
Leighton wants to control but Alcantara is keeping him busy.

Leighton is looking for a kimura but Alcantara is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Leighton to get the leverage.

Leighton is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Leighton looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Alcantara controlling the position for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Abraham Alcantara dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Alcantara pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Leighton tries to counter with a takedown but Alcantara is quick to defend against it.
Alcantara 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.
Alcantara throws a right and a left that both miss.
Alcantara misses with a straight right.
Leighton tries to counter with a takedown but Alcantara is quick to defend against it.
Alcantara tries to bum rush Leighton with a series of wild strikes but Leighton uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Leighton misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Leighton gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Alcantara.
Alcantara swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Abraham Alcantara seems to be getting the better of the standup.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alcantara tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Alcantara throws a leg kick but Leighton sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Leighton attempts a counter takedown but Alcantara avoids it well and moves away.
Alcantara has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Alcantara missing with a left hand there. Leighton was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Leighton on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leighton takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.

Leighton gets a takedown into half guard.
Alcantara gets back to full guard.
Alcantara not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Leighton trying to control the position from guard on top but Alcantara is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Alcantara controls Leighton momentarily but Leighton frees himself.
Leighton wants to control from the top but Alcantara keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Leighton thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Alcantara wants to sweep here but Leighton controlling him for the moment.
Leighton trying to control but Alcantara is working from the bottom.
Alcantara looking to control.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

Leighton drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Alcantara manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Leighton has Alcantara in his guard.

Alcantara throwing strikes but missing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Leighton escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Alcantara gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Alcantara's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Leighton had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Alcantara defends it easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Leighton preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Alcantara throwing strikes but missing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Alcantara lands a couple of digs.
Alcantara trying to control the position from guard on top but Leighton is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Alcantara throws a strike but Leighton rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Leighton trying to control but Alcantara is working from the bottom.
Alcantara can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Leighton controls the pace.
Leighton trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Leighton wants to control from the top but Alcantara keeps moving.
Alcantara wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Abraham Alcantara showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Alcantara throws a hook but Leighton avoids it easily.
Leighton seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Leighton takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

Alcantara takes the fight into the clinch.
Leighton drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Leighton blocks an uppercut.
Alcantara has a couple of punches blocked by Leighton.
Alcantara throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Alcantara gets underhooks to prevent Leighton's takedown attempt.
Leighton is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Alcantara pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eliott Leighton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Leighton blocks the elbow strike.
Alcantara throws a punch but it's blocked by Leighton.
A shot in the inside from Alcantara.
Leighton blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Alcantara working aggressively here.
Leighton lands a knee to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leighton takes an elbow to the temple.
Leighton misses with a knee strike.
Leighton has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Alcantara is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Alcantara just misses with a elbow thrown towards Leighton's brow.
Alcantara gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Leighton.
Alcantara working aggressively here.

Leighton has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Alcantara regains guard immediately.

Alcantara trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Abraham Alcantara is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alcantara controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Alcantara trying to move into half guard but instead Leighton has managed to sweep!

Leighton drops back, looking for a kneebar! Alcantara looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Alcantara looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Alcantara!

Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Alcantara is looking to take a break and control but Leighton is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leighton seems a little lost for a moment, as Alcantara dominates the positioning.
Eliott Leighton has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Leighton manages to work his way to half guard, despite Alcantara's best efforts.
Alcantara is figuring out what he wants to do next.

Leighton actively working from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Leighton is staying active underneath Alcantara, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Leighton is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Alcantara pulls his head out easily.
Alcantara is trying to control. Leighton wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Alcantara is controlling the pace.
Eliott Leighton overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Alcantara wants to take a breather but Leighton is having none of it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Abraham Alcantara comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Alcantara 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 Dennis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Abraham Alcantara!