PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Marcus Halberstram (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ariel Levin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Halberstram's entrance music is Ubermensch. A fine choice. Ariel Levin has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Halberstram
vs
Levin

175 cm
21
147 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

165 cm
27
145 lbs
13 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Powerful

▲Steel Penn Fight Gear - As Low As $4
▲Steel Penn Fight Gear - As Low As $4

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Marcus Halberstram!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ariel Levin!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Edson Gomes and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Levin takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Levin avoids the body shot from Halberstram.
Halberstram looks to land a combination. Levin sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Levin throws a lazy right hand but Halberstram sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Levin takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Halberstram moves away from the strike by Levin.
The fighters circling - Levin throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Halberstram sizes up Levin with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

Levin 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.
Halberstram manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Levin manages to get himself to full guard.
Halberstram throwing strikes from guard but Levin blocks nicely.

Halberstram drops back looking for a leg! Levin is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Levin manages to kick Halberstram off! Halberstram jumps back into Levin's guard.
Halberstram trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Levin had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Halberstram defends it easily.
Levin wants to sweep here but Halberstram controlling him for the moment.
Halberstram wants to control from the top but Levin keeps moving.
Halberstram in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Halberstram postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Halberstram trying to control but Levin is working from the bottom.

Levin looking for a guillotine here but Halberstram defends easily.

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.
Halberstram working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Levin looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Halberstram is fending him off so far but Levin persists. Nope, Halberstram circles away and we're back to standing.
Levin throws out a loose jab but Halberstram uses good head movement to avoid it.
Levin misses with a jab to the body
and Halberstram cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Halberstram jabs at Levin's body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Halberstram. Levin does a little dance to reset his feet.
Levin shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Halberstram but Halberstram pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Levin looks gassed!
Levin has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Halberstram finds it's way round the side to connect with Levin's head.
Halberstram wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Levin throws a jab when Halberstram was well out of range.
Halberstram is looking to wear down Levin with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Levin throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Halberstram connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Halberstram lands a nice hook to Levin's body. Levin takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Halberstram lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Levin at a distance.
Ariel Levin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Halberstram moves out of range of the body kick.
Levin has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Levin there as he acknowledges the shot.
Levin looks to land a combination but Halberstram avoids it well.
Levin closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Levin throws a left and a right that both miss
and Halberstram counters with a stiff right hand.
Halberstram getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Halberstram is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.

Levin gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Halberstram stands and throws Levin's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Halberstram trying to control the position but Levin is working away.
Levin tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Halberstram wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Halberstram lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Levin regains half guard, as Halberstram was trying to land strikes.
Halberstram wants to control but Levin is keeping him busy.
Halberstram thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Levin is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Halberstram scores with a couple of nice shots.
Halberstram moves nicely into side control.
Halberstram tries to move to mount but Levin blocks the move with his legs.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Levin manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Halberstram throws a hook to the side of Levin's head but Levin sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Halberstram shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Levin defends it nicely.
Halberstram avoids a punch combination nicely.
A slapping leg kick lands for Levin.
Halberstram misses with a wild body shot.
Levin moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

Halberstram shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Levin keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Levin sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Halberstram moves nicely into side control.
Levin is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Levin is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Halberstram pulls his head out easily.
Halberstram is looking to take a break and control but Levin is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Levin actively working from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Halberstram thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Levin's head.
Halberstram moves into full mount! Levin won't be happy about that!
Halberstram prevents Levin from getting the reversal.
Halberstram with a couple of short strikes.
Halberstram in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Levin tries to lock up and control but Halberstram gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Halberstram looking to control but Levin is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Levin tries to reverse the position but Halberstram maintains control.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Halberstram cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Levin is working to get back to half guard.
Halberstram content just to control the position here.
Halberstram prevents Levin from getting the reversal.
Levin is bucking up trying to escape but Halberstram cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Levin is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Halberstram lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Levin gets back to half guard.

Levin looking for submissions off his back.

Levin has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Halberstram escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Halberstram!
Levin tries to bench press Halberstram off him but Halberstram keeps the position.
Halberstram has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Halberstram wants to control the pace but Levin is squirming around nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcus Halberstram dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Levin throws a sloppy head kick and Halberstram moves out of range easily.
Levin throws a sloppy head kick and Halberstram moves out of range easily.
Levin dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Halberstram. That did some damage!
Halberstram avoids the body shot from Levin.
Halberstram shoots for a double leg takedown but Levin sprawls well. He's pushed Halberstram's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Halberstram shoots in and drives through. Levin sprawls well.
Levin uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Halberstram.
Halberstram misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Levin.
Halberstram throws a looping overhand right but Levin ducks down to avoid it.
A nice leg kick lands there from Levin.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Levin shoots in but Halberstram avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Levin shoots in for a takedown but Halberstram shows good takedown defense.
Levin shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Halberstram defends it nicely.
Marcus Halberstram has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ariel Levin.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Halberstram uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Levin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Halberstram misses with a wild body shot.
Levin shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
A shot to the liver by Halberstram. Beautiful body shot.
Levin throws a sloppy head kick and Halberstram moves out of range easily.
Halberstram ducks under a wild hook from Levin.
Halberstram shoots in and drives through. Levin sprawls well.
Halberstram throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Levin throws a sloppy head kick and Halberstram moves out of range easily.
Levin takes one to the chin there.
Marcus Halberstram is winning the standup battle so far.
Halberstram misses the jab.
Halberstram lands the left hand.
Levin misses with a takedown attempt

and Halberstram decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Levin's guard.
Levin keeping moving, preventing Halberstram from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Levin has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Halberstram is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Levin.
Levin tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Halberstram wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Halberstram working away.
Levin tries to bench press Halberstram off him but Halberstram keeps the position.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Halberstram is chipping away with strikes.
Levin takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Halberstram tries to advance to mount but Levin denies him.
Halberstram misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Ariel Levin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Levin is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Halberstram's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

Levin is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Halberstram pulls his head out easily.
Halberstram passes to side control.
Halberstram tries to move to mount but Levin blocks the move with his legs.
Levin gets back to half guard.
Levin is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Halberstram sitting and controlling from the half guard.

Levin looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Halberstram looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

Levin looking for submissions off his back.
Halberstram working Levin over with strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marcus Halberstram showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Halberstram has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight for Marcus Halberstram!
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight for Marcus Halberstram!
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight for Marcus Halberstram!

Marcus Halberstram wins by unanimous decision!