PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Daniel Leone (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Philip Levasqua (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Levasqua has chosen Endless Summer as his entrance music. Philip Levasqua is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Leone
vs
Levasqua

180 cm
18
200 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

189 cm
22
210 lbs
2 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Prefers standup

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Daniel Leone!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Philip Levasqua!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, William Gold and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Levasqua checks a low kick from Leone.
Levasqua tries to clinch there but Leone circles away.
Leone swats away the attempt to clinch by Levasqua.
Philip Levasqua seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Leone has managed to clinch.
A hook to the body from Leone.
Still in the clinch, Levasqua scores with a nice short uppercut.
Leone lands a left hand.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Levasqua.

Leone pulls guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Leone can't keep his opponent in guard - Levasqua advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Levasqua is trying to work for a kimura but Leone is defending well.
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!
Leone is looking to improve his position.

Leone is defending against the submission attempts here by Levasqua.
Leone wants to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Levasqua 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.
Leone is looking for a sweep. Levasqua is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Levasqua is working for a submission of some sort.

Levasqua is looking for a kimura but Leone is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Levasqua to get the leverage.
Leone wants to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Levasqua is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Levasqua prevents Leone from standing back up.
Leone tries to get to full guard but Levasqua has control of the leg.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Leone trying to control but Levasqua postures up.
Leone is trying to stand up here but Levasqua is controlling him well.

Levasqua is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Leone defends it well.

Levasqua is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Levasqua is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leone is trying to maintain the position but Levasqua is very close to passing his half guard.

Levasqua is working for a kimura but Leone is defending it quite comfortably.

Levasqua is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Leone doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Levasqua.

Levasqua is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Levasqua is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Leone defends it well.

Levasqua seems to be looking for submissions.
Leone slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Leone is trying to keep Levasqua in close.
Levasqua advances to half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Levasqua is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Leone has managed to free his arm - good work.

Levasqua is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Philip Levasqua will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Leone scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

Levasqua moves into the clinch.
Levasqua throws a punch but it's blocked by Leone.
Levasqua gets through Leone's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Leone.

Leone manages to break the clinch.

Leone shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Levasqua makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Levasqua.

Levasqua is looking for a triangle but Leone pushes his legs off easily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Leone stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Levasqua swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Levasqua is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Levasqua manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

Levasqua is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Leone to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Leone shrugs it off.
Leone keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Leone is working hard here to advance position.
Leone gets back to half guard.
Leone tries to get to full guard but Levasqua has control of the leg.
Leone is looking to control Levasqua's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Leone avoid being mounted?
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Levasqua prevents Leone from standing back up.

Levasqua is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Levasqua is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Leone defends it well.

Levasqua is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Leone sees it coming and defends easily.

Levasqua is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Leone is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Leone is defending against the submission attempts here by Levasqua.

Levasqua is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Leone manages to get to full guard.

Levasqua drops back looking for a leg! Leone is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Leone manages to kick Levasqua off! Levasqua jumps back into Leone's guard.

Levasqua is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Leone is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Leone has escaped and now he's on top!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Leone gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Levasqua tries to clinch but Leone moves out of range.
Levasqua wants to clinch up but Leone keeps it at a distance.
Levasqua tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Leone counters with a series of strikes. Levasqua will be more careful next time no doubt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Leone gets a double leg takedown into Levasqua's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Levasqua is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Philip Levasqua has got the better of the ground game so far.

Levasqua is looking for a triangle but Leone pushes his legs off easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Philip Levasqua will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Leone decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Leone thows a huge punch but Levasqua dodges it nicely.
Leone is keen to just control but Levasqua is a slippery customer.
Leone not landing any meaningful shots this time.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Levasqua can do anything to dispel that myth.
Leone wants to control but Levasqua is keeping him busy.

Levasqua looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Leone throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Levasqua gets back to full guard.

Levasqua escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Leone gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Leone gets to his feet. Levasqua looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leone keeps the fight on the outside.
Leone keeps the fight on the outside.
Levasqua tries to clinch there but Leone circles away.
Levasqua tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Leone paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Levasqua tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Levasqua tries to clinch up but Leone circles away and keeps his distance.
Leone throws a good cross that connects.

Leone shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Levasqua manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Levasqua looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Levasqua has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Leone 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 Levasqua.

Leone stands up and beckons Levasqua to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Levasqua fails with an attempt to clinch.
Levasqua is looking to clinch.
Good standup being displayed there by Leone as he connects with a hook.

Leone clinches with his opponent.
The referee is keeping an eye on Leone - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Levasqua has a couple of punches blocked by Leone.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

Leone breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Levasqua darts in and clinches Leone up against the cage.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Levasqua in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.

Leone works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

Levasqua looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Levasqua is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Leone defends well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Leone gets to his feet. Levasqua looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Levasqua has managed to clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Levasqua fails to land.
Levasqua has a couple of punches blocked by Leone.

Leone has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Levasqua clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Levasqua manages to reverse the position and now he's in Leone's guard. Nice work there by Levasqua.

Levasqua drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Levasqua jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Levasqua thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Levasqua drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Levasqua jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Levasqua drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Leone manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Levasqua has Leone in his guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Levasqua is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Leone defends well.
Leone wants to control from the top but Levasqua keeps moving.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Leone missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Daniel Leone has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Philip Levasqua is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Levasqua has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Leone can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

And that's the end of the fight!
Daniel Leone showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Levasqua has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Donald Grub scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Gold scores the fight 29:29
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Philip Levasqua!
A determined Philip Levasqua didn't want to dwell on this fight in his post fight interview. Instead he was more keen to state he wants a title shot. Let's see if he gets it!