PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Brain Solan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eliphas Levi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Solan
vs
Levi

190 cm
25
210 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

180 cm
19
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Big right hand

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid 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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Brain Solan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Eliphas Levi!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Shigeki Sano and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sloppy strikes from Solan. Those never looked like landing.

Solan moves into the clinch successfully.
Solan scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Solan holding his opponent close, against the ropes.

Solan breaks from the clinch.
Levi throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Solan dodges the punch combination from Levi.
Solan tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Levi paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Levi defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Solan.
Levi throws out a counter right but Solan avoids it with no problem.
Solan tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Levi manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Solan fails with an attempt to clinch.
Solan takes one to the chin there.

It looks like Brain Solan has been cut.

Solan forces Levi back against the ropes and clinches.
I was talking to Solan's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Solan is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Levi is defending well for now.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

Solan escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Levi jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Solan throws a hook to the side of Levi's head but Levi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Solan gets a clinch.
Solan is working for takedown but Levi is calmly controlling the position for now.
Solan blocking some punches.
Levi looking to slow down the pace here.
Levi misses with a knee to the head.
Levi fails to pull guard.

Levi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Levi takes a swing at Solan's ribcage but misses.
Solan on the wrong end of a nice hook.
A left and a right from Levi both land. Nice combination.
A decent looking cross lands there for Levi.
Solan throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Levi.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Solan walks into a left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Solan tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Levi manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Levi connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Solan momentarily.
Levi swats away the attempt to clinch by Solan.
Solan wants to clinch but Levi slips to the side
and Levi counters with a stiff right hand.

Levi tries to keep at a distance but Solan has taken the fight into the clinch.
Levi has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Solan after a bit of a struggle.
Solan tries to pull guard but Levi won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Brain Solan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Solan lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Levi just misses with a elbow thrown towards Solan's brow.

Solan breaks the clinch.

Solan gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Solan prevents the takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Solan lands a right hand.
Levi jumps guard but Solan turns him against the ropes and keeps the fight standing.

Solan breaks from the clinch.
Jab by Solan.
Levi works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Levi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Solan was well out of range. Poor timing from Levi.
Levi throws a looping overhand right but Solan ducks down to avoid it.
It looked like Solan was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Brain Solan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Levi throws a shot from downtown. Solan moves away and avoids it.
Solan throws a big counter combination but Levi scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Levi missing with a left hand there. Solan was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Solan tries to bum rush Levi with a series of wild strikes but Levi uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Solan swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Levi counters with a left to the body.
Solan takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Solan is looking to clinch.
Solan looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Eliphas Levi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Solan tries to clinch up but Levi circles away and keeps his distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Levi cracks Solan with a good jab.

Brain Solan's cut is getting worse.

Levi gets tackled into the ropes by Solan. Solan maintains the clinch.

Solan breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Solan connects with a right hand. Levi shakes it off.
Solan tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Levi paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Solan tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Levi paws at him with a jab and circles away.
It seemed like Levi was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Solan showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Levi.
Solan is looking to clinch but Levi is avoiding it.
Levi throws a right hand that Solan ducks under and follows up with a left that Solan also avoids with ease.
Levi swats away the attempt to clinch by Solan.
Levi misses with a double jab.
Solan takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Solan fails in his attempt to clinch.
Levi showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Solan.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eliphas Levi dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Brain Solan's cut.
That's time! Solan's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Solan tries to clinch up.
Solan tries to clinch there but Levi circles away.

Solan rushes Levi and presses him up against the ropes.

Levi manages to break the clinch.
Brain Solan is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Solan gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Levi is looking for a takedown up against the ropes. Solan gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Levi trying to stall but Solan improves his position.

Solan pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Levi 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.
Levi slips under a jab.
Levi circles away from the clinch attempt.
Solan misses with an uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Levi connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

Solan gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Solan has a couple of punches blocked by Levi.

Solan breaks the clinch.
Levi fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Solan looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Solan forces Levi back against the ropes and clinches.
Levi wants a takedown.

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

Levi tries to keep at a distance but Solan has taken the fight into the clinch.

Solan manages to break the clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Solan looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Levi appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Solan tries to clinch up.
Solan tries to clinch there but Levi circles away.
Levi looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Levi thuds his right hand into Solan's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Solan throws a nice looking combination but Levi bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Levi scores with a hook.

Solan moves into the clinch.

Solan manages to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Levi misses the shot to the body.
Eliphas Levi seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Levi scores with a jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Solan tries to clinch there but Levi circles away.
Solan with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Levi to score with a decent uppercut.
Solan throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Solan on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Levi swats away the attempt to clinch by Solan.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Levi slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Levi scores with a crisp jab that stopped Solan in his tracks.
Solan tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Levi manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Solan shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

Solan is rocked!
Levi cracks Solan with an open hand slap.
Oh Solan is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

Solan gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Solan gets through Levi's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Solan seems to have got his legs back now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Levi tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Brain Solan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eliphas Levi.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Solan gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Levi.

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

Solan moves into the clinch.
Levi is looking for a takedown.
Levi has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Solan avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Levi gets through Solan's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Solan.
Solan using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Levi has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Levi is working for takedown but Solan is calmly controlling the position for now.
Solan throws a punch but it's blocked by Levi.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Solan lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Levi trying to hold on to Solan's head to control him but Solan postures up.
Solan wants to stand but Levi has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Solan trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

Solan escapes and gets back to his feet.

Solan closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Levi prevents a takedown attempt there.

Levi pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Solan looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Levi misses with a wild combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Brain Solan will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Brain Solan's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Levi misses with a series of wild punches.

Solan closes the distance and pushes Levi back into the ropes.

Solan manages to break the clinch.
Solan tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Levi manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Solan tries to clinch there but Levi circles away.
Solan moves in looking to clinch but Levi pushes him off.
Levi throws a body punch but Solan moves out of range.
Levi fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

Solan clinches up against the ropes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Solan lands a nice uppercut.
Levi goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Levi is trying to maintain a safe position but Solan gets an underhook and turns Levi into the ropes.
Solan stalling in the clinch.
Levi lands a knee to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Solan pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Solan is looking to clinch but Levi is avoiding it.
Levi avoids a punch combination nicely.
Levi just misses with a punch to the body.
Levi scores with a sloppy right hand. Solan should have avoided that one.
Solan drops his hands momentarily and Levi takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Levi keeps the fight on the outside.
Solan fails in his attempt to clinch.
Solan tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Levi paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Levi works Solan's body with a nice hook.
Levi scores with a jab. Solan acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

Brain Solan's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Levi swats away the attempt to clinch by Solan.
Solan tries to clinch

and Levi counters with a leg kick then a big left hand that sends Solan down! Levi is looking to finish but Solan is intelligently defending himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Solan wants to get back to his feet but Levi is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Levi trying to control but Solan is working from the bottom.
Levi works over Solan with some ground and pound from guard.
Levi controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Solan wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Levi manages to pass to side control.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

Solan manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Levi keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the ropes.
A body shot lands from Levi.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Solan fails to pull guard.
Levi drops down looking for an ankle pick but Solan pulls his leg out and moves away.
Levi cracks a nice hook into Solan's ribs.
Solan tries to clinch up
and Levi counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Levi avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Solan tries to clinch up.
Levi scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

Solan moves into the clinch successfully.
A nice right hand lands inside from Solan.
Levi is looking for a takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Levi jumps guard but Solan stands there with Levi around his waist. Levi gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Brain Solan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eliphas Levi.
Solan scores with a shot to the side of Levi's head.
Solan can't find room to land a body shot as Levi controls the action.
Solan misses with an elbow strike.

Solan pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Solan takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Levi connects with a body shot that sends Solan's belly button to the back.
Levi slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

Solan clinches up against the ropes.
Levi is trying to push Solan away but Solan has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.

Levi breaks from the clinch.
Solan doesn't manage to clinch there - Levi circles away.
Solan wants to clinch up but Levi keeps it at a distance.

And that's the end of the fight!
Eliphas Levi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Levi 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eliphas Levi!