PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Lorenzo Skelenburg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nicolas Leiva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Leiva is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Spiderbait - Black Betty. On his way into the cage it seems that Lorenzo Skelenburg has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Lorenzo Skelenburg seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Skelenburg
vs
Leiva

188 cm
24
185 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

185 cm
23
180 lbs
3 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Lorenzo Skelenburg!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Nicolas Leiva!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Daniel Bishop and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Skelenburg tries to close the distance and clinch up but Leiva swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Skelenburg looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!

Leiva drives through with a takedown into guard.
Leiva trying to stand up but can't free himself from Skelenburg's guard.
Leiva postures up.

Skelenburg has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Leiva 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 Skelenburg.
Skelenburg struggling a bit here.

Leiva stands up and beckons Skelenburg to his feet.

Leiva drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Skelenburg wants to control but Leiva postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Leiva stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Leiva checks a leg kick.
Skelenburg checks a low kick from Leiva.

Leiva scores with a takedown into Skelenburg's guard.
Leiva slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Skelenburg has an active guard here but Leiva has managed to pass into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leiva is taking a breather. Skelenburg says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Skelenburg is trying to stand up here but Leiva is controlling him well.
Skelenburg tries to get to full guard but Leiva has control of the leg.
Skelenburg is pressing down on Leiva's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Leiva avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Skelenburg looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Leiva passes into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Skelenburg wants to control but Leiva postures up.

Leiva is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Skelenburg knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Leiva stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Leiva swats away the attempt to clinch by Skelenburg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Leiva swats away the attempt to clinch by Skelenburg.
Skelenburg moves out of range as Leiva throws a body kick.

Leiva drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Skelenburg tries to buck Leiva off but Leiva is having none of it.
Skelenburg is trying to control Leiva's posture but Leiva avoids it.
Skelenburg is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Leiva asserts his dominance and retains side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Leiva controls the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nicolas Leiva dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Skelenburg pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Skelenburg misses with a takedown attempt

and Leiva counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Skelenburg's guard now.
Skelenburg trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Skelenburg can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Leiva controls the pace.

Skelenburg looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Leiva has picked Skelenburg up and slammed him! Skelenburg can't keep hold of the triangle and Leiva manages to pass to side control!
Skelenburg gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Skelenburg wants to get back to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Skelenburg actively working from the bottom here.
Leiva is looking to take a break and control but Skelenburg is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Skelenburg trying to get back to full guard but Leiva takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Skelenburg reaches up to try and control the position but Leiva seems to have an arm triangle now! Uh oh! Skelenburg rolls and tries to escape and now Leiva has his back!

Leiva working for a choke but Skelenburg is defending well.

Leiva is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Leiva tries to keep control of the position but Skelenburg is staying busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Leiva avoiding Skelenburg 's attempts to control his hands.
Leiva tries to get the hooks in deep but Skelenburg pushed the leg off.
Skelenburg is trying to break free.
Skelenburg tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!

Skelenburg defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Leiva.
Skelenburg wants to get back to his feet.
Skelenburg wants to hold on but Leiva pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Leiva stands up from mount. Strange move.
Lorenzo Skelenburg is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Skelenburg looks to throw a body kick

and Leiva counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Skelenburg's guard now.
Leiva is looking to stand up but Skelenburg won't let him.
Skelenburg controls Leiva momentarily but Leiva frees himself.

Skelenburg looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Leiva has picked Skelenburg up and slammed him! Skelenburg can't keep hold of the triangle and Leiva manages to pass to side control!
Skelenburg gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Skelenburg is trying to get back to full guard.
Leiva uses his free foot to push down on Skelenburg's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Skelenburg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Skelenburg is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Skelenburg is looking to get to half guard.
Skelenburg is working hard here to advance position.

Leiva stands up from mount. Strange move.
Skelenburg shoots and misses

and Leiva counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Skelenburg will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.

Skelenburg is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nicolas Leiva showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Skelenburg tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Leiva shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Skelenburg manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Nicolas Leiva has got the better of the ground game so far.
Skelenburg trying to control the position.
Skelenburg has a closed guard, preventing Leiva from standing up.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Skelenburg is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Leiva tries to stand but Skelenburg is controlling from the bottom.
Skelenburg will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Leiva shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Skelenburg wants to control but Leiva is having none of it.
Skelenburg can't escape the position.
Skelenburg is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Skelenburg is looking to improve his position but Leiva isn't that keen on the idea.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Skelenburg wants to hold on but Leiva pushes him away.
Skelenburg wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
Leiva is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
Leiva keeps control of the position as Skelenburg tries to break free.
Leiva not allowing Skelenburg to control his hands.
Skelenburg is trying to break free.

Leiva is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Skelenburg knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Skelenburg for a finish.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Skelenburg can't escape the position.
Skelenburg trying to get back to his feet but Leiva is in full control for now.
Skelenburg is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Leiva doesn't have the hooks in and Skelenburg manages to turn into his guard.
Skelenburg pushes down on Leiva's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Leiva is trying to control but can't.
Leiva is positioning himself well to prevent Skelenburg advancing to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Skelenburg moves nicely into side control.
Lorenzo Skelenburg has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Skelenburg working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Skelenburg wants to stand but Leiva is controlling his arm.

Skelenburg goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Leiva rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Skelenburg's guard! Nice work there by Leiva!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
Nicolas Leiva comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Leiva has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nicolas Leiva!