PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Thom Le Bou (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Spartan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Le Bou kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is H.A.M. - Kanye west. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Le Bou
vs
Spartan

184 cm
23
181 lbs
13 - 4 - 0

177 cm
26
178 lbs
10 - 9 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Thom Le Bou!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Matt Spartan!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, David Schapiro and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Spartan throws a right and a left that Le Bou avoids nicely.
Spartan thows a left - swing and a miss!
Le Bou throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Le Bou fails with the takedown
and Spartan counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
A telegraphed right hand from Spartan misses the target.
Le Bou checks a low kick from Spartan.
Le Bou uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Spartan.
Le Bou fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Le Bou thuds a left hand into Spartan's body.
Le Bou throws a body punch but Spartan moves out of range.
Le Bou cracks Spartan with an open hand slap.
Spartan misses with a lunging right hand

and Le Bou counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Le Bou.
Le Bou throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Spartan works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Spartan pulls Le Bou in close to his closed guard and prevents Le Bou from doing any damage or advancing position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Spartan can do anything to dispel that myth.
Spartan is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spartan thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Le Bou's head.

Le Bou looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Spartan is looking to take a break and control but Le Bou is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Spartan lands strikes from half guard.
Spartan is nestled in close to Le Bou, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Le Bou moves into full guard.
Le Bou striking off his back, scoring a few points.

Le Bou is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Spartan defends well.
Le Bou wants to sweep here but Spartan controlling him for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spartan trying to control but Le Bou is working from the bottom.
Spartan missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Le Bou working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Spartan doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Spartan manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Spartan working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Le Bou's head.
Spartan preventing the sweep.
Le Bou is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Spartan is defending against the submission attempts here by Le Bou.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Le Bou tries to pass the half guard into mount. Spartan knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Le Bou throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Le Bou wants to lay and pray for a moment but Spartan keeps working.
Le Bou prevents Spartan from standing back up.
Spartan avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Le Bou.

Le Bou wants to work for an arm triangle but Spartan is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Spartan is trying to get back to full guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Spartan manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Spartan trying to keep a closed guard but Le Bou is proving a slippery customer.
Le Bou trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Spartan looking for a sweep. Not yet Spartan, not yet.
Le Bou loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Le Bou in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thom Le Bou dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Spartan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Le Bou.
Spartan misses with a hook. Le Bou ducked under it nicely.
A looping hook to the body misses from Spartan. Le Bou does a little dance to reset his feet.
Spartan gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Spartan leaves Le Bou with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Spartan missing with a left hand there. Le Bou was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Thom Le Bou seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Spartan uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Le Bou.
A looping hook to the body misses from Le Bou. Spartan does a little dance to reset his feet.
Spartan scores with a hook.
Le Bou fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Spartan.
Spartan thows a left - swing and a miss!
Le Bou connects with a nice looking jab.
Le Bou with a lazy takedown attempt
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thom Le Bou. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Le Bou scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Le Bou trying to pass the guard but Spartan defending well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Le Bou thows a huge punch but Spartan dodges it nicely.
Le Bou is pressing down on Spartan's thigh, looking to free his foot. Spartan is holding on for now.
Spartan tries to roll over but Le Bou keeps him under control.
Le Bou is trying to control the action in half guard but Spartan is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Le Bou not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Spartan is trying to stand up here but Le Bou is controlling him well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Le Bou lands with a punch from half guard.
Le Bou missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Spartan wants to get back to full guard.
Le Bou throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Le Bou throwing shots but Spartan is blocking nicely.
Le Bou throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Spartan moves into full guard.
Le Bou has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Le Bou postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Le Bou accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Le Bou throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Spartan works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Le Bou with a flurry of punches that miss.
Le Bou throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Spartan works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Spartan wants to stand and escape but Le Bou is having none of it.
Spartan wants to sweep here but Le Bou controlling him for the moment.
Le Bou wants to control from the top but Spartan keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Spartan working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Le Bou.
Le Bou with a flurry of punches that miss.
Spartan avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Le Bou accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Le Bou trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Le Bou throwing strikes but missing.
Le Bou tries to free his leg and advance position but Spartan is retaining full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Matt Spartan will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Spartan throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Le Bou blocks the body kick.
Le Bou looks to score with a jab to the body but Spartan is just out of range.
Le Bou misses with a body shot.
Le Bou tries for a takedown but Spartan circles away easily
and Spartan counters with a stiff right hand.

Spartan gets caught flat footed, as Le Bou shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Le Bou is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Spartan is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Spartan has escaped and now he's on top!
Spartan trying to control the position from guard on top but Le Bou is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Spartan decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Le Bou, up you get!
Le Bou lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Spartan moves out of range of the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Le Bou swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Spartan swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Spartan gets cracked there but stands up to it.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Le Bou.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Le Bou.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thom Le Bou. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Spartan uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Le Bou.
Le Bou throws a body punch but Spartan moves out of range.
Le Bou is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Le Bou fails with a takedown attempt.
Spartan lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Le Bou throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Spartan punishes Le Bou's body with a nice straight punch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Le Bou has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Le Bou there as he acknowledges the shot.
Le Bou takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

Le Bou is rocked!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Le Bou looks to score with a jab to the body but Spartan is just out of range.
Oh Le Bou is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Le Bou shoots in but Spartan avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Le Bou seems to have got his legs back now.
Spartan misses with a double jab.
Spartan lands a nice shot that snaps Le Bou's head back.
Spartan thows a body shot but no joy.
Spartan swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Le Bou shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Spartan sprawls well. Spartan wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Le Bou gets slowly back to his feet.
Spartan lands with a good body shot.
Le Bou uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Spartan.
Spartan throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Le Bou takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Spartan comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Le Bou doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spartan fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Le Bou manages to avoid it.
Spartan dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Spartan misses with an uppercut. Le Bou saw that one coming.
Le Bou uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Spartan.
Spartan misses the shot to the body.
Spartan throws a hook but Le Bou avoids it easily.
Le Bou's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Le Bou duly obliges.
Spartan's corner calls for a 1-2. Spartan obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Le Bou misses with a looping left.
Le Bou is looking to wear down Spartan with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Le Bou takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Le Bou connects with a body shot that sends Spartan's belly button to the back.
Spartan scores with a hook.
Nice defenses there by Le Bou.
Spartan scores with a jab to the jaw.
Le Bou looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Spartan is fending him off so far but Le Bou persists. Nope, Spartan circles away and we're back to standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spartan thows a body shot but no joy.
Spartan with a hook.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A leg kick checked by Le Bou.
Spartan waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Le Bou.
Spartan scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Spartan misses with the combination.
Spartan steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Le Bou.
Le Bou has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Spartan.
Spartan throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Le Bou.
Spartan throws a leg kick but Le Bou sees it coming and moves out of range.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Spartan throws an overhand right that lands on Le Bou's shoulder, as Le Bou tries to avoid the shot.
Spartan tests Le Bou's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Spartan looks to throw the jab but Le Bou is out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matt Spartan comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Spartan 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 Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 28:29
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 28:29
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 27:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matt Spartan!