PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Levi James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dan Leighty (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Leighty comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Cowboy Dan kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

James
vs
Leighty

189 cm
24
202 lbs
4 - 6 - 0

185 cm
26
193 lbs
15 - 6 - 1

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

TFP Graphics - Pit Inc

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 4 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Levi James!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Dan Leighty!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Chris Edwards and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
James throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
James avoids the body shot from Leighty.
Leighty throws a lazy right hand but James sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
James throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
James blocks a jab.

James drives through with a takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Leighty pulls James in to control the position.
James throws a big right hand that misses.
James trying to control the position from guard on top but Leighty is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
James won't allow Leighty to sweep him here.
Leighty bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in James's guard.

James is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Leighty wants to stand but James is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Leighty gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
James defending well as Leighty loads up on a big left hand.
James throws a body punch but Leighty moves out of range.
Leighty lands a head kick!
James misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Leighty.
Leighty sizes up James with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
James lands a nice hook to Leighty's body. Leighty takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
James fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Leighty has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Leighty with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leighty throws a leg kick but James sees it coming and checks it nicely.
James misses with a hook
and Leighty counters with a good low kick that James was not able to check.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Leighty misses with a right hand
and James counters with a thumping low kick.
James throws a lazy right hand but Leighty sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
James pivots, looking for a leg kick but Leighty is out of range and James settles back down.
James tries to clinch but Leighty is having none of it.
James tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Leighty paws at him with a jab and circles away.

James looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Leighty!
Leighty is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, James asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Leighty tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but James wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leighty wants to control but James postures up.
Leighty managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by James.

Leighty explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!

James shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Leighty has one foot on James's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Leighty looks to land a body kick but James moved away.
James looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

James has Leighty up against the cage in a clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The referee calls for James to work.
James has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Leighty after a bit of a struggle.
Leighty on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Leighty misses with a hook to the ribs.
James is trying to stall.
James lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Leighty backwards.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Leighty throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but James blocks it with crossed arms.
Leighty is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Leighty tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Leighty lands with a right to the head.
James drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Leighty gets the underhooks and prevents it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Levi James will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

James uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Leighty.
Leighty works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
James tries to close the distance and clinch up but Leighty swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Leighty throws a hook to the side of James's head but James sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Leighty checks a leg kick.
Leighty throws a leg kick which misses James's front leg but catches the back leg as James tries to avoid it.
James tries to clinch but Leighty is having none of it.
James throws a big shot that misses.
An inside leg kick from James misses.
Good leg kick by Leighty there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
A punch combination from Leighty misses.
James throws a poor cross that misses
enabling Leighty to counter with a crisp jab.
Leighty misses with a body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters circle momentarily. Leighty darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Levi James seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
James throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Leighty stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Leighty throws a nice outside leg kick.
James wants to land a leg kick but Leighty is out of range.
James dives in and grabs Leighty's left leg, looking for a takedown. Leighty pushes down on James's head and hops out.
Leighty dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on James. That did some damage!
Leighty checks a leg kick.
Leighty looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
James closes the distance looking to clinch
and James takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
James misses with a double jab
and Leighty counters with a low kick, right behind James 's knee.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leighty scores with a jab to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Leighty displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from James.
James is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
James thows a left - swing and a miss!
The fight stays on the outside here - James looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
James takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
James misses with a looping left.
Leighty lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Leighty tries to land a body kick
and James counters with a right hand to the body.
Leighty throws the kick towards the body but James avoids it.

James drives through and clinches with Leighty against the cage.
James tries to stall but Leighty uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. James obliges.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No luck for James with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Levi James. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Leighty throws a half hearted mid kick.
James feints and then cracks Leighty's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Leighty down.
Leighty pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
James is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Leighty.
Leighty feints and then cracks James's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow James down.
James throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
A head kick misses from James.
James's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Leighty connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! James scrambles back to his feet.
Leighty throws a series of punches but James avoids them all with ease.
James throws a hook but Leighty blocks it.
A looping hook to the body misses from James. Leighty does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leighty dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
James is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
James moves in looking to clinch but Leighty pushes him off.
Dan Leighty is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Leighty.
James takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
James just misses with a punch to the body.
Leighty lands an overhand right.
James scores with a decent looking hook.
Leighty scores with the left hand. James knows he should have avoided that one.
James throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
The crowd cheers as James lands an impressive looking overhand right. Leighty doesn't seem phased though.
James cracks Leighty with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Leighty digs a good hook to James's body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dan Leighty showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

James on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Leighty. Leighty obviously looking to wear him down.
James moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Leighty lands a leg kick that knocks James off balance momentarily.

Leighty gets a clinch.
With the fighters up against the cage, James throws an elbow but misses.
Leighty content to slow the pace in the clinch.
James looking to stall.
James is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Leighty is defending well for now.
A nice right hand lands inside from Leighty.
James is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
James doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Nice body punch from Leighty - that landed with a thud.
James tries to land knees in the clinch but Leighty avoids the damage to the body.
Leighty lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Leighty blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leighty makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
James wants a takedown but no success here.
James is working Leighty over against the cage.
Leighty misses with a body punch.
Leighty tries to land a knee to the head but James blocks with his arms.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Leighty as James tries to tie him up.
Leighty connects with a nasty looking knee right to James's face.
James's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Leighty tries a knee to the head but James blocks it.
James misses with a hook to the ribs.
Leighty lands a left hand.
Leighty tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Dan Leighty seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Leighty lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
James misses with a hook to the ribs.
Leighty avoids a wild elbow strike from James.
James tries to stall but Leighty uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Leighty gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from James.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leighty works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Leighty tries a knee to the head but James blocks it.
Leighty using the Thai plumb to throw knees but James has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Leighty lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Leighty lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Leighty misses with a punch on the inside.
James blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
James throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Still in the clinch, Leighty scores with a nice short uppercut.
Leighty blocks an elbow strike.
Knees in the clinch landing for Leighty.
Leighty tries to work over James's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
James wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Levi James. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A right handed body shot lands from Leighty.
Leighty lands a left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James trying to land knees to the body.
Leighty trying to stall but James improves his position.
Leighty makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Leighty.
James misses with a knee to the head.
James throws an elbow but it misses.
Leighty lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of James backwards.
Leighty lands a nice knee to the body.
Leighty lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Leighty is stalling here.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Leighty.
Leighty lands a hook that snaps the head of James backwards.
Leighty slows down the pace here.
Leighty lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of James backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Leighty working aggressively here.
James struggles to land a body shot inside as Leighty controls his hands.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Leighty creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Leighty works on James's body with a couple of short punches.
Leighty lands a right hand that snaps the head of James backwards.
James wants to stall.
Leighty lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
James taking a breather.
A left hand lands to the body for James.
Leighty scores with a shoulder strike.
James lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Leighty landing knees to the head.

James is rocked!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Oh James is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
James throws an elbow but it misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dan Leighty comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Leighty 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dan Leighty!
During a confident post fight interview, Dan Leighty thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.