PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Criss Lebenanski (ranked 4179 p4p, 0 weight class) and Leo Blanco Gracie (ranked 4003 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Lebenanski
vs
Blanco Gracie

185 cm
25
175 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

177 cm
25
180 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Criss Lebenanski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Leo Blanco Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Wesley Smith and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lebenanski shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Gracie pinned against the cage. Gracie gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Gracie shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Lebenanski eats them both and turns towards Gracie to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.

It looks like Criss Lebenanski has been cut.
The fight stays on the outside here - Lebenanski looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Gracie now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Lebenanski displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Gracie throws out the jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Lebenanski gets a takedown into half guard.
Gracie pushes Lebenanski off but Lebenanski dives into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lebenanski takes a little break here. Gracie wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Gracie looking for a sweep but Lebenanski has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Lebenanski breaks from Gracie's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Lebenanski avoids the attempt from Gracie to control.
Lebenanski takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Lebenanski seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Gracie for as long as he can get away with.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lebenanski swings around for an armbar and he's got it! Wow, that came out of nowhere! What a finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:25 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Criss Lebenanski!