PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vadim Leonov Jr (ranked 5608 p4p, 5925 weight class) and Claudio Castagnoli (ranked 528 p4p, 544 weight class). Castagnoli has chosen James Bond Theme as his entrance music. Vadim Leonov Jr has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Leonov Jr
vs
Castagnoli

193 cm
21
265
1 - 3 - 0

192 cm
20
250
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Knockaround Guys Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vadim Leonov Jr!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Claudio Castagnoli!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Marco Blurström and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Castagnoli scores with a kick to the body.
Castagnoli lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Leonov Jr throws a looping overhand right but Castagnoli ducks down to avoid it.
Leonov Jr misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Castagnoli looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Castagnoli takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Castagnoli has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Leonov Jr finds it's way round the side to connect with Castagnoli's head.
Leonov Jr shoots in looking for a takedown. Castagnoli tries to sprawl out of it but Leonov Jr keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Castagnoli manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Castagnoli jabs Leonov Jr to the body, keeping him at a distance.
A shot to the liver by Castagnoli. Beautiful body shot.
Leonov Jr misses with a looping right.
Leonov Jr throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Castagnoli sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A little jabbing left from Castagnoli on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Leonov Jr misses with a double jab
and Castagnoli makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Leonov Jr is breathing heavily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Castagnoli connects with a body shot that sends Leonov Jr's belly button to the back.
Castagnoli catches Leonov Jr with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Castagnoli connects with a high kick.
Nice straight punches there by Castagnoli. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Castagnoli.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castagnoli lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Leonov Jr at a distance.
Castagnoli fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Castagnoli scores with a body shot.
Ohhhhh! A huge head kick from Castagnoli! Leonov Jr is out on his feet! Castagnoli rushes in and throws more strikes. The ref is looking closely - Leonov Jr is covering up but the punishment is just too much and the ref steps in to stop the fight! Leonov Jr is staring into space, just thankful that the beatdown has ended. Brutal finish.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:17 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Claudio Castagnoli!
Vadim Leonov Jr spoke after the fight, saying 'He s good. He s really good.'.