PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vadim Leonov Jr (ranked 2989 p4p, 2995 weight class) and Mark Clarke (ranked 343 p4p, 345 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Leonov Jr
vs
Clarke

193 cm
24
265
3 - 5 - 0

185 cm
29
275
9 - 6 - 0

Good takedowns
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Powerful

Bondi MMA 🏝️

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 3 - 5 - 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 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mark Clarke!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Colin Fotheringham and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A head kick misses from Clarke.
Leonov Jr connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Clarke's hands.
Leonov Jr misses with a looping left.
A looping hook to the body misses from Leonov Jr. Clarke does a little dance to reset his feet.
Leonov Jr misses with a looping left.
Leonov Jr showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Clarke.
Clarke misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Clarke throws a head kick but Leonov Jr moves out of range.
Leonov Jr scores with the left hand. Clarke knows he should have avoided that one.
Leonov Jr cracks Clarke with an open hand slap.
Clarke misses with a series of wild punches.
A little feinted left hand from Leonov Jr on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Leonov Jr throws a good cross that connects.
Clarke misses with a head kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Clarke motions for Leonov Jr to come forward. Clarke throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Leonov Jr stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
A left and a right from Leonov Jr both land. Nice combination.
Leonov Jr misses with a looping right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leonov Jr throws a right and a left that Clarke avoids nicely.
A left and a right from Leonov Jr both land. Nice combination.
Clarke looks to land a body kick but Leonov Jr moved away.
Clarke missing with a left hand there. Leonov Jr was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Clarke looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Leonov Jr throws a right hand that Clarke ducks under and follows up with a left that Clarke also avoids with ease.
Clarke misses with a takedown attempt - Leonov Jr sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Leonov Jr was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Clarke throws a head kick that misses.
Vadim Leonov Jr seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Leonov Jr scores with the left hand. Clarke knows he should have avoided that one.
We've been hearing reports that Leonov Jr has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Leonov Jr loads up on a big right hand but Clarke slips the punch.
Leonov Jr throws a hook to the side of Clarke's head but Clarke sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Leonov Jr lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Leonov Jr connects with a looping right hand.
Leonov Jr lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Leonov Jr rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Clarke moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Clarke is looking to land body kicks.
Clarke moves out of range as Leonov Jr strikes.
Leonov Jr is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Leonov Jr displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Clarke.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Clarke throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Leonov Jr counters with a straight right hand.
Clarke throws the kick towards the body but Leonov Jr avoids it.
Clarke throws a lazy right hand but Leonov Jr sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Leonov Jr missing with a left hand there. Clarke was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Leonov Jr loads up on a big right hand but Clarke slips the punch.
Leonov Jr will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Clarke is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Leonov Jr throws a looping overhand right but Clarke ducks down to avoid it.
Leonov Jr misses with a hook. Clarke ducked under it nicely.
Leonov Jr waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Clarke.
Clarke misses with a jab, cross combination.
Clarke ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Leonov Jr throws out a loose jab but Clarke uses good head movement to avoid it.
The fighters circling - Leonov Jr throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Clarke changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Leonov Jr ducks under a wild hook from Clarke.
Leonov Jr throws a hook but Clarke blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leonov Jr throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Clarke has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Leonov Jr swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Leonov Jr throws a body shot but no joy.
Clarke misses with an attempted mid kick.
Clarke looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Leonov Jr blocks a head kick by Clarke.
Leonov Jr is looking for a counter combo.
Clarke loads up on a big right hand but Leonov Jr slips the punch.
Nice uppercut there from Leonov Jr.
Clarke fails to land with a series of punches.
Clarke dodges the punch combination from Leonov Jr.
Leonov Jr fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Clarke manages to avoid it.
Clarke with the counter takedown but Leonov Jr avoids it easily.
Leonov Jr throws an off balance right hand

so Clarke counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Clarke stays in close to Leonov Jr's body and controls the position.
Clarke postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leonov Jr wants to get back to his feet but Clarke is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Clarke working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Clarke is stalling in the full guard.
Leonov Jr wants to stand and escape but Clarke is having none of it.
Clarke controlling from the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Clarke with a flurry of punches that miss.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
Clarke stands up over Leonov Jr, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Leonov Jr keeping moving, preventing Clarke from controlling successfully.
Leonov Jr wants to get back to his feet but Clarke is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Clarke has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Clarke working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Leonov Jr's head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Vadim Leonov Jr dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Clarke takes a swing at Leonov Jr's ribcage but misses.
Vadim Leonov Jr is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Clarke misses with a low kick.
Leonov Jr misses with a two punch combination.
Clarke misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
The fighters circling - Leonov Jr throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Leonov Jr throws a series of punches but Clarke avoids them all with ease.
Vadim Leonov Jr is winning the standup battle so far.
Clarke takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Clarke throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Leonov Jr with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Clarke misses the shot to the body.
Leonov Jr throws a body punch but Clarke moves out of range.
Clarke throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Clarke dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Leonov Jr scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Clarke closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Leonov Jr did well to prevent Clarke getting side control.
Leonov Jr is refusing to be controlled, as Clarke sits in half guard.
Clarke working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leonov Jr is looking to escape.
Clarke landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Clarke looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Leonov Jr with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Leonov Jr wants to get back to his feet.
Leonov Jr on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Leonov Jr wants to get back to his feet.
Leonov Jr keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Leonov Jr is trying to stand up here but Clarke is controlling him well.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Clarke lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leonov Jr is trying to stand.
Clarke trying to control the pace.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Clarke tries a head kick but it misses.
Leonov Jr misses with a low kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Leonov Jr misses the target.
Clarke misses the shot to the body.
Leonov Jr lands with a hook. Clarke tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Leonov Jr misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Clarke.
Leonov Jr connects with a good right hand that stumbles Clarke. Clarke circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
A head kick misses from Clarke.
Leonov Jr connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Clarke's hands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leonov Jr tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Clarke was well out of range. Poor timing from Leonov Jr.
Clarke steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Leonov Jr.
Clarke is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Leonov Jr misses with a combination

and Clarke counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Leonov Jr is trying to stand up here but Clarke is controlling him well.

Clarke looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Clarke is keen to just control but Leonov Jr is a slippery customer.
Leonov Jr is trying to stand.
Leonov Jr has hold of Clarke's hands but Clarke slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Clarke is looking to take a break and control but Leonov Jr is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Leonov Jr is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Clarke can do to turn this around?
Leonov Jr is trying to stand back up but Clarke is controlling him
Clarke stalling.
Leonov Jr pushes Clarke off looking to stand but Clarke dives back in and keeps control.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Leonov Jr displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Leonov Jr misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Clarke connects with a right hand. Leonov Jr shakes it off.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Clarke misses with a few strikes there.
Clarke misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Leonov Jr scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Vadim Leonov Jr will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Leonov Jr just misses with a punch to the body.
Vadim Leonov Jr is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A big right from Leonov Jr misses.
Clarke drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Leonov Jr defends it well.
Leonov Jr lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Clarke staying out of range there.
Leonov Jr avoids a kick to the body.
Clarke takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Leonov Jr feints a jab promting Clarke to slip. Leonov Jr then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Clarke slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Clarke misses with a head kick.
Leonov Jr misses with a series of wild punches.
Leonov Jr swinging wildly here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Clarke pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A quick step to the side and Leonov Jr tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Clarke keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Clarke throws a head kick but Leonov Jr moves out of range.
Clarke keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Leonov Jr.
Clarke shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leonov Jr throws the left hand but Clarke avoids the punch easily.
Leonov Jr connects with a right hand. Clarke shakes it off.
Clarke looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Leonov Jr is fending him off so far but Clarke persists. Nope, Leonov Jr circles away and we're back to standing.
Vadim Leonov Jr is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Clarke ducks under a wild hook from Leonov Jr.
Clarke ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Leonov Jr moves away.
Leonov Jr lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Leonov Jr will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A combination from Leonov Jr does no damage.
Clarke has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Leonov Jr throws a hook but Clarke avoids it easily.
Leonov Jr lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Clarke throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Clarke tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Leonov Jr keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Vadim Leonov Jr has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mark Clarke.
Clarke takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Leonov Jr dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Mark Clarke has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Clarke shoots in looking for a takedown but Leonov Jr manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Clarke's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Leonov Jr. Clarke does a little dance to reset his feet.
Leonov Jr bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Clarke's head backwards.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Clarke displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Leonov Jr throws out the jab.
Leonov Jr lands a jab to Clarke's midsection.
Clarke throws a head kick that misses.
Clarke pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Clarke closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
A looping hook to the body misses from Leonov Jr. Clarke does a little dance to reset his feet.
Leonov Jr paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Leonov Jr ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Leonov Jr lands a jab to Clarke's midsection.
A left lands for Leonov Jr.
Leonov Jr cracks Clarke with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Leonov Jr jabs Clarke right on the nose. Clarke blinks but takes it well.
Leonov Jr lands a nice shot that snaps Clarke's head back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leonov Jr lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
A nice combination there by Leonov Jr.
Left hook, right uppercut from Leonov Jr.
Leonov Jr misses with a looping left.
Leonov Jr tries a head kick but it misses.
Clarke takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Clarke has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Leonov Jr finds it's way round the side to connect with Clarke's head.
Leonov Jr cracks Clarke with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Leonov Jr slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Clarke with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Leonov Jr to score with a decent uppercut.
Clarke misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Leonov Jr.
Leonov Jr fails to land with a series of punches.
Clarke throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Leonov Jr.
Clarke takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Clarke throws a half hearted mid kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leonov Jr fails to land with a series of punches.
Leonov Jr throws a shot to the body.
Leonov Jr scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Clarke defending well as Leonov Jr loads up on a big left hand.
Clarke shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Leonov Jr but Leonov Jr pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Clarke throws a series of punches but Leonov Jr avoids them all with ease.
Leonov Jr swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Leonov Jr falls off balance throwing a combination

and Clarke counters with a nice double leg into side control. Leonov Jr won't be happy with that.
Clarke tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Mark Clarke has got the better of the ground game so far.
Leonov Jr is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Clarke is controlling him well.
Clarke scoring with punches from side control.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Clarke prevents Leonov Jr from escaping the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vadim Leonov Jr showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Leonov Jr, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 30:27
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Glass scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vadim Leonov Jr!
An out of breath Vadim Leonov Jr thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
Mark Clarke spoke after the fight, saying 'You beat me again... Well played. I wish you the best of luck in the future... However this is my final fight, thank you to everyone who supported me.. I want to pass the torch to Handerson. Good work brother.'.