PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vadim Leonov Jr (ranked 2296 p4p, 1788 weight class) and Gaetan Hart (ranked 270 p4p, 214 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Leonov Jr
vs
Hart

193 cm
24
265
4 - 5 - 0

190 cm
30
285
15 - 3 - 0

Good takedowns
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 4 - 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 15 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Gaetan Hart!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Patrick Alders and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Leonov Jr rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Hart moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Hart takes a jab right on the kisser.
Leonov Jr looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Leonov Jr scores with a decent looking hook.
Leonov Jr looks to land a combination but Hart avoids it well.
Leonov Jr swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hart with the counter takedown but Leonov Jr avoids it easily.
Hart avoids the body shot from Leonov Jr.
Vadim Leonov Jr seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A swing and a miss from Leonov Jr.
Hart with the counter takedown but Leonov Jr avoids it easily.
Leonov Jr misses with a jab, cross combination.
Hart with the counter takedown but Leonov Jr avoids it easily.
Leonov Jr misses with a wild combination.
Hart ducks under a wild hook from Leonov Jr.
Hart moves out of range as Leonov Jr strikes.
Hart tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Leonov Jr looks to land a left hand but Hart moved out of range nicely.
Hart moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hart dodges the punch combination from Leonov Jr.
And Hart tries to counter it with a takedown but Leonov Jr pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Hart staying out of range there.
A lazy left from Leonov Jr finds it's target.
The fighters circling - Leonov Jr throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
And Hart tries to counter it with a takedown but Leonov Jr pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Leonov Jr throws a right and a left that both miss.
Leonov Jr throws a right hand that Hart ducks under and follows up with a left that Hart also avoids with ease.
Hart changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Hart avoids a punch combination nicely.
Hart uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Leonov Jr.
And Hart tries to counter it with a takedown but Leonov Jr pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Leonov Jr looks to throw the jab but Hart is out of range.
Hart tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Hart staying out of range there.
Hart drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Leonov Jr defends it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hart uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Leonov Jr.
Hart uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Leonov Jr.
Leonov Jr throws a looping overhand right but Hart ducks down to avoid it.
Hart tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Leonov Jr throws an overhand right that lands on Hart's shoulder, as Hart tries to avoid the shot.
Vadim Leonov Jr is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Leonov Jr lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hart circles away quickly and effectively.
Leonov Jr throws out a loose jab but Hart uses good head movement to avoid it.
Leonov Jr throws a poor cross that misses

and Hart counters with a takedown into side control.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Leonov Jr tries to escape but Hart is in control.
Leonov Jr is trying to improve his position.
Hart working away.
Leonov Jr is looking to reverse the position.
Hart working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hart decides to stand up, so the ref orders Leonov Jr to his feet.
Hart takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Leonov Jr throws a hook to the side of Hart's head but Hart sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hart drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Leonov Jr defends it well.
Leonov Jr misses with a straight left.
Hart steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Leonov Jr.
Hart chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Leonov Jr can pounce on him.
Leonov Jr tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hart was well out of range. Poor timing from Leonov Jr.
And Hart tries to counter it with a takedown but Leonov Jr pushes his down on his head and steps out.
A punch combination from Leonov Jr misses.
Leonov Jr loads up on a big right hand but Hart slips the punch.
Leonov Jr fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hart manages to avoid it.
Hart ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Hart tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leonov Jr throws a hook but Hart blocks it.
Leonov Jr misses with an uppercut. Hart saw that one coming.
Leonov Jr throws a jab but it's blocked by Hart.
Hart drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Leonov Jr defends it well.
Good exchange - Leonov Jr coming out on top.
Hart avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Hart is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Leonov Jr is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Some wild striking there from Leonov Jr.
Hart changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Leonov Jr fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Leonov Jr lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Leonov Jr misses with a two punch combination.
Hart drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Leonov Jr defends it well.
Hart slips under a jab.
Hart feints the counter takedown.
Hart walks into a jab.
Hart uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Leonov Jr.
Hart feints the counter takedown.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Vadim Leonov Jr dominated that round.
That's time! Leonov Jr's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Leonov Jr jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Hart with the counter takedown but Leonov Jr avoids it easily.
Leonov Jr misses with a body shot.
Hart drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Leonov Jr defends it well.
A slow jab from Leonov Jr misses its intended target.
Leonov Jr moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Hart walks into a stiff left hand from Leonov Jr.
Hart takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Hart steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Leonov Jr.
Hart changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Leonov Jr delivers a nice body kick.
Leonov Jr throws a big shot that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A slow jab from Leonov Jr misses its intended target.
Leonov Jr is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hart can do to turn this around?
Hart staying out of range there.
Hart tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Leonov Jr throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Leonov Jr loads up on a big right hand but Hart slips the punch.
Hart is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Leonov Jr misses.
Hart feints the counter takedown.
The fighters circling - Leonov Jr throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Some wild striking there from Leonov Jr.
Leonov Jr lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hart circles away quickly and effectively.
Hart with the counter takedown but Leonov Jr avoids it easily.
Leonov Jr will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Hart is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Leonov Jr misses with a double jab.
Hart changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Leonov Jr lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hart circles away quickly and effectively.
Hart moves away from the strike by Leonov Jr.
Hart changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Hart blocks a low kick nicely.
Hart feints the counter takedown.
Leonov Jr throws a hook but Hart blocks it.
Hart tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leonov Jr fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hart manages to avoid it.
Hart drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Leonov Jr pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Leonov Jr throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Vadim Leonov Jr is winning the standup battle so far.
Leonov Jr misses with a looping right.
Hart is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Leonov Jr connects with a jab.
Leonov Jr throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Leonov Jr misses with a right hand

and Hart counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Hart.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Leonov Jr controlling Hart's posture.
Leonov Jr looking for a sweep. Not yet Leonov Jr, not yet.
Hart must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leonov Jr looking to control.
Leonov Jr looking to control but Hart passes into half guard.
Leonov Jr tries to get to full guard but Hart has control of the leg.
Hart wants to stand up but Leonov Jr has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Leonov Jr is looking to escape.

Leonov Jr looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Leonov Jr tries to roll over but Hart keeps him under control.
Leonov Jr is working hard here to advance position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Leonov Jr scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Hart manages to mount him!
Leonov Jr working to try and regain half guard.

Hart is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Leonov Jr lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hart circles away quickly and effectively.
A big right from Leonov Jr misses.
A big left from Leonov Jr misses.
Hart keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Leonov Jr.
Hart drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Leonov Jr defends it well.
Hart walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Vadim Leonov Jr dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Leonov Jr misses with a hook. Hart ducked under it nicely.
Vadim Leonov Jr is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Leonov Jr fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Leonov Jr with a nice cross.
Leonov Jr fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Leonov Jr throws a nice outside leg kick.
Leonov Jr misses the jab.
Hart is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
A big left from Leonov Jr misses.
Hart avoids a punch combination nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Leonov Jr looks to land a right hand but Hart moved out of range.
Hart drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Leonov Jr defends it well.
Leonov Jr thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Hart if he has to take too many more of those.
Leonov Jr misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hart.
Hart is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Some wild striking there from Leonov Jr.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leonov Jr fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hart manages to avoid it.
Leonov Jr throws a lazy right hand but Hart sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Hart is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Leonov Jr cracks a nice hook into Hart's ribs.
Leonov Jr is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hart.
Leonov Jr pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hart drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Leonov Jr defends it well.
Hart blocks a jab.
Vadim Leonov Jr is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Leonov Jr misses the jab.
Hart dodges the punch combination from Leonov Jr.
Hart tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Leonov Jr throws a lazy right hand but Hart sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Hart tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Leonov Jr misses with an uppercut. Hart saw that one coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hart uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Leonov Jr.
Leonov Jr throws a jab when Hart was well out of range.
And Hart tries to counter it with a takedown but Leonov Jr pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Hart's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Leonov Jr connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Hart scrambles back to his feet.
Hart moves out of range as Leonov Jr strikes.
Leonov Jr misses with an uppercut. Hart saw that one coming.
A telegraphed right hand from Leonov Jr misses the target.
And Hart tries to counter it with a takedown but Leonov Jr pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Hart uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Leonov Jr.
Leonov Jr scores with a crisp jab that stopped Hart in his tracks.
Leonov Jr throws a shot to the body.
Leonov Jr fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Hart checks it well.
Hart is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Leonov Jr throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nice shot by Leonov Jr.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leonov Jr scores with a decent looking hook.
Leonov Jr throws a head kick but Hart moves out of range.
A swing and a miss from Leonov Jr.
Hart changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Hart gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Leonov Jr misses with a jab, cross combination.
Leonov Jr dips to his left and cracks Hart with an uppercut!
Leonov Jr misses with a hook. Hart ducked under it nicely.
Leonov Jr misses with a looping left.
And Hart tries to counter it with a takedown but Leonov Jr pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Hart uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Leonov Jr.
Leonov Jr throws out a loose jab but Hart uses good head movement to avoid it.
Leonov Jr misses with a wild body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leonov Jr lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Leonov Jr ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Leonov Jr looks to score with a jab to the body but Hart is just out of range.
Hart changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Leonov Jr scores with a sloppy right hand. Hart should have avoided that one.
Hart ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Hart displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Leonov Jr throws out the jab.
Leonov Jr misses the jab.
Hart tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Leonov Jr throws a right and a left that both miss.
Hart changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Leonov Jr thows a left - swing and a miss!
Hart feints the counter takedown.
Leonov Jr misses with a straight left.
Hart drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Leonov Jr defends it well.
Leonov Jr throws a series of punches but Hart avoids them all with ease.
Hart feints the counter takedown.
Leonov Jr cracks Hart with a right hand to the side of the head.

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 Aafke Stam scores the fight 30:26
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 30:26
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 30:26

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.