PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Daniel Korn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gordan Leone (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Daniel Korn has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Korn
vs
Leone

174 cm
23
155 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

150 cm
18
155 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Daniel Korn!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Gordan Leone!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Korn throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Leone was covering up waiting for the punch and Korn finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Leone scrambles and gets back to his feet.

Korn gets a takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Leone kicks off Korn and gets to his feet.
Korn leaves Leone with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Korn fails with a takedown attempt.

Korn gets a takedown into half guard.
Leone has hold of Korn's hands but Korn slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Korn throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Korn landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Leone kicks off Korn and gets to his feet.
Leone should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Korn decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Leone is looking to escape.
Korn is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Korn working the head and body with strikes.
Leone is trying to stand back up but Korn is controlling him
Ground and pound from Korn.
Korn sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Leone defending well though.
Leone wants to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Leone shoots for a takedown but Korn saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Leone looks gassed!
Korn looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Leone is fending him off so far but Korn persists. Nope, Leone circles away and we're back to standing.

Korn darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Leone taking some punishment here, with Korn in his half guard.
Leone looks like he's trying to stand up.
Korn takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Leone wants to get back to his feet.
Korn landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Leone is looking to escape.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Korn working over Leone with some ground and pound. Leone looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Korn thows a huge punch but Leone dodges it nicely.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Korn closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Leone did well to prevent Korn getting side control.
Leone is trying to stand.
Korn lands strikes from half guard.
Leone taking some punishment here, with Korn in his half guard.
Korn not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Leone blocking the ground and pound attempt from Korn.
Leone looks like he's trying to stand up.
Korn seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Korn lands strikes from half guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Korn fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Daniel Korn. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Leone looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Leone stands up and beckons Korn to join him on the feet.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Leone is defended easily by Korn.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Korn bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Leone bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Leone has eaten all the pies!

Korn gets a takedown into half guard.
Leone is trying to stand.
Korn seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Korn thows a huge punch but Leone dodges it nicely.
Leone avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Korn.
Leone blocking the ground and pound attempt from Korn.
Korn missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Korn thows a huge punch but Leone dodges it nicely.
Leone is trying to stand.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Korn misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Leone scores a takedown into full mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Korn flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Leone trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Korn slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

Leone gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
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!

Korn gets a takedown into half guard.
Korn stops Leone from getting back to his feet.
Korn has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Leone is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Korn looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Leone with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Leone is looking to escape.
Korn 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.
Korn looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Leone with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Daniel Korn dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Korn is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Leone's half guard.
Korn prevents Leone from standing back up.
Korn lands strikes from half guard.
Korn thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Leone's head.
Korn stops Leone from getting back to his feet.
Korn not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Korn stops Leone from getting back to his feet.
Korn lands with a punch from half guard.
Korn not landing any meaningful shots this time.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Leone shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Korn sprawls well. Korn wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Leone gets slowly back to his feet.

Korn shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Korn was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Leone trying desperately to get to his feet.
Korn has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Leone's face.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Leone can do anything to dispel that myth.
Korn fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Leone wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Korn landing shots from mount.
Korn lands a big shot there that rocks Leone but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Leone is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Korn punishing his opponent with strikes.
Daniel Korn overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Leone squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Korn cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Korn lands a big elbow.
Korn landing strikes from the mount and Leone is in trouble!
Korn won't let Leone get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Korn landing strikes, looking to finish!
Leone wants to get back to his feet.

That's two 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.
Korn scoring with strikes but Leone is staying in there.
Leone is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Korn lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Korn is landing with some decent strikes but Leone is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Leone wants to try and get back to his feet.
Korn working Leone over with strikes here.
Leone wants to try and get back to his feet.
Korn working the ground and pound effectively.
Korn throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Leone's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leone is bucking up trying to escape but Korn cracks him with another couple of good strikes.

Leone bucks up and throws Korn to the side - he's got back to his feet. Great escape!

Korn bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Leone wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Korn tries to score with some ground and pound. Leone controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Korn fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Leone pushes Korn away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Korn gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Leone bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Korn is defended easily by Leone.

Korn gets caught flat footed, as Leone shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Leone decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Korn, up you get!

Korn shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Leone's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Korn cracks Leone with a solid left hand.
Korn landing some decent shots from guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Korn content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Korn working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Leone has his feet on Korn's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

Korn closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Korn sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Leone defending well though.
Korn will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Leone keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Leone wants to get back to his feet.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Korn connects with a nice short shot to Leone's temple.
Korn winds up and cracks Leone with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Korn not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Korn working the head and body with strikes.

Leone makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Korn stuffs the takedown.
Leone slaps away a takedown attempt from Korn, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Korn fails with a takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Daniel Korn dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Leone shoots for a takedown but Korn saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Leone shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Korn sprawls well. Korn wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Leone gets slowly back to his feet.
Korn fails with a takedown attempt.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Leone defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Korn.
Korn looks for a takedown but Leone sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Daniel Korn. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Leone gets the takedown into side control.

Leone stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Leone fails with the takedown.
Korn leaves Leone with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Korn shoots in for a double leg but Leone sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Korn shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Leone as he avoids it easily.
Korn closes the distance and clinches up with Leone, looking for a takedown. Korn pushes Leone against the cage but Leone circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Leone looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Daniel Korn is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Korn closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Leone is looking to escape.
Korn working the head and body with strikes.

Leone has one foot on Korn's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Korn dives in and grabs Leone's left leg, looking for a takedown. Leone pushes down on Korn's head and hops out.
Korn defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Leone.
Leone fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Leone leaves Korn with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Korn tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Leone swivels and escapes.

Leone gets a takedown into half guard.
Korn is looking to improve his position.
It looks like Leone is going to stand back up.
Korn missing with punches from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Korn wants to improve his position but Leone is controlling well.

Leone stands up out of the half guard.

Leone shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Leone showed some decent athleticism there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Korn misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Korn throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Leone wants to stand up but Korn has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Korn moves into full guard.

Leone stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Korn shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Korn gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Leone to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Leone would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Leone stands up and waves to Korn to follow him.

Korn darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Leone pushes Korn off and gets back to his feet.
Nice sprawl there from Leone as Korn shoots in.
Leone shoots in for a double leg but Korn sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Korn shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Leone manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
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!
Leone is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Korn landing with the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leone is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Korn keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Leone's head.
Korn missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Leone working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Korn.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Leone closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Leone wants to stand but Korn has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Korn flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Korn is looking to improve his position.
Korn tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Gordan Leone has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Daniel Korn is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Korn tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gordan Leone comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Korn has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 29:28
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Daniel Korn!