PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vadim Leonov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gerhard Rihmakallo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Leonov's entrance music is Red october. A fine choice. Rihmakallo has chosen Blood For Blood-Living In Exile as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Leonov
vs
Rihmakallo

194 cm
27
248 lbs
11 - 13 - 0

185 cm
23
245 lbs
6 - 13 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

MADE IN GERMANY

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 11 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Vadim Leonov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Gerhard Rihmakallo!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Marco Blurström and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rihmakallo drives through and clinches with Leonov against the cage.
Leonov takes an elbow to the forehead.

Rihmakallo turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Rihmakallo manages to end up in side control.

Rihmakallo is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Leonov has escaped the position, nice work there.

Rihmakallo thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Rihmakallo looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Leonov is avoiding damage well.
Leonov is pushing Rihmakallo's head away, looking to escape. Rihmakallo manages to hold on to the position though.
Rihmakallo throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Leonov is trying to get back to his feet.
Leonov is being controlled here.
Leonov is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
An elbow from Rihmakallo crashes against the mat.
Rihmakallo lands a decent elbow from side control.
Leonov is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Rihmakallo has just dragged him back down to the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rihmakallo decides to stand back up. Rihmakallo steps back and let's Leonov get back to his feet.
Rihmakallo looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Rihmakallo misses with a double jab.

Rihmakallo gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Rihmakallo has hold of one of Leonov's legs. Leonov is fighting the takedown attempt but Rihmakallo gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rihmakallo in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Leonov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Rihmakallo postures up in Leonov's guard and throws a big left but Leonov blocks it.
Rihmakallo wants to stand but Leonov is controlling his posture from full guard.

Leonov has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Rihmakallo off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Rihmakallo uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Leonov.

Rihmakallo forces Leonov back against the cage and clinches.
Rihmakallo goes for a takedown in the clinch but Leonov prevents it.
Rihmakallo drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Leonov gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Rihmakallo is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Leonov gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Vadim Leonov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gerhard Rihmakallo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rihmakallo is working for takedown but Leonov is calmly controlling the position for now.
Rihmakallo fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Rihmakallo tries to pull guard but Leonov won't allow it.
Rihmakallo trying to land knees to the body.
Rihmakallo looks gassed!
Leonov creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Rihmakallo's defenses.
Leonov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Leonov manages to break the clinch.
Leonov fails to land with a series of punches.

Leonov moves into the clinch.
Rihmakallo fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Leonov lands a left hand that snaps the head of Rihmakallo backwards.
Rihmakallo is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Leonov manages to break the clinch.
Rihmakallo takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Rihmakallo is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Leonov's half guard.
Leonov is trying to stand back up but Rihmakallo is controlling him

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Leonov pushes Rihmakallo off and gets back to his feet.
Rihmakallo throws a series of punches but Leonov moves out of range.

Leonov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Rihmakallo tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Leonov just stands there and leans against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rihmakallo keeps control of Leonov as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Leonov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Leonov throws a hook but Rihmakallo blocks it.
Leonov fails in his attempt to clinch.

Rihmakallo shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Rihmakallo was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Rihmakallo jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Leonov is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Leonov and Rihmakallo has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Leonov avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Rihmakallo.

Leonov throws Rihmakallo to one side and escapes!
Leonov uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Rihmakallo tries to score a power double leg takedown but Leonov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Rihmakallo somewhat.
Rihmakallo throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Leonov.
Rihmakallo fails to land the takedown.
The fight stays on the outside here - Leonov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Leonov gets a clinch.

Rihmakallo turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Rihmakallo manages to end up in side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rihmakallo trying to control the position but Leonov is working away.

Leonov throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Gerhard Rihmakallo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Leonov cracks a nice hook into Rihmakallo's ribs.

Leonov drives through with a takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Leonov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Leonov has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Rihmakallo working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Leonov.
Leonov wants to get up but he can't break Rihmakallo's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Rihmakallo preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Leonov landing some decent shots from guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Leonov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Rihmakallo is trying to keep Leonov in close.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Vadim Leonov will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Rihmakallo tries to clinch up.

Leonov gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Leonov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Leonov looking to slow down the pace here.
Rihmakallo tries to pull guard but Leonov won't allow it.
Rihmakallo fails to pull guard.
Leonov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rihmakallo.

Leonov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Gerhard Rihmakallo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rihmakallo has a takedown stuffed.
Vadim Leonov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gerhard Rihmakallo.

Leonov clinches.
Leonov lands a damaging elbow.
Leonov is pressed up against the cage. Rihmakallo has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Leonov down to the mat. Leonov avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Rihmakallo shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Rihmakallo was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Leonov is trying desperately to improve position.
Leonov sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Rihmakallo prevents Leonov from standing back up.
Rihmakallo has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rihmakallo winds up and cracks Leonov with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Rihmakallo wants to lay and pray for a moment but Leonov keeps working.
Rihmakallo prevents Leonov from standing back up.

Leonov pushes Rihmakallo off and gets back to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Leonov misses with a kick to the body.
Leonov circles away from the clinch attempt

and Leonov counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Leonov postures up.
Leonov trying to control but Rihmakallo is working from the bottom.
Leonov postures up and lands a big shot to Rihmakallo's brow.
Leonov postures up.
Rihmakallo lands some strikes from the bottom.

Rihmakallo is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Leonov defends well.
Rihmakallo pulls Leonov in to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rihmakallo looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Leonov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Rihmakallo looking to hit a scissor sweep but Leonov is one step ahead there.
Rihmakallo looking to control.
Leonov postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Rihmakallo working a defensive guard here.
Leonov trying to stand up but can't free himself from Rihmakallo's guard.

Leonov gets to his feet. Rihmakallo looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rihmakallo tries to clinch there but Leonov circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rihmakallo tries to close the distance and clinch up but Leonov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Leonov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Leonov wants to clinch.
Leonov misses with an attempted mid kick.
Rihmakallo stuffs the takedown attempt from Leonov. Leonov gets slowly back to his feet.
Rihmakallo wants to clinch but Leonov slips to the side

and Leonov moves into the clinch.
Rihmakallo crunches a lovely knee into Leonov's ribcage.
Rihmakallo utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Rihmakallo tries to pull guard but Leonov won't allow it.
Rihmakallo has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Leonov avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Rihmakallo keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Leonov's efforts to push away.
Leonov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Rihmakallo avoids it.

Rihmakallo jumps guard.
Rihmakallo is trying to keep Leonov in close.
Leonov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rihmakallo is trying to keep Leonov in close.

Rihmakallo is working an open guard so Leonov takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Rihmakallo lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Leonov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Rihmakallo avoids it really well and circles away.
Rihmakallo lands with a nice combination. Leonov backs away looking to recover.
Rihmakallo will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Leonov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rihmakallo sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Leonov wants to clinch.
Rihmakallo throws a right and a left that Leonov avoids nicely.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rihmakallo scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
A punch combination from Rihmakallo misses.
Rihmakallo tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Leonov swivels and escapes.
Rihmakallo gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vadim Leonov dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Leonov throws a jab when Rihmakallo was well out of range.
Leonov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Leonov gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Rihmakallo to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Leonov is trying to control the position but Rihmakallo postures up.
Rihmakallo throwing strikes from guard but Leonov blocks nicely.
Rihmakallo prevents Leonov from getting back to his feet.
Rihmakallo keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Leonov's head.
Leonov wants to stand and escape but Rihmakallo is having none of it.
Rihmakallo is looking to work some ground and pound but Leonov has wrist control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rihmakallo trying to control but Leonov is working from the bottom.
Rihmakallo works over Leonov with some ground and pound from guard.
Leonov wants to stand but Rihmakallo is controlling the position.
Rihmakallo looking to pass the guard.

Rihmakallo drops back looking for a leg! Leonov is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Leonov manages to kick Rihmakallo off! Rihmakallo jumps back into Leonov's guard.

Leonov uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Rihmakallo tries to clinch up but Leonov circles away and keeps his distance.
Rihmakallo swats away the attempt to clinch by Leonov.
Rihmakallo will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rihmakallo has Leonov up against the cage in a clinch.
Rihmakallo changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Leonov fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Leonov forces Rihmakallo back against the cage and clinches.
Rihmakallo keeps control of Leonov as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Rihmakallo manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Rihmakallo trying to keep a closed guard but Leonov is proving a slippery customer.

Rihmakallo working for submissions but it's allowed Leonov to get to half guard.
Leonov landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Leonov tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Rihmakallo.

Leonov stands up and beckons Rihmakallo to join him on the feet.
Leonov with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leonov tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Rihmakallo closes this distance looking for a takedown but Leonov circles away.
Vadim Leonov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gerhard Rihmakallo.
Rihmakallo circles away from the clinch attempt.
Rihmakallo tries to clinch but Leonov is having none of it.
A left lands for Leonov.
Leonov looks to score with a jab to the body but Rihmakallo is just out of range.
Leonov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Leonov wants to clinch up but Rihmakallo keeps it at a distance.

Leonov rushes Rihmakallo and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Leonov trying to control the position but instead, Rihmakallo has worked for underhooks and has pushed Leonov into the cage.
Leonov is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

Rihmakallo decides to pull guard.
Vadim Leonov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Leonov chips away with some ground and pound.
Rihmakallo will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Rihmakallo looking to control.

Rihmakallo working for a triangle but Leonov defends it easily.
Leonov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rihmakallo keeping moving, preventing Leonov from controlling successfully.
Leonov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rihmakallo is keeping the position for now.
Gerhard Rihmakallo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Leonov wanted to stand there but Rihmakallo had control of the position.
Rihmakallo is trying to control the position but Leonov postures up.
Rihmakallo keeping moving, preventing Leonov from controlling successfully.

Vadim Leonov has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Leonov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Horrible takedown by Rihmakallo or perhaps it was just good defense by Leonov which made him look bad.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vadim Leonov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Leonov, 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:28
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:27
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vadim Leonov!