PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mark Hughes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ray Leonard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Ray Leonard was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Hughes
vs
Leonard

176 cm
24
176 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

186 cm
21
184 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

Decent wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mark Hughes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ray Leonard!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Leonard swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Hughes.
Leonard thows a body shot but no joy.
Hughes gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Leonard counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Hughes thinking.
Nice uppercut there from Leonard.
Hughes misses with a takedown attempt - Leonard sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Hughes shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mark Hughes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Leonard throws a predictable looking body shot

so Hughes counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Hughes slips nicely into half guard.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Hughes trying to pass the guard but Leonard defending well.

Hughes is looking for a kimura here.
Hughes wants to pass the guard but Leonard is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hughes is working for a submission of some sort.

Hughes is working for a kimura but Leonard is defending it quite comfortably.
Hughes works his foot free and advances to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Leonard is desperately trying to improve his position but Hughes has a good base and remains in mount.
Hughes wants to take his opponent's back but instead Leonard manages to regain half guard.

Hughes is looking for a kimura but Leonard is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Hughes to get the leverage.
Leonard has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Hughes is working away from the top position though.
Leonard gets back to full guard.
Hughes wants to pass the guard but Leonard is keeping the position.
Hughes is working hard here to advance position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Hughes sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Leonard's guard.
Leonard won't allow Hughes to pass to mount.

Hughes is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Leonard has managed to free his arm - good work.
Hughes is thwarting Leonard's attempts to control the position.
Hughes works his way into side control.

Hughes tries for a kimura but Leonard is defending well.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Leonard is trying to control Hughes's posture but Hughes avoids it.

Hughes tries for a kimura but Leonard is defending well.

Hughes working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Hughes goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Leonard has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Hughes but great work by Leonard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ray Leonard will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Hughes takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Leonard closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Leonard misses with a hook

and Hughes counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Leonard's guard now.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hughes pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Leonard is keeping the position for now.
Hughes sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Leonard's guard.
Hughes is looking to advance position but Leonard won't allow it.

Leonard is defending against the submission attempts here by Hughes.
Leonard regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hughes pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Leonard is keeping the position for now.
Hughes pushing down on Leonard's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Hughes passes to side control.
Leonard tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Hughes wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Hughes wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Leonard, who protects the arm well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Hughes swings around for an armbar but Leonard sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Hughes's guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Leonard stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hughes swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Leonard wanted to stand there but Hughes had control of the position.

Leonard gets to his feet - Hughes follows without any prompting.
Hughes fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hughes tries to clinch
and Leonard counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Hughes tries for a takedown but Leonard sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Leonard lands a nice shot that snaps Hughes's head back.
Ray Leonard is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hughes closes the distance and clinches up with Leonard, looking for a takedown. Hughes pushes Leonard against the ropes but Leonard circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Hughes shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Leonard connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mark Hughes. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Leonard feints and then winds up with a huge right hand that connects perfectly and sends Hughes sprawling to the canvas! Hughes rolls over backwards and springs off the ropes and manages to regain his footing - how acrobatic! Oh, he's still wobbly - can Leonard finish him?!
Hughes slips a straight right by Leonard.

Leonard closes the distance and clinches.
Hughes is trying to drag Leonard to the mat but Leonard just about manages to keep his footing. He used the ropes to his advantage there.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Leonard.
Hughes wants a takedown.
Hughes drops down looking for an ankle pick but Leonard pulls his leg out and moves away.
Hughes moves out of range as Leonard strikes.
Leonard throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Hughes on the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hughes tries to score a power double leg takedown but Leonard sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Hughes somewhat.
Hughes displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Leonard throws out the jab.
Leonard with a hook.
A swing and a miss from Leonard.
Leonard with a nice cross.
Leonard throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hughes.
Leonard misses with a straight left.
Leonard defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Hughes.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hughes shoots in for a takedown but Leonard shows good takedown defense.
Hughes fails with the takedown
and Leonard counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Leonard waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hughes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ray Leonard showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Leonard misses with a straight left.
Hughes lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Leonard circles away quickly and effectively.
Leonard misses with a body shot.
Leonard lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hughes circles away quickly and effectively.
Nice takedown defense from Leonard. No joy for Hughes on that attempt.
Hughes fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Leonard avoids it really well and circles away.
Leonard lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Mark Hughes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hughes changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Leonard tries to avoid it but Hughes manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Leonard to the ground. Leonard escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mark Hughes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Leonard throws a series of punches but Hughes avoids them all with ease.
Hughes dodges the punch combination from Leonard.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hughes. Leonard does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hughes looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Leonard trying to control but Hughes postures up.
Hughes works his way into side control.
Leonard really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Hughes. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Leonard is looking for a sweep.

Hughes is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Leonard knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Leonard is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Hughes off and has taken his back!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hughes rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Leonard tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Hughes.

Hughes is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Leonard pulls his head out easily.
Hughes tries to roll over but Leonard keeps him under control.
Hughes is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Leonard jumps into side control!

Leonard decides to stand back up.
Hughes tries to move into range but Leonard moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leonard stuffs the takedown.
Leonard misses the jab.
Leonard throws a jab when Hughes was well out of range.
Hughes fails with a takedown attempt.
Hughes gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Leonard makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Hughes with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Leonard to score with a decent uppercut.
Hughes fails with the takedown

and Leonard moves into the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Leonard.
A short left from Leonard.
Hughes is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Leonard pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Leonard lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the ropes.
Leonard lands a left hand that snaps the head of Hughes backwards.
Hughes takes a shot to the head.
Ray Leonard is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Leonard lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Hughes backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hughes tries to score a body lock takedown but Leonard shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
A right handed body shot lands from Leonard.
Leonard gets through Hughes's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Hughes looking for a takedown.
Leonard displaying some good clinch control by pressing Hughes up against the ropes.
Hughes goes for a takedown in the clinch but Leonard prevents it.
Hughes has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Leonard avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Mark Hughes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Leonard presses Hughes against the ropes and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Hughes drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Leonard gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Leonard stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Leonard lands a left hand.
A hook to the body from Leonard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ray Leonard comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Leonard winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 27:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ray Leonard!