PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Piotrek Nowak (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Krisu Leepen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nowak comes to the cage accompanied by Liber/ N. Szroeder - Wszystkiego Na Raz. Leepen has chosen The Prodigy - as his entrance music. Krisu Leepen is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Nowak
vs
Leepen

175 cm
23
167 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

176 cm
30
163 lbs
9 - 14 - 1

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Knockout power

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 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Piotrek Nowak!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Krisu Leepen!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Leepen shoots in for a double leg but Nowak sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Leepen swinging wildly here.
Leepen throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Leepen avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Nowak slips a jab and a cross from Leepen.
Leepen looks to score with a jab to the body but Nowak is just out of range.
Leepen tries to bum rush Nowak with a series of wild strikes but Nowak uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Leepen just misses with a punch to the body.
Nowak lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Leepen at a distance.
Leepen thuds a left hand into Nowak's body.
Leepen blocks a head kick by Nowak.
Nowak takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Nowak shoots in but no luck this time.
Leepen swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Nowak uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Leepen.
Nowak slips a straight right by Leepen.
Krisu Leepen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Leepen throws a nice looking combination but Nowak bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Leepen is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Nowak rather than just go for the knockout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leepen throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Nowak counters by moving into the clinch.
Leepen is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Nowak pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Leepen is defended easily by Nowak.
Piotrek Nowak has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Krisu Leepen.
A looping hook to the body misses from Leepen. Nowak does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nowak fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Leepen on the side of the head.
Nowak shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Leepen defends it nicely.
Leepen closes the distance and clinches up with Nowak, looking for a takedown. Leepen pushes Nowak against the cage but Nowak circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Leepen shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Nowak pinned against the cage. Nowak gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Nowak showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Leepen.
Leepen looks winded!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nowak darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Nowak seems to be working for a kimura but Leepen defends the submission attempt.
Leepen is trying to stand.
Nowak trying to pass the guard but Leepen defending well.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Leepen tries to get to full guard but Nowak has control of the leg.
Nowak thows a huge punch but Leepen dodges it nicely.
Nowak is keen to just control but Leepen is a slippery customer.
Leepen wants to get back to his feet.

Nowak is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nowak working over Leepen with some ground and pound. Leepen looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Leepen has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Nowak is working away from the top position though.
Leepen looks like he's trying to stand up.

Nowak is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Nowak not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Leepen is trying to stand back up but Nowak is controlling him
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Nowak thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Leepen's head.

Nowak is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Nowak is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Leepen!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nowak swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Leepen is now in Nowak's guard. A big mistake from Nowak there, giving up the dominant position!
Leepen must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Nowak utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Leepen got a little sloppy there for a moment and Nowak has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Leepen has managed to get both his arms back between Nowak's legs - danger averted.
Nowak 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.
Leepen postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Leepen postures up in Nowak's guard and throws a big left but Nowak blocks it.
Leepen stands up over Nowak, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Leepen wants to control from the top but Nowak keeps moving.
Nowak doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Leepen trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Leepen with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Leepen postures up and lands a big shot to Nowak's brow.

Nowak had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Leepen defends it easily.
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 Piotrek Nowak will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Nowak changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Leepen tries to avoid it but Nowak manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Leepen to the ground. Leepen escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Leepen throws a series of punches but Nowak moves out of range.
Nowak needs to keep his hands up - Leepen had a free shot at his head there.
Leepen keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Nowak is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Leepen.
Piotrek Nowak is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nowak fails with an attempt to clinch.
Some wild striking there from Leepen.
Nowak takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Nowak tries to close the distance and clinch up but Leepen swats him away and circles back towards the center.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Leepen thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nowak slips a jab and a cross from Leepen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nowak shoots in looking for a takedown. Leepen tries to sprawl out of it but Nowak keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Leepen manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Piotrek Nowak. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Some wild striking there from Leepen.
Leepen shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Nowak eats them both and turns towards Leepen to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Leepen fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Leepen throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Nowak.
Nowak doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nowak throws a big shot that misses.
Leepen just misses with a punch to the body.
Leepen lands a jab-cross combination.

Leepen gets caught flat footed, as Nowak shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nowak works over Leepen with some ground and pound from guard.

Leepen scrambles and gets back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leepen misses with an uppercut. Nowak saw that one coming.
Nowak shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Leepen as he avoids it easily.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Leepen lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Nowak has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Nowak and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.

Leepen drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Leepen working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nowak prevents Leepen from moving into mount.
Piotrek Nowak overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Nowak dodges the ground and pound from Leepen.
Leepen working the ground and pound.

Leepen is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Nowak is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Leepen goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Nowak rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Leepen's guard! Nice work there by Nowak!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nowak throws a big right hand that misses.

Nowak thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Leepen is looking to stand up but Nowak isn't so interested in that idea.
Nowak sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Leepen's guard.

Nowak is trying to work for a kimura but Leepen is defending well.

Nowak is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Leepen doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Nowak.
Leepen is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Nowak's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Nowak's back!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leepen is working the ground and pound. Can Nowak escape?
Nowak prevents Leepen from getting a body triangle.
Nowak wants to control his opponent's hands but Leepen gets his hands free.
Leepen is landing with strikes from the back.
Nowak trying to control the hands but Leepen breaks the grip.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nowak is trapped and Leepen is scoring with shots to the head and body.
Leepen is throwing strikes from the back here. Oh that last one was to the back of the head. Leepen gets a warning from the referee. He throws another strike to the back of the head straight away though and the referee has seen enough. He breaks up the two fighters and stands them back up. Leepen gets a real talking to here and is lucky not to get a point deducted. Leepen apologises and we restart here on the feet.
Leepen pivots, looking for a leg kick but Nowak is out of range and Leepen settles back down.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sloppy strikes from Leepen. Those never looked like landing.
Krisu Leepen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A left and a right from Leepen both land. Nice combination.

Leepen gets caught napping as Nowak dives in and scores a takedown. Leepen manages to retain guard.
Leepen working a defensive guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Krisu Leepen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Nowak looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Nowak is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Leepen's half guard.
Nowak is looking to advance position but Leepen won't allow it.

Nowak is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Leepen doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Nowak.

Nowak is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Leepen is just riding it out for now. Nowak eventually gives up the hold.
Leepen is trying to stand back up but Nowak is controlling him

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nowak throwing shots but Leepen is blocking nicely.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Leepen pushes Nowak off looking to stand but Nowak dives back in and keeps control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nowak not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Leepen wants to get back to his feet.
Nowak is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Leepen reverses the position - he's now on top in Nowak's guard.
Leepen scoring with punches to the head and body.

Nowak working for a triangle but Leepen defends it easily.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Leepen accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Leepen postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nowak working a defensive guard here.
Leepen wants to control from the top but Nowak keeps moving.
Leepen has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Nowak is proving hard to escape from.

Nowak working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Leepen doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Leepen manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nowak trying to strike off his back.

Nowak working for a triangle but Leepen defends it easily.
Leepen with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leepen chips away with some ground and pound.
Leepen lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Leepen throwing strikes but missing.
Leepen with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Nowak has his foot on Leepen's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Leepen works his way back into a safe position though.
Nowak has momentary wrist control but Leepen slips an elbow through the middle.

Nowak looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Leepen avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Leepen's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Leepen decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A right-left combo lands from Leepen.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Leepen misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Nowak ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Nowak shoots in but no luck this time.
Leepen scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Leepen connects with the punch.
Nowak dodges the punch combination from Leepen.
Leepen throws a predictable looking body shot
and Nowak counters with a head kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Leepen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Leepen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Nowak moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
Krisu Leepen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Leepen has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Krisu Leepen!
After winning the bout, Krisu Leepen thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.