PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Nuriel Leonard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gegard Houellebecq (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Houellebecq has chosen The Prodigy - Spitfire as his entrance music. There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Leonard
vs
Houellebecq

168 cm
35
147 lbs
29 - 16 - 0

174 cm
30
140 lbs
19 - 11 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Namunamu Clothing

KAISER

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 29 - 16 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nuriel Leonard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 11 - 0, fighting out of New York, Gegard Houellebecq!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Houellebecq throws a quick inside leg kick.

Leonard clinches up against the cage.
Leonard throws a knee to the head but misses.
Leonard looking to slow down the pace here.
Houellebecq wants to break free but Leonard has control.
Leonard blocks a body shot from Houellebecq.
Houellebecq lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Leonard misses with a body punch.
Houellebecq misses with a hook from the clinch.
I was talking to Leonard's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Houellebecq with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Houellebecq working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Leonard blocks an uppercut.
Leonard blocking some punches.
Leonard is looking for a takedown.
Leonard using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Houellebecq has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Leonard slowing the pace effectively.
Houellebecq throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Leonards head.
Leonard tries to work over Houellebecq's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Houellebecq tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Houellebecq taking a breather.
Leonard is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Houellebecq is defending well for now.
Houellebecq is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Leonard is defending well for now.
Houellebecq lands a body shot.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Houellebecq.
Leonard with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Leonard blocks an uppercut.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Houellebecq creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Leonard looking to throw knees to the head but Houellebecq is blocking nicely.
Houellebecq working hard to break the clinch.
Leonard can't find room to land a body shot as Houellebecq controls the action.
Houellebecq misses with a hook from the clinch.
Houellebecq misses with the head strike.
Leonard wants to stall.
Houellebecq makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Leonard wants a takedown but no success here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Leonard takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Leonard connects with a nasty looking knee right to Houellebecq's face.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Leonard lands with a short head shot on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Houellebecq.
A frustrated look appears on Houellebecq's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Leonard leaning against his opponent.
Still in the clinch, Houellebecq scores with a nice short uppercut.
Leonard digs a right hand underneath Houellebecq's ribcage. Houellebecq let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Leonard lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Houellebecq throws a punch but it's blocked by Leonard.
Leonard stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Leonard stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Leonard pushes Houellebecq back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Leonard looking to throw knees to the head but Houellebecq is blocking nicely.
Houellebecq using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Leonard has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leonard looking to slow down the pace here.
Leonard connects with a knee to the head.
Houellebecq gets through Leonard's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Houellebecq blocks a body shot from Leonard.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Houellebecq.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Houellebecq.
A short uppercut from Houellebecq.
Houellebecq wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Houellebecq misses with the head strike.
Houellebecq with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Houellebecq has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Leonard seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Houellebecq can turn it around.
Houellebecq is trying to maintain a safe position but Leonard gets an underhook and turns Houellebecq into the cage.
Leonard has Houellebecq pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Houellebecq manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nuriel Leonard. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Houellebecq breaks from the clinch.
Houellebecq throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Leonard checks a leg kick.
Gegard Houellebecq seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Houellebecq lunges at Leonard with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Leonard's hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A head kick misses from Houellebecq.
Leonard takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Leonard jabs at Houellebecq's body.
Houellebecq connects with a jab.
Houellebecq connects with a solid leg kick.
Houellebecq pivots, looking for a leg kick but Leonard is out of range and Houellebecq settles back down.
Leonard lands a lovely overhand right.
Houellebecq takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Houellebecq tries to close the distance and clinch but Leonard swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Houellebecq tries to clinch up.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Houellebecq fails with an attempt to clinch.
Leonard missing with a left hand there. Houellebecq was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Leonard fails in his attempt to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Gegard Houellebecq will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Houellebecq moves away from the strike by Leonard.
Houellebecq tests Leonard's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Leonard checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Leonard rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Houellebecq moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Houellebecq lands with a hook. Leonard tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Leonard has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Houellebecq.
Houellebecq leaves Leonard with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Leonard cracks a nice hook into Houellebecq's ribs.

Houellebecq gets tackled into the cage by Leonard. Leonard maintains the clinch.
Houellebecq tries to land a knee to the head but Leonard blocks with his arms.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Houellebecq fails to land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Houellebecq as Leonard tries to tie him up.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Leonard.
Leonard pushes Houellebecq back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Leonard stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Leonard tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Leonard misses with a punch to the body.
Leonard throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Houellebecq blocks it with crossed arms.
Houellebecq works on Leonard's body with a couple of short punches.
Houellebecq fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Leonard tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Leonard is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Leonard misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Houellebecq.
Houellebecq fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Houellebecq throws a head punch that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leonard wants to stall.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Leonard as Houellebecq tries to tie him up.
Houellebecq blocking some punches.
Leonard with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Houellebecq with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Houellebecq misses with a short punch on the inside.
Houellebecq lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Leonard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Leonard tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Houellebecq throws a head punch that misses.
Nice body punch from Leonard - that landed with a thud.
Houellebecq lands a body punch.
Nice body punch from Leonard - that landed with a thud.
Leonard's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Houellebecq has a couple of punches blocked by Leonard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leonard misses with a body punch.
Houellebecq misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Leonard.
Leonard blocks a body shot from Houellebecq.
Leonard is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Leonard misses with some punches.
Leonard misses with a knee strike.
Houellebecq blocks a body shot from Leonard.
Houellebecq avoiding damage as Leonard throws knees to the body.
Houellebecq misses with a hook from the clinch.
Leonard tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Houellebecq avoids it.
Houellebecq misses with a body punch.
Leonard throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Houellebecq blocks it with crossed arms.
Houellebecq lands a left hand that snaps the head of Leonard backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Houellebecq tries a knee to the head but Leonard blocks it.
Houellebecq misses with some punches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Houellebecq.
Leonard wants to stall.
Houellebecq lands a nice knee to the body.
Houellebecq has a couple of punches blocked by Leonard.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Houellebecq tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any 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!
Leonard tries to land a knee to the head but Houellebecq blocks with his arms.
Houellebecq looking to throw knees to the head but Leonard is blocking nicely.
Houellebecq misses with a punch on the inside.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Houellebecq wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Houellebecq on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Houellebecq can't find room to land a body shot as Leonard controls the action.
Leonard is trying to maintain a safe position but Houellebecq gets an underhook and turns Leonard into the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Gegard Houellebecq will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Leonard's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Leonard loads up on a big right hand but Houellebecq slips the punch.

Leonard gets a clinch.
Leonard throws a knee to the head but misses.
Houellebecq will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Leonard up against the cage.
Gegard Houellebecq seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A head punch on the inside from Houellebecq fails to land.
Houellebecq tries to break the clinch but Leonard is controlling the position.
Leonard tries a body shot but Houellebecq blocks it.
Houellebecq lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Houellebecq lands a nice uppercut.
A short left from Leonard.
Houellebecq misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Houellebecq goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Leonard wants to stall.
Leonard blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Houellebecq.
Houellebecq is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Leonard tries to score a body lock takedown but Houellebecq shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Houellebecq breaks the clinch.
Leonard sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Houellebecq scores with a nice strike.

Leonard rushes Houellebecq and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Leonard lands with a light punch inside.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Houellebecq as Leonard tries to tie him up.
Houellebecq lands a hook that snaps the head of Leonard backwards.
Houellebecq misses with a punch on the inside.
Leonard avoiding damage as Houellebecq throws knees to the body.
Houellebecq gets through Leonard's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A short right from Houellebecq on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Houellebecq looking to throw knees to the head but Leonard is blocking nicely.
Houellebecq landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Houellebecq tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Leonard avoids it.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Houellebecq as Leonard tries to tie him up.
Leonard misses with a body punch.
Houellebecq lands with a right to the head.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

Houellebecq breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Leonard throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Houellebecq tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Leonard is able to avoid easily.
Leonard swings away with a body shot that misses

and Houellebecq counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Houellebecq.
Leonard is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Gegard Houellebecq is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Houellebecq wants to control from the top but Leonard keeps moving.
Houellebecq throws a big elbow that misses.
Houellebecq wants to control from the top but Leonard keeps moving.
Leonard working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Houellebecq.
Nuriel Leonard has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Leonard keeping full guard, as Houellebecq tries to pass.
Leonard wants to sweep here but Houellebecq controlling him for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Houellebecq looking to sit in guard and control but Leonard gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Houellebecq trying to keep a closed guard but Leonard is proving a slippery customer.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Leonard lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Leonard keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Houellebecq's head.
Houellebecq controls Leonard momentarily but Leonard frees himself.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Leonard connects with a couple of short punches.
Houellebecq has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gegard Houellebecq comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Houellebecq has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gegard Houellebecq!
Gegard Houellebecq seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.