PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rai Leonardo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ghoul Ghotha (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ghoul Ghotha has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Leonardo
vs
Ghotha

202 cm
37
266 lbs
23 - 11 - 1

207 cm
44
272 lbs
43 - 42 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Granite chin

SP Ultimate Nutrition
Bad Man Clothing (Nothing Over $40)

Bad Man Clothing (Nothing Over $40)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 11 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rai Leonardo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 43 - 42 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ghoul Ghotha!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Seu Braga and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A decent looking cross lands there for Leonardo.
Leonardo throws a right and a left that Ghotha avoids nicely.
Ghotha is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Leonardo lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Ghotha misses with a takedown attempt

and Leonardo counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Leonardo tries a body shot but Ghotha blocks it.
Ghotha tries for a takedown. No joy.
Leonardo lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
A short uppercut from Leonardo.
Leonardo is pressed up against the cage. Ghotha has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Leonardo down to the mat. Leonardo avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Rai Leonardo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ghoul Ghotha.

Leonardo forces Ghotha back against the cage and clinches.
Leonardo landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Ghotha has Leonardo pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Leonardo manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Leonardo lands a hook to the side of the head.
Leonardo lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Ghotha.
Ghotha looks winded!
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!
Leonardo with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
A hook to the body from Leonardo.
Leonardo stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Leonardo working some nice short punches in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leonardo pushes Ghotha back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Leonardo stops a takedown attempt from Ghotha.
Ghotha can't get the takedown.
Good body shot from Leonardo.
Leonardo scores with a shoulder strike.
Leonardo working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Ghotha takes a knee right on the jaw!
Leonardo landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Knees in the clinch landing for Leonardo.
Leonardo lands a body shot in the clinch.
A body shot lands from Leonardo.
A short left from Leonardo.
Leonardo is leaning against Ghotha and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Leonardo lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
We've been informed that Ghotha has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A nice left hand lands by Leonardo.
Leonardo scores with a knee to the head.

It looks like Ghoul Ghotha has been cut.
Leonardo pushes Ghotha back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Leonardo landing some nice looking knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leonardo lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Ghotha takes a knee right on the jaw!
Ghotha wants a takedown but no success here.
Leonardo lands a nice knee to the body.
Ghotha's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Leonardo digs a right hand underneath Ghotha's ribcage. Ghotha let out a lung full of air as it connected.
A shot in the inside from Leonardo.
A short uppercut from Leonardo.
Leonardo landing knees to the head.
Leonardo lands a nice shot to the body.
Leonardo works on Ghotha's body with a couple of short punches.
A left hand lands to the body for Leonardo.
Ghotha takes a knee to the side of the body.
Ghotha takes a shot to the head.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Leonardo.
Leonardo lands a body shot in the clinch.
Leonardo lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A shot in the inside from Leonardo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leonardo landing some nice looking knees to the body.
A right handed body shot lands from Leonardo.
Leonardo throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Leonardo lands a knee to the head.
Knees to the body from Leonardo.
A right hand to the body from Leonardo.
Leonardo lands a body punch.
Leonardo lands with a light punch inside.
Leonardo digs a right hand into Ghotha's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Ghotha's gas tank.
Leonardo lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Leonardo scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A short body shot lands from Leonardo as the two fighters clinch.
Leonardo landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Leonardo with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Leonardo pushes Ghotha back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Leonardo connects with a nasty looking knee right to Ghotha's face.

Leonardo pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Leonardo lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leonardo pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ghotha tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Leonardo lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Leonardo throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Ghotha takes one on the button.
Ghotha shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Leonardo looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Leonardo misses with a head kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ghotha uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Leonardo.
Ghotha tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
A chopping leg kick lands by Leonardo.
A nice leg kick lands there from Leonardo.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rai Leonardo dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ghoul Ghotha's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Ghotha bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Leonardo fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ghotha with the counter takedown but Leonardo avoids it easily.
Leonardo fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
That kick from Leonardo tenderised Ghotha's leg. Ghotha is trying to keep his angry face on.
Leonardo throws a head kick but Ghotha moves out of range.
Rai Leonardo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Leonardo throws a quick inside leg kick.
Leonardo finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Ghotha tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Ghotha takes one to the chin there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Leonardo scores with a sloppy right hand. Ghotha should have avoided that one.
Leonardo tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ghotha feints the counter takedown.
Leonardo throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Leonardo instigates a clinch.
Ghotha is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Leonardo can't find room to land a body shot as Ghotha controls the action.
Leonardo digs a right hand into Ghotha's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Ghotha's gas tank.
I was talking to Leonardo's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Ghotha is breathing heavily.
Leonardo lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Leonardo lands a body punch in the clinch.
Leonardo connects with a knee to the head.
Leonardo presses Ghotha against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Leonardo using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Leonardo lands a body punch in the clinch.
Ghotha's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
A right hand to the body from Leonardo.
A short right from Leonardo on the inside.
Leonardo lands a body punch.
Ghotha goes for a takedown in the clinch but Leonardo prevents it.
Leonardo lands a good knee to the midsection. Ghotha won't want to take too many of those.

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!
Leonardo scores with a hook to the body.
Nice body punch from Leonardo - that landed with a thud.
Leonardo scores with a hook to the body.
Leonardo landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Leonardo lands a knee to the head.
Leonardo landing knees to the body.
Leonardo lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Leonardo lands with a right to the head.
Leonardo lands a shot to the body.
Leonardo lands a left hand.
Leonardo is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ghotha can do to turn this around?
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Leonardo landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Nice body punch from Leonardo.
A left hand lands to the body for Leonardo.

Leonardo breaks from the clinch.
Leonardo throws a nice inside leg kick.
Leonardo misses with a kick to the body.
And Ghotha tries to counter it with a takedown but Leonardo pushes his down on his head and steps out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leonardo throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ghotha.
Ghotha changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Leonardo connects with a body shot that sends Ghotha's belly button to the back.
Leonardo throws out a leg kick but Ghotha moves out of range and Leonardo only half commits.
And Ghotha tries to counter it with a takedown but Leonardo pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Ghotha takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Ghotha is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Leonardo fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Ghotha is out of range.
Leonardo scores with a decent looking hook.
Rai Leonardo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A bone on bone clash there as Ghotha blocks the leg kick.
Good work by Ghotha as he checks the leg kick.
Ghotha changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Leonardo throws a right and a left that both miss.
And Ghotha tries to counter it with a takedown but Leonardo pushes his down on his head and steps out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leonardo throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Leonardo misses with an attempted mid kick.
Leonardo throws a push kick but Ghotha slaps the foot to one side.
Leonardo looks to land a combination but Ghotha avoids it well.
Ghotha looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Leonardo misses with a kick to the body.
Leonardo throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A slapping leg kick lands for Leonardo.
Leonardo throws a sloppy head kick and Ghotha moves out of range easily.
Leonardo fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Leonardo misses with a left hand

and Ghotha counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rai Leonardo dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Ghoul Ghotha's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Leonardo looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Ghotha feints the counter takedown.
Ghotha shoots in looking for a takedown. Leonardo tries to sprawl out of it but Ghotha keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Leonardo manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Ghotha shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Leonardo defends it nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Leonardo throws a lazy uppercut
and Ghotha counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Leonardo thows a leg kick but Ghotha checks it

and Ghotha counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Leonardo is trying to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ghotha is taking a breather. Leonardo says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Leonardo wants to get back to full guard.
Ghotha missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Ghotha thows a huge punch but Leonardo dodges it nicely.
Ghotha trying to control the action but Leonardo is working from the bottom.
Leonardo moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Leonardo wants to stand and escape but Ghotha is having none of it.
Leonardo looking to control.
Ghoul Ghotha has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

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.
Ghotha stops Leonardo from standing up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Nice sprawl there from Leonardo as Ghotha shoots in.
Rai Leonardo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ghoul Ghotha.
Ghotha has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Leonardo.
Ghotha takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Leonardo tries a head kick but it misses.
Leonardo lands with a thumping leg kick.
Leonardo pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Ghotha back to the cage. Leonardo follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Leonardo's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Leonardo duly obliges.
Leonardo pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ghotha is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Leonardo throws an overhand right that lands on Ghotha's shoulder, as Ghotha tries to avoid the shot.
Leonardo throws a quick inside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leonardo tries to work over Ghotha's front leg with a kick but Ghotha checks it.
Ghotha changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Leonardo throws a leg kick

and Ghotha counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Leonardo!
Leonardo is trying to get back to half guard.
Ghotha has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Sloppy strikes there by Ghotha.
Ghotha is working Leonardo over with some ground and pound from side control.
Leonardo is not content to let Ghotha control the position.
You can see that Ghotha has visibly slowed down as a result of the leg kicks
Ghotha in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ghotha misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Ghotha scoring with punches from side control.
Leonardo manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Leonardo is trying to stand up here but Ghotha is controlling him well.
Leonardo is trying to control but can't.
Leonardo is not content to let Ghotha control the position.
Ghotha trying to control from Leonardo's half guard. Leonardo has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Ghoul Ghotha has got the better of the ground game so far.
Leonardo wants to stand and escape but Ghotha is having none of it.
Ghotha working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Leonardo's head.
Ghotha postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ghoul Ghotha.
I think Leonardo 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 Matheus Silva scores the fight 29:27
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 29:27
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 29:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rai Leonardo!
A relieved looking Rai Leonardo thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.