PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Nuriel Leonard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Asher Lee (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Asher Lee will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Leonard
vs
Lee

168 cm
38
147 lbs
32 - 20 - 0

192 cm
43
154 lbs
45 - 34 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Brown Belt
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Bad Man Clothing (Nothing Over $40)

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 32 - 20 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Nuriel Leonard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 45 - 34 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Asher Lee!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Thiago Cunha and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Leonard feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Lees jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Lee has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Lee lands a nice looking body shot.
Leonard connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Lee moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
The crowd cheers as Leonard lands an impressive looking overhand right. Lee doesn't seem phased though.
Lee looks to land a left hand but Leonard moved out of range nicely.
Lee lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Leonard circles away quickly and effectively.
Lee connects with a right hand. Leonard shakes it off.
Lee misses with a wild body shot.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Leonard throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Lee is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Leonard dodges the punch combination from Lee.
Leonard with a nice cross.
Lee throws a series of punches but Leonard moves out of range.
Lee showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Leonard.
A little jabbing left from Lee on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Leonard drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Lee pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lee throws a body punch but Leonard moves out of range.
A jab from Leonard misses.
Lee is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Leonard throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Leonard closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Lee to the mat! Lee manages to get full guard.
Leonard wants to pass the guard but Lee is keeping the position.
Lee is pulling down on Leonard's head. It's preventing any offense from Leonard, at least for the moment.
Lee trying to keep a closed guard but Leonard is proving a slippery customer.
Leonard stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Lee swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leonard throwing strikes from guard but Lee blocks nicely.
Lee can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Leonard controls the pace.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Leonard might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Leonard throws a big elbow that misses.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Lee takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Lee ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Leonard moves away.
Lee throws a head kick but Leonard moves out of range.
Leonard fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Lee uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Leonard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Lee misses.
Lee scores with a body shot.
Lee ducks under a wild hook from Leonard.
Lee lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Leonard circles away quickly and effectively.

Leonard throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Lee tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Leonard is in Lee's guard.
Leonard trying to control but Lee is working from the bottom.
Leonard loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Leonard 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.
Lee wants to sweep here but Leonard controlling him for the moment.
Leonard lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Leonard trying to move into half guard but instead Lee has managed to sweep!

Lee is looking to work some ground and pound but Leonard has wrist control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leonard pulls Lee in close to prevent any damage.
Lee wants to stand but Leonard has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
We've been hearing good reports from Leonard's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Leonard pulls Lee in close to prevent any damage.
Leonard tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Lee postures up in Leonard's guard and throws a big left but Leonard blocks it.

Lee gets to his feet - Leonard follows without any prompting.
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 Nuriel Leonard will probably get the nod.
That's time! Leonard's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Leonard rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Lee counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Lee misses with a left hand
and Leonard counters with a nice body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Leonard. Lee does a little dance to reset his feet.
Lee lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.

Leonard closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Lee to the mat! Lee manages to get full guard.
Leonard working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Leonard throws a big right hand that misses.
Nuriel Leonard overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Lee has momentary wrist control but Leonard slips an elbow through the middle.
Leonard looking to pass the guard.
Lee keeping moving, preventing Leonard from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Leonard throws a strike but Lee rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Leonard controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leonard keeping full guard, as Lee tries to pass.
Lee would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Lee trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Leonard is controlling Lee's posture.
Leonard wants to stand but Lee is controlling the position.
Leonard wants to sweep but no luck.
Leonard is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leonard working the head and body with strikes.
Leonard seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Lee does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Lee keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Lee avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Leonard.
Leonard is keen to just control but Lee is a slippery customer.
Leonard is looking to stall here but Lee recovers full guard.
Leonard trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leonard controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Lee working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Leonard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Lee looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Leonard closes the distance and clinches up with Lee, looking for a takedown. Leonard pushes Lee against the cage but Lee circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Leonard keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Lee.
Leonard misses with a combination
and Lee counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Lee throws a right and a left that both miss.
Lee misses the shot to the body.
Lee moves away from the strike by Leonard.
Leonard throws a series of punches but Lee moves out of range.
Lee misses with a looping right.
A quick step to the side and Leonard tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Lee slips under a jab from Leonard.
Lee misses with a wild body shot.
Lee will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lee on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Leonard scores with a nice right hand.
Lee moves out of range of the strikes.
A little jabbing left from Lee on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
A big right from Leonard misses.
Lee was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Lee ducks right into an uppercut from Leonard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Leonard scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Leonard is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Lee can do to turn this around?
A telegraphed right hand from Lee misses the target.
Leonard tries to close the distance and clinch but Lee swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Leonard cracks a nice hook into Lee's ribs.
Leonard changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Lee misses with a wild body shot.
Leonard wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Lee slips a jab and a cross from Leonard.
Lee now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Lee on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Leonard throws a jab when Lee was well out of range.
Leonard looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Nice defenses there by Lee.
Lee fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Leonard on the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nuriel Leonard dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Leonard throws a hook to the side of Lee's head but Lee sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A big left from Leonard misses.
Lee keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Leonard misses with a hook.
Lee is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Leonard with a body shot.
Leonard looks to throw the jab but Lee is out of range.
Lee throws a jab but it's blocked by Leonard.
Lee lands a nice hook to Leonard's body. Leonard takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Lee throws a series of punches but Leonard avoids them all with ease.
Lee misses with a looping right.
Lee throws a big shot that misses.
Lee throws the left hand but Leonard avoids the punch easily.
Leonard throws a jab when Lee was well out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice defenses there by Lee.
Leonard throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Lee sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Leonard will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Lee swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Leonard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lee lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Lee.
Lee lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Leonard circles away quickly and effectively.
Asher Lee is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Leonard swings widly with a right hand
and Lee counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Leonard misses with a hook. Lee ducked under it nicely.
Lee ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Leonard moves away.
Leonard takes a swing at Lee's ribcage but misses.
Lee throws a predictable looking body shot
and Leonard cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Nice cross by Lee.
Leonard misses the jab.
Leonard scores with a jab to the body.
Lee uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Leonard.
Lee looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Lee looks to score with a jab to the body but Leonard is just out of range.
Leonard swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Sloppy strikes from Leonard. Those never looked like landing.
Lee avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Leonard steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Lee.
Leonard went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Leonard looks to score with a jab to the body but Lee is just out of range.
Leonard punishes Lee's body with a nice straight punch.
Asher Lee has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nuriel Leonard is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leonard throws a series of punches but Lee moves out of range.
Leonard takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Nuriel Leonard is winning the standup battle so far.
Lee scores with a nice right hand.
Leonard has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Leonard there as he acknowledges the shot.
Leonard displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Lee throws out the jab.
Lee blocks a jab.
Lee ducks under a wild hook from Leonard.
Leonard ducks under a wild hook from Lee.
It looked like Leonard wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Leonard misses with a hook. Lee ducked under it nicely.
Leonard jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Leonard throws a hook to the side of Lee's head but Lee sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Leonard swinging wildly here.
Lee swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Lee throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
A left lands for Lee.
Lee ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leonard throws out a loose jab but Lee uses good head movement to avoid it.
Lee uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Leonard.
Leonard slips under a jab.
A swing and a miss from Leonard.
Leonard scores with a crisp jab that stopped Lee in his tracks.
Leonard thuds a left hand into Lee's body.
Leonard ducks under a wild hook from Lee.
Lee misses with a lunging right hand
and Leonard makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

Leonard closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Lee's guard.
Leonard wants to control from the top but Lee keeps moving.
Leonard scoring with some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leonard throws an elbow that misses. Lee uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Leonard's guard. Nice move by Lee!

Lee postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Leonard looking to control.
Lee looking to pass the guard.
Lee is looking to stand up but Leonard won't let him.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Leonard is on top in guard.

Lee is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Leonard is controlling him.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Nuriel Leonard.
Well Leonard has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Seu Braga scores the fight 30:27
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 28:29
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Nuriel Leonard!
Nuriel Leonard opened up his post fight interview with a scream to camera that he wants a title shot! Whether he deserves the shot will be up to the management of the organization, so I guess he'll have to wait and see.