PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Nuriel Leonard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paul Bourque (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Leonard
vs
Bourque

168 cm
39
147 lbs
35 - 20 - 0

192 cm
44
156 lbs
50 - 26 - 2

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
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 35 - 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 50 - 26 - 2, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Paul Bourque!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Thiago Cunha and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bourque throws a nice looking combination but Leonard bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Bourque is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Leonard tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bourque was well out of range. Poor timing from Leonard.
A nice side step and Bourque releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Bourque 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.
Leonard misses with a straight right.
Bourque throws a nice looking combination but Leonard bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Leonard misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bourque.
Leonard throws a big shot that misses.
Leonard slips a straight right by Bourque.
Bourque misses with a looping left.
Leonard connects with the punch.
Leonard has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Leonard looks to land a left hand but Bourque moved out of range nicely.
Bourque pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Leonard lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Bourque at a distance.

Leonard closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Bourque did well to prevent Leonard getting side control.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Leonard not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Bourque won't allow Leonard to pass to mount.
Bourque avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Leonard.
Leonard thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Bourque's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bourque is looking to control Leonard's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Bourque avoid being mounted?
Leonard missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Leonard sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Bourque defending well though.
Leonard throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Leonard is just content to waste time from the top position. Bourque takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Leonard works over Bourque with some ground and pound from guard.
Leonard trying to control but Bourque is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Leonard not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Leonard uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bourque.
Leonard throws a jab when Bourque was well out of range.
Bourque lands with a cross.
Paul Bourque is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Bourque waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Leonard.
A big right from Leonard misses.
Leonard misses with a hook.
Leonard throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bourque wants to clinch.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Leonard.
Bourque looks like he wants to counter punch here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A cross from Leonard lands.
Bourque bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Leonard's head backwards.
Bourque jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nice defenses there by Bourque.
Bourque misses with a hook.
Leonard connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Bourque's hands.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Bourque needs to keep his hands up - Leonard had a free shot at his head there.
Bourque fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Bourque lands a jab.
Bourque thows a left - swing and a miss!
Leonard was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Leonard showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Bourque.
Leonard misses with a body punch
and Bourque counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Bourque might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Leonard throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Bourque sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A combination from Leonard does no damage.
Bourque blocks a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bourque keeps the fight on the outside.

Leonard forces Bourque back against the cage and clinches.
Leonard avoiding damage.
Leonard misses with a hook from the clinch.
Leonard stalling against the cage.
Nice body punch from Leonard.
Leonard tries to score a body lock takedown but Bourque shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
A frustrated look appears on Bourque's face as he tries to break the clinch.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Bourque prevents a body shot from Leonard.
Leonard goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nuriel Leonard dominated that round.
That's time! Leonard's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Good shot there by Bourque.
Leonard lands a jab to the nose.
Leonard tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bourque was well out of range. Poor timing from Leonard.
Leonard scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Bourque tries to bum rush Leonard with a series of wild strikes but Leonard uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Leonard here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Bourque takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Bourque scores with a crisp jab that stopped Leonard in his tracks.
Bourque throws an overhand right that lands on Leonard's shoulder, as Leonard tries to avoid the shot.
Leonard throws a shot from downtown. Bourque moves away and avoids it.
Bourque swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Leonard tries to counter with a takedown but Bourque is quick to defend against it.
Bourque lands the left hand.
A looping hook to the body misses from Leonard. Bourque does a little dance to reset his feet.
Bourque misses with a few strikes there.
It looked like Leonard was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Leonard circles away from the clinch attempt.
Paul Bourque is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Leonard closes the distance and clinches.
Leonard using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Leonard throws a knee to the head but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leonard connects with a knee to the head.
Leonard landing knees to the head.
Leonard missing with knees to the body.
Bourque wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Bourque tries to circle away but Leonard has him pinned against the cage.
Leonard throws a knee to the head but misses.
Bourque is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Bourque's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Leonard has Bourque pressed against the cage, preventing Bourque from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Bourque is trying to break the clinch but Leonard is controlling him.
Leonard is pushing Bourque up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Bourque letting Leonard take a breather here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leonard utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Leonard lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

It looks like Paul Bourque has been cut.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Bourque wants to get back to striking at distance but Leonard won't allow it.
Leonard holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Bourque blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bourque has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
A short uppercut from Leonard.
Leonard slows down the pace here.
A head punch on the inside from Leonard fails to land.
Leonard stalls.
Leonard throws a knee to the head but misses.
The referee calls for Leonard to work.
Leonard using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Bourque has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leonard stalling the fight.
Leonard tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Leonard taking a breather.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Nuriel Leonard.
Leonard throws a looping overhand right but Bourque ducks down to avoid it.
Bourque takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Bourque tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Leonard was well out of range. Poor timing from Bourque.
Leonard moves out of range of the strikes.
Bourque keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Leonard.
Bourque unleashes a big counter combination but Leonard bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Leonard takes a jab right on the kisser.
Bourque swings for the body but Leonard moves out of range.
Leonard appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Leonard walks into a left hand.
Bourque ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Leonard moves away.
Bourque throws a hook to the side of Leonard's head but Leonard sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Bourque ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Leonard ducks under a wild hook from Bourque.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nuriel Leonard dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Paul Bourque's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Bourque uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Leonard.
Leonard throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Bourque looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Bourque misses with a looping right.
It looked like Leonard wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Leonard connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Bourque's hands.
A jab from Leonard does it's job there.
Leonard is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Bourque can do to turn this around?
Nice straight punches there by Bourque. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Bourque.
Bourque steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Leonard.
Bourque is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Leonard tries to score a power double leg takedown but Bourque sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Leonard somewhat.
Leonard throws the left hand but Bourque avoids the punch easily.
Bourque comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Leonard misses with a straight left.
Bourque blocks a jab.
The fighters circling - Bourque throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Bourque pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Leonard back to the cage. Bourque follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bourque misses with a two punch combination.
Bourque throws a hook but Leonard avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leonard misses with a straight right.
Leonard cracks Bourque with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Bourque tries to bum rush Leonard with a series of wild strikes but Leonard uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Leonard clinches up with Bourque and pushes him back against the cage.
Leonard will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Bourque up against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Leonard.
Bourque is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Leonard misses with a knee to the head.
Leonard pressing his opponent against the cage.
Leonard tries a knee to the head but Bourque blocks it.
Paul Bourque 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 vicious knee straight up the middle but Bourque blocks it with crossed arms.
Leonard missing with knees to the body.
Leonard effectively controlling the action here.
Leonard has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Bourque avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Bourque tries to break free but Leonard pushes him back against the cage.
Bourque tries to break free but Leonard pushes him back against the cage.
Leonard has Bourque pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Bourque 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.
Bourque wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Leonard throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Bourque blocks it with crossed arms.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bourque tries to break the clinch but Leonard is controlling the position.
Leonard with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Leonard stalling against the cage.
Leonard goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Bourque takes a shot to the head.
A short left from Leonard.
A frustrated look appears on Bourque's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Leonard with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Leonard lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Bourque backwards.
Leonard misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Bourque.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bourque wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Leonard has him pressed against the cage.
Leonard using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Bourque has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Leonard stalling.
Leonard stalling.
Bourque tries to break free but Leonard pushes him back against the cage.
Leonard tries to land a knee to the head but Bourque blocks with his arms.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Leonard obliges.
Leonard is stalling here.
Bourque blocks an uppercut.
Bourque is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nuriel Leonard showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Leonard, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 30:27
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 30:27
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nuriel Leonard!
Nuriel Leonard got down on his knees post fight and begged the management for a title shot. 'Please, I want that title shot so bad! Give it to me!'