PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ismo Leikola (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hio Bazard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Leikola
vs
Bazard

169 cm
19
141 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

165 cm
19
135 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Big Bear Nutrition 160Q

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 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ismo Leikola!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Hio Bazard!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Marco Blurström and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Leikola throws a jab but it's blocked by Bazard.
Bazard lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Bazard misses with a straight left.
Bazard throws a looping overhand right but Leikola ducks down to avoid it.
Leikola throwing a counter right hand but Bazard manages to avoid it.
Leikola has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Books af Ra in the buildup to the fight.
Leikola uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bazard.
Leikola gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Bazard.
Nice shot by Bazard.
A jab from Bazard misses.
Bazard missing with a left hand there. Leikola was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Leikola looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Leikola uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bazard.
Leikola throwing a counter right hand but Bazard manages to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bazard misses with a double jab.
Bazard tests Leikola's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A swing and a miss from Bazard.
Bazard moves out of range as Leikola strikes.
Bazard steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Leikola.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bazard swings widly with a right hand
and Leikola cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bazard takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Leikola stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Bazard looks to land a right hand but Leikola moved out of range.
Bazard scores with the left hand. Leikola knows he should have avoided that one.
Leikola swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hio Bazard seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bazard connects with a single shot there.
Bazard misses with a wild body shot.
Bazard connects with a good right hand that stumbles Leikola. Leikola circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
The crowd cheers as Bazard lands an impressive looking overhand right. Leikola doesn't seem phased though.
Bazard is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Leikola had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Nice shot lands for Leikola.
Bazard throws a right hand that misses
and Leikola counters with a stiff right hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bazard scores with a hook.
Leikola misses with a looping left.
Leikola uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Bazard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leikola doesn't manage to clinch there - Bazard circles away.
Bazard 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.
Bazard looks to land a left hand but Leikola moved out of range nicely.
Bazard throws an off balance right hand
and Leikola connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Leikola needs to keep his hands up - Bazard had a free shot at his head there.
Leikola avoids the body shot from Bazard.
Bazard looks to throw the jab but Leikola is out of range.
Leikola uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bazard.
Leikola is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Bazard.
Leikola misses with a few strikes there.
Leikola tries to move into range but Bazard moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Leikola is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Bazard.
A telegraphed right hand from Bazard misses the target.

Leikola darts in and clinches Bazard up against the cage.
Bazard tries to stall but Leikola uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Leikola managing to block the knees to the body from Bazard.
Leikola leaning his opponent against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leikola tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Leikola misses with the head strike.
Bazard misses with the head strike.
Leikola misses with a punch on the inside.
Leikola lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Bazard wants to break the clinch but can't.
Bazard takes a shot to the head.
Leikola struggles to land a body shot inside as Bazard controls his hands.
Leikola lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Bazard backwards.
Leikola tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Leikola throws a punch but it's blocked by Bazard.
Leikola throws a punch but it's blocked by Bazard.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leikola lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Leikola fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Leikola misses with a punch on the inside.
Leikola lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Leikola can't find room to land a body shot as Bazard controls the action.
Bazard is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Leikola is keeping busy.
Leikola swings wildly with an uppercut but Bazard uses good head movement to avoid it.
Stalling in the clinch from Bazard.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Leikola.
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!
Leikola lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Bazard or not.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Leikola.
Leikola lands with a left to the head.
Leikola lands a hook to the side of the head.
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 Ismo Leikola will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Bazard lands the left hand.
Bazard throws a series of punches but Leikola avoids them all with ease.
A slow jab from Bazard misses its intended target.
Leikola uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Bazard.
Leikola lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Bazard misses with a lunging right hand
and Leikola counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Bazard moves away from the strike by Leikola.
Hio Bazard seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Bazard throws a jab but it's blocked by Leikola.
Bazard misses with a hook
and Bazard takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Leikola misses with a body shot
and Bazard counters with a right hand to the body.
Leikola misses with a hook.
Bazard throws a lazy uppercut
and Bazard takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Bazard throws a lazy uppercut
and Leikola counters with a straight right hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bazard lands with a nice body punch.
Leikola moves out of range of the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bazard throws the left hand but Leikola avoids the punch easily.
Bazard misses with a hook.
Leikola's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Bazard connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Leikola scrambles back to his feet.
Leikola throws an off balance right hand
and Bazard makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Good exchange - Bazard coming out on top.
Bazard tests Leikola's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Leikola throws a shot to the body.
Bazard misses the shot to the body.
Leikola sizes up Bazard with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Leikola slips under a jab.
Bazard throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A little feinted left hand from Leikola on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Bazard throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nice defenses there by Leikola.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leikola defending well as Bazard loads up on a big left hand.
Bazard takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bazard throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Leikola sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Leikola throws a big shot that misses.
Leikola lands a nice hook to Bazard's body. Bazard takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Bazard swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A little feinted left hand from Leikola on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Leikola takes a swing at Bazard's ribcage but misses.
Bazard throws an off balance right hand
letting Leikola counter with a right hand.
A telegraphed right hand from Leikola misses the target.
Bazard jabs Leikola to the body, keeping him at a distance.

Leikola has Bazard up against the cage in a clinch.
Leikola lands with a short shot to the head.
Bazard is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Leikola is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leikola misses with a hook from the clinch.
Leikola tries to work over Bazard's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Leikola misses with a hook from the clinch.
Leikola tries to work over Bazard's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Leikola lands a body shot in the clinch.
Leikola tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Leikola lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Come on Leikola - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Bazard trying to control the position but instead, Leikola has worked for underhooks and has pushed Bazard into the cage.
A shot in the inside from Leikola.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stalling in the clinch from Leikola.
A head punch on the inside from Leikola fails to land.
Leikola working aggressively here.
Leikola pushes Bazard back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Bazard avoiding damage.
Leikola tries to throw a body punch but Bazard avoids it by throwing Leikola back against the cage.
Leikola is stalling here.
A right hand to the body from Leikola.
Leikola lands a nice shot to the body.
Leikola scores with a hook to the body.
Leikola working aggressively here.
Leikola misses with a hook from the clinch.
A right handed body shot lands from Leikola.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ismo Leikola dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Leikola slips a jab from Bazard.
Bazard tests Leikola's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Leikola throws a hook but Bazard blocks it.
Bazard lands a nice hook to Leikola's body. Leikola takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Leikola ducks under a wild hook from Bazard.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bazard. Leikola does a little dance to reset his feet.
Leikola is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Bazard loads up on a big right hand but Leikola slips the punch.
Bazard keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Bazard looks to throw the jab but Leikola is out of range.
Leikola misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bazard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bazard throws a jab but it's blocked by Leikola.
Leikola swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
A jab from Bazard misses.
Leikola is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Bazard.
Bazard pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Bazard fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Leikola manages to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leikola displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Bazard throws out the jab.
Leikola takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Leikola fails in his attempt to clinch.
Bazard throws a hook to the side of Leikola's head but Leikola sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A big left from Bazard misses.
A little feinted left hand from Leikola on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Leikola slips a jab from Bazard.
A little feinted left hand from Leikola on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Leikola with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Bazard to score with a decent uppercut.
Nice defenses there by Leikola.
A quick step to the side and Leikola tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bazard misses with a looping left.
Leikola throws a lazy right hand but Bazard sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Leikola scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Leikola tries to clinch but Bazard is having none of it.
Bazard throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Leikola sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Bazard with a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bazard throws a poor cross that misses
enabling Leikola to counter with a crisp jab.
Leikola avoids the body shot from Bazard.
Bazard misses the shot to the body.
Leikola moves out of range as Bazard strikes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Leikola lands a jab.
Bazard lands a head shot.
Leikola takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Leikola misses with a left hand
and Bazard connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Bazard slips a jab from Leikola.
Leikola shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Bazard staying out of range there.
Leikola wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

Leikola drives through and clinches with Bazard against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Leikola fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Bazard tries to stall but Leikola uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Ismo Leikola is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Leikola dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Leikola working aggressively here.
Leikola lands a left hand.
Ismo Leikola has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Bazard is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Leikola is keeping busy.
Leikola swings wildly with an uppercut but Bazard uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Bazard takes a shot to the head.
Leikola cracks Bazard with a nice body shot.
Leikola tries to work over Bazard's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Stalling in the clinch from Leikola.
Bazard is pushing Leikola up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Hio Bazard has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Leikola misses with a body punch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hio Bazard comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Leikola 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 29:28
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 29:28
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ismo Leikola!
During a confident post fight interview, Ismo Leikola thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.