PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Yuri Leonov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Rekis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Leonov kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Percival - Husičky. Rekis has chosen AC/DC - Thunderstruck as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Leonov
vs
Rekis

180 cm
23
212 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

190 cm
29
210 lbs
11 - 12 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

KAISER Nutrition - Q160/$250
Spartan Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Yuri Leonov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Rekis!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Jeff Smith and Micheangelo Fripello.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Leonov looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Leonov bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Rekis's head backwards.
Leonov lands a jab.
Yuri Leonov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rekis shoots in but no luck this time.
Leonov throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

It looks like John Rekis has been cut.
Rekis takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

Leonov clinches with his opponent.
A head punch on the inside from Leonov fails to land.
Rekis blocking some punches.
Leonov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Leonov taking a breather.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Leonov lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Leonov misses with some punches.
Still in the clinch, Leonov scores with a nice short uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leonov works on Rekis's body with a couple of short punches.
Leonov misses with a punch to the body.
A bit of stalling here from Leonov.
Leonov struggles to land a body shot inside as Rekis controls his hands.
Leonov misses with a punch to the body.
Leonov tries to throw a body punch but Rekis avoids it by throwing Leonov back against the cage.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Come on Leonov - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Leonov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Leonov lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Rekis.
The referee is keeping an eye on Leonov - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Leonov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Leonov content to slow the pace in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leonov has Rekis pushed against the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Yuri Leonov.
Leonov misses with a hook.
Rekis tries to score a power double leg takedown but Leonov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Rekis somewhat.
Leonov fakes the leg kick and cracks Rekis in the body.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
A right handed body shot lands from Leonov.
Leonov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Leonov dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Rekis blocks a body shot from Leonov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Leonov.
Leonov stalls.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rekis.
Leonov lands a left hand that snaps the head of Rekis backwards.
Leonov presses Rekis against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Leonov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Rekis tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Leonov just stands there and leans against the cage.
Yuri Leonov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Rekis.
A bit of stalling here from Leonov.
Leonov lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Rekis backwards.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Leonov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leonov tries a body shot but Rekis blocks it.
Leonov lands a hook that snaps the head of Rekis backwards.
Leonov lands a nice uppercut.
Leonov holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Leonov stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Rekis being controlled against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Leonov lands a right hand.
Rekis wants a takedown but no success here.
Leonov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Leonov is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yuri Leonov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on John Rekis's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Leonov lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
A jab from Leonov misses.
Rekis is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Rekis has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Leonov tries a head kick but it misses.
Leonov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Rekis unleashes a big counter combination but Leonov bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.

Leonov closes the distance and pushes Rekis back into the cage.
Leonov misses with the head strike.
Leonov scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Rekis fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Rekis has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Leonov after a bit of a struggle.
Leonov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rekis can do to turn this around?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Leonov lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Leonov struggles to land a body shot inside as Rekis controls his hands.
Rekis is trying to break the clinch but Leonov has him pressed against the cage.
Leonov throws a punch but it's blocked by Rekis.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leonov misses with a body punch.
Rekis tries to score a body lock takedown but Leonov shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Yuri Leonov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Rekis.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Leonov working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A nice left hand lands by Leonov.
Leonov lands with a left to the head.
Rekis wants to break the clinch but can't.
Yuri Leonov has scored more points in the clinch so far.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rekis.
Leonov cracks Rekis with a nice body shot.
Leonov tries to work over Rekis's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Leonov misses with the head strike.
Leonov lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Leonov presses Rekis against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Leonov lands a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leonov lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rekis is breathing heavily.
Leonov tries to work over Rekis's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Leonov can't find room to land a body shot as Rekis controls the action.

Leonov tightens his grip and picks Rekis up, before dumping him to the ground. Rekis manages to land in guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rekis is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Leonov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rekis is keeping the position for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Leonov slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Rekis 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.
Leonov stands and throws Rekis's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leonov working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Rekis manages to get back to half guard.
Well, if Leonov is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Leonov frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Leonov controlling the pace for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Leonov is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Rekis can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Rekis working to try and regain half guard.

Leonov jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Rekis is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Rekis and Leonov has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Leonov advances to mount.

Leonov is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Rekis has managed to escape the submission attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yuri Leonov dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on John Rekis's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Leonov throws a leg kick but Rekis moved away.
Leonov throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Rekis counters by moving into the clinch.
Rekis blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Rekis tries for a takedown. No joy.
Leonov struggles to land a body shot inside as Rekis controls his hands.
Leonov lands a hook that snaps the head of Rekis backwards.
Leonov lands an uppercut.
Leonov lands a right hand that snaps the head of Rekis backwards.
Leonov throws a punch but it's blocked by Rekis.
Rekis is looking to take this one to the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rekis has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Leonov avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Yuri Leonov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Rekis.
Leonov tries a body shot but Rekis blocks it.
Leonov lands a right hand.
Leonov scores with a hook to the body.
Rekis takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leonov lands with a left to the head.
Leonov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Rekis tries to stall but Leonov uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Rekis has picked Leonov up - he's going for a ride! Rekis dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Leonov is looking to control Rekis's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Leonov avoid being mounted?
Leonov is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Rekis's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Rekis's back!
Yuri Leonov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.

Rekis defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Rekis is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Leonov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Rekis is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Rekis trying to control the position but Leonov manages to sink in the hooks.
Leonov really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Rekis.
Rekis trying to control but not successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rekis is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Leonov.

Rekis is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Rekis just trying to survive but Leonov is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Yuri Leonov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Leonov doesn't have the hooks in and Rekis manages to turn into his guard.
Leonov is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Leonov trying to control the position.

Leonov has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Rekis can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rekis won't allow Leonov to sweep him here.
Leonov trying to keep a closed guard but Rekis is proving a slippery customer.
Rekis looking to pass the guard.
John Rekis has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Leonov pulls Rekis in close to prevent any damage.
Leonov is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Leonov content to control rather than advance.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yuri Leonov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Leonov 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 Chris Saunders scores the fight 30:25
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 30:25
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yuri Leonov!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Yuri Leonov waved his t-shirt featuring KAISER Nutrition - Q160/$250's logo in front of the cameras.
John Rekis was interviewed post fight and said 'I'll be back!!!'.