PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ray Reilly (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nuriel Leonard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nuriel Leonard has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Reilly
vs
Leonard

168 cm
32
155 lbs
23 - 8 - 2

168 cm
43
147 lbs
46 - 23 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Granite chin

Revolution Clothing
Sun-Tzu

BHP Clothing
Sin City Allstars

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 8 - 2, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ray Reilly!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 46 - 23 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Nuriel Leonard!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Mauricio Rocha and Luis Engracia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Leonard shoots in for a takedown but Reilly shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Leonard steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Reilly. That one must have hurt.
Leonard misses with a series of wild punches.
Reilly keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Reilly 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.
Reilly chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Leonard throws a hook but Reilly avoids it easily.
Reilly tries to clinch up but Leonard circles away and keeps his distance.
Reilly throws a head kick but Leonard moves out of range.
Reilly throws a jab but it's blocked by Leonard.
A little jabbing left from Leonard on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Reilly ducks under a wild hook from Leonard.

Reilly clinches up with Leonard and pushes him back against the cage.
Reilly blocking some punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Reilly cracks Leonard with a nice body shot.
Reilly slowing the pace effectively.
Reilly swings wildly with an uppercut but Leonard uses good head movement to avoid it.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Reilly's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reilly is looking to control Leonard's arms but Leonard gets an underhook and turns him. Now Reilly has his back to the cage.
Leonard scores with a nice hook to the head.
Reilly lands a shoulder strike.
A bit of stalling here from Leonard.
Leonard blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Leonard turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Leonard manages to end up in side control.

Reilly throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sloppy strikes from Leonard. Those never looked like landing.
Reilly takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Reilly throws a sloppy head kick and Leonard moves out of range easily.
Leonard lands with an overhand left.
Leonard throws a shot from downtown. Reilly moves away and avoids it.
Leonard lands a jab-cross combination.
Leonard misses the jab.
Reilly appears to be looking for a big counter.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reilly throws a looping overhand right but Leonard ducks down to avoid it.
Reilly takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Reilly throws out a leg kick but Leonard moves out of range and Reilly only half commits.
Leonard throws a body punch but Reilly moves out of range.
Reilly fires out a quick counter leg kick but Leonard just manages to avoid it.
Leonard tries to clinch there but Reilly circles away.
Leonard 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.
Reilly feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Leonard's calf.
Leonard throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A solid body kick from Reilly.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Reilly.
Leonard looks to throw the jab but Reilly is out of range.
Reilly tries to score with a low kick but Leonard moves his leg out of the way.
Reilly lets loose with a powerful body kick. Leonard will feel that in the morning.
Reilly swats away the attempt to clinch by Leonard.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Leonard swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Leonard walks into a left hand.
Leonard tries to clinch but Reilly is having none of it.
Leonard misses with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reilly defending well as Leonard loads up on a big left hand.
Leonard misses with a body shot
and Leonard takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Reilly looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Reilly looks to score with a jab to the body but Leonard is just out of range.
Leonard fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Leonard closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Reilly scores with a nice head shot.
Leonard throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Leonard jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A counter left hand to the body from Reilly misses its target.
Leonard shoots in looking for a takedown. Reilly tries to sprawl out of it but Leonard keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Reilly manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Ray Reilly has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nuriel Leonard.
Leonard scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Leonard throws a looping overhand right but Reilly ducks down to avoid it.
Reilly ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Leonard moves away.
A punch combination from Leonard misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reilly shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Reilly shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Leonard takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Reilly tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Leonard scores with a decent looking hook.
Reilly tries to score with a low kick but Leonard moves his leg out of the way.
Leonard ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Reilly moves away.
Reilly looks to land a body kick but Leonard moved away.
Reilly dodges the punch combination from Leonard.
Reilly thinks about countering with a body kick.
Leonard avoids the head kick by Reilly.

Reilly gets a clinch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Leonard tries to land a knee to the head but Reilly blocks with his arms.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Leonard letting Reilly take a breather here.
Leonard with an attempt at a knee that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A big left from Leonard misses.
Leonard looks to land a combination but Reilly avoids it well.
Reilly fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Leonard manages to avoid it.
Reilly scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Leonard takes a swing at Reilly's ribcage but misses.
Reilly blocks a jab.
Reilly tries to move into range but Leonard moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Leonard jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Leonard misses with a straight left.
Leonard thows a left - swing and a miss!
Reilly throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Leonard.
Reilly throws a right hand that Leonard ducks under and follows up with a left that Leonard also avoids with ease.
Leonard misses with a wild body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Leonard lands a lovely overhand right.
Reilly misses with a low kick.
Leonard throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Leonard takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Reilly misses with a low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leonard connects with a good right hand that stumbles Reilly. Reilly circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Reilly - that will leave a mark!

Leonard shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Reilly manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Leonard trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Reilly trying to control the position here.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Leonard trying to control the position from guard on top but Reilly is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Leonard looking to pass the guard.
Leonard postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leonard loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Leonard trying to control the position from guard on top but Reilly is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Reilly lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Reilly tries to free his leg and advance position but Leonard is retaining full guard.
Reilly wants to stand but Leonard has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Reilly decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Leonard closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Reilly quickly recovers to half guard.
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!
Leonard is keen to just control but Reilly is a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leonard thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Leonard throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Leonard performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Reilly is looking to improve his position.
Leonard has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Reilly trying to control from the bottom.
Reilly keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Reilly taking some punishment here, with Leonard in his half guard.
Reilly gets full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Reilly has momentary wrist control but Leonard slips an elbow through the middle.
Nuriel Leonard has got the better of the ground game so far.
Leonard lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Reilly preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Leonard trying to control the position from guard on top but Reilly is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Leonard throwing strikes from guard but Reilly blocks nicely.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Reilly attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Leonard misses with a lunging right hand
and Reilly makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Leonard throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Reilly.
Reilly pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Reilly with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Leonard to score with a decent uppercut.
Reilly thows a body kick. Leonard tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Reilly throws a hook but Leonard blocks it.
Leonard throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nuriel Leonard showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A right-left combo lands from Reilly.
Reilly waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Leonard.
Leonard wants to counter with a clinch but Reilly pushes him away.
Ray Reilly is winning the standup battle so far.
Leonard swings for the body but Reilly moves out of range.
Reilly misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Leonard shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Leonard was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Reilly is trying to improve his position.
Leonard working away.
Leonard trying to control the action but Reilly is working from the bottom.
The ground and pound from Leonard seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leonard tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Leonard scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Reilly to see if he's OK.
Reilly parries the strikes from Leonard easily there. Leonard is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Reilly to escape.
Leonard is looking to take a break and control but Reilly is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Reilly being controlled for a moment.
Leonard tries to score with some ground and pound. Reilly controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

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.
Reilly defending against the ground and pound.
Leonard working the ground and pound.
Leonard working the body and head with strikes.
Reilly dodges the ground and pound from Leonard.
Leonard trying to control the position but Reilly is working away.
Reilly defending against the ground and pound.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Reilly uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Leonard.
Leonard missing with a left hand there. Reilly was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reilly throws a jab but it's blocked by Leonard.
Reilly uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Leonard.
A combination from Leonard does no damage.
Reilly pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Reilly scores with a nice body kick.

Leonard looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Reilly is not content to let Leonard control the position.
Leonard is looking to pass Reilly's guard but actually Reilly recovers to full guard.
Reilly is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leonard preventing the sweep.
Leonard stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Reilly swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Reilly bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Leonard's guard.

Reilly in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Leonard keeping full guard, as Reilly tries to pass.

Reilly decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Reilly feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Leonard's calf.
Reilly goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Nuriel Leonard just about did enough to take it.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Reilly darts in and clinches Leonard up against the cage.
A short right from Reilly on the inside.
Good body shot from Leonard.
Leonard slows down the pace here.
Leonard lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Reilly.
Leonard is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Reilly is defending well for now.
Reilly is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Reilly just leaning against Leonard, taking a breather.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Reilly dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Leonard misses with a knee to the head.
Leonard taking a breather.
Reilly looking to slow down the pace here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leonard tries a knee to the head but Reilly blocks it.
Reilly gets through Leonard's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Reilly swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Reilly pushes Leonard back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Reilly scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Reilly.
Reilly stalling in the clinch but Leonard improves position.
A knee to the head by Leonard.
Ray Reilly has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Nice body punch from Reilly.
Reilly looking to slow down the pace here.
Leonard using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Reilly has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Reilly misses with a hook from the clinch.
Reilly can't find room to land a body shot as Leonard controls the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Leonard.
Leonard is struggling to control the position.
Leonard working aggressively here.
Leonard wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Leonard throws a knee to the head but misses.
Leonard has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Reilly.
Reilly tries to stall but Leonard uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Reilly pressing his opponent against the cage.
Reilly just leaning against Leonard, taking a breather.
Leonard has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Reilly is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Reilly softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Leonard with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Leonard is stalling here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reilly misses with a hook from the clinch.
Reilly doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Reilly pressing his opponent against the cage.
Reilly working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Leonard lands a nice uppercut.
Leonard with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Reilly manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Leonard lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Reilly throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Leonards head.
Reilly has a couple of punches blocked by Leonard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reilly is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Leonard is keeping busy.
Leonard looking to throw knees to the head but Reilly is blocking nicely.
Reilly is looking to control Leonard's arms but Leonard gets an underhook and turns him. Now Reilly has his back to the cage.
Leonard is struggling to control the position.
Leonard lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Reilly lands an uppercut.
Reilly wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Leonard has him pressed against the cage.
Reilly stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Reilly lands a shoulder strike.
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!
Leonard is struggling to control the position.
Reilly misses with a shot to the kidneys.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ray Reilly had his way with Nuriel Leonard in that 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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Jab by Leonard.
Reilly wants to clinch.
Leonard wants to clinch up but Reilly keeps it at a distance.
Leonard with a jab.
Reilly throws a sloppy head kick and Leonard moves out of range easily.
Leonard lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Reilly at a distance.
Reilly swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Leonard.
Leonard swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Leonard misses with a hook. Reilly ducked under it nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Reilly feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Leonard's calf.
Reilly throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Leonard throws a right and a left that Reilly avoids nicely.
Leonard wants to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reilly throws a wild body kick that Leonard sees coming a mile off.
Reilly wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Reilly plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Ray Reilly is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Leonard rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Reilly moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Reilly throws a nice head kick!
Reilly lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Reilly looks to land a body kick but Leonard moved away.
Leonard throws a lazy right hand but Reilly sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Reilly connects with a solid leg kick.
Leonard scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Reilly fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Reilly missing with a left hand there. Leonard was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Leonard pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
It looked like Reilly was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Leonard.
Reilly with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Leonard to score with a decent uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Leonard throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Reilly does no damage.
Reilly tries to clinch but Leonard moves away
and Reilly takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Reilly lands a leg kick that knocks Leonard off balance momentarily.
A swing and a miss from Leonard.
Leonard connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Reilly throws a solid leg kick but Leonard takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Reilly.
Leonard looks to score with a jab to the body but Reilly is just out of range.
Reilly lands with a kick to the ribs.
Reilly is looking to slow Leonard down with leg kicks.
A looping hook to the body misses from Leonard. Reilly does a little dance to reset his feet.
A punch combination from Reilly misses.
Leonard ducks under a wild hook from Reilly.
An inside leg kick lands from Reilly.
Reilly pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Leonard throws a lazy right hand but Reilly sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Reilly lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Leonard circles away quickly and effectively.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leonard throws a body punch but Reilly moves out of range.
Reilly throws a sloppy head kick and Leonard moves out of range easily.
Leonard throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Reilly throws a big counter combination but Leonard scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Leonard lands a jab to Reilly's midsection.
Reilly ducks right into an uppercut from Leonard.
Reilly throws a body shot but no joy.
Reilly scoring well with a low kick there.
Leonard's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Reilly throws a head kick that misses.
A slow jab from Reilly misses its intended target.
A little jabbing left from Leonard on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Leonard sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.

Leonard darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Reilly makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Leonard looks to land a right hand but Reilly moved out of range.
Leonard fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Reilly manages to avoid it.
Reilly looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
An inside leg kick from Reilly misses.
Reilly throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Reilly bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Leonard's head.
Reilly scores with a head kick.
Reilly throws a sloppy head kick and Leonard moves out of range easily.
Reilly looks for the body kick but Leonard saw that one coming.
Leonard swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Reilly gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Leonard moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Reilly throws out a leg kick but Leonard moves out of range and Reilly only half commits.
Leonard misses with an uppercut.
Reilly tried to score with a low kick but Leonard checks it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ray Reilly showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Reilly 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 48:47
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 48:47
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ray Reilly!
Ray Reilly is the new lightweight champion!