PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rich Solomon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bo LeClaire (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). On his way into the cage it seems that Rich Solomon has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Rich Solomon seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Solomon
vs
LeClaire

207 cm
18
177 lbs
0 - 6 - 0

178 cm
24
170 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Rich Solomon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Bo LeClaire!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Gregory Folan and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

LeClaire closes the distance and clinches.
With the fighters up against the cage, Solomon throws an elbow but misses.

LeClaire has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Solomon clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
LeClaire keeps control of the position easily here as Solomon tries to buck him off.
Solomon trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Solomon avoids the strikes from LeClaire.

LeClaire is persistently looking for the submission but Solomon is defending it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
LeClaire just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
A lull in the action here.
Solomon avoids the strikes from LeClaire.

LeClaire looking for the choke from the back.
LeClaire trying to control.
LeClaire is hanging on to Solomon's back as he tries to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
LeClaire doesn't have the hooks in and Solomon manages to turn into his guard.
LeClaire bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Solomon's guard.

Solomon trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Solomon bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in LeClaire's guard.

Solomon really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
LeClaire is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Solomon is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Solomon postures up in LeClaire's guard and throws a big left but LeClaire blocks it.
LeClaire 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.

LeClaire is looking for a triangle but Solomon pushes his legs off easily.

LeClaire has his foot on Solomon's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Solomon works his way back into a safe position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

LeClaire throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
LeClaire looks winded!
Solomon lands a couple of elbows.
Solomon distracts LeClaire with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Solomon sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Solomon wants to control from the top but LeClaire keeps moving.
Solomon is working LeClaire over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Solomon 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.
Solomon working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of LeClaire's head.
Solomon wants to control from the top but LeClaire keeps moving.
Solomon stays in close to LeClaire's body and controls the position.
LeClaire is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Solomon is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Solomon's corner is telling him to maintain position.
LeClaire keeping moving, preventing Solomon from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Solomon instigates a clinch.

LeClaire gets control of Solomon's arms and successfully pulls guard. LeClaire will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Solomon controlling from the top position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

LeClaire is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Solomon defends well.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Solomon accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
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 Rich Solomon will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Solomon has taken the fight to the clinch.

LeClaire is trying to trip Solomon. He has hold of a leg but Solomon is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. LeClaire persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Solomon utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
LeClaire with a flurry of punches that miss.

LeClaire stands up from guard. Let's bang!

LeClaire shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Solomon is trying to defend but LeClaire finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Solomon blocking the ground and pound attempt from LeClaire.
Solomon is staying active underneath LeClaire, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Solomon landing strikes from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
LeClaire is trying to control. Solomon wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
LeClaire is taking a breather. Solomon says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Solomon is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of LeClaire's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take LeClaire's back!
Solomon lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.
Solomon trying to control momentarily.
Solomon is hanging on to LeClaire's back as he tries to escape.
Solomon is landing with strikes. LeClaire can't take much more of this.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
LeClaire trying to get back to his feet but Solomon is in full control for now.
Solomon lands with a big left hand that may well have hurt his opponent. Can LeClaire hold on?!
Solomon lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.

Solomon has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
LeClaire tries to escape the position.
LeClaire is breathing heavily.
LeClaire trying to control the hands but Solomon won't let him.
Rich Solomon overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Solomon is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
LeClaire prevents Solomon from getting a body triangle.
Solomon biding his time, controlling LeClaire.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
LeClaire trying to control the position but Solomon manages to sink in the hooks.
LeClaire is really stuck here.
Solomon landing with strikes.
LeClaire is in bad spot here.

Solomon has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, LeClaire has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Solomon punches LeClaire on the ear.
Solomon is looking to control LeClaire but LeClaire is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Solomon punches LeClaire on the ear.
LeClaire is defending well here and trying to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
LeClaire is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Solomon.
Solomon scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.
LeClaire wants to get back to his feet.
The referee is taking a good look at LeClaire as he is on the wrong end of some big shots from Solomon!
LeClaire tries to escape but Solomon has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Solomon controlling the positon.
Solomon gets his hooks in and is throwing strikes.
Solomon is riding his opponent, not letting LeClaire buck him off.
Solomon keeps control of the position as LeClaire tries to break free.
Solomon tries to get the hooks in deep but LeClaire pushed the leg off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rich Solomon dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Solomon darts in and clinches LeClaire up against the cage.

LeClaire escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

LeClaire gets a double leg takedown into Solomon's guard.
LeClaire stopping the sweep attempt from Solomon.
Solomon lands with a heel strike from the guard.

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

LeClaire shoots in and bounces Solomon off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
LeClaire takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Solomon lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
LeClaire keeping moving, preventing Solomon from controlling successfully.
LeClaire trying to control the position.
Solomon throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Solomon looking to sit in guard and control but LeClaire gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Solomon striking from the bottom here.
Solomon working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from LeClaire.
LeClaire passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
LeClaire postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Solomon is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on LeClaire's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

LeClaire is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Solomon defends it well.
Solomon wants to control but LeClaire is keeping busy and won't allow it.
LeClaire is taking a breather. Solomon says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

LeClaire is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
LeClaire wants to lay and pray for a moment but Solomon keeps working.
LeClaire is stalling here. Solomon is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! LeClaire seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Solomon has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Solomon just content to control the position.
Solomon in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Solomon lands some shots froms side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Solomon is working LeClaire over with some ground and pound from side control.
Solomon misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Solomon fails to land a wild elbow strike.
LeClaire is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Solomon off and has taken his back!
Solomon tries to escape the position.

LeClaire is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Solomon defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
LeClaire avoiding Solomon 's attempts to control his hands.
Bo LeClaire has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rich Solomon is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

LeClaire patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

And that's the end of the fight!
Bo LeClaire comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Solomon 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 Steve Smith scores the fight 29:29
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!