PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Nuriel Leonard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Asher Lee (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.

Leonard
vs
Lee

168 cm
43
147 lbs
47 - 24 - 0

192 cm
48
154 lbs
56 - 42 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Invictus

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 47 - 24 - 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 56 - 42 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Asher Lee!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Edson Gomes and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Leonard throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Lee tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Leonard is in Lee's guard.
Lee is looking to stand back up but Leonard counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Lee.
We've been hearing good reports from Leonard's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

Leonard misses with a head shot. Lee uses the momentum to regain guard.
Leonard controlling from the top position.
Leonard lands a couple of digs.
Leonard might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Leonard throws a big right hand that misses.
Leonard trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Leonard trying to control but Lee is working from the bottom.
Leonard is looking to work some ground and pound but Lee has wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lee keeping full guard, as Leonard tries to pass.
Leonard postures up in Lee's guard and throws a big left but Lee blocks it.
Leonard postures up and lands a big shot to Lee's brow.
Lee keeping moving, preventing Leonard from controlling successfully.
Leonard in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Leonard missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Leonard 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.
Lee preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Leonard loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Lee keeping full guard, as Leonard tries to pass.
Leonard postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leonard throwing strikes from guard but Lee blocks nicely.
Leonard working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Leonard is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Leonard trying to control the position from guard on top but Lee is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Leonard is looking to work some ground and pound but Lee has wrist control.
Leonard with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Leonard throws a big elbow that misses.
Leonard throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Lee works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Leonard makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lee avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Leonard postures up and lands a big shot to Lee's brow.
Leonard trying to control but Lee is working from the bottom.
Leonard with a flurry of punches that miss.
Leonard wants to control from the top but Lee keeps moving.
Leonard throws a big elbow that misses.
Leonard throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Leonard controlling from the top position.
Leonard trying to control the position from guard on top but Lee is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Leonard throwing strikes from guard but Lee blocks nicely.
Lee is trying to control the position but Leonard postures up.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Leonard scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Lee ducks under a wild hook from Leonard.
Lee is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Leonard cracks Lee with a good jab.
Leonard shoots in for a double leg but Lee sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
A countering left hand to the body from Lee misses.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Leonard misses with a few strikes there.
Leonard on the wrong end of a nice hook.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Leonard misses the jab.
Lee throws a lazy uppercut
and Lee takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Lee steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Leonard.
Lee is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Lee cracks Leonard with a right hand to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nuriel Leonard dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Leonard tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lee was well out of range. Poor timing from Leonard.
Leonard lands a jab to the nose.
A swing and a miss from Lee.
Leonard jabs Lee to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Leonard thows a left - swing and a miss!
Lee lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Leonard on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Leonard scores with a crisp jab that stopped Lee in his tracks.
Lee thows a left - swing and a miss!
Leonard is looking to counter punch.
Leonard slips under a jab from Lee.
Lee slips under a jab.
Nuriel Leonard is winning the standup battle so far.
Leonard pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Leonard takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Leonard looks to throw the jab but Lee is out of range.
Lee misses with a wild combination.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Leonard misses with a few strikes there.
Lee uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Leonard.
Lee tries to land a leg kick but Leonard saw it coming and moves away.
Leonard is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Lee can do to turn this around?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leonard throws an off balance right hand
and Lee counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Leonard fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Asher Lee is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Leonard slips a straight right by Lee.
Lee misses with a wild body shot.
Leonard uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Lee.
Lee paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Lee throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Lee throws a hook but Leonard avoids it easily.
Leonard misses with a straight right.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Lee, as that shot connected.
Leonard's corner calls for a 1-2. Leonard obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Leonard throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Lee slips under a jab.
Lee staying out of range there.
A big right from Leonard misses.
Lee will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Lee avoids the body shot from Leonard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lee throws a shot from downtown. Leonard moves away and avoids it.
Lee staying out of range there.
Lee throws the left hand but Leonard avoids the punch easily.
Leonard misses with a two punch combination.
Lee avoids a punch combination nicely.
Leonard dodges the punch combination from Lee.
Leonard walks into a left hand.
Lee throws a body shot but no joy.
An attempted straight right counter from Leonard misses the target.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Lee, as that shot connected.
Lee avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Lee misses with an uppercut.
Leonard lands with a good body shot.
Lee scores with a sloppy right hand. Leonard should have avoided that one.
Leonard keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lee throws a nice looking combination but Leonard bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Leonard shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Lee but Lee pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Lee let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Leonard bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Leonard misses with a hook. Lee ducked under it nicely.
Nice defenses there by Lee.
Leonard digs a good hook to Lee's body.
Lee takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Leonard stuns Lee with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Leonard dodges the punch combination from Lee.
Leonard misses with a combination
and Lee counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A jab from Leonard misses.
Lee is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
A nice combination there by Lee.
Leonard scores with a shot to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Leonard scores with the left hand. Lee knows he should have avoided that one.
Lee slips under a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leonard ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Lee moves away.
Lee avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Lee cracks Leonard with an open hand slap.
Lee lands a nice shot that snaps Leonard's head back.
Leonard lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Lee has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Leonard swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Lee slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Leonard shoots for a double leg takedown but Lee sprawls well. He's pushed Leonard's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Lee with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Leonard throws an overhand right that lands on Lee's shoulder, as Lee tries to avoid the shot.
Leonard scores with a decent looking hook.
Leonard uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Lee.
Lee just misses with a punch to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Leonard connects with a body shot that sends Lee's belly button to the back.
Lee displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Leonard throws out the jab.
Leonard lands a really nice looking cross but Lee seems unphased.
Lee uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Leonard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Asher Lee will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Leonard cracks Lee with a good jab.
Leonard slips under a jab from Lee.
Lee lands a jab-cross combination.
Lee slips a jab from Leonard.
Lee swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Lee throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Lee slips under a jab.
Jab by Leonard.
Leonard throws a body punch but Lee moves out of range.
Leonard dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Lee connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Lee throws a hook to the side of Leonard's head but Leonard sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
The fighters circling - Lee throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Leonard is looking to counter punch.
Lee throws a looping overhand right but Leonard ducks down to avoid it.
Leonard throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Leonard tries to clinch but Lee is having none of it.
Leonard closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Lee scores with a decent looking hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lee connects with the punch.
Leonard fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Lee manages to avoid it.
Leonard looks to land a left hand but Lee moved out of range nicely.
Some wild striking there from Leonard.
Lee scores with a punch to the head.
Lee throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Leonard shoots in and drives through. Lee sprawls well.
A decent looking cross lands there for Lee.
Leonard lands with a straight right. Lee didn't see that one coming.
Leonard uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Lee.
An attempted straight right counter from Leonard misses the target.
Lee misses with a wild body shot.
Leonard blocks a jab.
Leonard feinted with a counter takedown.
Leonard throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Lee.
Leonard slips under a jab.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Leonard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leonard misses with a wild body shot.
Leonard misses with a wild body shot.
Leonard tries for a takedown but Lee circles away easily
and Lee connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nuriel Leonard. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A combination from Leonard does no damage.
Leonard fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Lee manages to avoid it.
Leonard looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Leonard misses with a straight left.
Lee slips a jab from Leonard.
Lee misses with an uppercut
and Leonard counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Lee 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.
Lee fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Leonard walks into a straight right hand from Lee.
Leonard digs a good body shot into Lee's ribs.
Lee connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Lee scores with the left hand. Leonard knows he should have avoided that one.
Leonard misses the shot to the body.
Lee moves into range and connects with a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lee pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Lee misses with an uppercut. Leonard saw that one coming.
Leonard throws a jab when Lee was well out of range.
The crowd cheers as Lee lands an impressive looking overhand right. Leonard doesn't seem phased though.
Lee slips a jab from Leonard.
A slow jab from Leonard misses its intended target.
Leonard misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lee.
Lee is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Lee misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Lee rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Leonard moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Lee throws a jab but it's blocked by Leonard.
Leonard on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Leonard throws a big shot that misses.
And Lee tries to counter it with a takedown but Leonard pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Leonard takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Lee tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Leonard shoots in for a takedown but Lee shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Lee swings for the body but Leonard moves out of range.
Lee throws a body punch but Leonard moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leonard changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Jab from Leonard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Leonard throws a lazy right hand but Lee sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Leonard moves into range and connects with a jab.
Lee misses the jab.
Lee jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.

Leonard closes the distance and pushes Lee back into the cage.
Lee working aggressively here.
Leonard works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

Lee breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Lee lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Jab, jab by Lee - just one landing.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lee throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Lee takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Leonard, as that shot connected.
Decent striking displayed by Lee there.
Leonard fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Leonard ducks under a wild hook from Lee.
Leonard appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

And that's the end of the fight!
Asher Lee comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Lee has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 29:29
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 29:28
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 28:29

The fight is ruled a draw!