PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lucky Leach (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Abbas Shahriari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Leach
vs
Shahriari

191 cm
18
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
24
205 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Very quick

Good wrestler
Brawler
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Lucky Leach!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Abbas Shahriari!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Roosa Järviläinen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Leach leaves Shahriari with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Shahriari has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Shahriari closes the distance and clinches up with Leach, looking for a takedown. Shahriari pushes Leach against the cage but Leach circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Shahriari shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Lucky Leach has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Abbas Shahriari.
Leach changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Shahriari tries to avoid it but Leach manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Shahriari to the ground. Shahriari escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Shahriari is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Leach with a body shot.
Leach connects with a body shot that sends Shahriari's belly button to the back.
Leach shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Shahriari pinned against the cage. Shahriari gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Shahriari darts in looking for a takedown but Leach gets double underhooks and turns Shahriari into the cage.
Shahriari looks winded!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Shahriari shoots in and bounces Leach off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Shahriari really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Leach. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Leach is looking to stand up but Shahriari isn't so interested in that idea.

That's one minute gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Leach is on top in guard.

We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Shahriari can do anything to dispel that myth.

Leach stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Leach thumps Shahriari with a low kick.
Shahriari looks for a takedown but Leach sprawls well.
Leach closes the distance and clinches up with Shahriari, looking for a takedown. Leach pushes Shahriari against the cage but Shahriari circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Leach drives through with a takedown into guard.

Shahriari is working an open guard so Leach takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Shahriari closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Shahriari lands in his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leach trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

Shahriari got a little sloppy there for a moment and Leach has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Shahriari has managed to get both his arms back between Leach's legs - danger averted.
Leach is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Shahriari wants to control from the top but Leach keeps moving.
Leach trying to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leach has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Shahriari has passed into side control.
Leach manages to get back to half guard.
Shahriari is trying to control the action in half guard but Leach is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Leach wants to control but Shahriari is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Leach makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Leach.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Leach is on top in guard.

Shahriari wants to get back to his feet but Leach is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leach throwing strikes from guard but Shahriari blocks nicely.
Shahriari 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.
Leach is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Leach tries to free his leg and advance position but Shahriari is retaining full guard.

Leach decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lucky Leach dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Leach fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Leach clinches up against the cage.

Leach breaks from the clinch.
Leach tries to clinch up.
Leach shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Shahriari pinned against the cage. Shahriari gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Shahriari is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.

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

Leach kicks off Shahriari and gets to his feet.
Leach is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Shahriari can do to turn this around?

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Shahriari drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Shahriari is breathing heavily.
Leach wants to control the position but Shahriari says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Leach is looking for a sweep. Shahriari is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Leach makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Leach.
Leach looking for a sweep. Not yet Leach, not yet.

Leach working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Shahriari doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Shahriari manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Lucky Leach overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leach keeping moving, preventing Shahriari from controlling successfully.
Leach is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Shahriari postures up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Leach displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Shahriari.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shahriari misses with a double jab
and Leach counters with a one-two to the body.
Nice takedown defense from Shahriari. No joy for Leach on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lucky Leach. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shahriari shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Leach connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

It looks like Abbas Shahriari has been cut.
Horrible takedown attempt by Leach or perhaps it was just good defense by Shahriari, which made it look bad.
Shahriari has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Leach shoots in looking for a takedown. Shahriari tries to sprawl out of it but Leach keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Shahriari manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shahriari tries to clinch but Leach moves out of range.
Leach swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Leach keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Leach shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Shahriari as he jumps to the side.
Nice takedown defense from Leach. No joy for Shahriari on that attempt.
Shahriari darts in looking for a takedown but Leach gets double underhooks and turns Shahriari into the cage.
Leach shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Shahriari but Shahriari pushes him off and we're back to square one.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Leach clinches up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lucky Leach dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Abbas Shahriari's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Leach buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Shahriari fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Shahriari fails with the takedown.
Leach lands a jab-cross combination.
Leach shoots for a double leg takedown but Shahriari sprawls well. He's pushed Leach's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Leach shoots in but Shahriari avoids the takedown attempt easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shahriari dives in and grabs Leach's left leg, looking for a takedown. Leach pushes down on Shahriari's head and hops out.
Leach is looking to counter with head kicks.
Lucky Leach has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Abbas Shahriari.
Leach lands with a nice combination. Shahriari backs away looking to recover.
Lucky Leach is winning the standup battle so far.
Shahriari takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Leach leaves Shahriari with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leach tries to score a power double leg takedown but Shahriari sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Leach somewhat.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Leach.
Shahriari feints the counter takedown.
Leach tries to score a power double leg takedown but Shahriari sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Leach somewhat.
Shahriari closes this distance looking for a takedown but Leach circles away.
Lucky Leach is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Shahriari shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Leach sprawls well. Leach wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Shahriari gets slowly back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shahriari slaps away a takedown attempt from Leach, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Shahriari shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Leach defends it nicely.
Leach shoots in but Shahriari avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Leach looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Shahriari is fending him off so far but Leach persists. Nope, Shahriari circles away and we're back to standing.
Shahriari tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
A lazy body kick from Shahriari
and Leach counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Leach shoots in looking for a takedown. Shahriari tries to sprawl out of it but Leach keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Shahriari manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leach looks for a takedown but Shahriari sprawls well.
And Shahriari tries to counter it with a takedown but Leach pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Leach works over Shahriari's head and body with a nice combination.
Shahriari shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Leach sprawls well. Leach wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Shahriari gets slowly back to his feet.
Leach is looking to counter with a body kick.
Shahriari doesn't manage to clinch there - Leach circles away.
Shahriari with a poor takedown
and Leach counters with a straight right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leach doesn't manage to clinch there - Shahriari circles away.
Leach has a takedown stuffed.
Leach bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Shahriari's head.
Leach tries to clinch but Shahriari moves out of range.
And Shahriari tries to counter it with a takedown but Leach pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Leach lets loose with a powerful body kick. Shahriari will feel that in the morning.
Leach changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Shahriari tries to avoid it but Leach manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Shahriari to the ground. Shahriari escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Leach connects with a leg kick. Shahriari looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Leach goes for a double leg but Shahriari avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Shahriari continues to drive forward.
Shahriari drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Leach defends it well.
Shahriari tries to clinch up but Leach circles away and keeps his distance.
Abbas Shahriari has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lucky Leach is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
An inside leg kick lands from Leach.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lucky Leach showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Leach 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lucky Leach!