PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Leandro Lopez (ranked 5898 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cyriac Doumbe (ranked 5990 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Lopez
vs
Doumbe

179 cm
25
156 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

178 cm
25
156 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Leandro Lopez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Cyriac Doumbe!
The judges for this bout are Peter Branson, Santiago Holmes and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Doumbe misses the shot to the body.
Lopez throws a sloppy head kick and Doumbe moves out of range easily.
Doumbe shoots in and drives through. Lopez sprawls well.
Lopez went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Doumbe pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Lopez back to the cage. Doumbe follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

It looks like Leandro Lopez has been cut.
Lopez pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Doumbe unleashes a big counter combination but Lopez bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Doumbe stuffs the takedown attempt from Lopez. Lopez gets slowly back to his feet.

Doumbe tries to keep at a distance but Lopez has taken the fight into the clinch.
Doumbe looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lopez is trying to force a seperation but Doumbe has the dominant position.
Lopez is struggling to control the position.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Doumbe tries to pull guard but Lopez forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Lopez jumps into guard, dragging Doumbe to the mat.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lopez looking to hit a scissor sweep but Doumbe is one step ahead there.
Lopez throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Lopez has control of Doumbe's left arm, preventing Doumbe from doing any damage.
Doumbe trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Doumbe trying to control the position from guard on top but Lopez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Doumbe won't allow Lopez to sweep him here.

That's two 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.
Doumbe sitting in guard here, content to control.
Lopez has a closed guard, preventing Doumbe from standing up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Lopez looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Lopez gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Doumbe is looking to clinch but Lopez is avoiding it.
Lopez with a lazy takedown attempt
and Doumbe counters with a left to the body.
Doumbe tries to score a power double leg takedown but Lopez sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Doumbe somewhat.
Lopez throws a big counter combination but Doumbe scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Leandro Lopez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cyriac Doumbe.
Lopez shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lopez shoots in but Doumbe avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Doumbe misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Lopez fires out a quick counter leg kick but Doumbe just manages to avoid it.
Lopez throws a sloppy head kick and Doumbe moves out of range easily.
Lopez looks for a takedown but Doumbe sprawls well.
Doumbe changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Lopez tries to avoid it but Doumbe manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Lopez to the ground. Lopez escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Lopez swats away the attempt to clinch by Doumbe.
Lopez avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Doumbe throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Lopez moves into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lopez manages to pull guard.
Doumbe looking to pass the guard.
Doumbe throws a big right hand that misses.
Doumbe prevents Lopez from getting back to his feet.
Doumbe being controlled here momentarily.
Doumbe trying to control the position from guard on top but Lopez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Doumbe throws a big right hand that misses.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
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 Leandro Lopez will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Leandro Lopez's cut.
That's time! Lopez's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Lopez fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Lopez moves into the clinch.
Lopez prevents the takedown attempt.
Doumbe jumps guard but Lopez turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Doumbe tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Lopez smiles and moves away.
Leandro Lopez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cyriac Doumbe.
A head kick by Doumbe misses

and Lopez counters by moving into the clinch.

Lopez gets control of Doumbe's arms and successfully pulls guard. Lopez will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Lopez is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Doumbe can do to turn this around?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Doumbe preventing the sweep.
Lopez trying to keep a closed guard but Doumbe is proving a slippery customer.
Lopez wants to get back to his feet but Doumbe passes into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lopez keeping hold of Doumbe's head, controlling as best he can.
Doumbe trying to control the action but Lopez is working from the bottom.
Lopez tries to get to full guard but Doumbe has control of the leg.
Lopez trying to get back to full guard but Doumbe takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Lopez tries to improve his position but instead Doumbe has taken his back!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lopez wants to get back to his feet.

Lopez showing good submission defense here.
Doumbe misses with punches from the back.
Doumbe wants to control but Lopez manages to buck him off and is now in Doumbe's guard! Nice work there by Lopez!
Doumbe wants to stand but Lopez is controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lopez content to stall in guard here.
Doumbe is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Lopez is controlling him.
Doumbe wants to control the position but Lopez says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.

Doumbe looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Lopez stalling.

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.
Doumbe is looking to improve his position.

Lopez seems to be working for a kimura but Doumbe defends the submission attempt.
Doumbe trying to control but Lopez postures up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Lopez perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leandro Lopez dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Leandro Lopez's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Doumbe fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Lopez looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Doumbe shoots in looking for a takedown. Lopez tries to sprawl out of it but Doumbe keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Lopez manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Doumbe changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Lopez tries to avoid it but Doumbe manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Lopez to the ground. Lopez escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Leandro Lopez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cyriac Doumbe.
Doumbe shoots in for a double leg but Lopez sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Doumbe shoots in looking for a takedown but Lopez manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Doumbe's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Lopez shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Cyriac Doumbe seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Lopez drives through and clinches with Doumbe against the cage.
Lopez changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Doumbe fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Doumbe shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Lopez but Lopez pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Doumbe takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Doumbe tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Lopez manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Leandro Lopez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lopez throws a wild body kick that Doumbe sees coming a mile off.
Lopez goes for a double leg but Doumbe avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Doumbe continues to drive forward.
Lopez fails with a takedown attempt.
Doumbe tries for a takedown but Lopez sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Lopez throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Doumbe's waist but Doumbe gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Lopez off to one side.
Doumbe tries to clinch up but Lopez circles away and keeps his distance.
Lopez shoots for a takedown but Doumbe saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Lopez gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lopez manages to pull guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Doumbe accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Lopez trying to control the position.
Doumbe stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Lopez swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Lopez controls Doumbe momentarily but Doumbe frees himself.
Lopez has a closed guard, preventing Doumbe from standing up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Doumbe postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Doumbe must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Lopez keeping moving, preventing Doumbe from controlling successfully.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Doumbe lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Lopez fails to land with a series of punches.
Lopez lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Doumbe circles away quickly and effectively.
Lopez changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Doumbe tries to avoid it but Lopez manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Doumbe to the ground. Doumbe escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Doumbe shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Lopez as he jumps to the side.
Lopez fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Doumbe tries to close the distance and clinch up but Lopez swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Doumbe shoots in and drives through. Lopez sprawls well.
Doumbe lands a high kick!
Doumbe tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Lopez misses with a takedown attempt
and Doumbe makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Lopez circles away from the clinch attempt.
Lopez tries to close the distance and clinch but Doumbe swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Doumbe shoots for a takedown but Lopez saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Doumbe lands with a kick to the temple. Lopez shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Lopez with a lazy takedown attempt
and Doumbe counters with a series of strikes. Lopez will be more careful next time no doubt.
Cyriac Doumbe has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Leandro Lopez is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Doumbe throws a right and a left that both miss.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Cyriac Doumbe.
I think Lopez 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 Peter Branson scores the fight 29:28
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 30:27
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Leandro Lopez!