PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ismo Leikola (ranked 1155 p4p, 122 weight class) and Ricky Monroe (ranked 1344 p4p, 140 weight class). Leikola's entrance music is For Heavy Metal we will die!. A fine choice. Monroe is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Deep Ocean - Island drumming. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Ricky Monroe enters the cage!

Leikola
vs
Monroe

169 cm
33
146 lbs
13 - 3 - 0

166 cm
35
149 lbs
22 - 16 - 2

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Sin City Allstars

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 13 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ismo Leikola!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 16 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Ricky Monroe!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Paul Tew and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Leikola throws a quick inside leg kick.
Monroe swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Leikola tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Monroe manages to circle out of the way.
Monroe swats away the attempt to clinch by Leikola.
Monroe throws the left hand but Leikola avoids the punch easily.
Monroe throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A counter left hand to the body from Leikola misses its target.
A nice leg kick lands there from Leikola.
Leikola connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Leikola has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Monroe finds it's way round the side to connect with Leikola's head.
Monroe lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Leikola at a distance.
Ismo Leikola seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Leikola ducks right into an uppercut from Monroe.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Leikola!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Monroe swings for the body but Leikola moves out of range.
Monroe dodges the punch combination from Leikola.
Monroe is looking to clinch.

Leikola clinches with his opponent.
Leikola throws a punch but it's blocked by Monroe.
Monroe throws a punch but it's blocked by Leikola.
Leikola fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Monroe misses with a hook to the ribs.
Monroe misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Monroe swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Monroe throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Monroe misses with a body punch.
Leikola lands a right hand that snaps the head of Monroe backwards.
Leikola throws a punch but it's blocked by Monroe.
Leikola gets through Monroe's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Monroe misses with a hook from the clinch.
Monroe struggles to land a body shot inside as Leikola controls his hands.
Leikola struggles to land a body shot inside as Monroe controls his hands.
Monroe lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Monroe misses with some punches.
A head punch on the inside from Leikola fails to land.
Leikola tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Leikola makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Monroe tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Leikola misses with a short punch on the inside.
Leikola misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Leikola.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leikola lands on the inside with an uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Monroe blocks an uppercut.
Leikola working aggressively here.
Leikola lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Leikola throws a head punch that misses.
Monroe misses with a hook to the ribs.
Leikola misses with the head strike.
Monroe misses with a hook from the clinch.
Monroe misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Monroe lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Leikola lands a shot to the body.
Monroe fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Leikola tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Leikola.
Leikola working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Monroe lands a hook to the side of the head.
Monroe misses with a body punch.
Leikola stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Monroe blocking some punches.
Leikola working some nice short punches in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leikola working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Monroe lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Leikola backwards.
Monroe tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Leikola misses with a punch on the inside.
Monroe works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Leikola lands with a short shot to the head.
Leikola takes a shot to the head.
Monroe tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Leikola tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Monroe's elbow.
Leikola blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Monroe lands a left hand that snaps the head of Leikola backwards.
Monroe tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Monroe lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Monroe can't find room to land a body shot as Leikola controls the action.
Leikola misses with a body punch.
Monroe goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Monroe working aggressively here.
A head punch on the inside from Leikola fails to land.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Monroe misses with a punch on the inside.
Leikola scores with a shoulder strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Monroe has a couple of punches blocked by Leikola.
Leikola blocks a body shot from Monroe.
Monroe lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Leikola blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Monroe.
A hook to the body from Monroe.
Monroe is working Leikola over against the cage.
Monroe swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Leikola lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A hook to the body from Leikola.
Monroe is leaning against Leikola and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Leikola tries a body shot but Monroe blocks it.
A head punch on the inside from Monroe fails to land.
Leikola swings away with an uppercut that misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Leikola lands a nice shot to the body.
Good body shot from Leikola.
Leikola working aggressively here.
Leikola lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Monroe backwards.
Leikola pushes Monroe back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
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 Ismo Leikola will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

That kick from Leikola tenderised Monroe's leg. Monroe is trying to keep his angry face on.
Monroe has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Leikola keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Monroe.
Monroe swings for the body but Leikola moves out of range.

Monroe moves into the clinch successfully.
Leikola lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Monroe doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Leikola doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Leikola softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Leikola lands a right hand that snaps the head of Monroe backwards.
Leikola lands with a left to the head.
Monroe misses with a punch on the inside.
Leikola tries to work over Monroe's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A shot in the inside from Monroe.
Monroe blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Monroe lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Leikola backwards.
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!
Monroe blocks an uppercut.
Monroe misses with the head strike.
Leikola pushes Monroe back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Leikola misses with the head strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Leikola.
A right hand to the body from Monroe.
Leikola scores with a shot to the side of Monroe's head.
Leikola lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A short uppercut from Leikola.
Monroe has a couple of punches blocked by Leikola.
Leikola misses with the head strike.
Leikola misses with a punch to the body.
Leikola misses with a punch on the inside.
Leikola misses with the head strike.
Leikola lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Monroe lands with a short shot to the head.
Monroe swings wildly with an uppercut but Leikola uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Leikola.
A nice right hand lands inside from Leikola.
Leikola scores with a hook to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Monroe lands a hook that snaps the head of Leikola backwards.
Monroe working some nice short punches in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leikola lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Monroe backwards.
Monroe blocking some punches.
Leikola prevents a body shot from Monroe.
Monroe blocks a body shot from Leikola.
Monroe doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Leikola lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Monroe blocks an uppercut.
Leikola is working Monroe over against the cage.
Monroe can't find room to land a body shot as Leikola controls the action.
Leikola blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Leikola swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Leikola tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Monroe working aggressively here.
Leikola tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Monroe blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Leikola misses with a punch on the inside.
Leikola working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Monroe lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Leikola digs a right hand into Monroe's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Monroe's gas tank.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leikola lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Leikola.
Leikola working aggressively here.
Monroe struggles to land a body shot inside as Leikola controls his hands.
Leikola blocks a body shot from Monroe.
Leikola misses with a short punch on the inside.
A hook to the body from Leikola.
Leikola blocking some punches.
Monroe throws a punch but it's blocked by Leikola.
Monroe misses with a hook to the ribs.
Monroe lands a right hand that snaps the head of Leikola backwards.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Monroe.
Monroe scores with a shot to the side of Leikola's head.
Monroe blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Monroe blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Monroe creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Monroe misses with a hook from the clinch.
Monroe misses with the head strike.
Leikola tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leikola tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Monroe's elbow.
Leikola misses with the head strike.
Leikola tries a body shot but Monroe blocks it.
Monroe throws a head punch that misses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Leikola lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Monroe blocks an uppercut.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Monroe.
Monroe blocks an uppercut.
A nice left hand lands by Monroe.
Leikola lands a right hand that snaps the head of Monroe backwards.
Still in the clinch, Monroe scores with a nice short uppercut.
Monroe tries to throw a body punch but Leikola avoids it by throwing Monroe back against the cage.
Leikola misses with a body punch.
Monroe fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Leikola scores with a shoulder strike.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Monroe throws a head punch that misses.
Monroe throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Leikolas head.
Leikola is working Monroe over against the cage.
Monroe tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ismo Leikola dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Leikola lands with an overhand left.
A looping hook to the body misses from Monroe. Leikola does a little dance to reset his feet.
A swing and a miss from Leikola.
Monroe misses with an uppercut. Leikola saw that one coming.
Leikola throws a hook but Monroe avoids it easily.
Leikola moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
A jab from Monroe finds it's way through Leikola's defenses.
Leikola throws a solid leg kick but Monroe takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Leikola.
Monroe avoids the head kick by Leikola.
Good shot there by Monroe.
Monroe staying out of range there.

Leikola has Monroe up against the cage in a clinch.
Monroe tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Monroe prevents a body shot from Leikola.
Leikola lands a nice uppercut.
Leikola tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A head punch blocked on the inside by Monroe.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Monroe tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Leikola misses with a hook to the ribs.
Monroe tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Monroe.
Leikola is leaning against Monroe and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Monroe blocking some punches.
Monroe throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Leikolas head.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Monroe.
Monroe misses with some punches.
A head punch on the inside from Leikola fails to land.
Leikola pushes Monroe back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Monroe throws a punch but it's blocked by Leikola.
Leikola has a couple of punches blocked by Monroe.
Leikola tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Monroe.
Leikola misses with some punches.
Monroe digs a right hand underneath Leikola's ribcage. Leikola let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Nice body punch from Monroe - that landed with a thud.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leikola is working Monroe over against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Leikola.
Monroe throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Leikola blocks a body shot from Monroe.
Leikola throws a head punch that misses.
Leikola blocking some punches.
Leikola working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Leikola misses with some punches.
Monroe misses with a punch on the inside.
Monroe can't find room to land a body shot as Leikola controls the action.
A head punch on the inside from Leikola fails to land.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Leikola.
Monroe misses with a punch to the body.
Monroe lands a left hand.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Leikola.
A nice left hand lands by Leikola.
Leikola throws a punch but it's blocked by Monroe.

Monroe breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leikola throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Leikola throws a nice inside leg kick.
Leikola ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Monroe misses with a straight left.
Monroe pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Monroe takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Leikola takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Ricky Monroe has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Monroe misses with a takedown attempt - Leikola sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Monroe avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Leikola staying out of range there.

Leikola clinches up with Monroe and pushes him back against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Monroe.
Leikola blocks an uppercut.
A nice right hand lands inside from Leikola.
Leikola misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Monroe tries a body shot but Leikola blocks it.
Monroe lands a body shot in the clinch.
Leikola pushes Monroe back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Leikola throws a head punch that misses.
Ismo Leikola has scored more points in the clinch so far.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Leikola misses with a short punch on the inside.
Leikola blocks an uppercut.
Leikola throws a head punch that misses.
Monroe throws a punch but it's blocked by Leikola.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Monroe creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A short uppercut from Leikola.
Leikola makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Monroe.
Leikola misses with a shot to the kidneys.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Monroe.
Monroe tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Monroe.
Leikola throws a punch but it's blocked by Monroe.
Monroe misses with a punch on the inside.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ismo Leikola showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Leikola, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Daniel Bishop scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 30:27
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ismo Leikola!
Ismo Leikola spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.