PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jean Pierre Leone (ranked 3520 p4p, 0 weight class) and Barir El Hassen (ranked 7297 p4p, 0 weight class). El Hassen has a niggling injury. He would have liked to come in 100% fit but that's not always possible. The key to victory for Jean Pierre Leone has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Pierre Leone
vs
El Hassen

184 cm
25
158 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

173 cm
25
157 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Solid chin

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jean Pierre Leone!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Barir El Hassen!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Joseph Jones and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
El Hassen defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Leone.
Leone dives in and grabs El Hassen's left leg, looking for a takedown. El Hassen pushes down on Leone's head and hops out.

El Hassen looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Leone wants to sweep but no luck.
El Hassen throwing strikes but missing.
Leone wants to sweep but no luck.
Leone trying to strike off his back.
Leone trying to strike off his back.
El Hassen won't allow Leone to sweep him here.
Leone trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Leone trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
El Hassen with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
El Hassen stands up out of Leone's guard for a moment - Leone manages to land a nice upkick.
Leone trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Leone punching from the bottom.
Leone striking off his back, scoring a few points.
Leone throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
El Hassen lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leone striking off his back but it's not causing El Hassen any problems.
El Hassen with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Leone will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Leone lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Leone 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.
Leone is breathing heavily.
Leone postures up in El Hassen's guard and throws a big left but El Hassen blocks it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Leone working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

El Hassen is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Leone defends well.
Leone missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Leone keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of El Hassen's head.
Leone postures up in El Hassen's guard and throws a big left but El Hassen blocks it.
El Hassen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Leone.
Leone makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

El Hassen has his foot on Leone's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Leone works his way back into a safe position though.
Leone passes into half guard.
Leone is nestled in close to El Hassen, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
El Hassen really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Leone. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leone working the head and body with strikes.

Leone has hold of the far side arm. He's working for the Kimura, can El Hassen defend it? Leone steps over the head and cranks it - El Hassen is tapping out! That was textbook stuff right there - nice submission victory for Leone!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:13 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Jean Pierre Leone!