PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Austin Grimaldo (ranked 4303 p4p, 4005 weight class) and Joel Leone (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Grimaldo
vs
Leone

177 cm
25
140
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
25
140
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Big right hand

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Austin Grimaldo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Joel Leone!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, Reed Andrews and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Leone throws a right hand that Grimaldo ducks under and follows up with a left that Grimaldo also avoids with ease.
Leone throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Leone takes a kick to the side of the head.
Leone swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Grimaldo throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Leone.
Grimaldo really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Grimaldo misses with a few strikes there.
Leone connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Grimaldo's hands.

Grimaldo drives through and clinches with Leone against the cage.

Leone breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Leone changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Sloppy strikes from Leone. Those never looked like landing.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Leone circles away from the clinch attempt.
Grimaldo lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Grimaldo.
Grimaldo is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Grimaldo throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Grimaldo lands with a nice combination. Leone backs away looking to recover.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Grimaldo.
Leone tests Grimaldo's chin there with a solid looking shot.
That kick from Grimaldo tenderised Leone's leg. Leone is trying to keep his angry face on.
Grimaldo throws a combination. Leone tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Leone misses with a hook
and Grimaldo counters with a two punch combo.
Grimaldo throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Grimaldo tries to close the distance and clinch up but Leone swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Leone misses with a few strikes there.
Grimaldo uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Leone.
Leone ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Grimaldo moves away.
Leone misses with a wild body shot.
Leone throws a series of punches but Grimaldo avoids them all with ease.
Grimaldo tries to counter by clinching up but Leone breaks away and moves out of range.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Leone lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leone misses with a looping right.
Grimaldo takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Grimaldo moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Leone tries to bum rush Grimaldo with a series of wild strikes but Grimaldo uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Leone misses with an uppercut. Grimaldo saw that one coming.
Grimaldo feints a jab promting Leone to slip. Grimaldo then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Leone slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Grimaldo misses with the combination.
Grimaldo throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Grimaldo is breathing heavily.
Grimaldo looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
No joy there for Leone, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Joel Leone seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Leone throws a right and a left that both miss.
Grimaldo lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Leone at a distance.
Leone tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Grimaldo was well out of range. Poor timing from Leone.
Leone lands a two punch combo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leone throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Grimaldo bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Grimaldo is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Leone.
Leone falls off balance throwing a combination
and Grimaldo counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Leone misses with a combination
and Grimaldo counters with a series of strikes. Leone will be more careful next time no doubt.
Grimaldo tests Leone's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Grimaldo pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Leone back to the cage. Grimaldo follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Leone looks to land a combination but Grimaldo avoids it well.
Leone moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Grimaldo avoids a punch combination nicely.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Grimaldo misses with a double jab
and Leone counters with a one-two to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grimaldo tries to clinch up.
A good leg kick by Grimaldo.
The fighters circling - Leone throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Grimaldo looks to land a combination but Leone avoids it well.
Leone works the jab nicely.
Leone misses with a double jab.
Leone looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Grimaldo attempts a counter takedown but Leone avoids it well and moves away.
Grimaldo swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Sloppy strikes from Leone. Those never looked like landing.
Grimaldo lands a jab to the nose.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Leone swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Leone misses with a series of wild punches.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Joel Leone will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Leone will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Leone lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Leone takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Leone scores with a jab to the body.
Leone is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Joel Leone seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Leone throws a series of punches but Grimaldo avoids them all with ease.
A combination from Leone does no damage.
Grimaldo tries to counter with a takedown but Leone is quick to defend against it.
Leone lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Grimaldo circles away quickly and effectively.
Grimaldo tries to counter with a takedown but Leone is quick to defend against it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Leone moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Grimaldo swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Grimaldo fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Leone misses with a few strikes there.
Grimaldo lands an overhand right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leone swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Leone throws a right and a left that Grimaldo avoids nicely.
Leone is breathing heavily.
Leone takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Leone fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Leone misses with a combination
and Grimaldo counters with a thumping low kick.
Leone misses with a wild combination.
Grimaldo misses with a series of wild punches.
Leone keeps the fight on the outside.
Leone rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Grimaldo moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Leone with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Leone misses with a wild combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leone falls off balance throwing a combination
and Grimaldo counters with a one-two to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
That kick from Grimaldo tenderised Leone's leg. Leone is trying to keep his angry face on.
Leone throws a body punch but Grimaldo moves out of range.
Leone throws a shot from downtown. Grimaldo moves away and avoids it.
Grimaldo is working the combinations to good effect here.
A big right from Leone misses.
Leone throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Grimaldo.
Grimaldo ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
A nice combination there by Grimaldo.
Grimaldo showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Leone.
Leone misses with a double jab
and Grimaldo counters with a three punch combo that has Leone backing up. Leone nods at Grimaldo to acknowledge the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leone lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Grimaldo circles away quickly and effectively.
Leone swings for the body but Grimaldo moves out of range.
A right-left combo lands from Grimaldo.
Leone takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Leone sizes up Grimaldo with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Leone waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Grimaldo.
Leone throws out a loose jab but Grimaldo uses good head movement to avoid it.
Grimaldo appears to be looking for a big counter.
Grimaldo throws a nice looking combination but Leone bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Leone slips a jab and a cross from Grimaldo.
Leone getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Leone throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Grimaldo stalks Leone and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Leone's face. Leone staggers backwards, shaken.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Grimaldo lands a jab-cross combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leone misses with a series of wild punches.
Grimaldo changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Some wild striking there from Leone.
Grimaldo misses with a two punch combination.
Leone throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Grimaldo.
Austin Grimaldo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Grimaldo swings for the body but Leone moves out of range.
Leone is looking for the big counter here.
Grimaldo has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Grimaldo there as he acknowledges the shot.
Some wild striking there from Leone.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Leone showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Grimaldo.
No joy there for Leone, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Grimaldo is looking for a counter combo.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Austin Grimaldo will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Leone misses with a two punch combination.
Grimaldo feinted with a counter takedown.
Leone swinging wildly here.
Grimaldo lands a really nice looking cross but Leone seems unphased.
Leone throws a nice looking combination but Grimaldo bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Leone loads up on a big right hand but Grimaldo slips the punch.
Grimaldo changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Grimaldo fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Grimaldo connects with an inside leg kick.
Danga de danga de dang - Leone scores with a four punch combination!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Grimaldo closes the distance and clinches.
A shot in the inside from Grimaldo.
A short uppercut from Grimaldo.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Grimaldo throws an elbow but it misses.
Grimaldo lands a left hand that snaps the head of Leone backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Leone breaks the clinch.
Grimaldo misses with a double jab.
No joy there for Leone, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Leone takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Leone takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Grimaldo misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Grimaldo lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Leone circles away quickly and effectively.
Leone tries to bum rush Grimaldo with a series of wild strikes but Grimaldo uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
An attempted straight right counter from Grimaldo misses the target.
A combination from Leone does no damage.
Leone misses with a double jab

and Grimaldo counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Leone blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Leone avoiding damage as Grimaldo throws knees to the body.
Grimaldo misses with an elbow over the top.
Grimaldo throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Leone blocks it with crossed arms.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leone blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Leone has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Leone managing to block the knees to the body from Grimaldo.
Leone wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Grimaldo has him pressed against the cage.
Leone has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Leone looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Leone lands with a left to the head.

Leone breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Grimaldo throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Leone misses with a few strikes there.
Grimaldo is looking for a counter combo.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Leone.
Grimaldo takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Grimaldo tries to move into range but Leone moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Grimaldo swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Grimaldo drops his hands momentarily and Leone takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Leone moves into range and connects with a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Leone. Those never looked like landing.
Some wild striking there from Leone.
Leone scores with a sloppy right hand. Grimaldo should have avoided that one.
Leone will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Grimaldo tries to clinch up.
A combination from Leone does no damage.
No joy there for Leone, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Grimaldo connects with a leg kick.
A big left from Leone misses.
No joy there for Grimaldo, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Grimaldo is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grimaldo gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Leone lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Grimaldo circles away quickly and effectively.
Grimaldo's jab looks to have found its range, popping Leone under the eye.
Leone misses with a hook. Grimaldo ducked under it nicely.
Leone throws a nice looking combination but Grimaldo bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Grimaldo with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Grimaldo throws a one two combo.
Leone throws a series of punches but Grimaldo avoids them all with ease.
Grimaldo throws a series of punches but Leone moves out of range.
Leone jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
A jab from Leone does it's job there.
Leone connects with a nice looking jab.
Leone throws a body shot but no joy.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joel Leone comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Leone 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 Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 27:30
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 29:29
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!