PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Buzzard Leonard (ranked 3823 p4p, 4210 weight class) and Nikita Rabov (ranked 0 p4p, 266 weight class). Buzzard Leonard has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Leonard
vs
Rabov

182 cm
27
150
1 - 3 - 0

185 cm
25
155
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Determined

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 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Buzzard Leonard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nikita Rabov!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, John Kavanagh and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A bone on bone clash there as Rabov blocks the leg kick.
Rabov wants to counter with a clinch but Leonard pushes him away.
A head kick misses from Leonard.
A little jabbing left from Rabov on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

Rabov looking to score a takedown here. Leonard is defending well but Rabov drives through and ends up in Leonard's guard.
Rabov controlling from the top position.
Rabov advances position into side control!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Leonard is in a bad spot here and he knows it... just holding on for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rabov is staying tight to Leonard's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Rabov working away.
Rabov creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.

Rabov is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Leonard has escaped the position, nice work there.
Rabov tries to stand but Leonard is controlling his head.
Leonard trying his best to control but Rabov has mounted him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rabov jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Leonard is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Leonard and Rabov has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Leonard tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Rabov wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Rabov in side control lands a decent elbow.

Rabov decides to stand back up. Rabov steps back and let's Leonard get back to his feet.
Leonard changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rabov tries to avoid it but Leonard manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rabov to the ground. Rabov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Rabov tries to counter by closing the distance.
Leonard shoots in looking for a takedown but Rabov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Leonard's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Leonard throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rabov's waist but Rabov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Leonard off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Buzzard Leonard. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice takedown defense from Rabov. No joy for Leonard on that attempt.
Rabov is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Leonard looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Rabov is fending him off so far but Leonard persists. Nope, Rabov circles away and we're back to standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rabov shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Leonard's guard.

Leonard manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Leonard really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Leonard is breathing heavily.

Rabov breaks from the clinch.
Horrible takedown attempt by Leonard or perhaps it was just good defense by Rabov, which made it look bad.

Rabov closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Leonard bucks up and tries to throw Rabov off but instead Rabov has got his back!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Rabov working for the choke.
Rabov gets his hands free as Leonard looks to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rabov is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Leonard knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Leonard for a finish.
Leonard covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.
Leonard tries to escape but Rabov has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Rabov biding his time, looking for the opening.

Rabov working for the choke.

Rabov is working for a rear naked choke. Leonard is not defending it well and Rabov has tightened it up quickly! This could be all over! Leonard refuses to tap and goes to sleep, forcing the referee to intervene. A little trickle of blood came out of Leonard's nose as his head slumped to the floor. That is naaaasty!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Nikita Rabov!
A very excited looking Nikita Rabov rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.