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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Sora Izanagi (ranked 1797 p4p, 1609 weight class) and Nikolay Leonov (ranked 209 p4p, 190 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.
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| 190 cm
35
187
23 - 10 - 0 |
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180 cm
41
195
28 - 23 - 0 |
Great wrestler
World class boxer
Big right hand |
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Good wrestler
World class MT
Determined |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sora Izanagi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 23 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nikolay Leonov!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Shigeki Fujiwara and Tatsuya Matsuyama.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Leonov is looking to clinch.
Izanagi misses with a right hand
and Leonov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Izanagi walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Leonov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Izanagi takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Leonov is looking to clinch.
Izanagi is looking to counter with head kicks.
Leonov lands with a right hand.
Leonov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Izanagi throws a counter high kick but Leonov was just alert enough to avoid it.
Izanagi takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Izanagi looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Leonov works Izanagi's body with a nice hook.
Izanagi throws a body shot but no joy.
Nikolay Leonov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A looping hook to the body misses from Izanagi. Leonov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Leonov tries to close the distance and clinch but Izanagi swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Izanagi misses with a straight right.
Izanagi sizes up Leonov with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
It looks like Nikolay Leonov has been cut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Leonov scores with a kick to the body.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Leonov blocks a low kick nicely.
Leonov tries to clinch but Izanagi moves out of range.
Izanagi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Izanagi scores with a decent looking hook.
Good leg kick by Izanagi.
Leonov tries to clinch there but Izanagi circles away.
Leonov moves out of range as Izanagi strikes.
Leonov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Izanagi chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Leonov can pounce on him.
Izanagi pushes Leonov up against the cage in a clinch.
Leonov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Leonov avoiding damage as Izanagi throws knees to the body.
Izanagi can't find room to land a body shot as Leonov controls the action.
Leonov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Leonov avoiding damage as Izanagi throws knees to the body.
Izanagi missing with knees to the body.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Izanagi tries a body shot but Leonov blocks it.
Leonov lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Izanagi or not.
Leonov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Izanagis head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Leonov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Izanagi with an attempt at a knee that misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Leonov.
Leonov prevents a body shot from Izanagi.
Leonov blocks a body shot from Izanagi.
A short right from Leonov on the inside.
Izanagi is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Leonov is defending well for now.
Izanagi misses with a body punch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Leonov leaning against his opponent.
Leonov's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Leonov prevents a body shot from Izanagi.
Leonov prevents a body shot from Izanagi.
Leonov effectively controlling the action here.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Izanagi tries to work over Leonov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Leonov is stalling here.
Leonov throws a head punch that misses.
A right hand to the body from Leonov.
Izanagi with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Izanagi trying to land knees to the body.
Izanagi stalling the fight.
Izanagi tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Izanagi tries a knee to the head but Leonov blocks it.
Leonov lands with a right to the head.
Leonov lands a shoulder strike.
Leonov has Izanagi pushed against the cage.
Leonov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Izanagi with an attempt at a knee that misses.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Izanagi misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Leonov.
Leonov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Izanagi tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Leonov avoids it.
Izanagi misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A knee to the head by Izanagi.
A nice left hand lands by Leonov.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Izanagi tries to land a knee to the head but Leonov blocks with his arms.
Nice body punch from Leonov.
Leonov lands a body punch in the clinch.
Leonov lands a nice uppercut.
Leonov has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Izanagi seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Leonov can turn it around.
Izanagi tries to work over Leonov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Izanagi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Leonov's elbow.
Leonov's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Leonov lands a left hand.
Leonov has Izanagi pushed against the cage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but Nikolay Leonov will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Nikolay Leonov's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
A solid leg kick lands there for Leonov.
Leonov scores with a hook.
A shot to the liver by Leonov. Beautiful body shot.
Leonov clobbers Izanagi with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Izanagi keeps the fight on the outside.
Izanagi dodges the punch combination from Leonov.
Leonov has Izanagi up against the cage in a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Leonov lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Leonov controlling the action here for a moment.
Leonov throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Izanagi doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Leonov.
Leonov stalling in the clinch but Izanagi improves position.
Izanagi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Leonov lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Izanagi backwards.
Izanagi misses with a hook to the ribs.
Leonov lands a right hand.
Leonov prevents a body shot from Izanagi.
Leonov works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Izanagi tries to land a knee to the head but Leonov blocks with his arms.
Leonov is stalling here.
Leonov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A short left from Leonov.
Izanagi misses with a knee to the head.
Leonov works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Izanagi tries to throw a body punch but Leonov avoids it by throwing Izanagi back against the cage.
Leonov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Izanagi landing knees to the head.
Leonov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Izanagi avoids it.
Leonov blocks a body shot from Izanagi.
Leonov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Izanagi being controlled against the cage.
Izanagi digs a right hand into Leonov's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Leonov's gas tank.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A right handed body shot lands from Izanagi.
Izanagi being controlled against the cage.
Izanagi trying to land knees to the body.
Leonov takes a knee right on the jaw!
Izanagi blocks an uppercut.
Izanagi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Izanagi tries to throw a body punch but Leonov avoids it by throwing Izanagi back against the cage.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Izanagi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Leonov wants to stall.
Leonov working aggressively here.
Izanagi tries a body shot but Leonov blocks it.
Izanagi looking to throw knees to the head but Leonov is blocking nicely.
Leonov gets through Izanagi's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Leonov working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Izanagi controlling the action here for a moment.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Izanagi for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.
Izanagi's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Leonov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good body shot from Izanagi.
Izanagi misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Izanagi tries a knee to the head but Leonov blocks it.
Izanagi tries a body shot but Leonov blocks it.
Izanagi tries a body shot but Leonov blocks it.
Leonov pushes off an throws an elbow but Izanagi leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Izanagi with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Leonov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Izanagi tries to throw a body punch but Leonov avoids it by throwing Izanagi back against the cage.
Leonov scores with a nice hook to the head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Leonov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Izanagi tries to work over Leonov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Leonov is stalling here.
Izanagi tries to throw a body punch but Leonov avoids it by throwing Izanagi back against the cage.
Izanagi using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Leonov has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Leonov tries to throw a body punch but Izanagi avoids it by throwing Leonov back against the cage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Nikolay Leonov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Nikolay Leonov's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!
The fight moves into the clinch position.
A shot in the inside from Leonov.
Izanagi tries to land knees in the clinch but Leonov avoids the damage to the body.
A nice right hand lands inside from Leonov.
Leonov creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Leonov wants to stall.
Leonov blocks an uppercut.
Leonov misses with some punches.
Leonov digs a right hand into Izanagi's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Izanagi's gas tank.
Izanagi misses with a shot to the kidneys.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Leonov scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Izanagi tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Leonov scores with a shot to the side of Izanagi's head.
Izanagi tries to work over Leonov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Izanagi blocks a punch to the side of the head.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Leonov cracks Izanagi with a nice body shot.
Izanagi misses with a hook to the ribs.
Leonov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Leonov lands a right hand.
Izanagi tries to land knees in the clinch but Leonov avoids the damage to the body.
Leonov prevents a body shot from Izanagi.
Leonov lands a nice uppercut.
Leonov lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Izanagi blocks an uppercut.
Leonov lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Izanagi backwards.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Izanagi.
Izanagi being controlled against the cage.
Leonov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Izanagi's elbow.
Leonov works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Sora Izanagi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A knee to the head by Izanagi.
Izanagi tries a body shot but Leonov blocks it.
Leonov lands a body shot.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Leonov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Izanagi tries to land a knee to the head but Leonov blocks with his arms.
Izanagi misses with some punches.
Izanagi is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Izanagi letting Leonov take a breather here.
Izanagi tries to work over Leonov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Izanagi misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Izanagi trying to land knees to the body.
Izanagi goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A short right from Leonov.
Leonov stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Izanagi with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leonov tries to land knees in the clinch but Izanagi avoids the damage to the body.
A right hand to the body from Leonov.
Nikolay Leonov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Leonov struggles to land a body shot inside as Izanagi controls his hands.
Izanagi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Leonov's elbow.
Leonov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Izanagi misses with a hook to the ribs.
Leonov manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Leonov leaning against his opponent.
Leonov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Leonov lands a left hand that snaps the head of Izanagi backwards.
Izanagi misses with a knee to the head.
Izanagi prevents a body shot from Leonov.
Izanagi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Leonov's elbow.
Izanagi tries a body shot but Leonov blocks it.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Izanagi doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Leonov blocks a body shot from Izanagi.
Izanagi tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Leonov avoids it.
Izanagi with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Izanagi misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Izanagi blocks an uppercut.
Leonov working aggressively here.
Leonov is trying to maintain a safe position but Izanagi gets an underhook and turns Leonov into the cage.
Leonov lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Izanagi blocks a body shot from Leonov.
Izanagi throws a knee to the head but misses.
Izanagi with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Leonov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nikolay Leonov seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Leonov throws a punch but it's blocked by Izanagi.
Leonov makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Izanagi throws a punch but it's blocked by Leonov.
Izanagi struggles to land a body shot inside as Leonov controls his hands.
And that's the end of the fight!
Nikolay Leonov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Leonov has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 27:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nikolay Leonov!
A relieved looking Nikolay Leonov thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
54% |
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