PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Brian Leonard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mikael Tronko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Leonard's entrance music is Lonely Island - Like A Boss. A fine choice. Brian Leonard had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 186.5lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. Brian Leonard has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Leonard
vs
Tronko

180 cm
20
200 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

186 cm
19
190 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Brian Leonard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mikael Tronko!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Matti Vanhoillinen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Leonard fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tronko manages to avoid it.

Tronko catches Leonard napping and connects with a big right hand that sends Leonard to the canvas!

Leonard is rocked!

It looks like Brian Leonard has been cut.
Tronko throws a big right hand that misses.
Oh Leonard is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Tronko with a flurry of punches that miss.
Leonard pulls Tronko in close to his closed guard and prevents Tronko from doing any damage or advancing position.
Leonard seems to have got his legs back now.
Tronko tries to free his leg and advance position but Leonard is retaining full guard.

Leonard has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Tronko off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Leonard scores with a kick to the midsection.
Tronko throws a body punch but Leonard moves out of range.
Tronko throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Leonard shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Leonard showed some decent athleticism there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tronko is trying to stand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leonard is taking a breather. Tronko says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Tronko wants to improve his position but Leonard is controlling well.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Leonard in particular looking to stall.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Tronko manages to get to full guard.

Leonard drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Leonard jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Leonard is breathing heavily.

Tronko is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Leonard stands up and waves to Tronko to follow him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tronko swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Leonard shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Tronko is trying to defend but Leonard finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Leonard is trying to control the action in half guard but Tronko is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Tronko wants to get back to his feet.
Leonard is keen to just control but Tronko is a slippery customer.
Tronko is pressing down on Leonard's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Tronko is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Tronko is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Leonard is aware though and is defending well.
Tronko looking for a sweep. Not yet Tronko, not yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leonard is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Tronko tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Tronko wants to get back to his feet but Leonard is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Leonard stands up and waves to Tronko to follow him.
Tronko throws a body punch but Leonard moves out of range.
Tronko scores with a nice strike.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Leonard.
Tronko scores with a decent looking hook.
Leonard takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
No joy there for Tronko, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Tronko lands a glancing blow to the side of Leonard's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tronko throws an overhand right from the outside, which connects and sends Leonard stumbling backwards into the cage! Leonard bounces back off the cage towards Tronko, who cracks him with a two punch combination that drops him to his knees! Tronko lands two more shots before the referee has chance to intervene - what a finish! Tronko celebrates with his corner as the crowd cheer loudly.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:08 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Mikael Tronko!