PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Felix Sturm (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ray Leonard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Felix Sturm has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Sturm
vs
Leonard

178 cm
26
172 lbs
12 - 7 - 0

186 cm
22
184 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

GMMA Supplements 160
GMMA Supplements 160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Felix Sturm!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ray Leonard!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Marco Blurström and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sturm tries to clinch but Leonard moves away
and Leonard counters with a stiff right hand.

Sturm closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Leonard did well to prevent Sturm getting side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Leonard trying to control but Sturm postures up.

Sturm is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Leonard is just riding it out for now. Sturm eventually gives up the hold.
Leonard regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sturm throws a strike but Leonard rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Leonard preventing the sweep.

Sturm is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Leonard defends well.

Sturm has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Leonard can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sturm looking for a sweep. Not yet Sturm, not yet.
Leonard wanted to stand there but Sturm had control of the position.
Leonard tries to free his leg and advance position but Sturm is retaining full guard.
Leonard sitting in guard here, content to control.
Sturm is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Leonard avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Leonard stands up and waves to Sturm to follow him.
Sturm shoots in for a takedown but Leonard shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Sturm tries to close the distance and clinch but Leonard swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Sturm shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Leonard pinned against the cage. Leonard gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Sturm fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Felix Sturm. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leonard lands a right hook to the body.
Leonard throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Leonard punishes Sturm's body with a nice straight punch.
Sturm uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Leonard.
Leonard leaves Sturm with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Sturm tries for a takedown but Leonard sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Sturm showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Leonard.
Sturm throws a head kick that misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A big right from Leonard misses.
Ray Leonard is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Leonard closes the distance and pushes Sturm back into the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Leonard pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Leonard loads up on a big right hand but Sturm slips the punch.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Sturm.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Leonard!
Sturm's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Leonard connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Sturm scrambles back to his feet.
A telegraphed right hand from Leonard misses the target.
Felix Sturm is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Leonard lands a glancing blow to the side of Sturm's head.
Leonard jabs Sturm right on the nose. Sturm blinks but takes it well.

Leonard gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A body shot lands from Leonard.
Sturm with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Leonard is leaning against Sturm and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Leonard misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sturm being controlled against the cage.
Sturm tries to land a knee to the head but Leonard blocks with his arms.
Leonard scores with a nice hook to the head.

It looks like Felix Sturm has been cut.
Sturm looking to stall.
A short body shot lands from Leonard as the two fighters clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Leonard works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Leonard lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Leonard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Leonard stalling the fight.
Leonard lands a left hand that snaps the head of Sturm backwards.
Leonard lands a nice uppercut.

Sturm is rocked!
Leonard just leaning against Sturm, taking a breather.
Oh Sturm is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Leonard lands a nice uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leonard lands a body shot.
Leonard lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Leonard digs a right hand into Sturm's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Sturm's gas tank.
Leonard lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Sturm or not.
Leonard is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Leonard lands a right hand.
Leonard stalling the fight.
Sturm seems to have got his legs back now.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Leonard.
Leonard makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Leonard works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Leonard lands with a light punch inside.
Leonard pushes Sturm back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sturm using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Leonard has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Leonard pushes Sturm against the cage. Leonard is working some dirty boxing. Leonard pushes off with a quick right hook! Sturm goes down! Sturm tries to stand but stumbles back to his kness! Leonard moves in to finish and the ref steps in to prevent any more damage!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:14 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Ray Leonard!