PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kareem Leonard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fernando Jr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Kareem Leonard has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Leonard
vs
Jr

154 cm
24
279 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

201 cm
25
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kareem Leonard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Fernando Jr!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Jonathan Paton and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Leonard darts in looking for a takedown but Jr gets double underhooks and turns Leonard into the cage.
Leonard slows down the pace here.
Jr is trying to drag Leonard to the mat but Leonard just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Leonard tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Jr just stands there and leans against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jr pulls guard successfully.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Leonard wants to control from the top but Jr keeps moving.
Leonard working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Leonard prevents Jr from getting back to his feet.
Jr lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Leonard!
Leonard working to try and regain half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jr controlling the position easily from mount.
Leonard keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Leonard might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jr sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Fernando Jr was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Jr displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Leonard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fernando Jr dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Jr fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Leonard to the ground. Jr is now in Leonard's guard.
Leonard trying to control the position.
Jr passes Leonard's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Leonard could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Jr with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jr passes the guard and advances to mount!
Leonard is in all sorts of trouble here.
Jr controlling his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Jr's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Fernando Jr hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Leonard goes for a double leg but Jr avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Jr continues to drive forward.

Jr has picked Leonard up - he's going for a ride! Jr dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Leonard wants to improve his position but Jr is controlling well.
Jr wants to free his trapped foot but Leonard is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leonard is looking for a sweep. Jr is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Jr keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Leonard stuffs the takedown attempt from Jr. Jr gets slowly back to his feet.
Leonard with a lazy takedown attempt

and Jr holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fernando Jr showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Leonard's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Leonard looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Kareem Leonard seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Leonard fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Jr avoids it really well and circles away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Leonard is defended easily by Jr.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kareem Leonard. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Leonard misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jr pushes Leonard up against the cage in a clinch.
Jr taking a breather.
Leonard is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Jr pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leonard tries to break free but Jr pushes him back against the cage.
Jr avoiding damage as Leonard throws knees to the body.

Jr pulls guard successfully.
Leonard has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Jr had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Leonard defends it easily.
Jr wants to sweep here but Leonard controlling him for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leonard is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Jr working a defensive guard here.

Leonard gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leonard fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Leonard doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Jr counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Leonard looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Leonard trying to control the position but instead, Jr has worked for underhooks and has pushed Leonard into the cage.
Leonard tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Fernando Jr.
I've got Jr winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Fernando Jr!