PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kareem Leonard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tatsu Kuroko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Leonard
vs
Kuroko

154 cm
24
279 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

190 cm
25
265 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

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 1 - 4 - 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, Tatsu Kuroko!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Columbo Gatti and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuroko tries to score a power double leg takedown but Leonard sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kuroko somewhat.
Kuroko stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

It looks like Kareem Leonard has been cut.
Leonard avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kuroko throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.

Leonard tries to keep at a distance but Kuroko has taken the fight into the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kuroko manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Kuroko wants to take the fight to the mat but Leonard manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leonard is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Kareem Leonard has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tatsu Kuroko.
Leonard tries to pull guard but Kuroko won't allow it.
Leonard swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Maybe Leonard would be better served going for some more strikes rather than trying to control so much.
Kuroko taking a breather.
Leonard really is a fat lump.

Kuroko pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leonard slips a jab and a cross from Kuroko.
Leonard dives in for a single leg takedown but Kuroko sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Leonard tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Kuroko is trying to force a seperation but Leonard has the dominant position.
Kuroko scores with a shoulder strike.
Kuroko wants to get back to striking at distance but Leonard won't allow it.
Kuroko dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

Kuroko drags the fight down to the ground.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Leonard is standing up over Kuroko. Kuroko looks to escape but Leonard dives into side control.
Kuroko tries to improve position but can't.
Kuroko is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Kuroko tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Leonard easily slips into full mount!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuroko regains half guard.
Kuroko tries to roll over but Leonard keeps him under control.

Leonard is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Kuroko defends it well.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kuroko manages to get to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tatsu Kuroko dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Kareem Leonard's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kuroko instigates a clinch.
Leonard is looking to take this one to the mat.
Kuroko is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Leonard gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Kuroko escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Leonard shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kuroko defends it nicely.
Kuroko misses with a takedown
enabling Leonard to counter with a crisp jab.

Kuroko closes the distance and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leonard is looking to break free of the clinch but Kuroko has double underhooks.
Kuroko is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Leonard to keep the fight standing.
Kareem Leonard has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tatsu Kuroko.
Kuroko looking for a takedown.
Kuroko looking to slow down the pace here.

Kuroko's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kuroko gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Leonard counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Leonard dives in and grabs Kuroko's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kuroko pushes down on Leonard's head and hops out.
Kuroko throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Leonard's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuroko misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Kuroko shoots in looking for a takedown. Leonard tries to sprawl out of it but Kuroko keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Leonard manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Kuroko is breathing heavily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Kuroko wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Leonard tries to pull guard but Kuroko won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leonard working aggressively here.
Kuroko jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Leonard walks away with a smile on his face. Kuroko gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Kuroko fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Kuroko throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Leonard.
Kuroko tries a head kick but it misses.

Kuroko clinches up with Leonard and pushes him back against the cage.
Kuroko can't break the clinch.
Leonard tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Leonard tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kuroko smiles and moves away.
Kuroko misses with a hook to the body
and Leonard counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown by Kuroko or perhaps it was just good defense by Leonard which made him look bad.

Leonard takes the fight into the clinch.
Kuroko blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Leonard blocks a body shot from Kuroko.
Leonard is trying to break the clinch but Kuroko has him pressed against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Leonard misses with a punch on the inside.
Leonard tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kuroko just stands there and leans against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tatsu Kuroko showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Kareem Leonard's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Leonard shoots in looking for a takedown but Kuroko manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Leonard's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Leonard uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kuroko.
Tatsu Kuroko seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kuroko throws a leg kick

and Leonard holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Kuroko is working for takedown but Leonard is calmly controlling the position for now.
Kuroko tries for a takedown. No joy.
Leonard tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kuroko just stands there and leans against the cage.
Leonard prevents the takedown attempt.
Kareem Leonard has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tatsu Kuroko.

Kuroko pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A punch combination from Kuroko misses.

Kuroko moves into range and clinches up with Leonard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kuroko escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Leonard shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kuroko but Kuroko pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Nice straight punches there by Kuroko. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kuroko.
Kuroko shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kuroko takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kuroko throws a series of punches but Leonard moves out of range.
Leonard shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kuroko defends it nicely.
Kuroko throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuroko tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Leonard swivels and escapes.
Leonard blocks a head kick by Kuroko.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Leonard.
Leonard shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Leonard closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kuroko circles away.
Leonard dives in and grabs Kuroko's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kuroko pushes down on Leonard's head and hops out.
Kuroko misses with a body shot

and Leonard counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Kuroko's guard now.
Kuroko working a defensive guard but Leonard manages to pass into side control anyway.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leonard gets to mount! Kuroko was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Kuroko sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Kuroko is looking to control Leonard's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kuroko avoid being mounted?
Kuroko keeping control of the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuroko is trying to maintain the position but Leonard is very close to passing his half guard.

Leonard is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Kuroko has managed to free his arm - good work.
Kuroko is trying to maintain the position but Leonard is very close to passing his half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tatsu Kuroko comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Kuroko 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 John Kavanagh scores the fight 27:30
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tatsu Kuroko!