PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Don Leaf (ranked 5726 p4p, 497 weight class) and Aaron Pico (ranked 5686 p4p, 493 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Leaf
vs
Pico

184 cm
24
163 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

180 cm
23
155 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Big heart

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

Hot Spunk

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Don Leaf!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Aaron Pico!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Don Winkell and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Leaf gets caught napping as Pico dives in and scores a takedown. Leaf manages to retain guard.
Pico throwing strikes but missing.
Pico really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Leaf. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Leaf working for a triangle but Pico defends it easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pico wants to control from the top but Leaf keeps moving.
Leaf pulls Pico in close to prevent any damage.

Leaf working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Pico doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Pico manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Leaf has momentary wrist control but Pico slips an elbow through the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pico wants to control from the top but Leaf keeps moving.
Pico is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Pico working some strikes from top position.
Pico throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Pico chips away with some ground and pound.
Pico is in close to Leaf's body, working some short punches and elbows.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pico trying to control the position from guard on top but Leaf is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Pico accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Leaf keeping moving, preventing Pico from controlling successfully.
Pico with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pico trying to control the position from guard on top but Leaf is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Leaf has momentary wrist control but Pico slips an elbow through the middle.
Pico working some strikes from top position.
Leaf is trying to keep Pico in close.
Leaf has momentary wrist control but Pico slips an elbow through the middle.
Pico trying to control but Leaf is working from the bottom.

Pico got a little sloppy there for a moment and Leaf has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Pico has managed to get both his arms back between Leaf's legs - danger averted.
Pico postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Leaf is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pico throwing strikes but missing.
Pico connects with a couple of short punches.
Leaf trying to keep a closed guard but Pico is proving a slippery customer.
Pico has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Leaf is proving hard to escape from.
Pico stands up over Leaf, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Leaf escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Pico gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Leaf is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Leaf controls Pico momentarily but Pico frees himself.
Pico makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Pico distracts Leaf with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Pico working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Leaf's head.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Leaf is trying to control the position but Pico postures up.
Pico trying to control the position from guard on top but Leaf is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Leaf is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Pico defends well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aaron Pico dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Leaf tries to clinch but Pico moves out of range.
Leaf blocks a head kick by Pico.
Leaf moves out of range of the body kick.
Leaf will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Pico feints the counter takedown.
Pico misses with a takedown attempt
and Leaf counters with a big head kick but Pico shrugs it off.
Leaf shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Pico sprawls well. Pico wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Leaf gets slowly back to his feet.
Pico has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Pico looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Leaf went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Leaf shoots for a double leg takedown but Pico sprawls well. He's pushed Leaf's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
As Leaf backs off Pico throws a huge counter combo but Leaf manages to avoid it all.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Don Leaf. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Leaf tries to sprawl but Pico drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Pico wants to take a breather but Leaf is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Pico.
Aaron Pico has got the better of the ground game so far.
Pico landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Leaf is looking to improve his position.
Leaf manages to get to full guard.
Pico lands a couple of digs.
Pico works over Leaf with some ground and pound from guard.
Pico throws a strike but Leaf rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Leaf stopping the sweep attempt from Pico.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pico not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Leaf trying to control but Pico is working from the bottom.

Leaf stands up from Pico's guard - Leaf perhaps looking for a knockout.
Leaf shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Pico pinned against the cage. Pico gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Pico looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Leaf manages to escape and get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pico wants to clinch up but Leaf keeps it at a distance.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Leaf enables Pico to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Leaf manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Pico throws a big elbow that misses.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Leaf is on top in guard.

Pico wants to stand up but Leaf is controlling him.
Leaf keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Pico's head.
Leaf throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Leaf is stalling in the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leaf trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Pico wants to hit a switch here but Leaf passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Pico there!
Pico tries to lock up and control but Leaf gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Leaf throws some wild stikes that Pico manages to avoid easily.
Leaf controlling the position easily from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Don Leaf dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Pico stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Pico wants it to stay on the feet.

Pico closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Leaf did well to prevent Pico getting side control.
Pico is pressing down on Leaf's thigh, looking to free his foot. Leaf is holding on for now.
Leaf makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Leaf.
Pico stays in close to Leaf's body and controls the position.
Pico wants to control from the top but Leaf keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Leaf wants to control but Pico passes easily into half guard.
Pico lands strikes from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leaf is trying is best to control the position here.
Leaf slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Pico is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Leaf looking to control.
Pico pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Leaf is keeping the position for now.
Leaf looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Pico postures up.

That's two 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.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Pico throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Leaf works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Pico lands a couple of elbows.
Pico lands a couple of elbows.
Pico with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Pico postures up and lands a big shot to Leaf's brow.
Pico won't allow Leaf to sweep him here.
Pico trying to control but Leaf is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Pico will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Aaron Pico seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pico darts in looking for a takedown but Leaf gets double underhooks and turns Pico into the cage.
Pico tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Leaf defends well and Pico ends up having to push Leaf into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Don Leaf has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aaron Pico.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leaf throws a right hand that Pico ducks under and follows up with a left that Pico also avoids with ease.
A slapping leg kick lands for Leaf.
Leaf is trying hard to land a takedown here. Pico sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Leaf tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Pico manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Pico shapes to counter with a head kick.
Don Leaf is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Pico misses with a takedown attempt - Leaf sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Leaf displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Pico.
Leaf throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Pico's waist but Pico gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Leaf off to one side.
Leaf has his takedown stuffed
and Pico counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Leaf gets caught napping as Pico dives in and scores a takedown. Leaf manages to retain guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pico scoring with punches to the head and body.
Pico must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Leaf wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Leaf keeping moving, preventing Pico from controlling successfully.
Pico controls from within his opponent's guard.
Leaf looking for a sweep. Not yet Leaf, not yet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Leaf is pulling down on Pico's head. It's preventing any offense from Pico, at least for the moment.
Pico missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aaron Pico comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Pico has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aaron Pico!
Aaron Pico took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, Hot Spunk for their support in the buildup to the fight.