PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vadim Leonov Jr (ranked 1881 p4p, 3267 weight class) and Gaetan Hart (ranked 109 p4p, 179 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Leonov Jr
vs
Hart

193 cm
26
265
5 - 6 - 0

190 cm
31
285
15 - 5 - 0

Good takedowns
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vadim Leonov Jr!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Gaetan Hart!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Daniel Blasius and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hart takes a swing at Leonov Jr's ribcage but misses.
Leonov Jr went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Hart moves into range and connects with a jab.
Hart misses with a left hand
and Leonov Jr counters with a right hand to the body.
Hart misses with a body shot.
Leonov Jr seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Hart looks to land a right hand but Leonov Jr moved out of range.
Sloppy strikes from Hart. Those never looked like landing.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Hart, as that shot connected.
Hart throws a big shot that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Leonov Jr looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hart is fending him off so far but Leonov Jr persists. Nope, Hart circles away and we're back to standing.
Hart jabs at Leonov Jr's body.
Hart throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Leonov Jr counters with a nice double leg into guard.
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!
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Leonov Jr accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leonov Jr missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hart working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Leonov Jr.

Hart scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Leonov Jr feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Harts jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Leonov Jr takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

Hart feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Hart sitting in guard here, content to control.
Leonov Jr is looking to sweep but instead, Hart has passed into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hart slips a nice elbow through Leonov Jr's hands, connecting with Leonov Jr's forehead.
Leonov Jr is trying to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leonov Jr wants to control but Hart is keeping busy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Leonov Jr is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Hart thows a huge punch but Leonov Jr dodges it nicely.
Hart is pressing down on Leonov Jr's thigh, looking to free his foot. Leonov Jr is holding on for now.
Hart content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Leonov Jr tries to roll over but Hart keeps him under control.
Leonov Jr moves into full guard.
Hart tries to free his leg and advance position but Leonov Jr is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hart engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Hart's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Leonov Jr keeping full guard, as Hart tries to pass.
Leonov Jr wants to hit a sweep here but Hart passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Leonov Jr there!
Hart content just to control the position here.
Leonov Jr is trying desperately to improve position.
Leonov Jr sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Hart is trying to control the action in half guard but Leonov Jr is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leonov Jr is trying to control but can't.
Hart thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Leonov Jr makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Leonov Jr.
Hart stopping the sweep attempt from Leonov Jr.
Hart passes Leonov Jr's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Leonov Jr tries to get to full guard but Hart has control of the leg.
Hart controlling the action here.
Hart looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Leonov Jr gets back to full guard.
Leonov Jr wants to sweep but no luck.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Gaetan Hart dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Hart throws a poor cross that misses
and Leonov Jr counters with a nice body shot.
Leonov Jr checks a low kick from Hart.
As Hart looks to move away, Leonov Jr throws a big counter combo but Hart just gets out of the way.
Leonov Jr doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Hart throws a leg kick but Leonov Jr sees it coming and checks it nicely.
A nice combination there by Hart.
Leonov Jr avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Hart gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Leonov Jr cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Leonov Jr ducks under a wild hook from Hart.
Hart missing with a left hand there. Leonov Jr was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A low kick from Hart misses
and Leonov Jr counters with a nice uppercut.
Hart throws a leg kick but Leonov Jr moved away.
Leonov Jr appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Leonov Jr feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Leonov Jr postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Hart looking to control.
Hart has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Hart keeping moving, preventing Leonov Jr from controlling successfully.
Hart has momentary wrist control but Leonov Jr slips an elbow through the middle.
Leonov Jr in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Leonov Jr stopping the sweep attempt from Hart.
Hart working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Leonov Jr.
Leonov Jr connects with a couple of short punches.
Leonov Jr keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Hart's head.
Leonov Jr wants to pass the guard but Hart is keeping the position.
Hart looking for a sweep. Not yet Hart, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leonov Jr postures up in Hart's guard and throws a big left but Hart blocks it.
Leonov Jr with a flurry of punches that miss.

Hart working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Leonov Jr doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Leonov Jr manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Leonov Jr cracks Hart with a solid left hand.
Leonov Jr trying to control the position from guard on top but Hart is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Hart is on top in guard.

Hart passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hart is looking to take a break and control but Leonov Jr is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leonov Jr is trying to get back to half guard.
Leonov Jr sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Hart drops an elbow to the side of Leonov Jr's head.
Hart is thwarting Leonov Jr's attempts to control the position.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Leonov Jr wants to improve his position but Hart is controlling well.

Leonov Jr looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Leonov Jr makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Leonov Jr.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hart with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Hart wants to control from the top but Leonov Jr keeps moving.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Hart working his ground and pound in the gym. So far it seems to be working well.
Leonov Jr looking for a sweep. Not yet Leonov Jr, not yet.
Hart distracts Leonov Jr with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Leonov Jr trying to control the position.
Hart lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Hart has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hart stays in close to Leonov Jr's body and controls the position.
Leonov Jr is trying to keep Hart in close.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Gaetan Hart will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Hart misses with a hook.
Hart misses with a looping left.
Hart connects with a body shot that sends Leonov Jr's belly button to the back.
A nice combination there by Hart.
Hart misses the body punch
and Leonov Jr cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Leonov Jr shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hart but Hart pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Hart was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hart looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Leonov Jr takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Hart misses with a looping right.
Hart is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hart throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Leonov Jr on the side of the head.
Hart throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

Hart feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hart showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Leonov Jr looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Leonov Jr is working hard here to advance position.
Leonov Jr is trying to keep Hart in close.
Hart won't allow Leonov Jr to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leonov Jr is looking to sweep but instead, Hart has passed into half guard.
Hart tries to pass the half guard into mount. Leonov Jr knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Hart is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Leonov Jr trying to control but Hart postures up.
Hart takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Leonov Jr manages to get to full guard.
Hart sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hart pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Leonov Jr is keeping the position for now.
Leonov Jr working a defensive guard here.
Hart controls from within his opponent's guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Vadim Leonov Jr has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hart throws a predictable looking body shot
and Leonov Jr connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Gaetan Hart seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hart just misses with a punch to the body.
Hart scores with a crisp jab that stopped Leonov Jr in his tracks.
Hart lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Hart throws a body kick that misses
and Leonov Jr counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hart scores with a jab to the body.
A jab lands there for Hart.
Hart misses with a low kick.
Leonov Jr is looking for a counter combo.
Hart tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Leonov Jr was well out of range. Poor timing from Hart.
Hart lands a jab to the nose.
Some wild striking there from Hart.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Leonov Jr on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Hart misses with an uppercut.
Leonov Jr swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gaetan Hart comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Hart 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 Albert Achterberg scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gaetan Hart!
Gaetan Hart decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.
The defeated Vadim Leonov Jr had this to say: 'He s good. He s really good.'.