PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Matt McGeer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Igor Leao da Ilha (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McGeer has a slight injury, which hopefully won't affect the fight too much. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

McGeer
vs
Leao da Ilha

190 cm
18
240 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

193 cm
18
270 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Good chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Tends to cut

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Matt McGeer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Igor Leao da Ilha!
The judges for this bout are Alyssa Summers, Eddie Farnsworth and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Leao da Ilha misses the jab.

Leao da Ilha throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. McGeer was covering up waiting for the punch and Leao da Ilha finishes the takedown easily into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Leao da Ilha postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
McGeer preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Leao da Ilha missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
McGeer utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Leao da Ilha is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
I looks like Leao da Ilha might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leao da Ilha throwing strikes from guard but McGeer blocks nicely.
Leao da Ilha looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Despite being in the dominant position, Igor Leao da Ilha just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
McGeer wants to clinch up but Leao da Ilha keeps it at a distance.
McGeer closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Leao da Ilha loads up on a big right hand but McGeer slips the punch.
Leao da Ilha looks to throw the jab but McGeer is out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Leao da Ilha will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
McGeer tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Leao da Ilha throws a hook to the side of McGeer's head but McGeer sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Leao da Ilha bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
McGeer is breathing heavily.
Leao da Ilha creates some space and throws a big elbow, but McGeer sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
McGeer trying to remain calm as Leao da Ilha controls from the top position.
McGeer throws a couple of punches but he's in a bad position and they don't land.
Leao da Ilha is staying tight to McGeer's torso, preventing him from escaping.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGeer takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
McGeer is being controlled here.
Leao da Ilha looking to punish the body of his opponent here but McGeer is avoiding damage well.
Leao da Ilha in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

Leao da Ilha stands up and we're back to a striking position.

Leao da Ilha looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for McGeer!
Leao da Ilha looking to control and managing it successfully.
Leao da Ilha landing punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leao da Ilha sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

Despite being in the dominant position, Igor Leao da Ilha just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Leao da Ilha throws the left hand but McGeer avoids the punch easily.

Leao da Ilha bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Leao da Ilha thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
McGeer wants to control but Leao da Ilha postures up.
McGeer is trying to improve his position.
Leao da Ilha throwing shots but missing, from side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Igor Leao da Ilha dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Leao da Ilha looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Leao da Ilha controlling the pace.
Leao da Ilha drops an elbow to the side of McGeer's head.
Leao da Ilha should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
McGeer won't allow Leao da Ilha to pass to mount.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Leao da Ilha working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Leao da Ilha stalling.
Leao da Ilha sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. McGeer defending well though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGeer keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Leao da Ilha trying to advance position but McGeer counters by regaining guard.
McGeer being controlled here, momentarily.
Let's hope that Leao da Ilha has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

McGeer looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Leao da Ilha really doesn't want to stay on the ground with McGeer. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

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.
Leao da Ilha is looking to stand up but McGeer won't let him.
Leao da Ilha is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Leao da Ilha's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

Despite being in the dominant position, Igor Leao da Ilha just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Leao da Ilha throws an uppercut from half a mile away. McGeer sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Leao da Ilha lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Leao da Ilha avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
McGeer circles away from the clinch attempt.
A swing and a miss from Leao da Ilha.

Leao da Ilha fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. McGeer sprawls well initially but Leao da Ilha persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Leao da Ilha takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Leao da Ilha thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed McGeer's head.
Leao da Ilha keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leao da Ilha wants to pass to mount but McGeer is defending the position.
Leao da Ilha controlling the action here.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Leao da Ilha connects with a nice short shot to McGeer's temple.
Still in half guard, Leao da Ilha seems content to control.
Leao da Ilha looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Leao da Ilha sitting and controlling from the half guard.
McGeer avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Leao da Ilha.
Leao da Ilha sitting and controlling from the half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Leao da Ilha missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Leao da Ilha keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

Despite being in the dominant position, Igor Leao da Ilha just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Leao da Ilha scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Leao da Ilha in side control, just content to control the action for now.
McGeer prevents Leao da Ilha from moving into mount.

Leao da Ilha tries for a kimura but McGeer is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Igor Leao da Ilha showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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!

Leao da Ilha throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Leao da Ilha fails to land the takedown.

Leao da Ilha looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Leao da Ilha wants to lay and pray for a moment but McGeer keeps working.
Leao da Ilha not doing much here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
McGeer moves into full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGeer preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
McGeer trying to keep a closed guard but Leao da Ilha is proving a slippery customer.
Leao da Ilha wants to get up but he can't break McGeer's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Leao da Ilha is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Leao da Ilha wants to control from the top but McGeer keeps moving.
Leao da Ilha controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Leao da Ilha chips away with some ground and pound.
Leao da Ilha working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
McGeer trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Leao da Ilha throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
McGeer throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Leao da Ilha shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Leao da Ilha was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Igor Leao da Ilha is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Leao da Ilha content just to control the position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leao da Ilha throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Leao da Ilha controlling the position easily from mount.
Matt McGeer has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Despite being in the dominant position, Igor Leao da Ilha just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
McGeer wants to clinch but Leao da Ilha slips to the side

and Leao da Ilha counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leao da Ilha controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
McGeer keeping moving, preventing Leao da Ilha from controlling successfully.

Leao da Ilha got a little sloppy there for a moment and McGeer has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Leao da Ilha has managed to get both his arms back between McGeer's legs - danger averted.
Leao da Ilha is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

And that's the end of the fight!
Igor Leao da Ilha comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Leao da Ilha 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 Alyssa Summers scores the fight 26:30
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 26:30
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Igor Leao da Ilha!