PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Chris Gilstrap (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Leonardo Lecci (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Gilstrap
vs
Lecci

185 cm
18
180 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

177 cm
22
195 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Decent knees
Granite chin

Hell's Kitchen Lab Corp

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Chris Gilstrap!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Leonardo Lecci!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lecci tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gilstrap swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Lecci looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Gilstrap keeps the fight on the outside.
Gilstrap fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Gilstrap swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Gilstrap looks to score with a jab to the body but Lecci is just out of range.

Gilstrap instigates a clinch.
Gilstrap tries for a takedown but Lecci manages to get underhooks.

Gilstrap wants the takedown. Lecci is fighting it off but Gilstrap persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Lecci's guard against the ropes.
Gilstrap content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Lecci wants to stand and escape but Gilstrap is having none of it.
Gilstrap working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Gilstrap pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Lecci is keeping the position for now.
Gilstrap postures up and lands a big shot to Lecci's brow.
Gilstrap has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Lecci keeping full guard, as Gilstrap tries to pass.
Gilstrap connects with a couple of short punches.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gilstrap is working Lecci over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Gilstrap scoring with punches to the head and body.
Gilstrap scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Gilstrap landing some decent shots from guard.
Gilstrap scoring with punches to the head and body.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gilstrap is in close to Lecci's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Gilstrap scoring with punches to the head and body.
Gilstrap won't allow Lecci to get back to his feet.
Gilstrap cracks Lecci with a solid left hand.
Gilstrap scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Gilstrap connects with a couple of short punches.
Gilstrap scoring with punches to the head and body.
Gilstrap cracks Lecci with a solid left hand.
Lecci has momentary wrist control but Gilstrap slips an elbow through the middle.
Gilstrap scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Gilstrap working some strikes from top position.
Gilstrap lands a couple of elbows.
Gilstrap working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Gilstrap distracts Lecci with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Gilstrap won't allow Lecci to get back to his feet.
Gilstrap landing with the ground and pound.
Gilstrap is working Lecci over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gilstrap with a nice head shot there.
Gilstrap slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Lecci takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Gilstrap lands a decent elbow from side control.
Check out the look on Gilstrap's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Gilstrap lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Lecci down.
Gilstrap looks up at the clock and then as Lecci takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Gilstrap smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Lecci takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Gilstrap knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Lecci on the ground.
Lecci is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Lecci pushes Gilstrap away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Gilstrap gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Lecci on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Gilstrap cracks Lecci with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Gilstrap scores with a couple of short elbows.
Gilstrap working the head and body with strikes.
Gilstrap working the ground and pound.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lecci pushes Gilstrap away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Gilstrap gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Gilstrap working the head and body with strikes.
Gilstrap working the ground and pound.
Lecci wants to get back to his feet.
Gilstrap tries to advance to mount but can't.
Gilstrap cracks Lecci with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Lecci is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Gilstrap is controlling him well.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Gilstrap changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Lecci looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Lecci takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Gilstrap working the ground and pound from side control.
Lecci is trying to get back to his feet.
Gilstrap connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Lecci some visible discomfort.
Gilstrap lands a decent elbow from side control.
Gilstrap lands a nice forearm strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gilstrap in side control lands a decent elbow.
Lecci is pushing Gilstrap's head away, looking to escape. Gilstrap manages to hold on to the position though.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Lecci avoids a punch combination nicely.
Gilstrap throws the left hand but Lecci avoids the punch easily.
Gilstrap connects with a body shot.
Lecci takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Leonardo Lecci seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lecci tries to clinch

and Gilstrap counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Lecci!
Gilstrap is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Lecci can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Gilstrap in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Lecci can do anything to dispel that myth.
Gilstrap with a couple of short strikes.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Lecci really wants to buck Gilstrap off and get back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gilstrap working the ground and pound effectively.
Gilstrap breaks from Lecci's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Lecci is trying to get to the ropes to help him get back to his feet.
Gilstrap with a couple of short strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Gilstrap dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

A telegraphed takedown attempt from Gilstrap is defended easily by Lecci.

Gilstrap has managed to clinch.
Gilstrap drops down looking for an ankle pick but Lecci pulls his leg out and moves away.

Gilstrap has closed the distance and engaged Lecci in a clinch.

Gilstrap gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Gilstrap looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Lecci with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Gilstrap working over Lecci with some ground and pound. Lecci looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Gilstrap works his way into side control.
Lecci is trying to get back to his feet.
Lecci taking a bit of punishment here - Gilstrap scoring with strikes.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Gilstrap working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Chris Gilstrap overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Lecci on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Gilstrap works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gilstrap is putting a hurting on Lecci here, landing some big shots from side control.
Gilstrap scoring with punches from side control.
Gilstrap lands some shots froms side control.
Gilstrap cracks Lecci with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Gilstrap connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Lecci some visible discomfort.
Lecci is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the ropes but Gilstrap has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Gilstrap working the ground and pound.
Gilstrap landing strikes.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Lecci tries to clinch but fails miserably

so Gilstrap counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Gilstrap stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Lecci swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Gilstrap is working hard here to advance position.
Gilstrap with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Gilstrap scoring with some ground and pound.
Gilstrap working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Lecci is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Gilstrap is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gilstrap scoring with some ground and pound.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Gilstrap closes the distance and pushes Lecci back into the ropes.
Gilstrap is working for takedown but Lecci is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chris Gilstrap. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gilstrap has Lecci pressed up against the ropes and is working for takedown. Lecci manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Knees to the body from Lecci.
Gilstrap is looking for a takedown up against the ropes. Lecci gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Gilstrap tries for a takedown but Lecci manages to get underhooks.
Gilstrap wants a takedown.
Lecci is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Gilstrap is defending well for now.
Lecci missing with knees to the body.

Gilstrap lands a takedown into guard.

Lecci kicks Gilstrap off and gets to his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gilstrap throws an overhand right that lands on Lecci's shoulder, as Lecci tries to avoid the shot.
Lecci darts in trying to clinch

and Gilstrap counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Lecci pushes Gilstrap off looking to stand but Gilstrap dives back in and keeps control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gilstrap lands strikes from half guard.
Gilstrap working Lecci over with strikes.
Gilstrap winds up and cracks Lecci with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Lecci wants to get back to his feet.
Gilstrap drops an elbow to the side of Lecci's head.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Gilstrap lands a slapping body shot.

Gilstrap has Lecci up against the ropes in a clinch.
Lecci prevents the takedown attempt.
Gilstrap can't get the takedown.
Gilstrap tries for a takedown. No joy.
Lecci utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Lecci prevents a takedown attempt there.
Gilstrap is looking for a takedown up against the ropes. Lecci gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lecci lands a knee to the head.
Gilstrap changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Lecci fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Gilstrap cracks Lecci with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Lecci slips a jab and a cross from Gilstrap.

Gilstrap shoots in and bounces Lecci off the ropes to secure the takedown into guard.
Gilstrap looking to pass the guard.
Gilstrap working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Lecci's head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lecci wants to stand up but Gilstrap is controlling him.
Gilstrap lands a couple of digs.
Gilstrap working some strikes from top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Gilstrap dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Lecci tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Gilstrap counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Gilstrap.
Lecci throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Gilstrap is working for takedown but Lecci is calmly controlling the position for now.
Lecci gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Gilstrap.
Gilstrap looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chris Gilstrap. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gilstrap tries to score a body lock takedown but Lecci shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Gilstrap is working for takedown but Lecci is calmly controlling the position for now.
Gilstrap is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Gilstrap wants a takedown.
Gilstrap is working for takedown but Lecci is calmly controlling the position for now.
Lecci is pressed up against the ropes. Gilstrap has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Lecci down to the mat. Lecci avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Lecci clinches but Gilstrap breaks the clinch

and Gilstrap holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Lecci breaks the clinch.
Lecci fails with an attempt to clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Lecci gets caught flat footed, as Gilstrap shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Gilstrap lands a couple of elbows.
Lecci has momentary wrist control but Gilstrap slips an elbow through the middle.
Gilstrap prevents Lecci from getting back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gilstrap tries to free his leg and advance position but Lecci is retaining full guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Gilstrap's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Gilstrap stops Lecci from standing up.

Lecci pushes Gilstrap off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Gilstrap misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lecci.
Lecci slips under a jab from Gilstrap.
Gilstrap scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Gilstrap!

Lecci tries to keep at a distance but Gilstrap has taken the fight into the clinch.
Gilstrap changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Lecci fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Gilstrap tries to clinch up.

Gilstrap moves into the clinch successfully.
Leonardo Lecci has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gilstrap is working for takedown but Lecci is calmly controlling the position for now.
Gilstrap is working for takedown but Lecci is calmly controlling the position for now.
Gilstrap on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Gilstrap is looking for a takedown up against the ropes. Lecci gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Gilstrap can't get the takedown.
Gilstrap is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Gilstrap wants a takedown.
Lecci is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
A knee to the head by Lecci.
Lecci using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Gilstrap has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Gilstrap on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Gilstrap goes for a takedown attempt but Lecci pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Lecci throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

Gilstrap moves into the clinch.
Gilstrap is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Lecci pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Gilstrap takes a knee to the side of the body.
Lecci lands a damaging elbow.
Gilstrap changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Lecci fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Lecci wants to clinch but Gilstrap slips to the side

and Gilstrap moves into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gilstrap takes a knee right on the jaw!
Gilstrap can't get the takedown.
A knee to the head by Lecci.
Lecci tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Lecci putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Gilstrap in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Lecci lands a nice knee to the body.
Lecci prevents a takedown attempt there.
Gilstrap drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Lecci gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Lecci tries to land knees in the clinch but Gilstrap avoids the damage to the body.
Gilstrap goes for a takedown in the clinch but Lecci prevents it.
Gilstrap on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Gilstrap looking for a takedown.
Gilstrap tries to score a body lock takedown but Lecci shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Lecci looking to throw knees to the head but Gilstrap is blocking nicely.
Gilstrap has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Lecci avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Gilstrap goes for a takedown in the clinch but Lecci prevents it.
Lecci prevents the takedown attempt.
Gilstrap tries to score a body lock takedown but Lecci shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Gilstrap tries for a takedown but Lecci manages to get underhooks.
Chris Gilstrap is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gilstrap avoiding damage as Lecci throws knees to the body.
Lecci missing with knees to the body.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Lecci throws an elbow but misses.
Lecci missing with knees to the body.
Lecci wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Gilstrap has him pressed against the ropes.
Lecci missing with knees to the body.
Gilstrap wants a takedown but no success here.
Gilstrap has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Lecci is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Lecci tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Gilstrap avoids it.
Gilstrap tries for a takedown but Lecci manages to get underhooks.

Lecci breaks the clinch.
Lecci takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Gilstrap throws a series of strikes that have Lecci backpedaling.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Leonardo Lecci.
I think Gilstrap has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 29:27
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 29:27
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 29:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chris Gilstrap!