PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kato Hanzo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steffan Lessard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Steffan Lessard struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 186.1lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. The key to victory for Kato Hanzo has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Hanzo
vs
Lessard

173 cm
25
188 lbs
16 - 12 - 0

188 cm
26
204 lbs
9 - 7 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Counter striker
Powerful

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kato Hanzo!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Steffan Lessard!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Wesley Smith and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hanzo shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Hanzo was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Hanzo looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Lessard keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Hanzo stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
Lessard moves out of range of the body kick.
Hanzo wants to clinch but Lessard slips to the side
and Lessard counters with a stiff right hand.

Lessard gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Hanzo drops back looking for a leg! Lessard is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Lessard manages to kick Hanzo off! Hanzo jumps back into Lessard's guard.
Lessard is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Hanzo drops back, looking for a kneebar! Lessard looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Lessard looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Lessard!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hanzo manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Lessard scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Lessard throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Hanzo slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Hanzo working for a triangle but Lessard defends it easily.
Hanzo keeping moving, preventing Lessard from controlling successfully.
Lessard trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Lessard working some strikes from top position.

Hanzo has his foot on Lessard's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Lessard works his way back into a safe position though.

Hanzo has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Lessard can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Hanzo might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Hanzo is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Lessard postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Hanzo has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Lessard has passed into side control.
Hanzo is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Hanzo is looking for a sweep.
Hanzo takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Hanzo taking a bit of punishment here - Lessard scoring with strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hanzo tries to buck Lessard off but Lessard is having none of it.
Hanzo on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Lessard working the body and head with strikes.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Hanzo manages to get back to half guard.
Lessard really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Hanzo. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Hanzo looking for submissions off his back.
Nice strikes from Lessard there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice strikes from Lessard there.
Lessard working Hanzo over with strikes.
Lessard is keen to just control but Hanzo is a slippery customer.
Lessard slips a nice elbow through Hanzo's hands, connecting with Hanzo's forehead.
Hanzo is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Ground and pound from Lessard.

Hanzo looking for submissions off his back.
Lessard is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Lessard landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Lessard lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lessard 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.

Hanzo looking for submissions off his back.
Hanzo is not content to let Lessard control the position.
Lessard looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Hanzo with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Hanzo is trying to get back to full guard.
Hanzo has hold of Lessard's hands but Lessard slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Hanzo kicks off Lessard and gets to his feet.

Hanzo looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lessard scores with a short punch from the bottom.
Hanzo wants to pass the guard but Lessard is keeping the position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Lessard can do anything to dispel that myth.
Lessard manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Hanzo manages to get himself to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steffan Lessard dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Hanzo changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Lessard looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
You can see the frustration on Lessard's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Lessard is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Lessard can't do much from the bottom here.
Lessard sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Hanzo tries to pass to full mount but Lessard defends it.
Lessard tries to get to full guard but Hanzo has control of the leg.
Hanzo tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Lessard is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lessard is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Steffan Lessard has got the better of the ground game so far.
Lessard keeps control of the position for the meantime.

Hanzo is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Lessard doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Hanzo.

Hanzo is working for a submission of some sort.

Hanzo stands up and beckons Lessard to join him on the feet.
Kato Hanzo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
A combination from Hanzo does no damage.

Hanzo closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Lessard is in trouble now - Hanzo has advanced to mount!
Lessard is working to get back to half guard.

Hanzo swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Lessard is now in Hanzo's guard. A big mistake from Hanzo there, giving up the dominant position!
Lessard lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Hanzo working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Lessard doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Lessard manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Lessard's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lessard tries to free his leg and advance position but Hanzo is retaining full guard.
Lessard with a nice head shot there.
Lessard lands a couple of elbows.
Lessard looking to sit in guard and control but Hanzo gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Hanzo wants to pass the guard but Lessard is keeping the position.
Lessard is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Hanzo tries to free his leg and advance position but Lessard is retaining full guard.
Hanzo stopping the sweep attempt from Lessard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lessard utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hanzo looking to pass the guard.

Hanzo stands and steps away. Lessard gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Hanzo lands with a straight right. Lessard didn't see that one coming.

Lessard scores a takedown into full mount!
Lessard is landing with some decent strikes but Hanzo is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Hanzo tries to reverse the position but Lessard maintains control.
Hanzo takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Hanzo working to try and regain half guard.
Lessard putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hanzo gets back to half 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!

Hanzo looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Kato Hanzo will probably get the nod.
That's time! Hanzo's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Lessard darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Hanzo is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Lessard pulls his head out easily.

Hanzo actively working from the bottom here.
The fighters are battling for position here. Hanzo manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Hanzo escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Lessard gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lessard is working Hanzo over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Lessard scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lessard working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Lessard makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Lessard must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Lessard postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Lessard lands a couple of elbows.
Lessard tries to free his leg and advance position but Hanzo is retaining full guard.
Lessard works over Hanzo with some ground and pound from guard.
Hanzo is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Lessard lands a couple of elbows.
Lessard postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Lessard with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Lessard with a nice head shot there.

Hanzo kicks Lessard off and gets to his feet.

Lessard closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Lessard stops Hanzo from getting back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hanzo is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Lessard scores with a couple of nice shots.
Hanzo is looking for a sweep. Lessard is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Lessard is nestled in close to Hanzo, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Hanzo is looking to improve his position.
Lessard seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hanzo has a hand on Lessard's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Lessard takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Lessard looking to finish Hanzo with some ground and pound. This is bad for Hanzo!
Lessard landing strikes from the mount and Hanzo is in trouble!
A nice elbow there by Lessard.
Lessard working Hanzo over with strikes here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hanzo is looking to improve his position but Lessard isn't that keen on the idea.
Hanzo is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Lessard with the ground and pound from mount.
Lessard lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Hanzo taking shots to the head.
Lessard landing shots from mount.

Hanzo is rocked!
The referee warns Hanzo that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Oh Hanzo is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Lessard looking to finish Hanzo with some ground and pound. This is bad for Hanzo!
Hanzo is looking to get to half guard.
Lessard is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Lessard lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Hanzo seems to have got his legs back now.
Lessard landing strikes from the mount and Hanzo is in trouble!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hanzo is squirming around, avoiding Lessard's attempts to control the action.
Hanzo tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Lessard punishing his opponent with strikes.
Hanzo tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Lessard lands a heavy elbow.
Lessard punishing his opponent with strikes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hanzo bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

Hanzo drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Lessard dives on top into guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hanzo looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Lessard is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steffan Lessard really dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Hanzo scores with a takedown into Lessard's guard.
Lessard looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hanzo is one step ahead there.
Lessard can't keep his opponent in guard - Hanzo advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Lessard tries to get to full guard but Hanzo has control of the leg.
Hanzo is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Lessard tries to get to full guard but Hanzo has control of the leg.

Hanzo decides to return to a standing position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hanzo goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

Lessard tries to sprawl but Hanzo drives through with a takedown into half guard.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Lessard wants to improve his position but Hanzo is controlling well.
Hanzo passes to side control.
Lessard is looking to regain half guard here but Hanzo keeps moving and retains side control.
Hanzo cracks Lessard with an elbow. That is naaassty.

Hanzo wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Lessard, who protects the arm well.

Hanzo thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Lessard is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Hanzo's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hanzo wants to get back to his feet.
Lessard works his way to full guard. Good work.

Hanzo decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Lessard, up you get!

Hanzo scores with a takedown into Lessard's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hanzo trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Lessard is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Hanzo trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lessard looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Lessard controls Hanzo momentarily but Hanzo frees himself.
Hanzo looking to pass the guard.
Lessard is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Hanzo shoots in and bounces Lessard off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Hanzo wants to get up but he can't break Lessard's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Lessard wants to sweep here but Hanzo controlling him for the moment.
Hanzo passes into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hanzo seems to be looking for submissions.
Lessard is trying to control but can't.
Lessard moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Hanzo wanted to stand there but Lessard had control of the position.
Lessard is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Lessard looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hanzo pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Lessard is keeping the position for now.
Hanzo is working hard here to advance position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kato Hanzo had his way with Steffan Lessard in that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Lessard scores a takedown into full mount!
Lessard looking to control but Hanzo is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Lessard is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Hanzo can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Hanzo sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Hanzo tries to kick Lessard off but Lessard keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Lessard is looking to take a break and control but Hanzo is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Hanzo is looking for a sweep. Lessard is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Nice strikes from Lessard there.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lessard 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.
Lessard seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Hanzo tries to get to full guard but Lessard has control of the leg.
Lessard lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Lessard seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Hanzo won't allow Lessard to pass to mount.
Hanzo tries to kick Lessard off but Lessard keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Lessard is nestled in close to Hanzo, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Lessard blocks the strikes from Hanzo.
Lessard lands strikes from half guard.

Hanzo is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Lessard pulls his head out easily.
Hanzo is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Lessard scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hanzo has hold of Lessard's hands but Lessard slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Lessard looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Lessard 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.

Hanzo looking for submissions off his back.
Hanzo is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Lessard scores with a couple of nice shots.
Lessard winds up and cracks Hanzo with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Ground and pound from Lessard.
Lessard missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Lessard is stalling here. Hanzo is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Lessard seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Hanzo has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Lessard is looking to regain half guard here but Hanzo keeps moving and retains side control.

Hanzo is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Lessard has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hanzo tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Lessard is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Hanzo's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Lessard is trying to get back to full guard.
Hanzo passes to full mount!
Lessard avoids a series of strikes thrown by Hanzo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Hanzo is looking to stand but Hanzo has his arms wrapped tightly around him, looking to prevent the damage.
Lessard is trying desperately to improve position.
Hanzo is looking to work his way around to Lessard's back. He needs to be careful though, as he's in danger of losing this dominant position.
Lessard flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.

Hanzo stands up from mount. Strange move.
Lessard shoots for a takedown but Hanzo saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Hanzo tries to bum rush Lessard with a series of wild strikes but Lessard uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Lessard shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Hanzo manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Hanzo is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Hanzo has his foot on Lessard's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Lessard works his way back into a safe position though.

And that's the end of the fight!
Steffan Lessard comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Lessard 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge George Francis scores the fight for Steffan Lessard!
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight for Steffan Lessard!
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight for Steffan Lessard!

Steffan Lessard wins by unanimous decision!
Steffan Lessard is the new middleweight champion!