PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vadim Leonov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shin Sato (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sato has chosen Thunderstruck as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Leonov
vs
Sato

194 cm
21
248 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

196 cm
22
276 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Determined

S.W.A.T.

Firebird Designs
Firebird Designs

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 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Vadim Leonov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Shin Sato!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Frank Dennis and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sato throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Leonov closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Sato 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.
Leonov throwing shots but Sato is blocking nicely.
Sato is trying to stand up here but Leonov is controlling him well.
Leonov tries to pass the half guard into mount. Sato knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Sato keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Leonov looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Sato wants to get back to his feet.

Sato has one foot on Leonov's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

Sato gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Leonov takes a knee right on the jaw!
A right hand to the body from Leonov.
Leonov fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Sato escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sato tries a head kick but it misses.
Sato tries to clinch but Leonov is having none of it.
Nice takedown defense from Sato. No joy for Leonov on that attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Leonov rushes Sato and presses him up against the cage.
Sato throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Leonov blocks it with crossed arms.
Sato misses with a knee strike.

Sato breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Sato misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sato throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sato looks gassed!
Sato closes the distance but Leonov moves to the side

and Leonov counters with a shoot takedown. Sato fights it but they end up in guard.
Leonov landing with the ground and pound.
Leonov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Leonov stands up from Sato's guard - Leonov perhaps looking for a knockout.
Sato tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Leonov counters with a shoot takedown. Sato fights it but they end up in guard.

Leonov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Leonov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Leonov has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Sato wants to stand and escape but Leonov is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leonov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Leonov won't allow Sato to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Leonov postures up.
Leonov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

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

and Leonov counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sato has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

Sato manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Sato throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Leonov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sato swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vadim Leonov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leonov shoots for a double leg takedown but Sato sprawls well. He's pushed Leonov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Sato throws a sloppy head kick and Leonov moves out of range easily.
Sato rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Leonov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A head kick by Sato misses

and Leonov counters with a nice double leg into side control. Sato won't be happy with that.
Leonov working the head with strikes.
An elbow from Leonov crashes against the mat.
Sato tries to escape but Leonov is in control.

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

Leonov working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Sato is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Leonov is controlling him well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters take a look at the clock.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Sato lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Leonov takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

Sato drives through and clinches with Leonov against the cage.
Leonov goes for a takedown attempt but Sato pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Sato clinches but Leonov breaks the clinch
and Leonov counters with a one-two to the body.
Sato tries to clinch up

and Leonov counters by moving into the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sato throws a knee to the head but misses.
Sato misses with a knee strike.
Sato wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Leonov has him pressed against the cage.
Sato misses with a knee strike.
Sato prevents the takedown attempt.
Leonov is looking to control Sato's arms but Sato gets an underhook and turns him. Now Leonov has his back to the cage.
Sato throws a knee to the head but misses.
Leonov goes for a takedown in the clinch but Sato prevents it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Leonov has a takedown stuffed.
Sato tries a head kick but it misses.
Sato misses with a double jab.
Sato misses with a head kick.
Leonov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Sato tries to avoid it but Leonov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Sato to the ground. Sato escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Sato tries to clinch up

and Leonov counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Sato!
Sato is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Sato bucks Leonov off and manages to get back to his feet!
Nice sprawl there from Sato as Leonov shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vadim Leonov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Leonov looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Leonov shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Leonov showed some decent athleticism there.
Sato is pressing down on Leonov's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Sato is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Leonov is controlling him.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Leonov here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.

Leonov stands and steps away. Sato gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Leonov looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Leonov wants to pass the guard but Sato is defending well.

Leonov stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Sato misses with a lunging right hand

and Leonov counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Leonov.

Leonov lands a takedown into guard.
Leonov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Leonov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leonov postures up in Sato's guard and throws a big left but Sato blocks it.
Sato keeping full guard, as Leonov tries to pass.
Leonov throws a big right hand that misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sato is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Leonov is controlling him.
Sato is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

Sato has his feet on Leonov's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sato tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Leonov shoots in but Sato avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Sato swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Leonov decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Sato's guard.
Leonov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Sato kicks Leonov off and gets to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Leonov.
Sato tries a head kick but it misses.
Vadim Leonov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Horrible takedown by Leonov or perhaps it was just good defense by Sato which made him look bad.
Leonov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Sato pinned against the cage. Sato gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Leonov needs to keep his hands up - Sato had a free shot at his head there.
Sato tries to clinch up but Leonov circles away and keeps his distance.
Leonov blocks a head kick by Sato.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Leonov.

Sato throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Sato misses with a hook. Leonov ducked under it nicely.
Sato misses with a body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sato tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sato throws a sloppy head kick and Leonov moves out of range easily.

Leonov looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Sato!
Sato really wants to buck Leonov off and get back to his feet.
Sato wants to hold on but Leonov pushes him away.
Sato is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Leonov throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Poor strikes thrown by Leonov there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Sato is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Sato is looking to improve his position but Leonov isn't that keen on the idea.
Sato wants to try and get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vadim Leonov dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Leonov!
Sato closes the distance looking to clinch

and Leonov counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Sato wants to sweep but no luck.
Sato is controlling Leonov's posture.
Sato wants to stand up but Leonov is controlling him.
Leonov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Sato wants to stand but Leonov is controlling the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sato is pulling down on Leonov's head. It's preventing any offense from Leonov, at least for the moment.
Leonov thows a big elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leonov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sato is keeping the position for now.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Sato tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Leonov counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Leonov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sato swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Leonov stands up from Sato's guard - Leonov perhaps looking for a knockout.
Shin Sato seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Sato. Leonov shrugs it off though.
Sato is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Leonov.
Sato tries to clinch

and Leonov moves into the clinch.
Leonov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Sato avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Sato wants to break free but Leonov has control.
Sato tries to land a knee to the head but Leonov blocks with his arms.

Leonov manages to break the clinch.
Sato throws a head kick that misses

and Leonov counters with a nice double leg into side control. Sato won't be happy with that.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Leonov working the body and head with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leonov prevents Sato from escaping the position.
Sato can't do much from the bottom here.
Sato wants to get back to his feet.
Leonov working the ground and pound but Sato is defending the strikes.

Sato throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Leonov blocks a head kick by Sato.
A head kick misses from Sato.
Shin Sato is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sato misses with a head kick.
Leonov fails to land the takedown.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Sato - that will leave a mark!
A chopping leg kick lands by Sato.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sato throws a sloppy head kick

and Leonov counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Sato trying to keep a closed guard but Leonov is proving a slippery customer.
Sato wants to stand up but Leonov is controlling him.

Sato scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Leonov blocks a head kick by Sato.
Sato throws a head kick that Leonov semi-blocks.

Leonov has Sato up against the cage in a clinch.

Leonov manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Leonov has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Sato can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Sato preventing the sweep.
Leonov lands a couple of decent looking body shots there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leonov will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Leonov has a closed guard, preventing Sato from standing up.
Leonov looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Sato puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Leonov is trying to get back to full guard.
Sato with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Leonov wants to improve his position but Sato is controlling well.
Leonov gets full guard.
Shin Sato has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Leonov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Vadim Leonov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Leonov has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Sato can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Leonov wants to sweep here but Sato controlling him for the moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vadim Leonov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Leonov, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight for Vadim Leonov!
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight for Vadim Leonov!
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight for Vadim Leonov!

Vadim Leonov wins by unanimous decision!