PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Fincent LeBlond (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Josh Kirkland (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). LeBlond comes to the cage accompanied by Kari Tapio - Olen Suomalainen. Kirkland has chosen Lightwork - by Lupe Fiasco as his entrance music. On his way into the cage it seems that Fincent LeBlond has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Fincent LeBlond seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

LeBlond
vs
Kirkland

196 cm
26
255 lbs
14 - 8 - 0

192 cm
30
264 lbs
17 - 15 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

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 14 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Fincent LeBlond!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 15 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Josh Kirkland!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Roosa Järviläinen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
LeBlond lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kirkland circles away quickly and effectively.
Kirkland walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

Kirkland shoots in and bounces LeBlond off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
LeBlond is trying to keep Kirkland in close.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Kirkland's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kirkland throws a strike but LeBlond rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Kirkland is trying to control the position but LeBlond postures up.
Kirkland looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kirkland has control of LeBlond's left arm, preventing LeBlond from doing any damage.
Kirkland looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Josh Kirkland wasn't active enough on the ground.
LeBlond smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

Kirkland shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. LeBlond is trying to defend but Kirkland finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Kirkland is pressing down on LeBlond's thigh, looking to free his foot. LeBlond is holding on for now.
LeBlond works his way to full guard. Good work.
LeBlond trying to control the position.
Kirkland sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed LeBlond's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kirkland prevents LeBlond from improving his position.
LeBlond regains full guard. Nicely done.
LeBlond is trying to keep Kirkland in close.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kirkland avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Kirkland trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
LeBlond is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Kirkland must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Kirkland throws a big right hand that misses.
Kirkland postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kirkland lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Kirkland working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
LeBlond working a defensive guard here.
Kirkland trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kirkland keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of LeBlond's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kirkland in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
LeBlond is trying to control the position but Kirkland postures up.
Kirkland throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kirkland throws a big elbow that misses.
Kirkland is working LeBlond over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Kirkland throws a big right hand that misses.
Kirkland with a nice head shot there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Kirkland's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Kirkland thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Kirkland passes into half guard.
LeBlond is trying to maintain the position but Kirkland is very close to passing his half guard.

Kirkland seems to be looking for submissions.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kirkland is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kirkland with the ground and pound but LeBlond uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Kirkland trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kirkland cracks LeBlond with a solid left hand.

Kirkland postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! LeBlond is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Kirkland, into his guard.
Kirkland wants to sweep but no luck.
LeBlond looking to pass the guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kirkland controls LeBlond momentarily but LeBlond frees himself.
LeBlond wants to control from the top but Kirkland keeps moving.
LeBlond tries to free his leg and advance position but Kirkland is retaining full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Kirkland dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kirkland tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but LeBlond swivels and escapes.
LeBlond connects with a jab.
That kick from LeBlond tenderised Kirkland's leg. Kirkland is trying to keep his angry face on.
Kirkland misses with a wild combination.
Kirkland throws a leg kick that is checked
and LeBlond counters with a nice kick to the body.
Kirkland misses with a combination
and LeBlond counters with a nice leg kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
LeBlond bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Kirkland's head.
Kirkland takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
LeBlond moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Kirkland takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
LeBlond goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

LeBlond closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Kirkland's guard.
LeBlond is pushing down on Kirkland's leg trying to pass to half guard. Kirkland is fighting to maintain full guard but LeBlond has managed to sneak the leg through.
LeBlond works his foot free and advances to mount.
Kirkland is breathing heavily.
Kirkland gets back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
LeBlond is controlling the pace.

LeBlond is trying to work for a kimura but Kirkland is defending well.
Kirkland has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. LeBlond is working away from the top position though.
LeBlond trying to control from half guard but Kirkland is working away.
Kirkland tries to get to full guard but LeBlond has control of the leg.
Kirkland taking some punishment here, with LeBlond in his half guard.
LeBlond is looking to advance position but Kirkland won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kirkland gets back to full guard.
LeBlond trying to control but Kirkland is working from the bottom.
LeBlond stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kirkland swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kirkland is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
LeBlond is trying to get back to full guard.
LeBlond moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kirkland lands a couple of elbows.
Kirkland lands a couple of digs.

LeBlond throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kirkland is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
LeBlond wants to sweep here but Kirkland controlling him for the moment.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now LeBlond is on top in guard.
LeBlond pushing down on Kirkland's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Kirkland trying to get back to full guard but LeBlond takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Kirkland is working to get back to half guard.
Kirkland is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Kirkland tries to hold on but LeBlond postures up.
Josh Kirkland has got the better of the ground game so far.
LeBlond looking to finish Kirkland with some ground and pound. This is bad for Kirkland!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kirkland is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
LeBlond scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Kirkland?
LeBlond looking to control but Kirkland is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Kirkland can't escape the position.
LeBlond lands a big elbow.
Kirkland tries to lock up and control but LeBlond gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
LeBlond tries to control but Kirkland wriggling away.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kirkland is trying desperately to improve position.
LeBlond lands a nice shot to the head.
LeBlond trying to control but he's not successful this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fincent LeBlond dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Kirkland misses with a wild body shot.
Josh Kirkland seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
No luck for Kirkland with that takedown attempt.
Kirkland lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

It looks like Fincent LeBlond has been cut.
Kirkland misses with a straight right.
A jab from Kirkland does it's job there.
LeBlond displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kirkland throws out the jab.
Kirkland throws a hook but LeBlond avoids it easily.
Kirkland misses with a hook. LeBlond ducked under it nicely.
LeBlond dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kirkland throws a half hearted mid kick.
LeBlond shoots for a takedown but Kirkland saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kirkland takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kirkland sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
LeBlond throws a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kirkland walks forward, straight into a front kick from LeBlond.
LeBlond cracks the inside of Kirkland's front leg.
LeBlond cracks Kirkland with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Kirkland's hands are dropping dangerously low here and LeBlond connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Kirkland scrambles back to his feet.
Kirkland misses with a takedown attempt
and LeBlond counters with a body kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
LeBlond scoring well with a low kick there.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by LeBlond.

LeBlond fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Kirkland sprawls well initially but LeBlond persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
LeBlond wants to control but Kirkland is keeping him busy.
LeBlond slows the pace down in half guard.
Kirkland tries to get to full guard but LeBlond has control of the leg.
Kirkland regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
LeBlond showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
LeBlond forces his way into half guard.
Kirkland has a hand on LeBlond's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. LeBlond takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Kirkland sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Kirkland is looking to improve his position.
Kirkland wants to sweep but LeBlond has passed to side control!
LeBlond scores with a couple of short elbows.
Kirkland is looking for a sweep.
LeBlond tries to move to mount but Kirkland blocks the move with his legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
LeBlond trying to control the action but Kirkland is working from the bottom.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Kirkland stops LeBlond from passing to mount.
LeBlond is looking to take a break and control but Kirkland is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kirkland is looking for a sweep.
LeBlond landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
LeBlond is looking to take a break and control but Kirkland is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kirkland is looking for a sweep.
LeBlond wants to control but Kirkland is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kirkland gets back to half guard.
Kirkland gets back to full guard.
Kirkland keeping full guard, as LeBlond tries to pass.
LeBlond trying to control but Kirkland is working from the bottom.
Kirkland manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. LeBlond manages to get himself to full guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kirkland throws an elbow that misses. LeBlond uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kirkland's guard. Nice move by LeBlond!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kirkland wants to sweep but no luck.
Kirkland not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Fincent LeBlond showed his dominance in that final round.
I think LeBlond 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 29:28
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Fincent LeBlond!
After winning the bout, Fincent LeBlond thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.