PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Nuriel Leonard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bartek Pietrzak (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Leonard
vs
Pietrzak

168 cm
33
147 lbs
27 - 12 - 0

171 cm
27
144 lbs
18 - 4 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Namunamu Clothing

Milwaukee's Best 160
Meet the Future

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 27 - 12 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nuriel Leonard!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Bartek Pietrzak!
The judges for this bout are Wagner Zegers, Radbod Blank and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Leonard misses the jab.
Pietrzak rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Leonard counters with a series of strikes. Pietrzak will be more careful next time no doubt.
Pietrzak fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Pietrzak stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Pietrzak wants it to stay on the feet.
Leonard loads up on a big right hand but Pietrzak slips the punch.
Leonard thows a left - swing and a miss!
Leonard cracks a nice hook into Pietrzak's ribs.
The fighters circling - Pietrzak throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Pietrzak lands with a straight right. Leonard didn't see that one coming.
Pietrzak fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Pietrzak throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Leonard ducks under a wild hook from Pietrzak.
Pietrzak slips under a jab from Leonard.
Pietrzak looks to land a body kick but Leonard moved away.
Leonard throws a series of punches but Pietrzak avoids them all with ease.
Pietrzak has a takedown stuffed.
Pietrzak moves out of range of the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pietrzak swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Leonard moves out of range of the strikes.
Leonard lands a nice hook to Pietrzak's body. Pietrzak takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Leonard uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Pietrzak.
Pietrzak misses with a body shot.
Pietrzak tries to close the distance and clinch up but Leonard swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Pietrzak keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Leonard ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Pietrzak moves away.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Pietrzak has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Pietrzak throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Pietrzak fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Leonard lands with a nice body punch.
Leonard stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Leonard uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Pietrzak.
Pietrzak slips under a jab from Leonard.
A swing and a miss from Leonard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leonard misses with a straight right.
A jab from Pietrzak misses.
Pietrzak takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Leonard misses with a straight right.
A big left from Leonard misses.
Pietrzak tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Leonard is able to avoid easily.
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!
Pietrzak staying out of range there.
Nice jab there from Pietrzak.

Pietrzak gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Pietrzak tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Pietrzak swings wildly with an uppercut but Leonard uses good head movement to avoid it.
Pietrzak blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Stalling in the clinch from Pietrzak.
Leonard prevents a body shot from Pietrzak.
Pietrzak lands a right hand that snaps the head of Leonard backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leonard avoids the elbow strike from Pietrzak, against the ropes.
Pietrzak misses with a hook from the clinch.
Leonard tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Leonard lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Leonard trying to land knees to the body.
Leonard lands an uppercut.

Leonard has hold of one of Pietrzak's legs. Pietrzak is fighting the takedown attempt but Leonard gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Leonard trying to control the position from guard on top but Pietrzak is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Leonard in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Pietrzak looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Leonard postures up in Pietrzak's guard and throws a big left but Pietrzak blocks it.
Pietrzak keeping moving, preventing Leonard from controlling successfully.
Pietrzak seems keen to control Leonard's posture.
Pietrzak keeping full guard, as Leonard tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pietrzak avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Leonard trying to control but Pietrzak is working from the bottom.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Pietrzak trying to keep a closed guard but Leonard is proving a slippery customer.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Pietrzak fails with an attempt to clinch.
Pietrzak fails with the takedown
and Leonard cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Nuriel Leonard has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bartek Pietrzak.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Leonard is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Pietrzak tries to clinch up but Leonard circles away and keeps his distance.
Pietrzak misses with a low kick as Leonard jumps back.
A cross from Pietrzak lands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Nuriel Leonard will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Leonard cracks Pietrzak with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the ropes.
Pietrzak on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Pietrzak.
Nuriel Leonard is winning the standup battle so far.
Pietrzak is looking to slow Leonard down with leg kicks.
Pietrzak fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Leonard manages to avoid it.
Bartek Pietrzak seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pietrzak uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Leonard.
Leonard jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Pietrzak throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Leonard sees it coming and avoids it easily.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Leonard has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Pietrzak finds it's way round the side to connect with Leonard's head.
Pietrzak lands a right hook to the body.
Pietrzak dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Leonard. That did some damage!
Leonard stuns Pietrzak with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Pietrzak stuns Leonard with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Pietrzak throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Leonard counters with a nice uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Leonard scores with a nice head shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leonard uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Pietrzak.
A combination from Pietrzak does no damage.
Pietrzak wants to clinch.
Pietrzak keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Leonard.
Pietrzak scores with a one two! Leonard had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Leonard connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Pietrzak lands a head kick!
Pietrzak ducks under a wild hook from Leonard.
Pietrzak throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Pietrzak pulls out of a head kick attempt.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Pietrzak.
Leonard cracks a nice hook into Pietrzak's ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Leonard misses the target.
Pietrzak shoots in looking for a takedown but Leonard manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Pietrzak's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Nuriel Leonard has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bartek Pietrzak.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Pietrzak tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Pietrzak shoots in for a takedown but Leonard shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Nice body punch from Leonard.
Leonard throws a body punch but Pietrzak moves out of range.
Leonard bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Pietrzak's head.
Pietrzak misses with a body shot
and Leonard counters with a straight right hand.
Pietrzak wants to clinch.
Pietrzak delivers a nice body kick.
Leonard takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Pietrzak walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leonard thows a body shot but no joy.
Pietrzak blocks a jab.
Jab, jab by Leonard - just one landing.
Leonard throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Leonard fails with the takedown.
Pietrzak slips under a jab from Leonard.
Leonard ducks under a wild hook from Pietrzak.
Pietrzak ducks right into an uppercut from Leonard.
Pietrzak throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Leonard punishes Pietrzak's body with a nice straight punch.
Leonard scores with a nice strike.
Pietrzak works the jab nicely.
Leonard takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Leonard connects with a good right hand that stumbles Pietrzak. Pietrzak circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pietrzak throws a sloppy head kick and Leonard moves out of range easily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Pietrzak takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Leonard takes one to the side of the head.

Leonard looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Pietrzak!
Pietrzak is trying to control Leonard's posture but Leonard avoids it.
Leonard throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Pietrzak struggling a bit here.
Pietrzak is trying to get back to half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Leonard wants to lay and pray for a moment but Pietrzak keeps working.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nuriel Leonard dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Leonard has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Pietrzak finds it's way round the side to connect with Leonard's head.
Pietrzak fails with the takedown
letting Leonard counter with a right hand.
Pietrzak misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Pietrzak lands a nice looking body shot.
Pietrzak misses with a looping left.
Leonard lands a right hook to the body.
Leonard takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Jab, jab by Pietrzak - just one landing.
Leonard changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Leonard fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Pietrzak looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Pietrzak lands a head kick!
Pietrzak pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leonard misses with a body shot.
Pietrzak looks to score with a jab to the body but Leonard is just out of range.
Pietrzak takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Pietrzak displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Leonard throws out the jab.
Pietrzak takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Leonard misses with a body shot.
Pietrzak darts in looking for a takedown but Leonard gets double underhooks and turns Pietrzak into the ropes.
Pietrzak scores with a hook to the body.
Pietrzak trying to control the position but instead, Leonard has worked for underhooks and has pushed Pietrzak into the ropes.
Pietrzak is trying to drag Leonard to the mat but Leonard just about manages to keep his footing. He used the ropes to his advantage there.
Nuriel Leonard has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bartek Pietrzak.
Leonard looking to slow down the pace here.
Leonard lands a good knee to the midsection. Pietrzak won't want to take too many of those.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leonard struggles to land a body shot inside as Pietrzak controls his hands.
Pietrzak is trying to break the clinch but Leonard has him pressed against the ropes.
Leonard tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Pietrzak avoids it.
Pietrzak tries for a takedown but Leonard manages to get underhooks.
Leonard stalling in the clinch but Pietrzak improves position.
Leonard can't seem to implement his control oriented gameplan at the moment. That's no bad thing of course, for those of us who want to see a good fight.
Leonard just leaning against Pietrzak, taking a breather.
Leonard utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Nuriel Leonard.
Pietrzak throws a head kick that misses.
Pietrzak throws an overhand right that lands on Leonard's shoulder, as Leonard tries to avoid the shot.
Pietrzak takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leonard walks into a jab.
Leonard ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Pietrzak scores with a jab to the body.
Leonard lands a slapping body shot.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Pietrzak, as that shot connected.
Leonard avoids the body shot from Pietrzak.
Leonard scores with a jab to the body.
Leonard throws a right hand that Pietrzak ducks under and follows up with a left that Pietrzak also avoids with ease.
Pietrzak throws a sloppy head kick and Leonard moves out of range easily.
Pietrzak getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Leonard blocks a jab.
Leonard scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Pietrzak doesn't seem bothered though.
Pietrzak tries to move into range but Leonard moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Leonard tests Pietrzak's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leonard wants to clinch up but Pietrzak keeps it at a distance.
A telegraphed right hand from Pietrzak misses the target.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Leonard steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Pietrzak.
Pietrzak throws a jab when Leonard was well out of range.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Leonard will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Pietrzak up against the ropes.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Pietrzak as Leonard tries to tie him up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Maybe Leonard would be better served going for some more strikes rather than trying to control so much.
Pietrzak swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Pietrzak as Leonard tries to tie him up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nuriel Leonard clearly takes that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Pietrzak throws a solid leg kick but Leonard takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Pietrzak.
Pietrzak looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Leonard is fending him off so far but Pietrzak persists. Nope, Leonard circles away and we're back to standing.
Pietrzak tries to clinch up but Leonard circles away and keeps his distance.
Pietrzak lands a glancing blow to the side of Leonard's head.
Leonard misses with a hook. Pietrzak ducked under it nicely.
Pietrzak tries to close the distance and clinch up but Leonard swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Pietrzak works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Pietrzak uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Leonard.
Leonard digs a good body shot into Pietrzak's ribs.
Horrible takedown by Pietrzak or perhaps it was just good defense by Leonard which made him look bad.
Leonard throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Pietrzak moves out of range of the strikes.
Pietrzak throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Leonard stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leonard misses the jab.
Pietrzak gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Leonard.
Pietrzak fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
A big right from Leonard misses.
Pietrzak misses with an attempted mid kick.
Pietrzak throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Leonard digs a good body shot into Pietrzak's ribs.
Leonard checks the leg kick nicely there.
Pietrzak throws a front kick aimed at Leonard's knee but Leonard avoids it well.
Pietrzak tries to close the distance and clinch but Leonard swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Leonard scores with a hook to the body. Pietrzak takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Leonard checks a low kick from Pietrzak.
Leonard misses with a wild body shot.
Leonard checks a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Pietrzak forces Leonard back against the ropes and clinches.
Leonard blocks an uppercut.
Pietrzak looking to stall.
Leonard using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Pietrzak is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Leonard scores a nice knee to the body.
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!
Pietrzak looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A knee to the head by Leonard.
Leonard stalls.
Leonard landing knees to the head.
Leonard connects with a nasty looking knee right to Pietrzak's face.

Leonard turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Leonard manages to end up in side control.
Leonard lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Pietrzak down.
Leonard working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pietrzak is looking for a sweep.
Leonard lands an elbow.
Leonard working the head and body with strikes.
Pietrzak is looking to regain half guard here but Leonard keeps moving and retains side control.
Leonard lands a decent elbow from side control.
Leonard landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Pietrzak can't do much from the bottom here.
Nuriel Leonard overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The referee asks Leonard politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Leonard prefers to stall for the moment though.
An elbow from Leonard crashes against the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leonard cracks Pietrzak with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Pietrzak tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Leonard wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Leonard staying calm.
Leonard trying to control the position but Pietrzak is working away.
Pietrzak wants to control but Leonard postures up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Leonard is looking to take a break and control but Pietrzak is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Leonard working the body and head with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nuriel Leonard had his way with Bartek Pietrzak in that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

A good leg kick by Pietrzak.
Pietrzak throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Leonard swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Leonard misses with a hook. Pietrzak ducked under it nicely.
Leonard is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Pietrzak throws a poor cross that misses
and Leonard counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Leonard checks the leg kick.
Leonard takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Leonard steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Pietrzak.
Pietrzak shoots for a takedown but Leonard saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Leonard throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
The fighters circle momentarily. Leonard darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Pietrzak misses with a leg kick
and Leonard counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Leonard throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Leonard takes a swing at Pietrzak's ribcage but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leonard throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Leonard misses with a hook. Pietrzak ducked under it nicely.
Pietrzak shoots in looking for a takedown. Leonard tries to sprawl out of it but Pietrzak keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Leonard manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Pietrzak misses with a takedown
and Leonard counters with a stiff right hand.
Nuriel Leonard has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bartek Pietrzak.
Leonard uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Pietrzak has time to react.
Pietrzak throws a jab when Leonard was well out of range.
Pietrzak staying out of range there.
Leonard misses with a right hand
enabling Pietrzak to counter with a crisp jab.
Pietrzak keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Leonard.

Pietrzak closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Leonard quickly recovers to half guard.
Pietrzak wants to pass the guard but Leonard is defending well.
Leonard wants to control but Pietrzak is keeping busy.
Bartek Pietrzak has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pietrzak wants to free his trapped foot but Leonard is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Leonard is trying to stand.
Pietrzak drops an elbow to the side of Leonard's head.
Leonard blocking the ground and pound attempt from Pietrzak.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Pietrzak not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Leonard controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Leonard works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pietrzak working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Pietrzak looking to pass the guard.
Leonard is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Pietrzak wants to control from the top but Leonard keeps moving.
Leonard wants to sweep but no luck.
Pietrzak trying to control but Leonard is working from the bottom.
Nuriel Leonard is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Leonard trying to keep a closed guard but Pietrzak is proving a slippery customer.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Nuriel Leonard.
Leonard swings widly with a right hand

and Pietrzak counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Leonard manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Leonard punching from mount but Pietrzak doing a good job of avoiding damage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Leonard looking to finish Pietrzak with some ground and pound. This is bad for Pietrzak!
Leonard can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Pietrzak is looking to escape.
Pietrzak takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Leonard lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Nuriel Leonard.
Well Leonard has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Wagner Zegers scores the fight 50:45
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 50:45
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nuriel Leonard!
Nuriel Leonard is the new bantamweight champion!
Nuriel Leonard spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.