PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Speedy Atkins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tico Ponce De Leon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Atkins comes to the cage accompanied by big in japan. Ponce De Leon has chosen Los Lobos - Canción Del Mariachi as his entrance music. Tico Ponce De Leon has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Speedy Atkins's chin.

Atkins
vs
Ponce De Leon

167 cm
29
150 lbs
20 - 11 - 0

171 cm
29
149 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Speedy Atkins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Tico Ponce De Leon!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, James Glass and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Atkins avoids the body shot from Ponce De Leon.
Atkins tries to clinch there but Ponce De Leon circles away.

Atkins drives through and clinches with Ponce De Leon against the cage.
A body shot lands from Atkins.
Ponce De Leon blocks a body shot from Atkins.
Ponce De Leon wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Atkins has him pressed against the cage.
Ponce De Leon misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Atkins blocks the elbow strike.

Ponce De Leon escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ponce De Leon swats away the attempt to clinch by Atkins.
Atkins looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Atkins wants to clinch up but Ponce De Leon keeps it at a distance.
Ponce De Leon scores with a jab to the head.
Atkins throws a big shot that misses.
A clash of legs there as Ponce De Leon blocks the low kick.

Ponce De Leon moves into the clinch.
Atkins goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ponce De Leon lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Ponce De Leon takes a shot to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A nice right hand lands inside from Atkins.
Atkins keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Ponce De Leon's efforts to push away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ponce De Leon misses with a punch to the body.
Ponce De Leon is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Atkins stalls.
Atkins lands a right hand that snaps the head of Ponce De Leon backwards.
Atkins works on Ponce De Leon's body with a couple of short punches.
Atkins tries to land knees in the clinch but Ponce De Leon avoids the damage to the body.
Atkins is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Ponce De Leon prevents a body shot from Atkins.
Atkins dodges an elbow strike from Ponce De Leon.
Atkins is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Ponce De Leon is defending well for now.
Atkins has a couple of punches blocked by Ponce De Leon.
Atkins misses with a hook from the clinch.
Atkins tries to work over Ponce De Leon's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Atkins is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ponce De Leon.

Ponce De Leon breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Speedy Atkins seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Atkins checks the leg kick nicely there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ponce De Leon misses with an uppercut.
Atkins doesn't manage to clinch there - Ponce De Leon circles away.
Atkins stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Ponce De Leon.
Atkins throws a leg kick
and Ponce De Leon counters with a leg kick.

Ponce De Leon has managed to clinch.
Atkins misses with some punches.
Atkins can't find room to land a body shot as Ponce De Leon controls the action.
Atkins lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Ponce De Leon lands a damaging elbow.
Atkins throws a punch but it's blocked by Ponce De Leon.
A right handed body shot lands from Ponce De Leon.
Still in the clinch, Ponce De Leon scores with a nice short uppercut.
A short right from Atkins on the inside.
A short uppercut from Ponce De Leon.
Atkins can't find room to land a body shot as Ponce De Leon controls the action.
Atkins works on Ponce De Leon's body with a couple of short punches.
Atkins dodges an elbow strike from Ponce De Leon.
Ponce De Leon has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Atkins seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Ponce De Leon can turn it around.
Ponce De Leon blocks a body shot from Atkins.
Atkins has a couple of punches blocked by Ponce De Leon.
Atkins misses with a punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Atkins blocks an uppercut.
Ponce De Leon misses with a body punch.
Ponce De Leon is trying to maintain a safe position but Atkins gets an underhook and turns Ponce De Leon into the cage.
Atkins using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Ponce De Leon has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Atkins taking a breather.
Ponce De Leon trying to stall but Atkins improves his position.
Atkins lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Ponce De Leon lands a hook to the side of the head.
Atkins tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ponce De Leon's elbow.
A right hook to the body lands for Atkins.
Ponce De Leon swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Atkins tries to work over Ponce De Leon's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ponce De Leon tries to throw a body punch but Atkins avoids it by throwing Ponce De Leon back against the cage.
Ponce De Leon tries to throw a body punch but Atkins avoids it by throwing Ponce De Leon back against the cage.
Ponce De Leon lands an elbow inside.
Atkins lands a left hand.
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!
Ponce De Leon tries to work over Atkins's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ponce De Leon blocks a body shot from Atkins.
Atkins tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A shot in the inside from Ponce De Leon.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice elbow from Atkins.
Atkins misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ponce De Leon is stalling here.
Ponce De Leon lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Ponce De Leon misses with a hook to the ribs.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Ponce De Leon.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Atkins.
Atkins stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Atkins softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Atkins tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Atkins works on Ponce De Leon's body with a couple of short punches.
Ponce De Leon misses with the head strike.
Ponce De Leon lands a nice shot to the body.

Ponce De Leon manages to break the clinch.
Ponce De Leon tests Atkins's chin there with a solid looking shot.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Atkins lands a nice shot to the body.
Atkins lands with an overhand left.
Atkins moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Atkins just misses with a punch to the body.
That kick from Ponce De Leon tenderised Atkins's leg. Atkins is trying to keep his angry face on.

Atkins has managed to clinch.
Atkins struggles to land a body shot inside as Ponce De Leon controls his hands.
Atkins fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Atkins blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Atkins with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Atkins goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ponce De Leon tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ponce De Leon misses with an elbow over the top.
A short right from Atkins.
Ponce De Leon creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Atkins's defenses.
Ponce De Leon swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Atkins is trying to maintain a safe position but Ponce De Leon gets an underhook and turns Atkins into the cage.
Ponce De Leon tries to work over Atkins's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Atkins prevents a body shot from Ponce De Leon.
Ponce De Leon lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Atkins scores with a shoulder strike.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Atkins throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Ponce De Leon throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Ponce De Leon lands with a short punch from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ponce De Leon blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Atkins misses with some punches.
Ponce De Leon scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Atkins's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Atkins misses with a hook to the ribs.
Atkins fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Atkins lands a nice shot to the body.
Atkins misses with some punches.
Ponce De Leon swings wildly with an uppercut but Atkins uses good head movement to avoid it.
Atkins prevents a body shot from Ponce De Leon.
Atkins is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Ponce De Leon is keeping busy.
Atkins struggles to land a body shot inside as Ponce De Leon controls his hands.
Ponce De Leon gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Atkins presses Ponce De Leon against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Ponce De Leon gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Atkins tries a body shot but Ponce De Leon blocks it.
Ponce De Leon blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Atkins misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ponce De Leon lands a body punch in the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Atkins has a couple of punches blocked by Ponce De Leon.
Atkins misses with some punches.
Ponce De Leon lands with a right to the head.
Atkins working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Ponce De Leon has Atkins pressed against the cage.
Atkins misses with the head strike.
Atkins misses with a punch to the body.
Atkins swings wildly with an uppercut but Ponce De Leon uses good head movement to avoid it.
Atkins keeps control of Ponce De Leon as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Atkins swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A shot in the inside from Ponce De Leon.
Ponce De Leon misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Atkins avoids a wild elbow strike from Ponce De Leon.
Ponce De Leon blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Atkins misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ponce De Leon gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Ponce De Leon lands a body shot in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ponce De Leon lands with a light punch inside.

Ponce De Leon breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ponce De Leon is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Speedy Atkins is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Atkins connects with a leg kick. Ponce De Leon looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Atkins moves in looking to clinch but Ponce De Leon pushes him off.
Atkins is looking to clinch.
Ponce De Leon fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Atkins manages to avoid it.
Atkins tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ponce De Leon paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Atkins tries to clinch up

and Ponce De Leon counters by clinching up.
Ponce De Leon holding his opponent close, against the cage.

Ponce De Leon breaks the clinch.
Ponce De Leon connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Ponce De Leon swats away the attempt to clinch by Atkins.
Atkins tries a head kick but it misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Atkins moves out of range of the body kick.
Atkins lands with a slapping head kick.
Ponce De Leon lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Atkins at a distance.
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!
Atkins wants to clinch.
Atkins tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Ponce De Leon manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Ponce De Leon connects with a body shot that sends Atkins's belly button to the back.
Atkins scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Atkins tries to clinch up.
Atkins tries to close the distance and clinch but Ponce De Leon swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Ponce De Leon gets tackled into the cage by Atkins. Atkins maintains the clinch.
A short body shot lands from Atkins as the two fighters clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ponce De Leon works on Atkins's body with a couple of short punches.
Atkins avoids the elbow strike from Ponce De Leon, against the cage.

Ponce De Leon breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Ponce De Leon closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Atkins misses with a hook to the ribs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Tico Ponce De Leon will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Ponce De Leon avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ponce De Leon thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Atkins if he has to take too many more of those.
Atkins misses with a wild combination.
Ponce De Leon scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Ponce De Leon swats away the attempt to clinch by Atkins.
Atkins fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ponce De Leon manages to avoid it.
Ponce De Leon moves away from the strike by Atkins.
Ponce De Leon misses with a body shot.
Atkins tries to clinch but Ponce De Leon is having none of it.
Atkins moves in looking to clinch but Ponce De Leon pushes him off.
Atkins connects with a body shot that sends Ponce De Leon's belly button to the back.
Speedy Atkins is winning the standup battle so far.
Atkins feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Ponce De Leon's calf.
Atkins moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Atkins tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ponce De Leon swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Atkins misses with a combination

and Ponce De Leon moves into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ponce De Leon tries a body shot but Atkins blocks it.
Atkins tries a body shot but Ponce De Leon blocks it.
Atkins tries to work over Ponce De Leon's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ponce De Leon tries to work over Atkins's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Atkins lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Atkins doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Atkins misses with a short punch on the inside.
Atkins misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ponce De Leon is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Atkins is keeping busy.
Ponce De Leon lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Atkins misses with a body punch.
Ponce De Leon blocks an uppercut.
A nice left hand lands by Ponce De Leon.
Ponce De Leon wants to stall.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Atkins.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Atkins blocks the elbow strike.
Ponce De Leon lands a body punch in the clinch.
Atkins tries to work over Ponce De Leon's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Atkins fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Atkins lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Ponce De Leon pressing his opponent against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Atkins tries a body shot but Ponce De Leon blocks it.
Ponce De Leon blocks a body shot from Atkins.
Speedy Atkins has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Ponce De Leon lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

It looks like Speedy Atkins has been cut.
Atkins scores with a shot to the side of Ponce De Leon's head.
Atkins stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Atkins misses with a body punch.
Ponce De Leon lands a shot to the body.
Atkins prevents a body shot from Ponce De Leon.
Atkins takes an elbow to the temple.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Ponce De Leon creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A right handed body shot lands from Atkins.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Atkins.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ponce De Leon scores with a nice hook to the head.
Ponce De Leon lands a damaging elbow.
Ponce De Leon effectively controlling the action here.
Ponce De Leon taking a breather.
Atkins avoids the elbow strike from Ponce De Leon, against the cage.
Atkins blocks an uppercut.
Ponce De Leon lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Atkins.
Atkins lands with a right to the head.
Atkins misses with a hook to the ribs.
Atkins lands a hook that snaps the head of Ponce De Leon backwards.
Ponce De Leon lands a damaging elbow.
Atkins is working Ponce De Leon over against the cage.
Ponce De Leon takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Ponce De Leon escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Atkins has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Ponce De Leon.
Atkins doesn't manage to clinch there - Ponce De Leon circles away.
Atkins rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ponce De Leon moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Atkins throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ponce De Leon keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ponce De Leon keeps the fight on the outside.
Ponce De Leon circles away from the clinch attempt.
Atkins swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Ponce De Leon moves into the clinch.
Atkins misses with a body punch.
Atkins lands with a short shot to the head.
Still in the clinch, Ponce De Leon scores with a nice short uppercut.
Atkins tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ponce De Leon working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Ponce De Leon lands an uppercut.
A short uppercut from Atkins.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Atkins doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A short right from Atkins on the inside.
Ponce De Leon throws a head punch that misses.
A head punch on the inside from Atkins fails to land.
Ponce De Leon controlling the action here for a moment.

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 Speedy Atkins.
Well Atkins 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Speedy Atkins!
Speedy Atkins bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.