PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Yuri Leonov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Mahoney (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Leonov
vs
Mahoney

180 cm
19
212 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

198 cm
28
223 lbs
10 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Very quick

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Hellbent
KAISER Nutrition (160!/220$)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Yuri Leonov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, John Mahoney!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Illya Tyunina and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Leonov looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

Leonov gets caught flat footed, as Mahoney shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Mahoney trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Leonov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Leonov is working hard here to advance position.
Leonov is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Leonov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Mahoney keeps working.
Mahoney is looking to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mahoney is still trying to improve position.
Leonov has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Leonov wants to control the pace but Mahoney is squirming around nicely.
Mahoney really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mahoney bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Mahoney pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Leonov is keeping the position for now.
Mahoney sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Leonov's guard.
Leonov won't allow Mahoney to pass to mount.
Mahoney works his way into full mount!
Mahoney wants to control but instead Leonov manages to regain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mahoney works his foot free and advances to mount.
Mahoney wants to take his opponent's back but Leonov doesn't allow it.
Mahoney looking to control but Leonov is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Mahoney is dominating on the ground here - he's now on his opponent's back, looking to sink in the hooks. Leonov is in real trouble.
Mahoney trying to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mahoney looking for the choke from the back.
Leonov tries to escape the position.

Leonov is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Mahoney is riding his opponent, not letting Leonov buck him off.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mahoney doesn't have the hooks in and Leonov manages to turn into his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Mahoney dominated that round.
That's time! Leonov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Mahoney tries to keep at a distance but Leonov has taken the fight into the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Leonov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Leonov misses with a punch on the inside.
Leonov working aggressively here.
Mahoney tries to pull guard but Leonov holds him up against the cage and eventually Mahoney drops back down to his feet.
Leonov throws a head punch that misses.
Mahoney fails to pull the fight into his guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Leonov keeps control of Mahoney as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Leonov has Mahoney pressed against the cage, preventing Mahoney from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Mahoney is trying to force a seperation but Leonov has the dominant position.
Mahoney blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mahoney tries to pull guard but Leonov holds him up against the cage and eventually Mahoney drops back down to his feet.
Yuri Leonov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Mahoney.
Leonov lands with a short shot to the head.
Mahoney is trying to force a seperation but Leonov has the dominant position.
Leonov throws a punch but it's blocked by Mahoney.
Leonov misses with some punches.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Leonov.
Mahoney wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
A head punch on the inside from Leonov fails to land.
Leonov misses with a punch on the inside.
Leonov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Mahoney tries to pull guard but Leonov forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Mahoney takes a shot to the head.
Mahoney tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Leonov smiles and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mahoney uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Leonov.
Leonov swings for the body but Mahoney moves out of range.

Mahoney shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Mahoney stands and throws Leonov's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Leonov can't do much from the bottom here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Leonov is looking for a sweep.
Mahoney trying to control the action but Leonov is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leonov prevents Mahoney from improving position.
Mahoney moves into full mount!

Mahoney working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Leonov gets back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mahoney wants to lay and pray for a moment but Leonov keeps working.
Mahoney tries to pass to full mount but Leonov defends it.

Mahoney wants to work for an arm triangle but Leonov is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Mahoney is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Leonov sees it coming and defends easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yuri Leonov dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Mahoney moves away from the strike by Leonov.
Mahoney shoots in for a takedown but Leonov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Mahoney fails with the takedown
and Leonov counters with a leg kick.
Leonov changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Leonov fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Mahoney is out of range.
Yuri Leonov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mahoney has his takedown stuffed
and Leonov counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Yuri Leonov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Mahoney.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Leonov fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Mahoney shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Leonov pinned against the cage. Leonov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Leonov turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mahoney takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Mahoney missing with a left hand there. Leonov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Mahoney checks the leg kick.
Mahoney gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.

Leonov rushes Mahoney and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Mahoney can't break the clinch.
Leonov lands with a short shot to the head.
Leonov lands with a left to the head.
Leonov working aggressively here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leonov has a couple of punches blocked by Mahoney.
A short right from Leonov on the inside.
Leonov scores with a shoulder strike.
Leonov lands with a left to the head.
Leonov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Mahoney is trying to break the clinch but Leonov is controlling him.
Leonov leaning his opponent against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A nice left hand lands by Leonov.
A short right from Leonov.
Mahoney tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Leonov just stands there and leans against the cage.
Leonov swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leonov working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Leonov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Leonov scores with a shot to the side of Mahoney's head.
Leonov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Mahoney blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Leonov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Mahoney tries to pull guard but Leonov holds him up against the cage and eventually Mahoney drops back down to his feet.
Leonov throws a head punch that misses.
Leonov throws a punch but it's blocked by Mahoney.
Leonov slowing the pace effectively.
Leonov has a couple of punches blocked by Mahoney.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mahoney tries to break free but Leonov pushes him back against the cage.
Mahoney wants to break the clinch but can't.
Mahoney jumps guard but Leonov stands there with Mahoney around his waist. Mahoney gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Mahoney jumps guard but Leonov stands there with Mahoney around his waist. Mahoney gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Mahoney blocks an uppercut.
Mahoney tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Leonov just stands there and leans against the cage.
Mahoney tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Leonov just stands there and leans against the cage.
Leonov has a couple of punches blocked by Mahoney.
Yuri Leonov has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Mahoney jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Leonov walks away with a smile on his face. Mahoney gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Mahoney looks for a takedown but Leonov sprawls well.
Mahoney has his takedown stuffed
and Leonov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yuri Leonov showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Leonov 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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 29:27
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 29:27
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 29:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yuri Leonov!
Yuri Leonov managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Hellbent , into his post fight interview.