PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Yuri Leonov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Rekis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Rekis's choice of entrance music: AC/DC - Thunderstruck. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Leonov
vs
Rekis

180 cm
20
212 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

190 cm
27
210 lbs
10 - 7 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Very quick

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Yuri Leonov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Rekis!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Micheangelo Fripello and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Leonov just misses with a punch to the body.
It seemed like Rekis was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Leonov. Rekis shrugs it off though.
Rekis gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
That kick from Leonov tenderised Rekis's leg. Rekis is trying to keep his angry face on.
Leonov looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

Rekis looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Rekis missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Rekis is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Leonov reverses the position - he's now on top in Rekis's guard.
Rekis told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Leonov stopping the sweep attempt from Rekis.
Leonov passes Rekis's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leonov is looking to take a break and control but Rekis is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Rekis tries to roll over but Leonov keeps him under control.
Leonov moves into full mount! Rekis won't be happy about that!
Leonov wants to control the pace but Rekis is squirming around nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Leonov takes Rekis's back. Could be looking for a rear naked choke here - either way, Rekis is in trouble.
Leonov really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Rekis.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
I really don't envy Rekis right now.
Rekis looking very determined here, making life difficult for Leonov.
Leonov avoiding Rekis 's attempts to control his hands.
Rekis really must keep his cool here. He's controlling one of Leonov's hands and whilst he does that, he's got a chance of escaping the position.
Rekis turns into Leonov and is now in his guard.
Rekis working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Leonov's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leonov wants to sweep but no luck.
Leonov controls Rekis momentarily but Rekis frees himself.
Rekis postures up and lands a big shot to Leonov's brow.

Leonov is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Leonov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Rekis's guard.

Leonov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rekis swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Leonov postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Rekis is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Leonov, into his guard.

Leonov keeping moving, preventing Rekis from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rekis preventing the sweep.
Rekis is looking to work some ground and pound but Leonov has wrist control.
Leonov being controlled here, momentarily.
Rekis trying to control but Leonov is working from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rekis missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Nice body punch from Leonov.
Leonov connects with an inside leg kick.
Leonov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Leonov throws a leg kick but Rekis sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Rekis takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Leonov punishes Rekis's body with a nice straight punch.
Leonov throws a right hand that misses
and Rekis counters with a right hand to the body.
Leonov lands with a nice body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rekis fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Leonov avoids it really well and circles away.
And Leonov counters with a quick kick to the body but Rekis blocks it.
Rekis takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Rekis is defended easily by Leonov.
Rekis keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A solid body kick from Leonov.
The fighters circle momentarily. Leonov darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Leonov lands with a shot to the body.
Leonov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Leonov throws the left hand but Rekis avoids the punch easily.
Leonov dips to his left and cracks Rekis with an uppercut!
Rekis checks the leg kick.
Rekis steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Leonov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rekis tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Yuri Leonov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Leonov lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Leonov misses with a body kick.
Leonov scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Leonov scores with a spinning back kick!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Leonov tries to score with a low kick but Rekis moves his leg out of the way.
Rekis is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Rekis changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Leonov tries to avoid it but Rekis manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Leonov to the ground. Leonov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Yuri Leonov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Rekis.
Leonov misses with a leg kick.
Leonov throws a chopping leg kick but Rekis manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Rekis is trying hard to land a takedown here. Leonov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
A thudding body kick lands there by Leonov!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leonov lands a slapping body shot.
Leonov lands a jab to the head.
Leonov pivots, looking for a leg kick but Rekis is out of range and Leonov settles back down.
Leonov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Rekis keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rekis is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Leonov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A nice side step and Rekis releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.

Rekis gets the takedown into side control.
Rekis tries to score with some ground and pound. Leonov controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Leonov manages to get back to half guard.
Leonov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Rekis stalling away here and it's allowed Leonov to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rekis stands up over his opponent, looking to dive in with a big punch. Here he comes, superman style! Oh, the punch misses and Leonov has got him in a triangle choke for good measure! Oh no! Rekis manages to get his head free but now Leonov has transitioned to an armbar! Rekis grimaces and is forced to tap! Beautiful Jiu Jitsu from Leonov! I'd be surprised if that didn't end up as submission of the night!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:22 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Yuri Leonov!
Yuri Leonov made sure to mention his sponsor, KAISER Nutrition (160!/220$) in his post fight interview.
In defeat, John Rekis stepped up to the mic, saying 'I'll be back!!!'.