PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Elias Al Haddad (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Leo Leka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Leka has chosen For Heavy Metal we will die! as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Leo Leka enters the cage!

Al Haddad
vs
Leka

174 cm
35
163 lbs
20 - 21 - 2

177 cm
28
163 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 21 - 2, fighting out of New York, Elias Al Haddad!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Leo Leka!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Leka misses with a straight left.
Al Haddad throws a looping overhand right but Leka ducks down to avoid it.

Leka closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Al Haddad moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Leka sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Leka trying to control but Al Haddad is working from the bottom.

Leka stands up from Al Haddad's guard - Leka perhaps looking for a knockout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Leka with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Al Haddad has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Leka finds it's way round the side to connect with Al Haddad's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Haddad tries to bum rush Leka with a series of wild strikes but Leka uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Leka scores with a jab. Al Haddad acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
A head kick misses from Leka.
Leka fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Al Haddad is out of range.
Al Haddad misses with a few strikes there.
Al Haddad throws an overhand right that lands on Leka's shoulder, as Leka tries to avoid the shot.
Leka feints a counter leg kick.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Leka. Al Haddad shrugs it off though.
We've been hearing reports that Al Haddad has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.

Leka fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Al Haddad, pushing him back against the cage.
Leka lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Al Haddad tries to stall but Leka uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Al Haddad stalling in the clinch but Leka improves position.

Al Haddad breaks from the clinch.
Elias Al Haddad seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Good exchange - Leka coming out on top.
Al Haddad lands a slapping body shot.

Leka has taken the fight to the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A right hand to the body from Leka.

Al Haddad breaks the clinch.
Leka misses with a looping right.
Al Haddad throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Al Haddad takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Haddad lands a lovely overhand right.
Al Haddad throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Leka bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Al Haddad takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
A telegraphed right hand from Leka misses the target.
Leka tries to clinch up
and Al Haddad counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Al Haddad jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Al Haddad takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Nice defenses there by Leka.
Leka steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Al Haddad.
Al Haddad throws an overhand right that lands on Leka's shoulder, as Leka tries to avoid the shot.
Al Haddad throws a right and a left that Leka avoids nicely.
Leka fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Leka closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Leka lands in his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leka trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Leka throws an elbow that misses. Al Haddad uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Leka's guard. Nice move by Al Haddad!

Leka is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Leka tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Leka keeping moving, preventing Al Haddad from controlling successfully.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Leka has his foot on Al Haddad's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Al Haddad works his way back into a safe position though.
Leka not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Al Haddad is in close to Leka's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leka trying to control the position here.

Leka escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Al Haddad gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Leka wants to sweep here but Al Haddad controlling him for the moment.
Al Haddad keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Leka's head.
Al Haddad trying to control the position from guard on top but Leka is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Leka is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Leka looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Leka swats away the attempt to clinch by Al Haddad.
Leka is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Leka takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Al Haddad keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
A jab from Al Haddad misses.
Al Haddad misses with a straight right.
A swing and a miss from Al Haddad.
Elias Al Haddad is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Leka moves into the clinch.
Leka lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Al Haddad backwards.
Al Haddad fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Leka blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Nice body punch from Leka - that landed with a thud.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Leka on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Al Haddad has a couple of punches blocked by Leka.
Leka lands a left hand that snaps the head of Al Haddad backwards.

Al Haddad breaks the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leka uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Al Haddad.
Leka has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Al Haddad throws a hook to the side of Leka's head but Leka sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Elias Al Haddad is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Al Haddad throws a shot to the body.
Al Haddad moves out of range as Leka throws a body kick.
Leka with a nice cross.
Leka throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Leka tried to score with a low kick but Al Haddad checks it.
Leka has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Leka throws a nice inside leg kick.
Leka tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Al Haddad was well out of range. Poor timing from Leka.
Leka steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Al Haddad.
Leka appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Al Haddad throws a jab when Leka was well out of range.
Al Haddad is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
A big left from Leka misses.
Al Haddad throws a shot from downtown. Leka moves away and avoids it.
Al Haddad tries to clinch but Leka is having none of it.
Al Haddad thows a left - swing and a miss!
Leka has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Leka there as he acknowledges the shot.
Al Haddad waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Leka.
Al Haddad keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Leka.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Haddad throws a front kick aimed at Leka's knee but Leka avoids it well.
Leka swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Leka works the jab nicely.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Leka doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Al Haddad slips under a jab from Leka.
Al Haddad throwing a counter right hand but Leka manages to avoid it.
Leka throws out a loose jab but Al Haddad uses good head movement to avoid it.
Leka avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Al Haddad throws a series of punches but Leka moves out of range.
Leka lands a two punch combo.
Leka tries to clinch
and Al Haddad counters with a straight right hand.
Al Haddad scores with a crisp jab that stopped Leka in his tracks.
Al Haddad misses with a hook
and Leka counters with a nice low kick that buckles Al Haddad's knee momentarily.
Leka tries to land a front kick but Al Haddad steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
It looked like Al Haddad wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Leka tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Leka lands a nice shot to the body.
Al Haddad works Leka's body with a nice hook.
Al Haddad misses the jab.
Leka moves out of range of the body kick.
Leka throws a counter combo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Haddad swings widly with a right hand
and Leka counters with a nice uppercut.
Leka throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Al Haddad uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Leka.
Al Haddad misses with a series of wild punches.
Leka avoids the body shot from Al Haddad.
A little jabbing left from Leka on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Leka tries to land a leg kick but Al Haddad saw it coming and moves away.
Leka takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

Leka shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Al Haddad manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Leka wants to control from the top but Al Haddad keeps moving.
Leka trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Al Haddad manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Al Haddad with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Leka is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Al Haddad is aware though and is defending well.

Leka looking for a guillotine here but Al Haddad defends easily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Al Haddad stands up over Leka, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Al Haddad slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Al Haddad's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Al Haddad trying to control but Leka is working from the bottom.
Al Haddad has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Al Haddad lands a couple of elbows.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Leo Leka will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Al Haddad's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Al Haddad will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Al Haddad misses with a jab to the body
and Leka counters with a three punch combo that has Al Haddad backing up. Al Haddad nods at Leka to acknowledge the strikes.
Al Haddad avoids the head kick by Leka.
A looping hook to the body misses from Al Haddad. Leka does a little dance to reset his feet.
Leka throws a quick inside leg kick.
Leka throws a push kick but Al Haddad slaps the foot to one side.
Al Haddad throws a right hand that Leka ducks under and follows up with a left that Leka also avoids with ease.
Al Haddad misses with a body shot.
Al Haddad misses with a looping left.
A little jabbing left from Leka on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Leka rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Al Haddad moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Al Haddad appears to be looking for a big counter.
Al Haddad throws a jab when Leka was well out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Leka!
Al Haddad looks to land a left hand but Leka moved out of range nicely.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Al Haddad sizes up Leka with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Al Haddad moves out of range as Leka throws a body kick.
Leka tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Leo Leka seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Leka throws a sloppy head kick and Al Haddad moves out of range easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leka throws a shot from downtown. Al Haddad moves away and avoids it.
Al Haddad tries to close the distance and clinch but Leka swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Leka throws a lazy right hand but Al Haddad sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Leka throws the kick towards the body but Al Haddad avoids it.
Al Haddad throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Al Haddad tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Leka was well out of range. Poor timing from Al Haddad.
Al Haddad slips a straight right by Leka.
Leka throws a nice head kick!
Al Haddad throws a hook to the side of Leka's head but Leka sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Al Haddad throws a hook but Leka avoids it easily.
Al Haddad moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromLeka.
Leka pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Al Haddad back to the cage. Leka follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Al Haddad fails to land with a series of punches.
Al Haddad lands a two punch combo.
Leka ducks under a wild hook from Al Haddad.
Leka works the jab nicely.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Leka has Al Haddad up against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leka misses with a body punch.
Al Haddad misses with some punches.
Al Haddad is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Al Haddad prevents a body shot from Leka.
Al Haddad is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Al Haddad blocks an uppercut.
Al Haddad blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Leka swings wildly with an uppercut but Al Haddad uses good head movement to avoid it.
Leka lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Leka.
A nice left hand lands by Leka.
Leka softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Leka lands a body punch.
Elias Al Haddad has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leka tries a body shot but Al Haddad blocks it.
Leo Leka seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Leka misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Leka digs a right hand underneath Al Haddad's ribcage. Al Haddad let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Leka is working Al Haddad over against the cage.
Al Haddad blocks an uppercut.
Al Haddad fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Leka misses with the head strike.
Leka throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Leka tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Al Haddad's elbow.
A head punch on the inside from Leka fails to land.
Leka working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Leka.
Al Haddad has a couple of punches blocked by Leka.
Al Haddad has had enough of the clinch but Leka keeps him there for the moment.
Al Haddad looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Al Haddad looking to stall.
Still in the clinch, Leka scores with a nice short uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al Haddad misses with a punch on the inside.
Al Haddad lands with a short shot to the head.

Al Haddad breaks from the clinch.
Leka is looking to clinch but Al Haddad is avoiding it.
Leka shoots in for a double leg but Al Haddad sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Jab from Al Haddad.
Leka keeps the fight on the outside.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Leka thows a body kick. Al Haddad tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Al Haddad throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Leka counters with a straight right hand.
Leka connects with a good right hand that stumbles Al Haddad. Al Haddad circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Al Haddad takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Leka lands with an uppercut that bounces Al Haddad off the cage and back into range.
Al Haddad throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Leka.

Leka pushes Al Haddad up against the cage in a clinch.
Still in the clinch, Leka scores with a nice short uppercut.
Leka scores with a shot to the side of Al Haddad's head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Leka managing to block the knees to the body from Al Haddad.
Leka lands a shot to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Leo Leka comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Leka has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Leo Leka!
Leo Leka was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.