PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between James Gracie (ranked 584 p4p, 546 weight class) and Nikolay Leonov (ranked 88 p4p, 83 weight class). Nikolay Leonov is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Gracie
vs
Leonov

188 cm
29
190
12 - 5 - 0

180 cm
31
195
16 - 12 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Highland Clothing
Vegan Gains

SynCity Fightwear
Highland Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, James Gracie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 12 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nikolay Leonov!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Donald Grub and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
An inside leg kick lands from Leonov.
Leonov scores with a nice head shot.
Gracie looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Leonov lands a slapping body shot.
A right-left combo lands from Leonov.

It looks like James Gracie has been cut.
Gracie uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Leonov.
Leonov scores with the left hand. Gracie knows he should have avoided that one.
Leonov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Gracie moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Leonov fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Gracie has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Leonov is looking to land body kicks.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Leonov jabs Gracie right on the nose. Gracie blinks but takes it well.
Nikolay Leonov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gracie moves out of range as Leonov strikes.
Gracie tries to score a power double leg takedown but Leonov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Gracie somewhat.
Leonov misses with a looping right.
Leonov loads up on a big right hand but Gracie slips the punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Leonov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Leonov scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Gracie is trying hard to land a takedown here. Leonov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Leonov scores with a hook to the body. Gracie takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Leonov scores with a three punch combo!
Leonov darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Leonov scores with a jab to the body.
Leonov scores with a nice right hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gracie tries to score a power double leg takedown but Leonov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Gracie somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gracie looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Leonov misses.
Leonov connects with a good right hand that stumbles Gracie. Gracie circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Gracie blocks a jab.
Gracie shoots in looking for a takedown. Leonov tries to sprawl out of it but Gracie keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Leonov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Leonov connects with an inside leg kick.
Leonov cracks Gracie with an open hand slap.
Leonov lands with a slapping head kick.
Leonov lands with an overhand left.
Leonov throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Leonov chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leonov bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Gracie's head backwards.
Leonov is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Gracie had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into mush.
Leonov with a hook.
Gracie looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Leonov misses with a head kick.
Leonov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Horrible takedown attempt by Gracie or perhaps it was just good defense by Leonov, which made it look bad.
Gracie takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Leonov has worked on his takedown defense in the runup to this fight and it is paying off so far.
Leonov is looking to land body kicks.
Gracie appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Leonov throws a nice inside leg kick.
Gracie misses with a takedown attempt
letting Leonov counter with a right hand.
Leonov lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Leonov keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Leonov connects with a leg kick.
Leonov lands a body shot.
Gracie takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Leonov connects with a crisp jab.
A chopping leg kick lands by Leonov.
Gracie sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Gracie slips a straight right by Leonov.
Leonov connects with the punch.
Leonov tries to bum rush Gracie with a series of wild strikes but Gracie uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Leonov cracks a nice hook into Gracie's ribs.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Leonov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Despite the aggression on Leonov's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Gracie is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Leonov turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolay Leonov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on James Gracie's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Leonov throws a head kick but Gracie moves out of range.
Nice sprawl there from Leonov as Gracie shoots in.
Leonov throws a sloppy head kick and Gracie moves out of range easily.
Gracie shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Leonov pinned against the cage. Leonov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Gracie dives in for a single leg takedown but Leonov sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Leonov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Gracie gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Leonov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Leonov lets loose with a powerful body kick. Gracie will feel that in the morning.
Gracie shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Leonov defends it nicely.
Leonov is looking for the big counter here.
Gracie looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Leonov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leonov lands a body shot.
Leonov connects with a right hand. Gracie shakes it off.
Leonov buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Leonov jabs Gracie to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Nikolay Leonov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Leonov stuffs the takedown.
Leonov turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Leonov.
Leonov connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Gracie momentarily.
Gracie takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Gracie walks into a jab.
Leonov bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Gracie's head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Leonov works Gracie's body with a nice hook.
Leonov fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Nikolay Leonov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gracie takes a head kick and keeps coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leonov turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Leonov lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Nice jab there from Leonov.
Gracie tries to score a power double leg takedown but Leonov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Gracie somewhat.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Leonov! But no joy.
Gracie misses with a takedown attempt - Leonov sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Leonov thuds his right hand into Gracie's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Gracie takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Leonov is looking to slow Gracie down with leg kicks.
A head kick from Leonov lands but Gracie takes it in his stride.
Leonov lands with a nice body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leonov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Gracie tries to counter with a takedown but Leonov is quick to defend against it.
A right-left combo lands from Leonov.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Gracie. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Gracie takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Gracie moves forwards but Leonov connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Leonov connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Leonov swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Gracie.
Leonov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Leonov cracks a nice hook into Gracie's ribs.
Gracie shoots for a double leg takedown but Leonov sprawls well. He's pushed Gracie's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Leonov scores with a hook.
Leonov throws a sloppy head kick and Gracie moves out of range easily.
Gracie takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Leonov connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Leonov lands a head shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leonov connects with a high kick.
Gracie just misses with a punch to the body.
Leonov lands a nice shot to the body.
Leonov misses with a head kick.
Leonov lands a slapping body shot.
Gracie fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Gracie tries to score a power double leg takedown but Leonov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Gracie somewhat.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A good leg kick by Leonov.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolay Leonov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on James Gracie's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Leonov connects with a jab.
Leonov with a body punch. A glancing blow.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Leonov's corner calls for a 1-2. Leonov obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Leonov works the jab nicely.
Leonov lands a glancing blow to the side of Gracie's head.
Leonov connects with a nice looking jab.
Leonov throws a nice inside leg kick.
Leonov lands a jab to Gracie's midsection.
Leonov slaps away a takedown attempt from Gracie, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Gracie takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Gracie avoids the head kick by Leonov.
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!
Leonov keeps Gracie at a distance using the push kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Leonov connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
A chopping leg kick lands by Leonov.
Leonov lands a nice looking body shot.
Gracie takes one on the chin but seems OK.
A nice inside leg kick there by Leonov. That's going to slow Gracie down.
Leonov connects with a high kick.
Gracie changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Leonov tries to avoid it but Gracie manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Leonov to the ground. Leonov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Gracie misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Leonov.
Gracie on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Leonov scores with a leg kick.
That kick from Leonov tenderised Gracie's leg. Gracie is trying to keep his angry face on.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Leonov with a nice calf kick.
James Gracie has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leonov cracks a nice hook into Gracie's ribs.
Gracie will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Leonov buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Leonov moves into range and connects with a jab.
Leonov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Leonov scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Leonov lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Leonov thumps Gracie with a low kick.
Gracie takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Leonov thumps Gracie with a low kick.
Gracie on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Gracie fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A jab from Leonov does it's job there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leonov lands with an overhand left.
Nikolay Leonov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Leonov misses with a jab, cross combination.
Leonov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Gracie circles away quickly and effectively.
Gracie blocks the body kick.
Nice takedown defense from Leonov. No joy for Gracie on that attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Leonov connects with a solid leg kick.
Leonov lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Gracie takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Gracie changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Leonov tries to avoid it but Gracie manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Leonov to the ground. Leonov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Leonov swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Leonov scores with a head kick. Gracie tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Leonov scores with a three punch combo!
A good leg kick by Leonov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Leonov scores with a crisp jab that stopped Gracie in his tracks.
Both fighters circling a little - Leonov finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Gracie takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Leonov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Gracie closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Leonov connects with a good right hand that stumbles Gracie. Gracie circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Leonov.
Nice jab there from Leonov.
An inside leg kick lands from Leonov.
A chopping leg kick lands by Leonov.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A nice leg kick from Leonov, right into the meat of the thigh.
Leonov leaves Gracie with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nikolay Leonov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Leonov 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 24:30
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 24:30
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 24:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nikolay Leonov!
Our winner, Nikolay Leonov, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.