PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kratos Esparta (ranked 2923 p4p, 0 weight class) and Connor Somerset (ranked 4481 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Esparta
vs
Somerset

150 cm
24
138 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

200 cm
18
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Kratos Esparta!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Connor Somerset!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Colin Fray and Ryoma Takatsuka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Esparta connects with a body shot that sends Somerset's belly button to the back.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Esparta's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Esparta tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Somerset manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Somerset with the counter takedown but Esparta avoids it easily.
Esparta uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Somerset.
Esparta seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Esparta throws a head kick that misses.
Somerset swings for the body but Esparta moves out of range.
Esparta keeps the fight on the outside.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Somerset.

Esparta rushes Somerset and presses him up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Esparta manages to break the clinch.

Esparta moves into the clinch.
Somerset is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Esparta will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Somerset up against the cage.

Esparta manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esparta is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Esparta lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

Esparta darts in and clinches Somerset up against the cage.

Esparta breaks from the clinch.

Esparta rushes Somerset and presses him up against the cage.
Somerset has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Esparta is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Esparta pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Somerset fails to land the takedown.
Esparta is looking to counter with head kicks.

Esparta has managed to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Somerset is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Esparta is defending well.
Kratos Esparta has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Connor Somerset.

Somerset pulls guard.
Esparta controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Esparta seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Somerset for as long as he can get away with.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esparta wants to pass the guard but Somerset is keeping the position.
Somerset trying to control the position.
Esparta 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.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Somerset trying to keep a closed guard but Esparta is proving a slippery customer.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Esparta drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Esparta goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Somerset has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Esparta but great work by Somerset.
Somerset working away.
Somerset remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.

Somerset is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Esparta knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Somerset trying to control the action but Esparta is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Somerset fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Esparta avoids it really well and circles away.
Esparta is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Somerset can do to turn this around?
Somerset with a poor takedown
and Esparta counters with a two punch combo.
Esparta tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Somerset swivels and escapes.
Good leg kick by Esparta there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Esparta gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Somerset counters with a head kick. That will keep Esparta thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Esparta tries to clinch there but Somerset circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Esparta scores with the left hand. Somerset knows he should have avoided that one.
Esparta tries to close the distance and clinch but Somerset swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Somerset misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Kratos Esparta has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Connor Somerset.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Esparta.
Somerset shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Esparta sprawls well. Esparta wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Somerset gets slowly back to his feet.
Esparta slaps away a takedown attempt from Somerset, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Somerset is breathing heavily.
Somerset tries to clinch up.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Somerset is defended easily by Esparta.
Esparta tries to close the distance and clinch but Somerset swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Esparta throws a sloppy head kick

and Somerset counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esparta is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Somerset pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Somerset tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Esparta just stands there and leans against the cage.

Esparta breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Esparta goes for a double leg but Somerset avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Somerset continues to drive forward.
Somerset takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Somerset throws a wild hook but Esparta just manages to duck under it and - ooooh! Somerset gets nailed by a brutal uppercut which crumples him back against the cage! The referee jumps in - Esparta raises his hands in celebration and walks away!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:31 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Kratos Esparta!