PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Aki Muhammad (ranked 2405 p4p, 3981 weight class) and Paulo Esquilo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Muhammad
vs
Esquilo

165 cm
27
135
3 - 4 - 0

174 cm
25
144
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Great elbows
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Aki Muhammad!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Paulo Esquilo!
The judges for this bout are Winston Alpacca, Peter Branson and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Muhammad throws a hook but Esquilo blocks it.
Muhammad definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Muhammad slips a straight right by Esquilo.
Esquilo misses with a straight left.
Muhammad misses with an uppercut. Esquilo saw that one coming.
Muhammad missing with a left hand there. Esquilo was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Nice defenses there by Esquilo.
Esquilo throws a big shot that misses.
Esquilo displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Muhammad throws out the jab.
Muhammad avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Muhammad slips a straight right by Esquilo.
Muhammad slips a jab from Esquilo.

Esquilo moves into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Esquilo just misses with a elbow thrown towards Muhammad's brow.
Muhammad lands a body punch in the clinch.
Muhammad avoids the elbow strike from Esquilo, against the cage.
Muhammad misses with a punch to the body.
Muhammad tries to work over Esquilo's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Muhammad throws a punch but it's blocked by Esquilo.
Muhammad stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Muhammad lands a shoulder strike.
Esquilo pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Muhammad tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Esquilo's elbow.
Muhammad fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Muhammad has Esquilo pressed against the cage.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Muhammad can't find room to land a body shot as Esquilo controls the action.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Esquilo just misses with a elbow thrown towards Muhammad's brow.
Nice elbow from Esquilo.
Nice elbow from Esquilo.

It looks like Aki Muhammad has been cut.
Muhammad manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Muhammad avoids a wild elbow strike from Esquilo.
Esquilo lands an elbow that stopped Muhammad in his tracks for a moment.
Esquilo throws an elbow that misses.
Muhammad dodges an elbow strike from Esquilo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esquilo creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Muhammad lands a nice shot to the body.
Esquilo blocks a body shot from Muhammad.
Muhammad can't find room to land a body shot as Esquilo controls the action.
Esquilo blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Muhammad tries to work over Esquilo's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Muhammad lands a hook to the side of the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Muhammad goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Muhammad lands an uppercut.
Muhammad dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Esquilo throws an elbow but it misses.
A body shot lands from Muhammad.
Muhammad lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Muhammad lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Muhammad lands with a left to the head.
Nice body punch from Muhammad.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esquilo pushes off an throws an elbow but Muhammad leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Muhammad scores with a shot to the side of Esquilo's head.
Muhammad lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Esquilo.
Esquilo looks winded!
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Muhammad.
Muhammad lands a body punch.
Muhammad lands a body punch in the clinch.
A short body shot lands from Muhammad as the two fighters clinch.
Muhammad lands a left hand.
Muhammad tries a body shot but Esquilo blocks it.
Muhammad is leaning against Esquilo and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A nice right hand lands inside from Muhammad.
Muhammad working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Muhammad scores with a shoulder strike.
Muhammad lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Esquilo backwards.
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!
Muhammad softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

Esquilo is rocked!
Muhammad is working Esquilo over against the cage.
Esquilo is still on wobbly legs! Can Muhammad finish him?
Muhammad lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Muhammad.
Muhammad lands a body punch in the clinch.
Esquilo takes a shot to the head.
Muhammad lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Muhammad lands with a right to the head.
Muhammad looking to throw knees to the head but Esquilo is blocking nicely.
Muhammad creates a bit of space for himself and rocks Esquilo with a big uppercut! Esquilo tries to clinch up but Muhammad pushes him back against the cage and lands another monster strike that crumples Esquilo to the mat! Esquilo covers up and Muhammad unloads with more strikes until the referee steps in to end the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:12 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Aki Muhammad!