PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Anthony Esposito (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rhaegar Targaryen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Rhaegar Targaryen was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Esposito
vs
Targaryen

175 cm
18
161 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

178 cm
23
156 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Prefers standup

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Anthony Esposito!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Rhaegar Targaryen !
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Robert Douchet and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Esposito misses with a two punch combination.
Targaryen misses with a hook

and Esposito counters by clinching up.
Esposito tries to score a body lock takedown but Targaryen shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Esposito wants a takedown.
Esposito keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Targaryen 's efforts to push away.

Esposito is fighting off a takedown attempt but Targaryen is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Esposito to the mat. Esposito regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Esposito is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Targaryen is controlling him.

Esposito working for a triangle but Targaryen defends it easily.

Targaryen drops back looking for a leg! Esposito is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Esposito manages to kick Targaryen off! Targaryen jumps back into Esposito's guard.
Esposito can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Targaryen controls the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esposito keeping moving, preventing Targaryen from controlling successfully.
Targaryen must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Esposito is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Targaryen is controlling him.
Targaryen wants to stand but Esposito is controlling his posture from full guard.
Targaryen stopping the sweep attempt from Esposito.

Targaryen drops back, looking for a kneebar! Esposito looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Esposito looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Esposito!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Targaryen is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Esposito asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Targaryen regains half guard there - taking advantage of Esposito's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
Targaryen is looking to improve his position.
Esposito trying to control the action but Targaryen is working from the bottom.
Targaryen pushes Esposito off looking to stand but Esposito dives back in and keeps control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esposito wants to stand up but Targaryen is controlling the position.
Esposito wants to control but Targaryen is keeping him busy.
Esposito is really struggling to control Targaryen but he's trying to hold on to the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Anthony Esposito just wasn't active enough.
A looping hook to the body misses from Esposito. Targaryen does a little dance to reset his feet.

Esposito looking to score a takedown here. Targaryen is defending well but Esposito drives through and ends up in Targaryen 's guard.
Esposito trying to control the position from guard on top but Targaryen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Espositois looking to pass into half guard but Targaryen pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Targaryen is in guard.

Esposito has his foot on Targaryen 's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Targaryen works his way back into a safe position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Targaryen would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Esposito had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Targaryen defends it easily.
Esposito is breathing heavily.
Targaryen postures up.

Targaryen drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Esposito manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Targaryen has Esposito in his guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Esposito passes Targaryen 's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Esposito passes to side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anthony Esposito dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Targaryen throws a big shot that misses.
Esposito shoots in for a takedown but Targaryen shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Targaryen bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Esposito's head backwards.

Esposito feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Esposito looking to pass the guard.

Targaryen throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Esposito escapes and throws Targaryen 's legs to the side, diving into side control!

Esposito stands up and beckons Targaryen to his feet.
Targaryen leaves Esposito with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Esposito on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Targaryen throws a shot to the body.
Esposito blocks a jab.
Targaryen is breathing heavily.

Esposito shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Esposito is pressing down on Targaryen 's thigh, looking to free his foot. Targaryen is holding on for now.
Esposito prevents Targaryen from standing back up.
Esposito trying to control the action but Targaryen is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Esposito lands with a punch from half guard.

Targaryen has one foot on Esposito's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Esposito shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anthony Esposito. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Targaryen lands with a nice body punch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Targaryen scores with a sloppy right hand. Esposito should have avoided that one.
Targaryen throws a right hand that misses

and Esposito counters with a takedown into side control.
Esposito trying to control the action but Targaryen is working from the bottom.
Esposito lands a few punches from side control.
Esposito is looking to take a break and control but Targaryen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Esposito in side control lands a decent elbow.
Anthony Esposito overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Esposito is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Targaryen is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Esposito scoring with punches from side control.
Esposito trying to control the action but Targaryen is working from the bottom.
Targaryen is looking to reverse the position.
Esposito controlling the position.

Esposito has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esposito looks for a takedown but Targaryen sprawls well.
Targaryen misses with a hook.
Esposito takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

It looks like Anthony Esposito has been cut.

Esposito fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Targaryen to the ground. Esposito is now in Targaryen 's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Targaryen keeping moving, preventing Esposito from controlling successfully.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Targaryen working a defensive guard but Esposito manages to pass into side control anyway.

Esposito decides to take the fight back to the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anthony Esposito dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Anthony Esposito's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Targaryen jabs Esposito right on the nose. Esposito blinks but takes it well.
Targaryen misses with a looping right.
Targaryen misses with a hook

and Esposito counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Targaryen 's guard now.
Targaryen seems keen to control Esposito's posture.
Esposito wants to pass the guard but Targaryen is keeping the position.
Esposito slips nicely into half guard.

Esposito is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Targaryen sees it coming and defends easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Esposito uses his free foot to push down on Targaryen 's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Targaryen .

That's one minute gone in the round.
Targaryen tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Esposito looking to control but Targaryen is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Esposito wants to take Targaryen 's back here but Targaryen is holding on to an arm, himself looking to escape.

Esposito is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Targaryen to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Targaryen shrugs it off.
Targaryen is trying desperately to improve position.
Targaryen is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Targaryen is desperately trying to improve his position but Esposito has a good base and remains in mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esposito can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Targaryen is looking to escape.
Targaryen tries to lock up and control but Esposito gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Esposito pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Targaryen is working to get back to half guard.
Esposito seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Targaryen is holding on tight.
Esposito postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Targaryen looks a forlorn figure.
Esposito prevents Targaryen from getting the reversal.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Esposito looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.

Esposito stands up from mount. Strange move.
Esposito tries to score a power double leg takedown but Targaryen sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Esposito somewhat.
Targaryen stuffs the takedown.
Targaryen connects with a looping right hand.
Horrible takedown by Esposito or perhaps it was just good defense by Targaryen which made him look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anthony Esposito. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Esposito takes one on the button.
Targaryen connects with a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jab from Targaryen .
Esposito closes this distance looking for a takedown but Targaryen circles away.
Targaryen scores with a one two! Esposito had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Esposito shoots in but Targaryen avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Targaryen connects with a nice looking jab.
Esposito slips under a jab.
Targaryen scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Esposito shoots in for a double leg but Targaryen sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Targaryen moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Targaryen cracks Esposito with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Esposito tries to score a power double leg takedown but Targaryen sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Esposito somewhat.
Targaryen misses with a double jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Anthony Esposito did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The cut man is working on Anthony Esposito's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Targaryen misses with a combination

and Esposito counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Targaryen wants to get back to his feet.

Esposito is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Targaryen is just riding it out for now. Esposito eventually gives up the hold.

Esposito stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Esposito fails with the takedown.
Targaryen dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Targaryen scores with a nice head shot.
Targaryen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Rhaegar Targaryen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Esposito fails with a takedown attempt.
Esposito takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Targaryen falls off balance throwing a combination

and Esposito counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Targaryen wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Esposito manages to pass to side control.
Targaryen is looking to improve his position.
Esposito is keen to just control but Targaryen is a slippery customer.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Targaryen can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esposito throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Targaryen wants to control but Esposito passes into side.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Targaryen is looking to reverse the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Esposito is looking to take a break and control but Targaryen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Esposito is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Targaryen has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Targaryen tries to improve position but can't.
Esposito wants to lay and pray for a moment but Targaryen keeps working.
Targaryen tries to bench press Esposito off him but Esposito keeps the position.
Esposito prevents Targaryen from escaping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Esposito is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Targaryen is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Esposito trying to control the action but Targaryen is working from the bottom.
Targaryen is looking for a sweep.
Esposito trying to control the action but Targaryen is working from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anthony Esposito had his way with Rhaegar Targaryen in that round.
The cut man is working on Anthony Esposito's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Jab by Targaryen .
Esposito shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Targaryen as he jumps to the side.
A right-left combo lands from Targaryen .
Esposito shoots in for a takedown but Targaryen shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Targaryen moves into range and connects with a jab.
Targaryen lands a jab to Esposito's midsection.
Nice body punch from Targaryen .
Targaryen stalks Esposito and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Esposito's face. Esposito staggers backwards, shaken.
Esposito will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anthony Esposito. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Targaryen connects with a body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A decent looking cross lands there for Targaryen .
Targaryen throws a jab but it's blocked by Esposito.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esposito shoots in for a takedown but Targaryen shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Targaryen cracks Esposito with an open hand slap.
Esposito shoots in but Targaryen avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Targaryen throws out a loose jab but Esposito uses good head movement to avoid it.
Esposito staying out of range there.
Nice sprawl there from Targaryen as Esposito shoots in.
Esposito bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Targaryen misses with a lunging right hand

and Esposito counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Targaryen isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Esposito stacks Targaryen on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Esposito!
Targaryen is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esposito trying to control the action but Targaryen is working from the bottom.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Esposito is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Targaryen is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Targaryen manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Targaryen seems to be working for a kimura but Esposito defends the submission attempt.
Targaryen prevents Esposito from standing back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esposito slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Esposito manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Targaryen bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Esposito tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Esposito manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Rhaegar Targaryen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Esposito is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Anthony Esposito is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Targaryen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Targaryen gets caught flat footed, as Esposito shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Targaryen looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Targaryen is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Esposito controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Esposito stands up and waves to Targaryen to follow him.

Esposito darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Anthony Esposito.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Esposito, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 50:45
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 50:45
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anthony Esposito!
Anthony Esposito is the new lightweight champion!
Anthony Esposito decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.