PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Gerard Esqueda (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kawamura Yoshimune (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Esqueda might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Cant del Barça. Yoshimune has chosen The Riverboat Song - Ocean Colour Scene as his entrance music. Kawamura Yoshimune has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Esqueda
vs
Yoshimune

179 cm
27
169 lbs
15 - 8 - 0

178 cm
30
163 lbs
20 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

GREEN!

Hellbent
Brute

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 15 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Gerard Esqueda!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kawamura Yoshimune!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Gwen Towbar and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Esqueda throws a hook to the side of Yoshimune's head but Yoshimune sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Yoshimune moves out of range as Esqueda throws a body kick.
Yoshimune attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Yoshimune connects with a leg kick. Esqueda looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

Yoshimune gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Yoshimune has a couple of punches blocked by Esqueda.
Esqueda lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Esqueda fails to land.
Esqueda will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Yoshimune up against the cage.
Yoshimune misses with a hook to the ribs.
A right handed body shot lands from Esqueda.
Esqueda scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Esqueda lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Esqueda misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yoshimune misses with the head strike.
Esqueda scores with a shot to the side of Yoshimune's head.
Yoshimune tries to stall but Esqueda uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Esqueda misses with a body punch.
Yoshimune misses with the head strike.
Esqueda misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Esqueda throws a head punch that misses.
Yoshimune lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Esqueda is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Yoshimune.
Yoshimune swings wildly with an uppercut but Esqueda uses good head movement to avoid it.
Esqueda is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Yoshimune lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Esqueda backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda has a couple of punches blocked by Yoshimune.
Yoshimune misses with a punch on the inside.
Yoshimune lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Esqueda backwards.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Yoshimune.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Yoshimune.
Esqueda lands a nice uppercut.
Esqueda lands with a light punch inside.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Yoshimune misses with a hook from the clinch.
Esqueda blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Esqueda throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Yoshimunes head.

Esqueda breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kawamura Yoshimune is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Esqueda takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Yoshimune slips a straight right by Esqueda.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yoshimune is looking to land body kicks.
Esqueda misses with a hook. Yoshimune ducked under it nicely.
Yoshimune looks to land a right hand but Esqueda moved out of range.
Esqueda ducks under a wild hook from Yoshimune.
Yoshimune fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Esqueda throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Yoshimune's waist but Yoshimune gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Esqueda off to one side.
Esqueda takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Yoshimune uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Esqueda.
Esqueda tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Yoshimune fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Esqueda checks it well.
Esqueda connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yoshimune misses the shot to the body.
Esqueda shoots in but no luck this time.
Yoshimune cracks Esqueda with a right hand to the side of the head.
Yoshimune jabs Esqueda right on the nose. Esqueda blinks but takes it well.
Yoshimune tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Esqueda takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Yoshimune throws out a leg kick but Esqueda moves out of range and Yoshimune only half commits.
Yoshimune ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Esqueda moves away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Good shot there by Esqueda.
Yoshimune dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Esqueda. That did some damage!
Esqueda catches Yoshimune with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Kawamura Yoshimune will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Yoshimune throws a leg kick

and Esqueda counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Yoshimune is looking for a sweep. Esqueda is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Yoshimune trying to control but Esqueda postures up.
Esqueda thows a huge punch but Yoshimune dodges it nicely.
Esqueda works his way into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esqueda looking to control but instead Yoshimune has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
Esqueda not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Yoshimune is trying to control but can't.
Yoshimune avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Esqueda.

Esqueda seems to be looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yoshimune tries to kick Esqueda off but Esqueda keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Esqueda not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Esqueda 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.
Esqueda is looking to take a break and control but Yoshimune is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Yoshimune is looking to control Esqueda's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Yoshimune avoid being mounted?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yoshimune blocking the ground and pound attempt from Esqueda.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Kawamura Yoshimune.
The fighters circling - Yoshimune throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Yoshimune looks to throw the jab but Esqueda is out of range.
Yoshimune misses with a hook. Esqueda ducked under it nicely.
Yoshimune throws a lazy head kick

and Esqueda counters with a nice double leg into side control. Yoshimune won't be happy with that.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Yoshimune seems a little lost for a moment, as Esqueda dominates the positioning.
Esqueda has knee on belly and moves into mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda controlling his opponent.
Yoshimune gets back to half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Yoshimune gets back to full guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Yoshimune tries to land a sweep but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Esqueda shoots for a double leg takedown but Yoshimune sprawls well. He's pushed Esqueda's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Esqueda tried to score with a low kick but Yoshimune checks it.
Yoshimune tries to clinch but Esqueda moves out of range.
Kawamura Yoshimune seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Yoshimune misses with a low kick.
Yoshimune throws out a leg kick but Esqueda moves out of range and Yoshimune only half commits.
A bone on bone clash there as Esqueda blocks the leg kick.
Yoshimune avoids the body shot from Esqueda.
Esqueda moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Yoshimune checks a low kick from Esqueda.
Yoshimune dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Yoshimune. Esqueda does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yoshimune throws a body kick that misses.
Esqueda chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Yoshimune can pounce on him.
A leg kick checked by Yoshimune.
Good work by Esqueda as he checks the leg kick.
Esqueda misses with a body shot
and Esqueda takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Yoshimune.
Esqueda blocks a leg kick.
Yoshimune throws a quick inside leg kick.
Esqueda keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Yoshimune.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Yoshimune.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yoshimune throws a leg kick

and Esqueda counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Yoshimune!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Yoshimune defending against the ground and pound.
Esqueda fails to land a wild elbow strike.
The strikes coming from Esqueda are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Esqueda passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Yoshimune!
Yoshimune in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Esqueda takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Esqueda in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Yoshimune slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Yoshimune is looking for a sweep. Esqueda is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Esqueda is thwarting Yoshimune's attempts to control the position.
Esqueda thows a huge punch but Yoshimune dodges it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Esqueda wants to work for an arm triangle but Yoshimune is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Esqueda scoring with strikes to the body and head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Esqueda has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Esqueda with shots to the head and body - Yoshimune looks very uncomfortable down there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gerard Esqueda clearly takes that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Esqueda drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Yoshimune wants to land a leg kick but Esqueda is out of range.
Yoshimune misses the shot to the body.
Esqueda with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Yoshimune to score with a decent uppercut.
Yoshimune chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Yoshimune throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Esqueda sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A low kick from Yoshimune misses

and Esqueda decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Yoshimune's guard.
Esqueda stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Yoshimune swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Esqueda passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yoshimune defending against the ground and pound.
Esqueda working away.
Esqueda trying to control the position but Yoshimune is working away.
Yoshimune tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Esqueda wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Esqueda prevents Yoshimune from escaping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yoshimune taking punishment in the form of punches.
Esqueda working the ground and pound but Yoshimune is defending the strikes.
Yoshimune manages to get back to half guard.
Esqueda is looking to advance position but Yoshimune won't allow it.
Esqueda frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Esqueda raining down shots from the mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice elbow there by Esqueda.
Esqueda throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Esqueda throws some wild stikes that Yoshimune manages to avoid easily.
Esqueda with good strikes from the mount here!
Esqueda tries to control but Yoshimune wriggling away.
Gerard Esqueda overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yoshimune holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Esqueda tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Yoshimune is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Esqueda throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Esqueda in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Yoshimune tries to reverse the position but Esqueda maintains control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gerard Esqueda had his way with Kawamura Yoshimune in 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. This is the final round!

Yoshimune ducks under a wild hook from Esqueda.
Esqueda cracks Yoshimune with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
A thudding body kick lands there by Yoshimune!
Yoshimune misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Esqueda is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Esqueda lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Kawamura Yoshimune seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Esqueda avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Yoshimune staying out of range there.
Esqueda swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Esqueda on the wrong end of a nice jab.
A looping hook to the body misses from Yoshimune. Esqueda does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esqueda thuds a left hand into Yoshimune's body.
Yoshimune throws out a leg kick but Esqueda moves out of range and Yoshimune only half commits.
Yoshimune throws a leg kick but Esqueda sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Good leg kick by Yoshimune there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Esqueda throws a poor cross that misses
and Yoshimune counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Esqueda shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Yoshimune throws a hook to the side of Esqueda's head but Esqueda sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Esqueda misses with a body shot
and Yoshimune counters with a solid body kick.
Yoshimune lands a nice looking body kick.
Yoshimune tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Esqueda manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kawamura Yoshimune has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda closes the distance and clinches up with Yoshimune, looking for a takedown. Esqueda pushes Yoshimune against the cage but Yoshimune circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Yoshimune lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Yoshimune's corner calls for a 1-2. Yoshimune obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Yoshimune throws a solid leg kick but Esqueda takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Yoshimune.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Esqueda checks a leg kick.
Yoshimune fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Esqueda checks it well.
Yoshimune takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Esqueda walks into a left hand.
Yoshimune tries to clinch but Esqueda is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Yoshimune's hands.
Gerard Esqueda is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Yoshimune throws a half hearted mid kick.
Yoshimune throws a predictable looking body shot

and Esqueda counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Yoshimune's guard now.
Esqueda advances to half guard.
Esqueda content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Yoshimune is trying to maintain the position but Esqueda is very close to passing his half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda is pressing down on Yoshimune's thigh, looking to free his foot. Yoshimune is holding on for now.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Esqueda in particular looking to stall.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Esqueda lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A good leg kick by Esqueda.

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 Gerard Esqueda.
I think Esqueda has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 50:45
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 49:46
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 50:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gerard Esqueda!
Gerard Esqueda is the new lightweight champion!
Gerard Esqueda made sure to mention his sponsor, $300 in his post fight interview.