PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jie Liu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gerard Esqueda (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Liu comes to the cage accompanied by The Cinematic Orchestra ft. Roots Manuva - All Things To All Men. Esqueda has chosen Cant del Barça as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. On his way into the cage it seems that Jie Liu has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Jie Liu seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Liu
vs
Esqueda

173 cm
29
162 lbs
23 - 8 - 0

179 cm
29
169 lbs
21 - 9 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Granite chin

KAISER
Heisenberg

Hell's Balls Recovery (160)
GREEN!160

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 23 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jie Liu!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Gerard Esqueda!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Esqueda swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Liu lands with a shot to the body.
Liu throws a quick inside leg kick.
Good shot there by Liu.

It looks like Gerard Esqueda has been cut.
Liu misses with an attempted mid kick.
Liu is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Esqueda.
Esqueda throws a shot from downtown. Liu moves away and avoids it.
Esqueda slips under a jab.
Esqueda throws a jab but it's blocked by Liu.
Esqueda works Liu's body with a nice hook.
Liu throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Esqueda.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Esqueda stuns Liu with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Liu uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Esqueda.
Liu moves away from the strike by Esqueda.
An inside leg kick lands from Liu.
Liu takes a swing at Esqueda's ribcage but misses.
Esqueda takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Liu throws a leg kick that misses.
Liu moves into range and connects with a jab.
Liu is looking to slow Esqueda down with leg kicks.
Liu scores with a one two! Esqueda had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Nice uppercut lands for Liu. That snapped Esqueda's head back.
Liu dives in for a single leg takedown but Esqueda sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Esqueda drops down looking for an ankle pick but Liu pulls his leg out and moves away.
Esqueda ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Liu moves away.
Esqueda misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Liu.
Liu takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Liu moves out of range as Esqueda strikes.
Liu just misses with a punch to the body.
A bone on bone clash there as Esqueda blocks the leg kick.
Esqueda fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Esqueda lands with a cross.
Liu 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. Nice footwork from Liu.
Esqueda stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Liu.
Liu lands with a thumping leg kick.
Liu ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Liu doesn't manage to clinch there - Esqueda circles away.
Liu attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Liu fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Esqueda is out of range.
Esqueda slips under a jab from Liu.
Liu throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A solid body kick from Liu.
Liu throws out a loose jab but Esqueda uses good head movement to avoid it.
Liu lands a head kick!
Liu throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Liu is trying hard to land a takedown here. Esqueda sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Esqueda is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Liu rather than just go for the knockout.
Liu throws a nice outside leg kick.
Esqueda ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Liu moves away.
Esqueda scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Liu doesn't seem bothered though.
Liu misses with a leg kick.
Some bone on bone action there as Esqueda checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Liu throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Esqueda throws a hook but Liu avoids it easily.
Liu lands with a thumping leg kick.
Gerard Esqueda is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Liu ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Esqueda moves away.
Esqueda keeps Liu at a distance using the push kick.
Liu misses with a body kick.
Jab from Esqueda.
Liu lands with a kick to the temple. Esqueda shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda checks the leg kick.
Esqueda scores with a jab to the head.
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!
A looping hook to the body misses from Liu. Esqueda does a little dance to reset his feet.
Liu throws a quick inside leg kick.
Good work by Esqueda as he checks the leg kick.
Liu misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Liu turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
A big right from Liu misses.
Esqueda's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Esqueda chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Liu tries a head kick but it misses.
Esqueda scores with a hook to the body. Liu takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Liu tries to land a leg kick but Esqueda saw it coming and moves away.
Esqueda lands a front kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Liu.
Liu tries to land a front kick but Esqueda steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jie Liu dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Gerard Esqueda's cut.
That's time! Liu's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Liu fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Esqueda manages to avoid it.
Esqueda uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Liu.
Liu throws a wild body kick that Esqueda sees coming a mile off.
Liu uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Esqueda.
Esqueda connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Esqueda lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Esqueda walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Liu moves out of range of the body kick.
Liu jabs at Esqueda's body.
Liu throws a low kick but Esqueda avoids it.
Jie Liu is winning the standup battle so far.
Esqueda misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Liu.
Liu moves out of range of the body kick.
Liu tries a head kick but it misses.
Esqueda misses with a looping left.
Esqueda ducks under a wild hook from Liu.
Esqueda with a body punch. A glancing blow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esqueda keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Liu tries to work over Esqueda's front leg with a kick but Esqueda checks it.
Liu scores with a body shot.
Liu throws a body kick that misses.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Liu.
Liu misses with a leg kick.
A lazy left from Esqueda finds it's target.
Esqueda staying out of range there.
Liu throws out a leg kick but Esqueda moves out of range and Liu only half commits.
Donk. Esqueda catches Liu right on the button with a cross.
Esqueda takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Esqueda throws a quick inside leg kick.
Esqueda circles away from the clinch attempt.
A nice inside leg kick there by Liu. That's going to slow Esqueda down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Liu doesn't manage to clinch there - Esqueda circles away.
Esqueda lands with an uppercut that bounces Liu off the cage and back into range.
Liu lands with a straight right. Esqueda didn't see that one coming.
Liu shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Esqueda but Esqueda pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Liu is looking to land body kicks.
Esqueda looks to land a left hand but Liu moved out of range nicely.
Esqueda lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Esqueda has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Liu.
Liu is looking to clinch.
Donk. Esqueda catches Liu right on the button with a cross.
Liu is looking to chop away at Esqueda's legs.
Esqueda throws a jab but it's blocked by Liu.
Liu misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Esqueda fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Liu manages to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Liu tries to clinch up.
Esqueda pivots, looking for a leg kick but Liu is out of range and Esqueda settles back down.
Liu's Muay Thai looks sharper than normal. He has obviously been working on it in the gym.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Esqueda checks a leg kick.
Esqueda fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Liu is out of range.
Liu takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Liu misses with a kick to the body.
Esqueda throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Esqueda defending well as Liu loads up on a big left hand.
Liu scores with a spinning back kick!
Liu throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Esqueda scores with a crisp jab that stopped Liu in his tracks.
Liu looks for the body kick but Esqueda saw that one coming.
Liu throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Liu drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Liu tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Liu throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Esqueda buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Liu throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Liu takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Liu on the wrong end of a nice hook.
A leg kick checked by Esqueda.
Liu goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Esqueda slips a straight right by Liu.
Liu scores with a kick to the body.
Esqueda connects with a body shot.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Liu throws the left hand but Esqueda avoids the punch easily.
Liu misses the shot to the body.
Liu throws an off balance right hand
and Esqueda makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Esqueda chopping away at his opponent's legs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Gerard Esqueda will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Gerard Esqueda's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Liu catches Esqueda with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Liu moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Esqueda is looking to chop away at Liu's legs.
Esqueda tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Liu was well out of range. Poor timing from Esqueda.
Esqueda bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
A low kick from Liu misses
and Esqueda connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Esqueda connects with a solid leg kick.
Esqueda throws a solid leg kick but Liu takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Esqueda.
A slapping body kick lands there for Liu.
Liu lands a right hook to the body.
Liu misses the shot to the body.
Liu checks the leg kick.
Liu lands with a cross.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A punch lands to the side of Liu 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Liu pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esqueda throws a looping overhand right but Liu ducks down to avoid it.
Esqueda paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Liu plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Liu keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Liu explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Esqueda feints and then cracks Liu's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Liu down.
Esqueda has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Liu.
Esqueda keeps the fight on the outside.
Liu tries to land a front kick but Esqueda steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Esqueda misses with an uppercut. Liu saw that one coming.
Liu tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Esqueda was well out of range. Poor timing from Liu.
Liu throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Esqueda with a nice cross.
Esqueda checks a leg kick.
A good leg kick by Esqueda.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Liu stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Esqueda.
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!
Esqueda misses with a wild body shot.

Liu gets the takedown into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Esqueda tries to bench press Liu off him but Liu keeps the position.

Liu wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Esqueda, who protects the arm well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Liu looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Liu is looking to take a break and control but Esqueda is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Liu scoring with punches from side control.
Esqueda avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Liu.

Liu is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Esqueda has escaped the position, nice work there.
Esqueda is looking to regain half guard here but Liu keeps moving and retains side control.
Esqueda defending against the ground and pound.

Liu tries for a kimura but Esqueda is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda regains half guard.
Esqueda is pressing down on Liu's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Liu slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Esqueda is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Liu trying to control the position from guard on top but Esqueda is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Liu makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jie Liu clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Gerard Esqueda's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Esqueda throws a body punch but Liu moves out of range.
Esqueda checks a leg kick nicely.
Liu looks to score with a jab to the body but Esqueda is just out of range.
Liu scores with a shot to the body.
Esqueda throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Liu tries to clinch there but Esqueda circles away.
A low kick from Liu is predictable there
and Esqueda counters with a nice low kick that buckles Liu's knee momentarily.
Liu thows a left - swing and a miss!
Esqueda misses the shot to the body.
Liu misses with a body kick.
Esqueda throws a nice inside leg kick.
Esqueda throws a leg kick but Liu sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Esqueda throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Esqueda misses with a hook. Liu ducked under it nicely.
Esqueda avoids the head kick by Liu.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Liu takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Liu keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Esqueda fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Liu.
A nice inside leg kick there by Liu. That's going to slow Esqueda down.
Esqueda with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Esqueda connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Esqueda throws a leg kick but Liu sees it coming and checks it nicely.
A slow jab from Esqueda misses its intended target.
Esqueda checks a leg kick.
Esqueda just misses with a punch to the body.
Esqueda lands with a kick to the ribs.
Liu blocks a leg kick.
Liu tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Esqueda was well out of range. Poor timing from Liu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Liu keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Liu ducks under a wild hook from Esqueda.
A jab from Esqueda misses.
Esqueda ducks right into an uppercut from Liu.
Liu ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Esqueda moves away.
Liu will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Liu misses with a low kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Liu. That's going to slow Esqueda down.
Esqueda lands a nice hook to Liu's body. Liu takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Liu lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
A nice leg kick lands there from Esqueda.
Liu scores with a kick to the body.
Liu takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
A clash of legs there as Liu blocks the low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda misses with a low kick.
Liu throws a head kick that misses.
Esqueda misses with a hook. Liu ducked under it nicely.
Esqueda looks to score with a jab to the body but Liu is just out of range.
Esqueda getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Esqueda keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Esqueda looks to land a left hand but Liu moved out of range nicely.
Esqueda misses with a body shot.
Liu pushes Esqueda away with a front kick.
Liu throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Liu avoids the body shot from Esqueda.
Liu slips under a jab from Esqueda.
A chopping leg kick lands by Liu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A jab lands there for Esqueda.
Esqueda looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Liu keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Liu looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Liu lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Liu scores with a kick to the midsection.
A slapping body kick lands there for Liu.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Liu throws a sloppy head kick and Esqueda moves out of range easily.
Horrible takedown by Liu or perhaps it was just good defense by Esqueda which made him look bad.
Esqueda thows a body shot but no joy.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Liu misses with a few strikes there.
Esqueda throws a lazy right hand but Liu sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Liu is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gerard Esqueda dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Gerard Esqueda's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Liu bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Esqueda tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Liu was well out of range. Poor timing from Esqueda.
Liu throws a hook but Esqueda avoids it easily.
Esqueda gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Liu looks to land a body kick but Esqueda moved away.
Esqueda connects with an inside leg kick.
Esqueda's jab looks to have found its range, popping Liu under the eye.
Esqueda fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Liu is out of range.
Liu throws a low kick but Esqueda avoids it.
Liu jabs at Esqueda's body.
Esqueda scores with a sloppy right hand. Liu should have avoided that one.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Esqueda.
Liu misses with a low kick as Esqueda jumps back.
Esqueda loads up on a big right hand but Liu slips the punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Liu throws a head kick but Esqueda moves out of range.
Liu moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Liu throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Esqueda stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Esqueda throws a lazy right hand but Liu sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Liu avoids the body shot from Esqueda.
Liu misses with a low kick.
Esqueda misses with a body shot.
Liu looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Esqueda scores with a jab to the body.
Esqueda misses with a body shot
and Liu counters with a nice low kick that buckles Esqueda's knee momentarily.
Liu motions for Esqueda to come forward. Liu throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Esqueda checks a leg kick nicely.
Esqueda throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
That kick from Liu tenderised Esqueda's leg. Esqueda is trying to keep his angry face on.
Esqueda swings for the body but Liu moves out of range.
Liu misses with a body kick.
Esqueda on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Esqueda lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Esqueda connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Liu misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Esqueda checks a low kick from Liu.
Esqueda fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Liu manages to avoid it.
Esqueda just misses with a punch to the body.
Esqueda takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Esqueda dips to his left and cracks Liu with an uppercut!
Liu avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Liu connects with a single shot there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda checks a low kick from Liu.
Liu avoids the body shot from Esqueda.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Liu.
Esqueda loads up on a big right hand but Liu slips the punch.
Esqueda fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Esqueda on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
A low kick from Liu misses
and Esqueda counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Esqueda takes a swing at Liu's ribcage but misses.
Esqueda misses with a body shot.
Esqueda throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Liu bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Esqueda's head backwards.
Liu throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Esqueda.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Esqueda throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Esqueda lands a body shot.
Liu lands a nice shot to the body.
Liu throws a head kick that misses.
Esqueda thows a left - swing and a miss!
Esqueda misses with a body shot
and Liu makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Liu fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Esqueda is out of range.
Liu uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Esqueda has time to react.
Liu tries to work over Esqueda's front leg with a kick but Esqueda checks it.
Esqueda looks to land a right hand but Liu moved out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Esqueda swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Liu looks to land a body kick but Esqueda moved away.
Esqueda swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

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 Jie Liu.
I think Liu 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 47:48
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 48:48
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 49:46

The fight is ruled a draw!
Jie Liu retains his title. It's always disappointing when a championship fight ends as a draw but that's what happens when you leave the fight in the judges hands!