PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jean Sibelius (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gerard Esqueda (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Esqueda is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Cant del Barça. Gerard Esqueda has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Sibelius
vs
Esqueda

175 cm
35
165 lbs
38 - 12 - 0

179 cm
30
169 lbs
24 - 10 - 2

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Granite chin

Heisenberg

Affordable Quality + Reliable Laundry

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 38 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jean Sibelius!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 10 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, Gerard Esqueda!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Daniel Bishop and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Esqueda takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Esqueda tries to score with a low kick but Sibelius moves his leg out of the way.
Esqueda has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Sibelius scores with a sloppy right hand. Esqueda should have avoided that one.
Sibelius lands a glancing blow to the side of Esqueda's head.
Sibelius fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Good work by Sibelius as he checks the leg kick.
Esqueda fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Esqueda moves away from the strike by Sibelius.
Jean Sibelius seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sibelius fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
A nice leg kick lands there from Esqueda.
Esqueda chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Sibelius throws a right and a left that Esqueda avoids nicely.
Esqueda lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
That kick from Esqueda tenderised Sibelius's leg. Sibelius is trying to keep his angry face on.
A good leg kick by Esqueda.
Sibelius misses with a wild body shot.
Sibelius connects with a right hand. Esqueda shakes it off.
Sibelius lands with a hook. Esqueda tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

It looks like Gerard Esqueda has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sibelius throws a jab when Esqueda was well out of range.
Sibelius throws a right hand that misses

and Esqueda counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Esqueda misses with a head shot. Sibelius uses the momentum to regain guard.
Esqueda stopping the sweep attempt from Sibelius.

Sibelius is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Esqueda defends well.
Sibelius looking to hit a scissor sweep but Esqueda is one step ahead there.
Esqueda missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Esqueda advances to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda prevents Sibelius from improving his position.
Esqueda wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sibelius keeps working.
Sibelius's coaches at All Around Training have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Esqueda thows a huge punch but Sibelius dodges it nicely.

Sibelius looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Esqueda is trying to control. Sibelius wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Sibelius throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Sibelius is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Esqueda landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Sibelius moves into full guard.
Sibelius looking to hit a scissor sweep but Esqueda is one step ahead there.

Sibelius had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Esqueda defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sibelius working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Esqueda.

Sibelius escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Esqueda gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Sibelius manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Sibelius putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Sibelius with the ground and pound from mount.
Sibelius unloading with bombs!
Sibelius can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Esqueda is looking to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sibelius lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Esqueda hang on?

That has opened up Gerard Esqueda's cut even more.
Sibelius lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Esqueda hang on?
Esqueda gets back to half guard.
Esqueda has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Sibelius thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Esqueda's head.
Esqueda regains full guard. Nicely done.
Esqueda wants to sweep here but Sibelius controlling him for the moment.

Esqueda has an active guard here but Sibelius has managed to pass into half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sibelius looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Esqueda is refusing to be controlled, as Sibelius sits in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Sibelius blocks a low kick nicely.
Esqueda looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Sibelius ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Esqueda moves away.
Sibelius misses with a jab to the body

and Esqueda counters with a takedown into side control.
Esqueda trying to control the position but Sibelius is working away.
Esqueda throws an elbow but Sibelius slips to the side and avoids it well.
Sibelius sneaks back into half guard.
Sibelius is looking to improve his position.
Sibelius is pressing down on Esqueda's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Sibelius is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Esqueda defends well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esqueda passes into half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Esqueda connects with a nice short shot to Sibelius's temple.
Sibelius avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Esqueda.
Sibelius gets full guard.

Sibelius looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Esqueda preventing the sweep.
Jean Sibelius overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Esqueda trying to control but Sibelius is working from the bottom.

Sibelius looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Esqueda keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Sibelius's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Sibelius's head.
Esqueda trying to control but Sibelius is working from the bottom.
Esqueda lands a couple of digs.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Esqueda tries to free his leg and advance position but Sibelius is retaining full guard.
Sibelius looking to hit a scissor sweep but Esqueda is one step ahead there.
Esqueda working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Esqueda stopping the sweep attempt from Sibelius.
Esqueda throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Esqueda trying to control but Sibelius is working from the bottom.
Sibelius working a defensive guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda chips away with some ground and pound.
Sibelius wants to sweep here but Esqueda controlling him for the moment.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Sibelius holds on and takes a little breather.

Sibelius throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Sibelius working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Esqueda doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Esqueda manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Esqueda stands up over Sibelius, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

It looks like Jean Sibelius has been cut.
Esqueda connects with a couple of short punches.
Esqueda keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Sibelius's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Esqueda landing some decent shots from guard.
Esqueda stands and throws Sibelius's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Sibelius tries to buck Esqueda off but Esqueda is having none of it.
Sibelius gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Esqueda tries to pass to full mount but Sibelius defends it.
Sibelius is trying to get back to full guard.
Esqueda wants to pass to mount but Sibelius is defending the position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sibelius works his way to full guard. Good work.

Esqueda avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Esqueda cracks Sibelius with a solid left hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gerard Esqueda showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Esqueda.
Esqueda thumps Sibelius with a low kick.
A jab from Sibelius misses.
Sibelius is trying hard to land a takedown here. Esqueda sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Esqueda fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Sibelius.

Esqueda shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Sibelius trying to keep a closed guard but Esqueda is proving a slippery customer.
Sibelius is really struggling to control Esqueda but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Esqueda stopping the sweep attempt from Sibelius.
Sibelius keeping moving, preventing Esqueda from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esqueda throwing strikes but missing.
Sibelius keeping moving, preventing Esqueda from controlling successfully.

Esqueda got a little sloppy there for a moment and Sibelius has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Esqueda has managed to get both his arms back between Sibelius's legs - danger averted.
Esqueda passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Esqueda looks up at the clock and then as Sibelius takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Esqueda smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Esqueda in side control lands a decent elbow.
Sibelius is working to avoid the ground and pound but Esqueda connects with a decent elbow.
Sibelius striking from the bottom but nothing landed.
Esqueda is chipping away with strikes.
Esqueda misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Esqueda working the head with strikes.
Esqueda is working Sibelius over with some ground and pound from side control.
Sibelius is trying to get back to half guard.
Esqueda landing a few strikes.
Esqueda cracks Sibelius with a big right hand but Sibelius just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Sibelius manages to get back to half guard.
Sibelius is looking to improve his position.
Esqueda wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sibelius keeps working.

Sibelius actively working from the bottom here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Esqueda missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Esqueda is nestled in close to Sibelius, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sibelius is staying active underneath Esqueda, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Sibelius is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Esqueda not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Sibelius has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Esqueda is working away from the top position though.
Esqueda lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Sibelius is looking to improve his position.
Esqueda is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Esqueda thows a huge punch but Sibelius dodges it nicely.
Sibelius regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda preventing the sweep.
Esqueda scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Sibelius can't keep his opponent in guard - Esqueda advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Esqueda seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Esqueda is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Sibelius looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Sibelius tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Esqueda has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Esqueda trying to control but Sibelius is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gerard Esqueda really dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Esqueda defending well as Sibelius loads up on a big left hand.
Sibelius goes for a double leg but Esqueda avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Esqueda continues to drive forward.
Esqueda is pressed up against the cage. Sibelius has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Esqueda down to the mat. Esqueda avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Jean Sibelius is winning the standup battle so far.
Sibelius misses with a hook.
Esqueda throws a leg kick which misses Sibelius's front leg but catches the back leg as Sibelius tries to avoid it.
Esqueda is looking to slow Sibelius down with leg kicks.
Esqueda is looking to chop away at Sibelius's legs.
Esqueda feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Sibelius's calf.
Sibelius misses with an uppercut

and Esqueda counters with a nice double leg into side control. Sibelius won't be happy with that.
Esqueda lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A lull in the action here.
Sibelius takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esqueda grinds an elbow into Sibelius's temple.
Esqueda working the ground and pound.
Esqueda is putting a hurting on Sibelius here, landing some big shots from side control.
Esqueda cracks Sibelius with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Esqueda scores with punches from side control.
Sibelius manages to get back to half guard.
Sibelius blocking the ground and pound attempt from Esqueda.
Esqueda trying to control from half guard but Sibelius is working away.
Sibelius regains full guard. Nicely done.
Esqueda chips away with some ground and pound.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Esqueda seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Sibelius trying to keep a closed guard but Esqueda is proving a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Sibelius is on top in guard.
Sibelius wants to control from the top but Esqueda keeps moving.

Esqueda is looking for a triangle but Sibelius pushes his legs off easily.
Sibelius scoring with punches to the head and body.

Esqueda is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Esqueda keeping moving, preventing Sibelius from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sibelius is pushing down on Esqueda's leg trying to pass to half guard. Esqueda is fighting to maintain full guard but Sibelius has managed to sneak the leg through.
Esqueda has hold of Sibelius's hands but Sibelius slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Sibelius throwing shots but Esqueda is blocking nicely.
Esqueda tries to roll over but Sibelius keeps him under control.
Esqueda is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Sibelius's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Sibelius's back!
I really don't envy Sibelius right now.
Sibelius is taking damage to the body and head.
Sibelius wants to escape the position.
Sibelius just trying to survive but Esqueda is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Esqueda lands with a big left hand that may well have hurt his opponent. Can Sibelius hold on?!
Esqueda is hanging on to Sibelius's back as he tries to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Will Esqueda go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Sibelius tries to escape the position.
Esqueda is working the ground and pound here and the referee is taking a close look at Sibelius. He must escape soon or this one will be stopped.
Sibelius tries to break free.
Can Sibelius hold on?! Esqueda is landing more strikes to his hapless foe.
Sibelius tries to break free.
Can Sibelius hold on?! Esqueda is landing more strikes to his hapless foe.
I really don't envy Sibelius right now.
Esqueda is trying to stick to Sibelius's back but Sibelius is turning into Esqueda. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Esqueda's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Sibelius.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sibelius trying to control but Esqueda is working from the bottom.
Esqueda working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sibelius.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gerard Esqueda dominated that fourth round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
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!

Sibelius shoots in looking for a takedown. Esqueda tries to sprawl out of it but Sibelius keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Esqueda manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Esqueda misses with a takedown attempt - Sibelius sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Esqueda dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Esqueda takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Sibelius misses with a left hand

and Esqueda counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Sibelius!
Sibelius is looking for a sweep.
Esqueda is working Sibelius over with some ground and pound from side control.
Esqueda grinds an elbow into Sibelius's temple.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sibelius is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Esqueda is working Sibelius over with some ground and pound from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sibelius struggling a bit here.
Esqueda scores with punches from side control.
Sibelius is trying to control Esqueda's posture but Esqueda avoids it.
Esqueda is looking to take a break and control but Sibelius is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Sibelius tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Esqueda is putting a hurting on Sibelius here, landing some big shots from side control.
Sibelius can't do much from the bottom here.
Esqueda working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sibelius is looking for a sweep.
Sibelius is working hard here to advance position.
Sibelius gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Sibelius is not content to let Esqueda control the position.

Sibelius actively working from the bottom here.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Esqueda wants to control but Sibelius is keeping him busy.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sibelius regains full guard. Nicely done.
Esqueda distracts Sibelius with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Esqueda with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Esqueda preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sibelius not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Gerard Esqueda is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Esqueda passes into half guard.
Esqueda with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Sibelius tries to get to full guard but Esqueda has control of the leg.
Esqueda is looking to take a break and control but Sibelius is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Jean Sibelius has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Sibelius looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Sibelius trying to hold on to Esqueda's head to control him but Esqueda postures up.
Esqueda is keen to just control but Sibelius is a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sibelius is looking to improve his position.
Esqueda controlling the pace.
Sibelius wants to improve his position but Esqueda is controlling well.
Esqueda is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Sibelius is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Esqueda with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Gerard Esqueda was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Esqueda fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gerard Esqueda comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Esqueda has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight 46:49
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 46:49
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gerard Esqueda!
Gerard Esqueda is the new lightweight champion!
An out of breath and clearly excited Gerard Esqueda thanked $300 for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).