PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Garm Baph (ranked 4625 p4p, 4750 weight class) and Donald Esquivel (ranked 0 p4p, 415 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Baph
vs
Esquivel

225 cm
18
130
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
154
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good in bed

Good wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Garm Baph!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Donald Esquivel!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Frank Dennis and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Baph shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Esquivel sprawls well. Esquivel wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Baph gets slowly back to his feet.
Baph avoids the head kick by Esquivel.
Baph has a takedown stuffed.
Baph looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Esquivel lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Garm Baph. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Baph looks for a takedown but Esquivel sprawls well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Esquivel gets a double leg takedown into Baph's guard.
Baph not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Esquivel is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baph is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Baph being controlled here, momentarily.
Esquivel loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Esquivel with a flurry of punches that miss.
Esquivel pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Baph is keeping the position for now.
Esquivel has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Esquivel is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Esquivel's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Let's hope that Esquivel has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Baph keeping full guard, as Esquivel tries to pass.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Baph misses with a two punch combination.
Baph tries a head kick but it misses.

Esquivel moves into the clinch successfully.
Esquivel prevents a takedown attempt there.
Baph has Esquivel pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Esquivel manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Esquivel drags the fight down to the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esquivel is adopting a defensive guard.

Baph stands up from Esquivel's guard - Baph perhaps looking for a knockout.

Esquivel throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Baph tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Esquivel is in Baph's guard.
Baph is breathing heavily.
Esquivel slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
It looks like Esquivel might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esquivel throwing strikes from guard but Baph blocks nicely.
Esquivel looking to pass the guard.
Esquivel slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Donald Esquivel dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Baph tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Esquivel manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Esquivel tries a low kick but Baph avoids it.
Esquivel throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Baph counters with a nice body shot.
Baph moves in looking to clinch but Esquivel pushes him off.
Baph is looking to clinch but Esquivel is avoiding it.
Esquivel steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Baph.

Esquivel moves into the clinch successfully.
Baph wants to take the fight to the mat but Esquivel manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Esquivel turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Esquivel manages to end up in side control.
Baph tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Esquivel controlling from the full mount.
Baph tries to reverse the position but Esquivel maintains control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esquivel throwing strikes here but Baph is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Esquivel throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Esquivel takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

Esquivel throws some shoulder strikes here and then postures up. Oh, he's gone for an armbar! Baph has his hands clasped together but Esquivel breaks the hold and Baph is forced to tap! This one is aaaaaaaaaaall over! That was lightning fast by Esquivel!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:48 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Donald Esquivel!