PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Nathan Wallace (ranked 2013 p4p, 3640 weight class) and Ramon Escobar Chavez (ranked 204 p4p, 321 weight class). Escobar Chavez has chosen Buena Vista Social Club - Hasta Siempre as his entrance music. Nathan Wallace had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Wallace
vs
Escobar Chavez

176 cm
43
146
35 - 26 - 0

179 cm
42
150
34 - 14 - 6

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

The Dirty Needle Project

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 35 - 26 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Nathan Wallace!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 34 - 14 - 6, fighting out of New York, Ramon Escobar Chavez!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Don Winkell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wallace misses with a straight left.
Wallace throws a body punch but Escobar Chavez moves out of range.
Escobar Chavez is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Wallace with a body shot.
Escobar Chavez looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
As Escobar Chavez backs away, Wallace returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Escobar Chavez misses with a jab, cross combination.
Escobar Chavez misses with a series of wild punches.
Wallace throws a big counter combination but Escobar Chavez scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Wallace throws a head kick that misses.
Wallace throws a nice inside leg kick.
Wallace bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Escobar Chavez's head.
Escobar Chavez digs a good hook to Wallace's body.
A slow jab from Wallace misses its intended target.
Escobar Chavez tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Wallace was well out of range. Poor timing from Escobar Chavez.
Wallace tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Escobar Chavez was well out of range. Poor timing from Wallace.
Escobar Chavez bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Escobar Chavez is defended easily by Wallace.
Escobar Chavez has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Escobar Chavez shoots for a takedown but Wallace saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Nathan Wallace has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ramon Escobar Chavez.
Escobar Chavez feints a jab promting Wallace to slip. Escobar Chavez then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Wallace slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
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!
Wallace misses with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Escobar Chavez throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Escobar Chavez lands an overhand right.
Escobar Chavez throws a hook but Wallace avoids it easily.
Wallace scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Escobar Chavez avoids the body shot from Wallace.
Wallace stuffs the takedown.
Nice shot lands for Escobar Chavez.
Escobar Chavez shoots in for a takedown but Wallace shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Escobar Chavez closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Escobar Chavez lands in his opponent's guard.
Wallace has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.

Escobar Chavez got a little sloppy there for a moment and Wallace has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Escobar Chavez has managed to get both his arms back between Wallace's legs - danger averted.
Escobar Chavez trying to control the position from guard on top but Wallace is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Wallace wants to sweep here but Escobar Chavez controlling him for the moment.
Escobar Chavez loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wallace is trying to keep Escobar Chavez in close.
Wallace keeping moving, preventing Escobar Chavez from controlling successfully.
Escobar Chavez stopping the sweep attempt from Wallace.
Escobar Chavez is pushing down on Wallace's leg trying to pass to half guard. Wallace is fighting to maintain full guard but Escobar Chavez has managed to sneak the leg through.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Wallace wants to improve his position but Escobar Chavez is controlling well.
Escobar Chavez content to control rather than advance.
Escobar Chavez trying to control the action but Wallace is working from the bottom.
Wallace trying to hold on to Escobar Chavez's head to control him but Escobar Chavez postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Escobar Chavez wants to take a breather but Wallace is having none of it.
The fighters are battling for position here. Wallace manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Escobar Chavez won't allow Wallace to sweep him here.
Escobar Chavez working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Escobar Chavez wants to control from the top but Wallace keeps moving.
Wallace will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Escobar Chavez's corner is telling him to maintain position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Escobar Chavez throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Wallace feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Escobar Chavez moves out of range of the strikes.
Escobar Chavez fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Wallace manages to avoid it.
Wallace lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Escobar Chavez at a distance.
Wallace ducks under a wild hook from Escobar Chavez.
Wallace is looking to wear down Escobar Chavez with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Wallace throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Escobar Chavez looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wallace keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Escobar Chavez.
Nathan Wallace seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Escobar Chavez moves away from the strike by Wallace.
Wallace buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Escobar Chavez takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Wallace tried to score with a low kick but Escobar Chavez checks it.
Escobar Chavez moves out of range as Wallace throws a body kick.
Escobar Chavez now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Escobar Chavez cracks Wallace with a good jab.
Escobar Chavez fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Wallace avoids it really well and circles away.
Escobar Chavez paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Wallace cracks Escobar Chavez with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Escobar Chavez lunges at Wallace with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Wallace's hand.
Wallace takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Wallace throws a jab but it's blocked by Escobar Chavez.
Escobar Chavez is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Wallace takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Wallace misses the jab.
Wallace gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Escobar Chavez counters with a nice uppercut.
Escobar Chavez lands a leg kick that knocks Wallace off balance momentarily.
Wallace fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Escobar Chavez manages to avoid it.
Nice takedown defense from Wallace. No joy for Escobar Chavez on that attempt.
It looked like Wallace wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Ramon Escobar Chavez seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Escobar Chavez stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Wallace.
Wallace lands with a hook. Escobar Chavez tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Escobar Chavez uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Wallace.
Wallace throws a body kick that misses
and Escobar Chavez counters with a straight right hand.

Escobar Chavez is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Wallace's half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Escobar Chavez is trying to control. Wallace wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Escobar Chavez passes to side control.
Escobar Chavez landing strikes.
Escobar Chavez wants to control but Wallace is keeping him busy.
Wallace is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Escobar Chavez is controlling him well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wallace tries to improve position but can't.
Wallace defending against the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wallace is looking for a sweep.
Wallace can't do much from the bottom here.
Ramon Escobar Chavez has got the better of the ground game so far.
Escobar Chavez is looking to take a break and control but Wallace is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

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.
Wallace gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Wallace wants to control but Escobar Chavez passes into side.
Escobar Chavez wants to lay and pray for a moment but Wallace keeps working.
Wallace wants to control but Escobar Chavez postures up.
Escobar Chavez is looking to take a break and control but Wallace is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Escobar Chavez throwing shots but missing, from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Escobar Chavez wants to control but Wallace is keeping him busy.
Escobar Chavez advances to mount.
Wallace tries to hold on but Escobar Chavez pushes him away.
Wallace is trying to escape the mount.
Escobar Chavez takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Wallace working to try and regain half guard.
Escobar Chavez lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Wallace hang on?
Escobar Chavez content just to control the position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Escobar Chavez landing strikes from the mount and Wallace is in trouble!
Escobar Chavez sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Wallace is working to get back to half guard.
Escobar Chavez thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Escobar Chavez trying to control but Wallace is having none of it.
Escobar Chavez landing strikes, looking to finish!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Escobar Chavez trying to control but Wallace is having none of it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ramon Escobar Chavez showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Escobar Chavez tries to score a power double leg takedown but Wallace sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Escobar Chavez somewhat.
Wallace is looking to counter with head kicks.
Escobar Chavez avoids the body shot from Wallace.
Escobar Chavez moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Escobar Chavez steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Wallace.
Escobar Chavez fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Wallace avoids it really well and circles away.
Escobar Chavez looks to land a right hand but Wallace moved out of range.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Escobar Chavez is defended easily by Wallace.
Nathan Wallace has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ramon Escobar Chavez.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Escobar Chavez tries to move into range but Wallace moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Nice defenses there by Wallace.
Escobar Chavez might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.

Escobar Chavez dives in and scores a takedown into Wallace's guard.
Wallace tries to strike from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wallace is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Wallace trying to control the action but Escobar Chavez is working from the bottom.
Wallace seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Wallace is looking to advance position but Escobar Chavez won't allow it.
Escobar Chavez regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Wallace.
Wallace trying to control but Escobar Chavez is working from the bottom.
Ramon Escobar Chavez is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Escobar Chavez avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Wallace wants to control from the top but Escobar Chavez keeps moving.
Wallace throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Escobar Chavez works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Wallace throwing strikes from guard but Escobar Chavez blocks nicely.
Wallace postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Wallace postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Wallace postures up and lands a big shot to Escobar Chavez's brow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wallace is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Wallace sitting in guard here, content to control.
Escobar Chavez trying to keep a closed guard but Wallace is proving a slippery customer.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Wallace missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Wallace keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Wallace is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Wallace throws an overhand right that lands on Escobar Chavez's shoulder, as Escobar Chavez tries to avoid the shot.
Wallace throws a head kick that misses.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Wallace uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Escobar Chavez.
Escobar Chavez shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
The fighters circle momentarily. Wallace darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wallace throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Wallace scores with a shot to the body.
Nice takedown defense from Wallace. No joy for Escobar Chavez on that attempt.
Escobar Chavez shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Wallace pinned against the cage. Wallace gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Wallace is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Escobar Chavez with a nice cross.
Wallace defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Escobar Chavez.

Escobar Chavez fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Wallace to the ground. Escobar Chavez is now in Wallace's guard.
Escobar Chavez takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Wallace not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Wallace will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Escobar Chavez working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Escobar Chavez trying to control the position from guard on top but Wallace is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nathan Wallace has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Escobar Chavez won't allow Wallace to sweep him here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nathan Wallace showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Escobar Chavez 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ramon Escobar Chavez!
Ramon Escobar Chavez thanked the fans post fight for their support.