PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mickey Backman (ranked 1525 p4p, 2804 weight class) and Jason Ezuego (ranked 208 p4p, 349 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Backman
vs
Ezuego

181 cm
26
177
4 - 1 - 0

181 cm
26
175
6 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Powerful

Brooklyn Threads
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Mickey Backman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jason Ezuego!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Eddie Farnsworth and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Backman lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Backman delivers a nice body kick.
Backman lands with a nice body kick.
Backman thumps Ezuego with a low kick.
Ezuego has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Backman feints and then cracks Ezuego's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Ezuego down.
Backman lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Backman scores with a spinning back kick!
Backman connects with a solid leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Backman shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ezuego but Ezuego pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Ezuego swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
An inside leg kick lands from Backman.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Backman throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Backman fakes the leg kick and cracks Ezuego in the body.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Backman - that will leave a mark!
A decent looking body kick lands there for Backman.
Ezuego takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Backman misses with a body kick.
Ezuego looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Backman connects with a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Backman lands with a kick to the ribs.
A low kick lands for Backman.
Backman scoring well with a low kick there.
Backman throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Ezuego 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.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ezuego chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Backman can pounce on him.
Ezuego on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Backman throws a nice head kick!
Backman throws a nice outside leg kick.
Jason Ezuego is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Backman doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Ezuego counters with a nice uppercut.
Both fighters circling a little - Backman finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Backman throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Backman scores with a push kick.
Backman looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Ezuego looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Backman throws a sloppy head kick and Ezuego moves out of range easily.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Ezuego! But no joy.
Backman chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Backman buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
A head kick misses from Backman.
Backman connects with an inside leg kick.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Backman.
A little jabbing left from Ezuego on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Backman tries to land a front kick but Ezuego steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Ezuego throws out a counter right but Backman avoids it with no problem.
Backman lands a front kick.
Backman scores with a head kick. Ezuego tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Backman fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Ezuego sprawls well initially but Backman persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Backman wants to free his trapped foot but Ezuego is holding on for dear life with his legs.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mickey Backman dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Backman looks for the body kick but Ezuego saw that one coming.
A little jabbing left from Ezuego on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Ezuego takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

Ezuego gets caught flat footed, as Backman shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Backman looking to pass the guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Backman pushes down on Ezuego's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Ezuego is not content to let Backman control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Backman tries to pass the half guard into mount. Ezuego knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Backman is trying to work for a kimura but Ezuego is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Backman wants to free his trapped foot but Ezuego is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Backman passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Ezuego!
Ezuego wants to try and get back to his feet.
Backman wants to take his opponent's back but he's not managed it.
Ezuego is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Backman fails to advance to Ezuego's back.
Backman punishing his opponent with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ezuego is trying to stand up.

Backman goes for an armbar but Ezuego turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Ezuego.
Ezuego sitting in guard, not really doing much.
We've been hearing good reports from Backman's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Mickey Backman overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Backman looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ezuego is one step ahead there.

Backman has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Ezuego can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Backman looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ezuego is one step ahead there.
Ezuego sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Ezuego wants to control from the top but Backman keeps moving.
Backman looking for a sweep. Not yet Backman, not yet.
Ezuego wants to control from the top but Backman keeps moving.
Ezuego is stalling in the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Backman throws a quick inside leg kick.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Backman looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Ezuego throws out a counter right but Backman avoids it with no problem.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mickey Backman dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Backman tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ezuego sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Backman somewhat.
Ezuego looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Backman delivers a nice body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Backman scores with a kick to the body.

Backman closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Backman is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Ezuego!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Backman wants to take Ezuego's back but he can't do it this time.
Backman throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Backman wants to take his opponent's back but instead Ezuego manages to regain half guard.
Ezuego is trying to stand.
Backman thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ezuego's head.
Ezuego is in trouble now - Backman has advanced to mount!
Ezuego's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.

Backman is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Ezuego has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Ezuego!
Ezuego trying to control but Backman is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Backman has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Ezuego can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Ezuego sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Backman is pulling down on Ezuego's head to control his posture.
Mickey Backman is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Backman is trying to keep Ezuego in close.
Ezuego showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Ezuego's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Backman wants to sweep but no luck.
Backman is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Backman seems to be working for a kimura but Ezuego defends the submission attempt.
Backman wants to pass to mount but Ezuego is defending the position.

Backman is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Ezuego defends it well.
Backman is pressing down on Ezuego's thigh, looking to free his foot. Ezuego is holding on for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ezuego looks like he's trying to stand up.
Backman not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Backman frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Backman with some aggressive grappling here, looking for the finish.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Backman thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mickey Backman showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Backman has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Dean Styles scores the fight 30:26
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 30:26
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mickey Backman!
Mickey Backman made sure to mention his sponsor, Barry Bonds Performance Enhancers $120 3 160Q in his post fight interview.