PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Lucio Esteves (ranked 2930 p4p, 23499 weight class) and Romeo Del Gaiso (ranked 177 p4p, 353 weight class). Del Gaiso is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Deorro, Elvis Crespo & Henry Fong - Pica. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Esteves
vs
Del Gaiso

176 cm
27
145
3 - 1 - 0

180 cm
25
142
6 - 6 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Good chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Lucio Esteves!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Romeo Del Gaiso!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Chris Downing and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Del Gaiso gets a clinch.
Del Gaiso pushes Esteves back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Del Gaiso ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Del Gaiso no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Del Gaiso keeping full guard, as Esteves tries to pass.
Esteves passes Del Gaiso's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Esteves is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Del Gaiso is just riding it out for now. Esteves eventually gives up the hold.
Del Gaiso looks like he's trying to stand up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Esteves is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Esteves looking for a submission but Del Gaiso manages to get full guard, putting an end to that submission attempt.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Del Gaiso manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esteves has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Del Gaiso is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Del Gaiso scores with a nice hook to the head.
Esteves is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Del Gaiso is defending well.
Del Gaiso lands with a left to the head.

Esteves has hold of one of Del Gaiso's legs. Del Gaiso is fighting the takedown attempt but Esteves gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.

Del Gaiso has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Esteves has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Esteves wants to take the fight to the mat but Del Gaiso manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lucio Esteves. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Esteves is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Del Gaiso gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Esteves wants to take the fight to the mat but Del Gaiso manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Esteves is breathing heavily.
Del Gaiso lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Del Gaiso ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Del Gaiso no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Del Gaiso seems keen to control Esteves's posture.

Del Gaiso manages to escape and get back to his feet.

Del Gaiso closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Del Gaiso is pressing down on Esteves's thigh, looking to free his foot. Esteves is holding on for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Esteves looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Del Gaiso not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Esteves looking for submissions off his back.

Del Gaiso decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.

Del Gaiso closes the distance and clinches.
Del Gaiso scores with a shoulder strike.
Del Gaiso lands a shoulder strike.
Esteves is trying to drag Del Gaiso to the mat but Del Gaiso just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Esteves is trying to drag Del Gaiso to the mat but Del Gaiso just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Del Gaiso decides to pull guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Esteves postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Del Gaiso is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Esteves, into his guard.

Esteves has his foot on Del Gaiso's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Del Gaiso works his way back into a safe position though.
Del Gaiso is looking to work some ground and pound but Esteves has wrist control.

Del Gaiso avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Esteves seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.

Esteves looking for a guillotine here but Del Gaiso defends easily.
Esteves working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Del Gaiso.
Del Gaiso trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Del Gaiso lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Del Gaiso is looking to work some ground and pound but Esteves has wrist control.
Del Gaiso is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Esteves is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Del Gaiso is aware though and is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Del Gaiso pushing down on Esteves's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Del Gaiso not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Del Gaiso not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Esteves actively working from the bottom here.

Del Gaiso is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Esteves is just riding it out for now. Del Gaiso eventually gives up the hold.
Esteves blocking the ground and pound attempt from Del Gaiso.
Esteves keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Del Gaiso missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Esteves is looking to improve his position.
Del Gaiso scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Esteves slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Del Gaiso pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Esteves is keeping the position for now.
Del Gaiso lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Romeo Del Gaiso dominated that round.
That's time! Esteves's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Del Gaiso pushes Esteves up against the cage in a clinch.
Del Gaiso prevents the takedown attempt.
A short left from Del Gaiso.
Del Gaiso lands a left hand.
Del Gaiso scores with a shot to the side of Esteves's head.

Del Gaiso tightens his grip and picks Esteves up, before dumping him to the ground. Esteves manages to land in guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Del Gaiso accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Esteves has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Del Gaiso can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Del Gaiso accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Esteves is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Del Gaiso defends well.
Del Gaiso throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Esteves works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Del Gaiso pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Esteves is keeping the position for now.
Del Gaiso missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Esteves keeping full guard, as Del Gaiso tries to pass.

Esteves is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Esteves is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Del Gaiso trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Esteves throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Del Gaiso throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Esteves works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Del Gaiso trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Del Gaiso decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Esteves, up you get!

Del Gaiso shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Del Gaiso was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Del Gaiso has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Del Gaiso creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Esteves sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Esteves dodges the ground and pound from Del Gaiso.
Del Gaiso 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.
Esteves is looking to regain half guard here but Del Gaiso keeps moving and retains side control.
Del Gaiso working the ground and pound but Esteves is defending the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Del Gaiso fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Del Gaiso in side control, throwing shots but Esteves defends.
Esteves tries to buck Del Gaiso off but Del Gaiso is having none of it.
Del Gaiso in side control, throwing shots but Esteves defends.
Esteves managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Del Gaiso.
Esteves tries to improve position but can't.
The strikes coming from Del Gaiso are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Esteves tries to bench press Del Gaiso off him but Del Gaiso keeps the position.
Esteves gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Del Gaiso missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Esteves looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Esteves is defending against the submission attempts here by Del Gaiso.
Esteves avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Del Gaiso.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Del Gaiso thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Esteves's head.

Del Gaiso is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Esteves doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Del Gaiso.
Romeo Del Gaiso has got the better of the ground game so far.

Del Gaiso gets to his feet - back to striking we go!

Del Gaiso gets a double leg takedown into Esteves's guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Del Gaiso accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Del Gaiso is looking to work some ground and pound but Esteves has wrist control.

Esteves has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Del Gaiso can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Del Gaiso working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Del Gaiso throwing strikes but missing.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Del Gaiso accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Del Gaiso gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Del Gaiso throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Esteves on the side of the head.

Del Gaiso forces Esteves back against the cage and clinches.
Esteves wants a takedown.
A nice right hand lands inside from Del Gaiso.
Del Gaiso throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Estevess head.
Esteves drops down looking for an ankle pick but Del Gaiso pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lucio Esteves. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Del Gaiso has managed to clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A nice left hand lands by Del Gaiso.
Del Gaiso lands with a short shot to the head.
A short right from Del Gaiso.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Romeo Del Gaiso showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Del Gaiso scores with a takedown into Esteves's guard.

Esteves working for a triangle but Del Gaiso defends it easily.
Esteves looking for a sweep. Not yet Esteves, not yet.
Del Gaiso is looking to work some ground and pound but Esteves has wrist control.

Esteves is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Del Gaiso defends well.

Del Gaiso got a little sloppy there for a moment and Esteves has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Del Gaiso has managed to get both his arms back between Esteves's legs - danger averted.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Esteves utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Del Gaiso drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Del Gaiso jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Del Gaiso lands a couple of elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Del Gaiso with a flurry of punches that miss.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Del Gaiso postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Esteves is looking for a triangle but Del Gaiso pushes his legs off easily.

Esteves throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Del Gaiso is looking to work some ground and pound but Esteves has wrist control.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Del Gaiso's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Del Gaiso throws a big elbow that misses.
Del Gaiso postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Del Gaiso loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Esteves has his foot on Del Gaiso's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Del Gaiso works his way back into a safe position though.
Del Gaiso keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Esteves's head.
Del Gaiso forces his way into half guard.
Esteves keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Del Gaiso is working for a kimura but Esteves is defending it quite comfortably.

Del Gaiso is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Del Gaiso wants to work for an arm triangle but Esteves is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Del Gaiso is working for a kimura but Esteves is defending it quite comfortably.
Esteves tries to get to full guard but Del Gaiso has control of the leg.
Esteves avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Del Gaiso.
Esteves keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Esteves avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Del Gaiso.

Esteves looking for a kimura from the bottom but Del Gaiso passes into side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Del Gaiso tries to score with some ground and pound. Esteves controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Del Gaiso working the body and head with strikes.
Del Gaiso tries to move to mount but Esteves blocks the move with his legs.
Esteves manages to get back to half guard.
Del Gaiso not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Del Gaiso missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Del Gaiso throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Del Gaiso sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Esteves defending well though.

Esteves is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Del Gaiso pulls his head out easily.
Del Gaiso sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Esteves defending well though.
Esteves avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Del Gaiso.
Del Gaiso throwing shots but Esteves is blocking nicely.

Esteves looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Del Gaiso throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Esteves is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Del Gaiso pulls his head out easily.

Del Gaiso decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.

Esteves gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Del Gaiso missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Lucio Esteves has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Esteves working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Del Gaiso.
Esteves utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Del Gaiso pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Esteves is keeping the position for now.
Del Gaiso with a flurry of punches that miss.

Esteves looking for a guillotine here but Del Gaiso defends easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Esteves is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Del Gaiso defends well.
Romeo Del Gaiso is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Del Gaiso postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

And that's the end of the fight!
Romeo Del Gaiso comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Del Gaiso has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Romeo Del Gaiso!
A victorious Romeo Del Gaiso thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.