PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Juanito Escobar (ranked 59 p4p, 144 weight class) and Thor White (ranked 8 p4p, 20 weight class). 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?

Escobar
vs
White

190 cm
28
185
14 - 3 - 0

189 cm
26
195
14 - 4 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

HELLBENT
SynCity Fightwear

HELLBENT
Brooklyn Apothecary

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Juanito Escobar!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Thor White!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Elvis Blanc and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Escobar just misses with a punch to the body.
White pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Escobar back to the cage. White follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
White 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.
White takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Escobar slips under a jab from White.
White throws an overhand right that lands on Escobar's shoulder, as Escobar tries to avoid the shot.
Juanito Escobar seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Escobar fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging White to the ground. Escobar is now in White's guard.
Escobar slips nicely into half guard.
Escobar wants to free his trapped foot but White is holding on for dear life with his legs.
White tries to roll over but Escobar keeps him under control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
White is looking to improve his position.
Escobar looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

White looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Escobar pushes past his half guard into mount!
Escobar fails to advance to White's back.
Escobar tries to stand up but he's trapped just for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Escobar moves to take his opponent's back.

Escobar looking to break White's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. White remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Escobar will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!

White defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
White is really stuck here.

Escobar tightening his grip on White, looking for the choke.
Escobar struggling to keep hold of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Escobar looking for the choke from the back.

Escobar patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Escobar keeps control of the position as White tries to break free.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Escobar's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.

White is having to fend off submission attempts from Escobar, who is looking to sink in the choke. Escobar doesn't have the hooks in though and White manages to reverse position! He's now on top, in his opponent's guard.

White got a little sloppy there for a moment and Escobar has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, White has managed to get both his arms back between Escobar's legs - danger averted.
White stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Escobar swivels though and keeps the full guard.
White keeps trying to improve his position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

White drops back looking for a leg! Escobar is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Escobar manages to kick White off! White jumps back into Escobar's guard.

Escobar has his foot on White's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. White works his way back into a safe position though.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Juanito Escobar dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

White lands a jab to the nose.
Escobar misses with a body shot.
White avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
White lands the left hand.
A nice leg kick lands there from Escobar.
That kick from Escobar tenderised White's leg. White is trying to keep his angry face on.
Escobar tries to land a front kick but White steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Escobar has his takedown stuffed
and White counters with a right hand to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Escobar misses with a hook
and Escobar takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Thor White seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Escobar shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and White counters with a left and a right that hurts Escobar! He wobbles and falls to the floor - he's in big trouble! White jumps into full mount!

Escobar is rocked!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
White mounts Escobar! Really nice guard pass there!

White moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Escobar has worked his arm free - good work by Escobar!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Escobar is looking for a sweep.
Escobar prevents White from moving into mount.
Escobar is looking for a sweep.

White tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no White has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

White tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Escobar gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

White is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Escobar defends it well.

White is working for a submission of some sort.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

White is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Escobar moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Escobar not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Escobar seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Escobar wants to sweep here but White controlling him for the moment.

Escobar looking for a guillotine here but White defends easily.
White works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
White trying to pass the guard but Escobar defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Escobar gets back to full guard.
White forces his way into half guard.
White trying to pass the guard but Escobar defending well.

White is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Escobar is just riding it out for now. White eventually gives up the hold.

White is trying to work for a kimura but Escobar is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

White is working for a kimura but Escobar is defending it quite comfortably.
Escobar has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. White is working away from the top position though.
Escobar gets back to full guard.
White trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Escobar is looking for a triangle but White pushes his legs off easily.
Escobar keeping full guard, as White tries to pass.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

White avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Thor White showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Escobar's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Nice defenses there by Escobar.
White misses with an uppercut.
Escobar misses with a body shot
and White counters with a nice uppercut.
Escobar lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
White doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Escobar connects with an inside leg kick.
White takes one on the chin but seems OK.
The crowd cheers as Escobar lands an impressive looking overhand right. White doesn't seem phased though.
Escobar looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Escobar misses the jab.
White misses with an uppercut. Escobar saw that one coming.
White gets cracked there but stands up to it.
White misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Escobar.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Escobar shoots in but White avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Escobar fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging White to the ground. Escobar is now in White's guard.
Escobar passes into half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Escobar in particular looking to stall.
White trying to control but Escobar postures up.
Escobar tries to pass to full mount but White defends it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
White trying to get back to full guard but Escobar takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
White keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Escobar fails to move to back control.
Escobar trying to control but he's not successful this time.
White is controlling an arm, preventing Escobar from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Escobar controlling the position easily from mount.
White really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Escobar is trying to stand up but he's being controlled by his opponent.
Escobar trying to control but White is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
White is in all sorts of trouble here.
Escobar avoids the attempt from White to control.
Escobar manages to capitalize on a mistake by White to take his back!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
White tries to escape but Escobar has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Juanito Escobar clearly takes that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Escobar moves out of range of the strikes.
A telegraphed right hand from Escobar misses the target.
The fighters circle momentarily. Escobar darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Escobar dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

White drops Escobar with a nice combination! White dives into Escobar's guard, looking to finish!

It looks like Juanito Escobar has been cut.
White pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Escobar is keeping the position for now.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

White drops back, looking for a kneebar! Escobar looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Escobar looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Escobar!

Escobar tries to move into full mount but can't pass White's legs.
Escobar tries to advance to mount but White instead regains half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
White has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Escobar is working away from the top position though.
White is pressing down on Escobar's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
White keeping full guard, as Escobar tries to pass.
Escobar works a leg free and moves into half guard.
White tries to get to full guard but Escobar has control of the leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Escobar seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

Escobar is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
White trying to control from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

White actively working from the bottom here.
Escobar moves into full mount! White won't be happy about that!
Escobar wants to get back to his feet but White is holding on tight.
White is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Escobar goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now White is on top in guard.
White is looking to advance position but Escobar has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
White is controlling an arm, preventing Escobar from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.
White bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
White passes Escobar's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Juanito Escobar overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

White wants to work for an arm triangle but Escobar is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

White is looking for a kimura here.
Escobar makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Escobar.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Thor White will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Juanito Escobar's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Escobar throws a body kick, spinning off balance
enabling White to counter with a crisp jab.
White misses with an uppercut.

Escobar scores with a takedown into White's guard.
Escobar tries to free his leg and advance position but White is retaining full guard.
White is trying to control the position but Escobar postures up.
Escobar trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

White looking for a guillotine here but Escobar defends easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
White keeping moving, preventing Escobar from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Escobar got a little sloppy there for a moment and White has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Escobar has managed to get both his arms back between White's legs - danger averted.
Escobar is pushing down on White's leg trying to pass to half guard. White is fighting to maintain full guard but Escobar has managed to sneak the leg through.
Escobar is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and White reverses the position - he's now on top in Escobar's guard.
White looking to pass the guard.
White stands and throws Escobar's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Escobar struggling a bit here.
Escobar manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
White looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
White wants to advance to full mount but Escobar doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.

White has gone for a leg lock! Escobar slips out almost immediately though and dives into White's guard.

Escobar wants to control from the top but White keeps moving.

White is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a triangle but Escobar frees his head nicely. Oh but White has switched to an armbar! Escobar is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:59 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). Thor White!
Thor White is the new middleweight champion!
A relieved looking Thor White thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.