PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Dechapon Sitsongrit (ranked 1515 p4p, 1288 weight class) and Ricardo Esponosa (ranked 207 p4p, 185 weight class). Ricardo Esponosa has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Sitsongrit
vs
Esponosa

174 cm
20
156
3 - 0 - 0

181 cm
21
163
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Solid Muay Thai
Good gas tank

Brooklyn Apothecary
Brooklyn Threads

Shadow Realm NYC

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Dechapon Sitsongrit!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ricardo Esponosa!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Ben Zyskovitsi and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sitsongrit fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Esponosa manages to avoid it.

Sitsongrit gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Sitsongrit pulls Esponosa in close to prevent any damage.

Esponosa thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Sitsongrit wants to sweep but no luck.
Sitsongrit keeping moving, preventing Esponosa from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sitsongrit is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Esponosa preventing the sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sitsongrit can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Esponosa controls the pace.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Esponosa throws a big elbow that misses.
Sitsongrit wants to get back to his feet but Esponosa is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Esponosa dives in and grabs Sitsongrit's left leg, looking for a takedown. Sitsongrit pushes down on Esponosa's head and hops out.
Sitsongrit misses with a low kick.
We've been told by Sitsongrit's head coaches at Sitsongrit Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Sitsongrit staying out of range there.
Sitsongrit half committed to a counter leg kick.
Sitsongrit misses the shot to the body.
Esponosa gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Esponosa takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Esponosa fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Sitsongrit to the ground. Esponosa is now in Sitsongrit's guard.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Esponosa drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Esponosa jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Sitsongrit keeping full guard, as Esponosa tries to pass.
Esponosa is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Sitsongrit tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sitsongrit controlling Esponosa's posture.
Esponosa stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sitsongrit swivels though and keeps the full guard.
We've been informed that Esponosa has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Sitsongrit is trying to keep Esponosa in close.
Esponosa stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sitsongrit swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Sitsongrit keeping moving, preventing Esponosa from controlling successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Esponosa closes the distance looking to clinch
and Sitsongrit counters with a nice uppercut.

That's four 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.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Esponosa.
Esponosa throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Sitsongrit tries to escape but Esponosa is in control.
Sitsongrit defending against the ground and pound.
Sitsongrit wants to control but Esponosa postures up.

Esponosa thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sitsongrit can't do much from the bottom here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Esponosa shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Sitsongrit is trying to escape back to his feet but Esponosa uses the scramble to pass into side control.

Esponosa is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Sitsongrit knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Sitsongrit tries to control but Esponosa manages to take his back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Esponosa has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Esponosa tightening his grip on Sitsongrit, looking for the choke.

Esponosa looking for the choke from the back.
Sitsongrit trying to control but not successfully.
Sitsongrit can't escape the position.

Esponosa is cranking Sitsongrit's head sideways - that looks painful. He's managed to get his other arm under the chin and this looks bad for Sitsongrit! He's tightened the choke and Sitsongrit is tapping out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Ricardo Esponosa!
Ricardo Esponosa is the new lightweight champion!
Ricardo Esponosa was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.