PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Rodrigo Ferriera (ranked 1803 p4p, 2260 weight class) and Pablo Esposito (ranked 156 p4p, 185 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Ferriera
vs
Esposito

175 cm
26
149
5 - 1 - 1

180 cm
25
153
6 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Experienced

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Knockout power

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 5 - 1 - 1, fighting out of The Island, Rodrigo Ferriera!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Pablo Esposito!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Peter Branson and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Esposito throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ferriera's waist but Ferriera gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Esposito off to one side.

Esposito is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Ferriera's half guard.

Ferriera has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Esposito is on him like a limpet, forcing Ferriera back against the cage.
Esposito tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Ferriera just stands there and leans against the cage.
Ferriera leaning his opponent against the cage.
Ferriera is stalling here.
Ferriera goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Esposito is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Rodrigo Ferriera has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pablo Esposito.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ferriera.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferriera stalling.
Ferriera tries a body shot but Esposito blocks it.
Esposito's coach down at Elite Boxing Club was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Esposito's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Ferriera tries to throw a body punch but Esposito avoids it by throwing Ferriera back against the cage.
Ferriera tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A short left from Ferriera.
Esposito is trying to pull guard but Ferriera turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Ferriera definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Esposito is trying to pull guard but Ferriera turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
A short right from Ferriera.
Esposito fails to pull guard.
Ferriera stalling.
Esposito tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Ferriera smiles and moves away.
Pablo Esposito seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Esposito.
Ferriera tries to counter with a takedown but Esposito is quick to defend against it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esposito tries for a takedown but Ferriera sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ferriera tries to counter with a takedown but Esposito is quick to defend against it.
Esposito fails with the takedown.
Esposito shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Ferriera gets caught napping as Esposito dives in and scores a takedown. Ferriera manages to retain guard.

Esposito is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Ferriera is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Ferriera has escaped and now he's on top!

We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Esposito keeping moving, preventing Ferriera from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferriera slips nicely into half guard.

Ferriera is working for a kimura but Esposito is defending it quite comfortably.
Ferriera is looking to take a break and control but Esposito is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Ferriera prevents Esposito from improving his position.
Ferriera throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Ferriera seems to be looking for submissions.
Esposito preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.

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.
Esposito is looking to control Ferriera's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Esposito avoid being mounted?

Ferriera is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Esposito wants to control but Ferriera is keeping busy and won't allow it.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Ferriera looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ferriera wants to control but Esposito is keeping him busy.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Rodrigo Ferriera dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Ferriera stuffs the takedown attempt from Esposito. Esposito gets slowly back to his feet.
Ferriera attempts a counter takedown but Esposito avoids it well and moves away.
Esposito fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Ferriera half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Esposito fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Rodrigo Ferriera has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pablo Esposito.
Esposito tries for a takedown but Ferriera sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ferriera tries to counter with a takedown but Esposito is quick to defend against it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Esposito dives in for a single leg takedown but Ferriera sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Esposito throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ferriera's waist but Ferriera gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Esposito off to one side.
Ferriera attempts a counter takedown but Esposito avoids it well and moves away.
Esposito tries for a takedown but Ferriera sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ferriera half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferriera keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Esposito shoots in for a double leg but Ferriera sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Esposito fails with a takedown attempt.
Ferriera is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Esposito can do to turn this around?
Esposito misses with a takedown

and Ferriera counters with a takedown into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ferriera stands up and beckons Esposito to his feet.
Rodrigo Ferriera is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ferriera slaps away a takedown attempt from Esposito, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Nice takedown defense from Ferriera. No joy for Esposito on that attempt.
Ferriera drops down looking for a counter takedown but Esposito sprawls and moves away.
Esposito looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ferriera is fending him off so far but Esposito persists. Nope, Ferriera circles away and we're back to standing.
Esposito fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Ferriera avoids it really well and circles away.
Esposito will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Ferriera appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esposito shoots in but no luck this time.
Esposito shoots in but no luck this time.
Ferriera changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Horrible takedown attempt by Esposito or perhaps it was just good defense by Ferriera, which made it look bad.
Ferriera stuffs the takedown.
Ferriera appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Esposito tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ferriera sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Esposito somewhat.
Esposito is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esposito with a poor takedown

and Ferriera counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Ferriera is working for a kimura but Esposito is defending it quite comfortably.

Ferriera is working for a submission of some sort.
Ferriera is pressing down on Esposito's thigh, looking to free his foot. Esposito is holding on for now.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Ferriera is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Rodrigo Ferriera dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Ferriera defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Esposito.
Ferriera tries to counter with a takedown but Esposito is quick to defend against it.
Esposito looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ferriera is fending him off so far but Esposito persists. Nope, Ferriera circles away and we're back to standing.

Esposito bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Ferriera sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Esposito looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Esposito is trying to control. Ferriera wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Esposito throwing shots but Ferriera is blocking nicely.

Ferriera is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Esposito pulls his head out easily.
Esposito is thwarting Ferriera's attempts to control the position.
Ferriera is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Esposito looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Ferriera is trying to stand.
Esposito trying to control the action but Ferriera is working from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Esposito drives through with a takedown into Ferriera's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Esposito controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Esposito won't allow Ferriera to get back to his feet.
Rodrigo Ferriera is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ferriera is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferriera wants to stand and escape but Esposito is having none of it.
Esposito missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Esposito stays in close to Ferriera's body and controls the position.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Esposito pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ferriera is keeping the position for now.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Esposito shoots in but no luck this time.
Rodrigo Ferriera has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pablo Esposito.
Esposito fails with a takedown attempt.
Ferriera feinted with a counter takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Esposito shoots for a double leg takedown but Ferriera sprawls well. He's pushed Esposito's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Esposito fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Ferriera half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Nice takedown defense from Ferriera. No joy for Esposito on that attempt.
Ferriera drops down looking for a counter takedown but Esposito sprawls and moves away.
Esposito takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Esposito fails with the takedown.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Esposito fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Ferriera drops down looking for a counter takedown but Esposito sprawls and moves away.
Pablo Esposito has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ferriera displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Esposito throws out the jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Rodrigo Ferriera.
Well Ferriera 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:26
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 30:26
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rodrigo Ferriera!