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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Dean Howard (ranked 1348 p4p, 1930 weight class) and Leonardo Esposito (ranked 150 p4p, 212 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!
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| 185 cm
35
192
20 - 15 - 0 |
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185 cm
27
190
12 - 6 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine |
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Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Dean Howard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Leonardo Esposito!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Patrick Alders and Wagner Zegers.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Esposito fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Howard, pushing him back against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Howard.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Esposito just misses with a elbow thrown towards Howard's brow.
Esposito working aggressively here.
Howard is struggling to control the position.
Esposito is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Howard is keeping busy.
Esposito lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Howard looking to slow down the pace here.
Howard is trying to pull guard but Esposito has him pressed against the cage.
Howard wants to take the fight to the mat but Esposito manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Esposito lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Howard backwards.
Esposito struggles to land a body shot inside as Howard controls his hands.
Esposito pushes Howard back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Esposito stalls.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Howard is trying to pull guard but Esposito has him pressed against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dean Howard. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Esposito.
Howard pulls guard effortlessly.
Esposito stopping the sweep attempt from Howard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Howard is working hard here to advance position.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Esposito has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Howard is proving hard to escape from.
Esposito decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Howard, up you get!
Esposito lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Esposito throws a front kick aimed at Howard's knee but Howard avoids it well.
Howard feinted with a counter takedown.
Howard shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Esposito napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Esposito throws Howard to one side and escapes!
Howard avoids the body shot from Esposito.
Esposito clinches up against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Esposito cracks Howard with a nice body shot.
Howard can't find room to land a body shot as Esposito controls the action.
Nice body punch from Esposito.
Esposito scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Howard tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Esposito just stands there and leans against the cage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Esposito tries to land knees in the clinch but Howard avoids the damage to the body.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esposito lands a nice uppercut.
A body shot lands from Esposito.
Howard is breathing heavily.
Esposito avoiding damage.
Still in the clinch, Esposito scores with a nice short uppercut.
Esposito lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Esposito lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Howard backwards.
Esposito prevents a takedown attempt there.
Esposito lands a nice shot to the body.
Esposito leaning against his opponent.
Howard is looking to break free of the clinch but Esposito has double underhooks.
Howard tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Nice body punch from Howard.
Howard softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Esposito lands with a light punch inside.
A short left from Esposito.
Howard decides to pull guard.
Esposito wants to stand but Howard has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howard looking to hit a scissor sweep but Esposito is one step ahead there.
Howard is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Esposito won't allow Howard to pass to mount.
Howard wants to lay and pray for a moment but Esposito keeps working.
Howard stops Esposito from getting back to his feet.
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 felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Esposito manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Esposito with a nice calf kick.
Esposito scoring well with a low kick there.
Esposito cracks Howard with a right hand to the side of the head.
Esposito doesn't manage to clinch there - Howard circles away.
Howard changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Esposito.
Leonardo Esposito seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Esposito connects with a looping right hand.
Howard fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Esposito throws a series of strikes that have Howard backpedaling.
A nice inside leg kick there by Esposito. That's going to slow Howard down.
Esposito tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Howard feinted with a counter takedown.
Howard gets tackled into the cage by Esposito. Esposito maintains the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Leonardo Esposito dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!
Howard misses the shot to the body.
Howard gets the takedown into side control.
Esposito wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Howard trying to control the action but Esposito is working from the bottom.
The strikes coming from Howard are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Howard trying to control the action but Esposito is working from the bottom.
Howard in side control, throwing shots but Esposito defends.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Esposito wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Esposito prevents Howard from moving into mount.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Howard throws an elbow but Esposito slips to the side and avoids it well.
Howard has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Howard takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Esposito wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Howard goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Esposito is on top in guard.
Esposito is looking to stand up but Howard won't let him.
Esposito has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Esposito decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esposito pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Howard tries to counter with a takedown but Esposito is quick to defend against it.
Esposito scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Esposito throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Howard comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Howard throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Esposito tries to land a front kick but Howard steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Esposito scores with a jab. Howard acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Esposito moves into the clinch successfully.
Esposito misses with a body punch.
Esposito misses with the head strike.
Esposito gets underhooks to prevent Howard's takedown attempt.
Esposito lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Howard or not.
Esposito lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Leonardo Esposito seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Esposito tries to work over Howard's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Howard tries a body shot but Esposito blocks it.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howard jumps guard but Esposito turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Howard looking to slow down the pace here.
Esposito is working Howard over against the cage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Esposito is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Howard is defending well for now.
Howard lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Howard is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Esposito to keep the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dean Howard. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Esposito scores with a nice hook to the head.
Esposito lands with a short shot to the head.
Howard doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A right handed body shot lands from Esposito.
Esposito throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Esposito lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Esposito creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Esposito lands a right hand that snaps the head of Howard backwards.
Esposito stalling in the clinch.
Esposito is leaning against Howard and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Esposito gets underhooks to prevent Howard's takedown attempt.
Howard wants to stall.
Howard fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esposito cracks Howard with a nice body shot.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Esposito lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Esposito makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Howard doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Esposito lands a hook to the side of the head.
Esposito dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Esposito lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Howard goes for a takedown in the clinch but Esposito prevents it.
Esposito lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Howard or not.
Esposito lands a right hand that snaps the head of Howard backwards.
Esposito lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Howard or not.
Esposito stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Howard is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Esposito to keep the fight standing.
Esposito working some nice short punches in the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Leonardo Esposito showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Howard's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!
Esposito rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Howard moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Howard gets tackled into the cage by Esposito. Esposito maintains the clinch.
Howard is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Esposito gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Howard decides to pull guard.
Howard has a closed guard, preventing Esposito from standing up.
Leonardo Esposito has got the better of the ground game so far.
Howard looking for a guillotine here but Esposito defends easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Esposito stands up from Howard's guard - Esposito perhaps looking for a knockout.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Howard fails with the takedown.
Esposito tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Howard manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Howard tries to counter with a takedown but Esposito is quick to defend against it.
Leonardo Esposito is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Howard tests Esposito's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Esposito tries to clinch but Howard is having none of it.
Howard changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Esposito connects with a leg kick.
No luck for Howard with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dean Howard. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Esposito bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Howard's head.
Esposito lands a jab to the nose.
Howard takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Esposito wants to clinch up but Howard keeps it at a distance.
Esposito tries to clinch but Howard is having none of it.
Dean Howard has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esposito is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Howard feinted with a counter takedown.
Esposito misses with a head kick.
Howard attempts a counter takedown but Esposito avoids it well and moves away.
Leonardo Esposito seems to be getting the better of the standup.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Esposito.
Esposito lands a nice leg kick that just misses Howard's sensitive parts.
A decent looking cross lands there for Howard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Howard fails to land the takedown.
Esposito moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Esposito drives through and clinches with Howard against the cage.
A short body shot lands from Esposito as the two fighters clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Esposito lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Howard or not.
Esposito blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Howard is trying to stall.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice left hand lands by Esposito.
Howard's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Esposito lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Howard backwards.
A body shot lands from Esposito.
Esposito gets through Howard's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Esposito digs a right hand into Howard's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Howard's gas tank.
Esposito lands a shot to the body.
A short left from Esposito.
A right handed body shot lands from Esposito.
Howard managing to block the knees to the body from Esposito.
Howard takes a shot to the head.
Howard misses with a short punch on the inside.
Esposito lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Howard tries to pull guard but Esposito holds him up against the cage and eventually Howard drops back down to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Esposito is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
A nice left hand lands by Esposito.
Come on Esposito - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Leonardo Esposito is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esposito lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Esposito lands a left hand.
Esposito lands with a left to the head.
Nice body punch from Esposito.
Esposito lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Esposito lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Howard is rocked!
Esposito digs a right hand into Howard's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Howard's gas tank.
Esposito cracks Howard with a nice body shot.
Esposito leaning his opponent against the cage.
A short right from Esposito.
Oh Howard is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Esposito lands a left hand that snaps the head of Howard backwards.
Howard seems to have got his legs back now.
Howard's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Howard.
Howard blocks an elbow strike from Esposito.
Esposito is stalling here.
And that's the end of the fight!
Leonardo Esposito comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Esposito 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 Paul Aken scores the fight 27:30
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 27:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Leonardo Esposito!
Leonardo Esposito thanked the fans post fight for their support.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
64% |
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