PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Reofant Gold (ranked 4220 p4p, 3142 weight class) and Jaeden Esparza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Gold
vs
Esparza

175 cm
18
140
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
23
142
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good in bed

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Reofant Gold!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jaeden Esparza!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Taro Takaoka and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gold misses with a takedown attempt
and Esparza counters with a three punch combo that has Gold backing up. Gold nods at Esparza to acknowledge the strikes.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Gold enables Esparza to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Gold manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Esparza sitting in guard here, content to control.

Gold working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Esparza doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Esparza manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Esparza trying to control the position from guard on top but Gold is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gold trying to control the position.

Gold looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esparza pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gold is keeping the position for now.
Gold trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Esparza really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Gold. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Esparza pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gold is keeping the position for now.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Gold closes the distance and clinches up with Esparza, looking for a takedown. Gold pushes Esparza against the cage but Esparza circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Esparza now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Gold tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Esparza swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Reofant Gold. That's going to take a lot out of him.

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

Esparza is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Gold has managed to free his arm - good work.
Esparza is trying to control the action in half guard but Gold is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Esparza 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.
Esparza keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Esparza is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Esparza is thwarting Gold's attempts to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esparza thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Gold's head.
Gold is not content to let Esparza control the position.
Gold has hold of Esparza's hands but Esparza slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Gold moves into full guard.
Esparza controls from within his opponent's guard.
Esparza lands a couple of elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Esparza controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gold is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Gold looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Esparza gets a takedown into half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jaeden Esparza dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Gold gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Esparza counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Esparza slaps away a takedown attempt from Gold, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Esparza has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Gold has a takedown stuffed.
Esparza feints the counter takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Reofant Gold. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gold avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Esparza drives through with a takedown into Gold's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Gold lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Esparza trying to keep a closed guard but Gold is proving a slippery customer.
Gold looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esparza wants to sweep here but Gold controlling him for the moment.
Jaeden Esparza has got the better of the ground game so far.
Esparza looking to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Esparza is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Gold is controlling him.

Esparza is working an open guard so Gold takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Esparza swats away the attempt to clinch by Gold.
Esparza fails with an attempt to clinch.
Esparza tries for a takedown but Gold circles away easily
and Gold counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Gold shoots and misses
and Esparza counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Esparza gets the takedown into side control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Esparza working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Esparza working away.
Esparza working the body and head with strikes.
Esparza tries to move to mount but Gold blocks the move with his legs.
Esparza controlling the position from side mount.
Esparza is looking to take a break and control but Gold is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gold taking a bit of punishment here - Esparza scoring with strikes.
Esparza tries to advance position but instead Gold slips a leg back in to half guard.
Esparza lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Gold has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Esparza is on him like a limpet, forcing Gold back against the cage.
Gold wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esparza is looking to take this one to the mat.
Esparza fails to pull guard.
Esparza is trying to push Gold away but Gold has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Esparza prevents the takedown attempt.
Gold trying to land knees to the body.

Esparza pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Gold shoots for a takedown but Esparza saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Esparza with the counter takedown but Gold avoids it easily.
Esparza fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Gold avoids it really well and circles away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gold lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jaeden Esparza will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Gold throws a lazy uppercut

and Esparza counters with a shoot takedown. Gold fights it but they end up in guard.

Gold scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Gold throws a sloppy head kick

and Esparza counters with a crisp one two that drops Gold! Esparza thinks about following him to the mat for a moment but instead steps back and waves Gold to his feet! Gold is in big trouble!

Gold is rocked!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Esparza closes the distance looking for a takedown. Gold stuffs it but Esparza still has hold of him. Esparza picks Gold up in a fireman's lift! The crowd roars in approval. Esparza slams Gold to the floor and that's really hurt Gold - he doesn't know where he is! Esparza throws a couple of strikes and the referee steps in to save him! This one is in the books!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:21 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Jaeden Esparza!