PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mauricio Rua (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jonathan Espozito (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Rua
vs
Espozito

188 cm
22
205 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

197 cm
19
199 lbs
4 - 7 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mauricio Rua!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jonathan Espozito!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Thiago Cunha and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rua tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Espozito fails to land the takedown.
Espozito is trying hard to land a takedown here. Rua sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Rua has taken the fight to the clinch.
Rua wants a takedown.

Rua breaks from the clinch.
Espozito shoots for a double leg takedown but Rua sprawls well. He's pushed Espozito's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Mauricio Rua has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jonathan Espozito.
Rua shoots in but no luck this time.
Espozito shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Rua as he jumps to the side.

Espozito fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Rua, pushing him back against the cage.

Rua breaks from the clinch.
Rua shoots for a takedown but Espozito saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Espozito misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Rua changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Espozito tries to avoid it but Rua manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Espozito to the ground. Espozito escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Rua pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Jonathan Espozito seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Espozito tries to clinch up.
Espozito changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rua tries to avoid it but Espozito manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rua to the ground. Rua escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Espozito looks gassed!
Espozito shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Rua sprawls well. Rua wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Espozito gets slowly back to his feet.
Rua scores with a nice right hand.
Rua fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rua misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Espozito fails with a takedown attempt.
Espozito takes a jab right on the kisser.
Rua keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Rua misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Espozito stuffs the takedown.
Rua throws a head kick that misses.
Espozito misses with a takedown attempt - Rua sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Espozito misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Espozito shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rua but Rua pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Rua closes the distance and clinches up with Espozito, looking for a takedown. Rua pushes Espozito against the cage but Espozito circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Espozito looks for a takedown but Rua sprawls well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rua closes the distance and clinches.
Rua wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Rua is trying to break free.

Rua's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Decent striking displayed by Rua there.
Rua lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Nice takedown defense from Rua. No joy for Espozito on that attempt.
Rua keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Espozito fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Rua tries a head kick but it misses.
Rua throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Espozito's head.
Rua throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Espozito's head.
Espozito shoots for a double leg takedown but Rua sprawls well. He's pushed Espozito's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Rua tests Espozito's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Rua stuffs the takedown attempt from Espozito. Espozito gets slowly back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rua shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Espozito as he avoids it easily.
Rua throws a series of punches but Espozito avoids them all with ease.
Rua changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Espozito tries to avoid it but Rua manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Espozito to the ground. Espozito escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Espozito walks into a straight right hand from Rua.
Rua shoots for a double leg takedown but Espozito sprawls well. He's pushed Rua's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Espozito fails with a takedown attempt.
Rua tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rua lands a glancing blow to the side of Espozito's head.
Rua shoots in but Espozito avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Rua throws a head kick that misses.
Espozito will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Rua clinches up with Espozito and pushes him back against the cage.

Espozito successfully pulls guard.
Rua trying to stand up but can't free himself from Espozito's guard.
Espozito manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rua is trying to escape the mount but Espozito keeps good control and instead manages to take Rua's back.

Espozito looking for the choke but no joy.

Espozito has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Rua has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Rua has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.

Espozito working for the choke.
Rua is really stuck here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Mauricio Rua will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Rua throws a head kick that misses.

Rua moves into range and clinches up with Espozito.
Espozito jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Rua walks away with a smile on his face. Espozito gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Espozito darts in and clinches Rua up against the cage.
Rua using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Espozito has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Rua changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Espozito fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Espozito looks for a takedown but Rua sprawls well.
Rua dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Espozito tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rua swivels and escapes.
Mauricio Rua has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jonathan Espozito.
Rua shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Espozito as he avoids it easily.
Rua paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Rua shoots in for a takedown but Espozito shows good takedown defense.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rua smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Espozito keeps the fight on the outside.
Espozito dives in and grabs Rua's left leg, looking for a takedown. Rua pushes down on Espozito's head and hops out.
Rua displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Espozito.
Rua stuffs the takedown attempt from Espozito. Espozito gets slowly back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rua shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Espozito trying to control from the bottom.
Rua wants to stand up but Espozito has a hold of him and won't allow it.

Espozito is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Rua pulls his head out easily.
Rua tries to stand and escape but Espozito is controlling the position.

Espozito actively working from the bottom here.
Rua knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Espozito on the ground.

Espozito is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Rua pulls his head out easily.
Espozito moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rua avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Espozito is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Rua is aware though and is defending well.

Espozito has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Rua can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Espozito manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Rua manages to get himself to full guard.
Espozito is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Espozito prevents Rua from getting back to his feet.
Espozito is working Rua over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Espozito thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Espozito drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Espozito jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rua doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

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

Espozito drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Espozito jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Good exchange - Rua coming out on top.
Espozito shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rua lunges at Espozito with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Espozito's hand.
Espozito chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Rua can pounce on him.
Espozito misses with a takedown attempt - Rua sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Rua instigates a clinch.

That's four 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.

Rua manages to break the clinch.
Rua is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Espozito is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rua defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Espozito.

Espozito shoots in and bounces Rua off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Espozito drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Espozito jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Rua on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Rua tries to get out of the position.
Espozito trying to control the position from guard on top but Rua is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Espozito postures up in Rua's guard and throws a big left but Rua blocks it.
Espozito trying to control but Rua is working from the bottom.
Rua keeping full guard, as Espozito tries to pass.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jonathan Espozito will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Rua goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Rua closes the distance and clinches up with Espozito, looking for a takedown. Rua pushes Espozito against the cage but Espozito circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Espozito drives through and clinches with Rua against the cage.
Espozito tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Espozito gets control of Rua's arms and successfully pulls guard. Espozito will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Rua avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Espozito looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Espozito manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Rua manages to get himself to full guard.
Espozito with a nice head shot there.

Rua isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Espozito stacks Rua on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Espozito!
Rua is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Espozito asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Espozito tries for a kimura but Rua is defending well.

Espozito is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Rua is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Rua can't do much from the bottom here.

Espozito is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Rua has escaped the position, nice work there.
Rua misses with an elbow from the bottom.

That's two 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.

Espozito is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Rua knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Rua pushes Espozito away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Espozito gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Espozito wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Rua, who protects the arm well.
Espozito wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rua keeps working.

Espozito is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Rua is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Rua is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Espozito is controlling him well.
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.

Espozito goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Rua has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Espozito but great work by Rua.
Rua tries to stand but Espozito is controlling his head.
Espozito sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Rua wants to get back to his feet.
Espozito manages to get to full guard.

Espozito has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Rua can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Espozito throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Espozito throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Rua stands up and waves to Espozito to follow him.
Espozito shoots in but Rua avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Rua stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Rua wants it to stay on the feet.
Mauricio Rua has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jonathan Espozito.
Rua fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Espozito looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Rua shoots for a takedown but Espozito saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Rua shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Espozito looking for submissions off his back.
Rua wants to get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jonathan Espozito comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Espozito has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Matheus Silva scores the fight 28:29
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 29:28
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Jonathan Espozito!