PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jonathan Espozito (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and BJ Penndragon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). BJ Penndragon has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Espozito
vs
Penndragon

197 cm
20
186 lbs
5 - 8 - 0

180 cm
21
194 lbs
2 - 1 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

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 5 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jonathan Espozito!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, BJ Penndragon!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Mauricio Rocha and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

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

Espozito is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Penndragon pulls his head out easily.
Penndragon wants to stand but Espozito has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Penndragon decides to return to a standing position.
Penndragon fails with a takedown attempt.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Espozito shoots and misses

and Penndragon counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Espozito!
Espozito is looking to get to half guard.

Penndragon stands up from mount. Strange move.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Espozito tries to clinch up.
Espozito with a poor takedown

and Penndragon counters with a takedown into side control.
Espozito is breathing heavily.
Espozito tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Penndragon decides to stand back up. Penndragon steps back and let's Espozito get back to his feet.

Penndragon feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Espozito really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Penndragon decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Espozito, up you get!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Penndragon closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Penndragon decides to stand up.
Espozito misses with a takedown attempt

and Penndragon counters with a nice double leg into guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jonathan Espozito. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Espozito wants to sweep here but Penndragon controlling him for the moment.

Espozito looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Espozito will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Penndragon decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Penndragon drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Espozito is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Penndragon stands up from Espozito's guard - Penndragon perhaps looking for a knockout.
Espozito tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Penndragon counters with a single leg into guard. Espozito didn't expect that.
Penndragon is looking to stand up but Espozito won't let him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Espozito working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Penndragon doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Penndragon manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Penndragon stands up from Espozito's guard - Penndragon perhaps looking for a knockout.

Penndragon gets the takedown into side control.

Penndragon stands up.

Penndragon shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Espozito's guard.

Espozito has an active guard here but Penndragon has managed to pass into half guard.

Penndragon stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Penndragon decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Penndragon stands up from half guard.
Espozito fails with the takedown

and Penndragon decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Espozito's guard.

Espozito escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Penndragon gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Penndragon gets to his feet. Espozito looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Penndragon gets a takedown into half guard.

Espozito looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Espozito looking for submissions off his back.

Penndragon stands up out of the half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Penndragon drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Penndragon gets to his feet - Espozito follows without any prompting.
Penndragon misses with a takedown attempt - Espozito sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Penndragon shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.

Penndragon stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.

Penndragon decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Penndragon wants to stand up but Espozito has a hold of him and won't allow it.

Espozito looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Penndragon stands up out of the half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

BJ Penndragon dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Espozito with a lazy takedown attempt

and Penndragon counters with a nice double leg into side control. Espozito won't be happy with that.

Penndragon decides to stand up, so the ref orders Espozito to his feet.

Espozito gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Espozito is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Penndragon defends well.

Penndragon decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Espozito, up you get!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Espozito fails with an attempt to clinch.

Penndragon throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Espozito was covering up waiting for the punch and Penndragon finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Penndragon stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Jonathan Espozito seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Espozito fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Penndragon sprawls well initially but Espozito persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Penndragon is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Espozito's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Espozito's back!
Penndragon controlling from the back.
Penndragon has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Espozito rolls, trying to escape but Penndragon keeps control of the position.
Penndragon has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Espozito's body.
Espozito can't escape the position.
Penndragon is riding his opponent, not letting Espozito buck him off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Penndragon's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

Despite being in the dominant position, BJ Penndragon just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Penndragon shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.

Penndragon is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!

Penndragon scores a takedown into full mount!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Espozito really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

Penndragon stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Penndragon darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Penndragon decides to stand and escape the position.

Penndragon shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Penndragon was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Espozito tries to reverse the position but Penndragon maintains control.
BJ Penndragon has got the better of the ground game so far.

Penndragon stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.

Penndragon scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
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!
Penndragon working away.

Penndragon decides to stand up, so the ref orders Espozito to his feet.
Espozito leaves Penndragon with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Penndragon fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Espozito sprawls well initially but Penndragon persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Penndragon stands up from half guard.
Espozito doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Penndragon counters with a takedown into side control.

Penndragon decides to stand back up. Penndragon steps back and let's Espozito get back to his feet.

Espozito has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Penndragon can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Penndragon stands up from guard. Let's bang!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Penndragon feints and as Espozito raises his hands in defense, Penndragon changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Penndragon decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Espozito, up you get!
Penndragon fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Espozito shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Penndragon counters with a nice double leg into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

BJ Penndragon showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Penndragon scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Espozito looking for submissions off his back.

Espozito looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Espozito is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Penndragon pulls his head out easily.

Penndragon decides to stand and escape the position.

Penndragon closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Espozito to the mat! Espozito manages to get full guard.
Penndragon preventing the sweep.

Penndragon stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Espozito shoots and misses

so Penndragon counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Espozito escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Penndragon gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Penndragon gets to his feet - Espozito follows without any prompting.
Penndragon is trying hard to land a takedown here. Espozito sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Espozito gets caught flat footed, as Penndragon shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Espozito has a closed guard, preventing Penndragon from standing up.

Espozito working for a triangle but Penndragon defends it easily.

Espozito is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Penndragon defends well.

Espozito has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Penndragon can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Penndragon stands up from guard. Let's bang!

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

Penndragon stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Espozito fails with the takedown

and Penndragon counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Espozito's guard now.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Espozito is working an open guard so Penndragon takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Penndragon drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Espozito tries to bench press Penndragon off him but Penndragon keeps the position.

Penndragon stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Penndragon will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Penndragon closes the distance and clinches up with Espozito, looking for a takedown. Penndragon pushes Espozito against the cage but Espozito circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Jonathan Espozito has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of BJ Penndragon.

Espozito throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Penndragon was covering up waiting for the punch and Espozito finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Penndragon keeping full guard, as Espozito tries to pass.
Penndragon trying to keep a closed guard but Espozito is proving a slippery customer.
Penndragon lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Espozito!

Penndragon stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Penndragon.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Espozito is looking to reverse the position.

Penndragon decides to stand back up. Penndragon steps back and let's Espozito get back to his feet.
Penndragon is trying hard to land a takedown here. Espozito sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Penndragon closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Espozito to the mat! Espozito manages to get full guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Penndragon wanted to stand there but Espozito had control of the position.

Espozito has his foot on Penndragon's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Penndragon works his way back into a safe position though.
Espozito not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Penndragon gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Espozito doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Penndragon counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Espozito's guard now.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Espozito controls Penndragon momentarily but Penndragon frees himself.

Penndragon gets to his feet. Espozito looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

And that's the end of the fight!
BJ Penndragon comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Penndragon winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 25:30
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 25:30
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... BJ Penndragon!