PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Pedro Ivan Escalante (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and The Legend (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Ivan Escalante
vs
Legend

183 cm
23
180 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

199 cm
21
185 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Determined

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Pedro Ivan Escalante!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, The Legend !
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Chris Downing and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Escalante fails with the takedown.
Legend is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Escalante staying out of range there.
Escalante tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Escalante blocks a head kick by Legend .
Legend misses with a jab, cross combination.
Legend circles away from the clinch attempt.

Escalante throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Legend was covering up waiting for the punch and Escalante finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Escalante seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Escalante has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Escalante won't allow Legend to get back to his feet.

Legend pushes Escalante off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Legend looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Escalante lands a head kick. Legend smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Escalante is breathing heavily.
Legend is looking to clinch but Escalante is avoiding it.
Nice sprawl there from Legend as Escalante shoots in.
Legend pivots, looking for a leg kick but Escalante is out of range and Legend settles back down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Legend throws a body kick that misses.
Legend moves in looking to clinch but Escalante pushes him off.
Escalante lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Escalante.
Escalante shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Legend sprawls well. Legend wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Escalante gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pedro Ivan Escalante. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Escalante tries to clinch up.

Escalante shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Escalante knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Legend on the ground.
Legend is trying to stand.
Escalante throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Escalante missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Escalante thows a huge punch but Legend dodges it nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Escalante thows a huge punch but Legend dodges it nicely.
Legend blocking the ground and pound attempt from Escalante.
Escalante prevents Legend from standing back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Escalante shoots in for a takedown but Legend shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Escalante shoots in looking for a takedown. Legend tries to sprawl out of it but Escalante keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Legend manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
The Legend is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Legend throws a low kick, looking for Escalante's leg but Escalante calmly moves out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Legend . Escalante does a little dance to reset his feet.

Escalante 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.
Legend wants to stand and escape but Escalante is having none of it.

Escalante stands up and waves to Legend to follow him.
Legend throws a series of punches but Escalante avoids them all with ease.
Escalante throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Nice sprawl there from Legend as Escalante shoots in.
Escalante ducks under a wild hook from Legend .
Legend tries to close the distance and clinch but Escalante swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Escalante scores with a spinning back kick!

Escalante closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Legend to the mat! Legend manages to get full guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Legend is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Escalante showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Escalante prevents Legend from getting back to his feet.
Escalante throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Legend works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Escalante might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Escalante wanted to stand there but Legend had control of the position.
Legend wants to stand up but Escalante is controlling him.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Escalante lands a nice looking body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Escalante scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Escalante changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Legend tries to avoid it but Escalante manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Legend to the ground. Legend escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Legend misses with a series of wild punches.
Escalante fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Legend lands a jab to Escalante's midsection.
Nice body kick there by Escalante.
Legend swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Escalante closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Legend is trying to stand.
Escalante thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Legend 's head.
Legend wants to get back to his feet.
Escalante not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Escalante seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Legend looks like he's trying to stand up.
Escalante sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Legend defending well though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pedro Ivan Escalante dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Escalante darts in and clinches Legend up against the cage.
Escalante keeps control of Legend as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Escalante working hard to break the clinch.
Legend wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Escalante has him pressed against the cage.
Legend is trying to break the clinch but Escalante is controlling him.
Escalante keeps control of Legend as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Escalante can't break the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Legend 's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Legend manages to break the clinch.
Legend looks to score with a jab to the body but Escalante is just out of range.
Legend does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Escalante throws a combination. Legend tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Legend throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Escalante tries to close the distance and clinch up but Legend swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Escalante fails with the takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Legend throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Escalante throws a head kick that Legend semi-blocks.

Escalante looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Escalante sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Legend defending well though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Legend kicks off Escalante and gets to his feet.
Escalante goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Legend swats away the attempt to clinch by Escalante.

Escalante scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Escalante in particular looking to stall.
Legend wants to get back to his feet.
Escalante working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Legend is trying to stand.
Escalante missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Escalante thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Legend 's head.
Escalante wants to stand up but Legend has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Escalante sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Legend defending well though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Legend misses with a double jab.

Escalante bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Escalante working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
An elbow from Escalante crashes against the mat.
Escalante wants to control but Legend is keeping him busy.

Escalante decides to stand back up.
Escalante thows a body kick. Legend tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Escalante fails with an attempt to clinch.
Escalante bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Escalante throws a leg kick which misses Legend 's front leg but catches the back leg as Legend tries to avoid it.
Legend misses with a wild body shot.
Escalante looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Legend is fending him off so far but Escalante persists. Nope, Legend circles away and we're back to standing.
Escalante fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pedro Ivan Escalante. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Escalante goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Escalante paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Legend throws a body punch but Escalante moves out of range.
Escalante turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Escalante closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Escalante lands in his opponent's guard.
Legend wants to stand and escape but Escalante is having none of it.

Escalante decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Legend , up you get!
Legend moves in looking to clinch but Escalante pushes him off.

Escalante shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Legend napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Legend wants to get back to his feet but Escalante drags him back down.
Escalante misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

Escalante decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Legend takes a kick to the side of the head.
Escalante lands a nice looking body kick.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Escalante - that will leave a mark!
Legend throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Legend is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Escalante.
Legend is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Escalante rather than just go for the knockout.

Escalante is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Legend 's half guard.
Legend keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Escalante not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Escalante trying to control from half guard but Legend is working away.
Legend avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Escalante.
Escalante trying to control the pace.
Legend tries to kick Escalante off but Escalante keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Legend is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Escalante missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Escalante moves into range and connects with a jab.
Escalante throws a combination. Legend tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Legend misses with a hook. Escalante ducked under it nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pedro Ivan Escalante dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Escalante gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Legend breaks from the clinch.
Escalante lands a two punch combo.
Escalante shoots in for a takedown but Legend shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Legend has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Escalante.
Legend tries to close the distance and clinch up but Escalante swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Escalante looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Pedro Ivan Escalante is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Legend misses with a head kick.
Legend lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Escalante at a distance.
Legend lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Escalante circles away quickly and effectively.
Escalante tries to clinch but Legend is having none of it.
Escalante fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pedro Ivan Escalante. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Escalante shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Legend manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Legend wants to get back to his feet but Escalante is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Escalante with a flurry of punches that miss.
Legend is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Legend avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Legend is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Escalante is controlling him.
Legend has a closed guard, preventing Escalante from standing up.
Escalante throwing strikes from guard but Legend blocks nicely.
Escalante loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Pedro Ivan Escalante overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Legend avoids the head kick by Escalante.
Legend lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Escalante circles away quickly and effectively.
Legend leaves Escalante with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Nice straight punches there by Legend . You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Legend .
Escalante lands with a kick to the temple. Legend shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Escalante walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Left hook, right uppercut from Escalante.
Escalante will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Escalante avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Legend lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Escalante circles away quickly and effectively.
Escalante is looking to clinch but Legend is avoiding it.
Escalante wants to clinch up but Legend keeps it at a distance.
A combination from Legend does no damage.
Escalante throws a head kick that half lands.

Escalante shoots in and bounces Legend off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Escalante stops Legend from standing up.
Escalante is looking to work some ground and pound but Legend has wrist control.
Legend wants to get back to his feet but Escalante is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Escalante lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Legend wants to stand and escape but Escalante is having none of it.
Escalante landing with the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Escalante makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Escalante with a flurry of punches that miss.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Escalante scores a takedown into full mount!
Escalante landing strikes from the mount.
Escalante scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Legend ?
Escalante throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
The Legend has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Legend throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Legend squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Legend holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Escalante tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Legend is trying to stand up.
Poor strikes thrown by Escalante there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Legend holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Escalante tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Escalante looking to finish with strikes here!
Legend wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Escalante can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Legend is looking to escape.
Legend wants to try and get back to his feet.
Legend throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Pedro Ivan Escalante is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Escalante in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Legend throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Escalante scores with a couple of good head shots there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pedro Ivan Escalante showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Escalante 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pedro Ivan Escalante!