PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ace Espinoza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sean Dignam (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Espinoza
vs
Dignam

193 cm
23
220 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

187 cm
31
215 lbs
18 - 10 - 1

BJJ Brown Belt
World class MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Ace Espinoza!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sean Dignam!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Paul Tew and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Dignam changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Espinoza looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Espinoza struggling a bit here.
Dignam avoids the strikes from the bottom by Espinoza.
Espinoza striking from the bottom but nothing landed.
Espinoza is trying to improve his position.
Dignam landing strikes.
Espinoza is trying to improve his position.

Dignam looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Espinoza gets back to half guard.
Espinoza wants to improve his position but Dignam is controlling well.
Espinoza avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Dignam.
Espinoza manages to get to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dignam forces his way into half guard.
Dignam scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Dignam lands a nice short elbow.

Espinoza actively working from the bottom here.
Dignam has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Dignam missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Dignam with the ground and pound but Espinoza uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Espinoza looking to control.

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

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Dignam is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dignam with a flurry of punches that miss.

Espinoza has an active guard here but Dignam has managed to pass into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Espinoza is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Dignam's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Dignam's back!
Espinoza gets his hands free as Dignam looks to control.
Dignam tries to roll but Espinoza sticks to his back.
Espinoza trying to control momentarily.
Dignam tries to roll but Espinoza sticks to his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Espinoza controls the position.
Espinoza gets his hands free as Dignam looks to control.
Dignam is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Espinoza.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here.
I would not like to be Dignam right now.
Espinoza trying to control.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Ace Espinoza wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Espinoza pushes Dignam away with a front kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Dignam is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Espinoza's half guard.
Espinoza regains full guard. Nicely done.
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 Ace Espinoza will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Espinoza misses with a kick to the body.
Espinoza walks into a stiff left hand from Dignam.
Espinoza throws a half hearted mid kick.
Dignam moves out of range of the strikes.
Espinoza keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Crunch! Espinoza slams his shin into Dignam's torso.
Espinoza throws a head kick that Dignam semi-blocks.

It looks like Sean Dignam has been cut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Espinoza pushes Dignam up against the cage in a clinch.
Espinoza lands a knee to the body.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Espinoza stalling.
Dignam has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Espinoza avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Dignam looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Espinoza connects with a knee to the head.
Dignam looking for a takedown.
Ace Espinoza has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sean Dignam.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Espinoza scores with a knee to the head.
Dignam is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Espinoza is defending well.
Dignam is breathing heavily.

Dignam lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Espinoza moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Espinoza is looking for a triangle but Dignam pushes his legs off easily.

Espinoza working for a triangle but Dignam defends it easily.

Espinoza escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Dignam gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Dignam trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ace Espinoza overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Espinoza escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Dignam gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Dignam stands up over Espinoza, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Dignam is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Dignam's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Espinoza escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Dignam gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Dignam landing some decent shots from guard.

Espinoza working for a triangle but Dignam defends it easily.
Dignam postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Espinoza has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Dignam can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Dignam in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Dignam postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Espinoza has his foot on Dignam's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Dignam works his way back into a safe position though.
Espinoza preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Dignam connects with a couple of short punches.
Dignam postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Espinoza throws his legs up looking for a submission but Dignam uses it to pass to side control.
Dignam scores with punches from side control.
Espinoza is working to avoid the ground and pound but Dignam connects with a decent elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dignam working the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Espinoza struggling a bit here.
Dignam lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Espinoza down.
Espinoza gets back to half guard.

Dignam wants to work for an arm triangle but Espinoza is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Espinoza trying to control here.

Dignam is looking for a kimura here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Dignam prevents Espinoza from improving his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Ace Espinoza will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Sean Dignam's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Dignam misses with a takedown attempt - Espinoza sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Dignam is trying hard to land a takedown here. Espinoza sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Espinoza is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A lazy body kick from Espinoza

and Dignam counters with a nice double leg into guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Dignam accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Dignam landing with the ground and pound.
Dignam postures up and lands a big shot to Espinoza's brow.
Dignam looking to pass the guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Dignam throwing strikes but missing.
Espinoza doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dignam throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Dignam throwing strikes but missing.

Dignam got a little sloppy there for a moment and Espinoza has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Dignam has managed to get both his arms back between Espinoza's legs - danger averted.
Dignam throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Dignam lands a couple of digs.
Dignam tries to free his leg and advance position but Espinoza is retaining full guard.
Dignam postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Espinoza had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Dignam defends it easily.
Espinoza thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Dignam accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dignam throws a big right hand that misses.
Dignam keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Espinoza's head.
Dignam postures up and lands a big shot to Espinoza's brow.
Dignam loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Espinoza looking for subs off his back but Dignam has passed one foot through into half guard.
Dignam has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Espinoza is wriggling around trying to escape.

Dignam goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Espinoza turns into him and now he's in Dignam's guard.
Dignam pulls Espinoza in close to prevent any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Espinoza trying to control but Dignam is working from the bottom.
Dignam is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Dignam looking to control.

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.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Dignam bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Espinoza's head backwards.
Espinoza cracks the inside of Dignam's front leg.
Dignam shoots for a takedown but Espinoza saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Ace Espinoza has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sean Dignam.
Espinoza is looking to slow Dignam down with leg kicks.
Dignam shoots in and drives through. Espinoza sprawls well.
Espinoza missing with a left hand there. Dignam was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Dignam needs to keep his hands up - Espinoza had a free shot at his head there.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Espinoza leaves Dignam with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Espinoza gets caught napping as Dignam dives in and scores a takedown. Espinoza manages to retain guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sean Dignam really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Sean Dignam's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Espinoza moves into range and clinches up with Dignam.
Dignam has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Espinoza is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Espinoza landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Espinoza lands a good knee to the midsection. Dignam won't want to take too many of those.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Knees to the body from Espinoza.
Espinoza crunches a lovely knee into Dignam's ribcage.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Espinoza obliges.
Dignam takes a knee to the side of the body.
Espinoza lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Dignam takes an elbow to the temple.
Espinoza lands a body punch in the clinch.
A short right from Espinoza.
A knee to the head by Espinoza.
Espinoza lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Espinoza's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Dignam is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Dignam is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Espinoza pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Espinoza with a knee to the head.
Dignam is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Espinoza gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Ace Espinoza has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sean Dignam.
Espinoza putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Dignam in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
A left hand lands to the body for Espinoza.
Espinoza lands an elbow that stopped Dignam in his tracks for a moment.
Espinoza utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Espinoza tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Espinoza lands a knee to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Espinoza is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Dignam takes an elbow to the forehead.
Espinoza using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Nice body punch from Espinoza - that landed with a thud.
Espinoza lands a nice shot to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for Espinoza.
Espinoza scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Espinoza crunches a lovely knee into Dignam's ribcage.
Espinoza is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dignam takes an elbow to the temple.
Dignam is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Espinoza scores with a shoulder strike.
Dignam takes a knee to the side of the body.
Espinoza working Dignam over with knees to the body.
Espinoza connects with a nasty looking knee right to Dignam's face.
Espinoza landing knees to the head.
Espinoza works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Espinoza with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Dignam wants to take the fight to the mat but Espinoza manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Espinoza lands a right hand.
Espinoza presses Dignam against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
The referee is keeping an eye on Espinoza - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Espinoza lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Dignam backwards.
Espinoza misses with a body punch.
Dignam is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Espinoza gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Espinoza breaks from the clinch.
Espinoza lands a head shot.
Espinoza connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Espinoza tries to clinch but Dignam moves out of range.
Espinoza misses with a body kick.
Ace Espinoza is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Dignam misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Espinoza feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Dignam's calf.
Dignam moves out of range as Espinoza strikes.
Dignam avoids the head kick by Espinoza.
Espinoza wants to clinch up but Dignam keeps it at a distance.
Espinoza stuffs the takedown attempt from Dignam. Dignam gets slowly back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Espinoza scores with a spinning back kick!

Espinoza clinches with his opponent.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Espinoza obliges.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Espinoza working Dignam over with knees to the body.
Dignam takes a knee right on the jaw!
Espinoza crunches a lovely knee into Dignam's ribcage.
A short body shot lands from Espinoza as the two fighters clinch.
Espinoza lands a nice uppercut.
Espinoza landing knees to the body.
Dignam takes a knee to the side of the body.
Espinoza is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Dignam can do to turn this around?
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Espinoza lands a good knee to the midsection. Dignam won't want to take too many of those.
Espinoza lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Espinoza landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Ace Espinoza has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Espinoza connects with a knee to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ace Espinoza had his way with Sean Dignam in that round.
The cut man is working on Sean Dignam's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Espinoza looks to score with a jab to the body but Dignam is just out of range.
Espinoza scores with the left hand. Dignam knows he should have avoided that one.
Espinoza tried to score with a low kick but Dignam checks it.
A good leg kick by Espinoza.
Espinoza 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.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Dignam is defended easily by Espinoza.
A low kick from Espinoza misses
and Dignam counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Espinoza rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Dignam counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Dignam throws a looping overhand right but Espinoza ducks down to avoid it.
Dignam connects with a nice looking jab.
Espinoza throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Dignam stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
A bone on bone clash there as Dignam blocks the leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dignam gets a double leg takedown into Espinoza's guard.
Dignam is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Dignam loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Espinoza has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Dignam is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Espinoza.
Espinoza gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Dignam 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.
Espinoza trying to control here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Espinoza works his way to full guard. Good work.
Dignam slips nicely into half guard.
Espinoza works his way to full guard. Good work.
Dignam stands and throws Espinoza's legs to the side, diving into side control.
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!
Espinoza taking a bit of punishment here - Dignam scoring with strikes.
Dignam is trying to ground and pound but Espinoza uses the momentary lack of control by Dignam to regain half guard.
Espinoza gets back to full guard.
Dignam working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Espinoza is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Dignam defends well.
Espinoza avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Espinoza is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Dignam is aware though and is defending well.
Dignam is pushing down on Espinoza's leg trying to pass to half guard. Espinoza is fighting to maintain full guard but Dignam has managed to sneak the leg through.
Espinoza is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Dignam is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Espinoza trying to control here.
Dignam lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Espinoza is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Dignam pulls his head out easily.
Dignam winds up and cracks Espinoza with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice strikes from Dignam there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Espinoza actively working from the bottom here.
Dignam lands with a punch from half guard.
Dignam drops an elbow to the side of Espinoza's head.
Espinoza is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Espinoza is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Dignam pulls his head out easily.
Ace Espinoza is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Dignam is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Espinoza!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Espinoza taking shots to the head.
Sean Dignam has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dignam scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Espinoza is working to get back to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sean Dignam comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Espinoza has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 47:48
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 47:47
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 48:46

The fight is ruled a draw!