|
|
PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Gerard Esqueda (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Red Fox (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Esqueda comes to the cage accompanied by Cant del Barça. Fox has chosen Sanford and Son as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?
 |
|
 |
| 179 cm
30
169 lbs
23 - 10 - 2 |
|
150 cm
35
140 lbs
43 - 16 - 2 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
|
Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank |
|
| |
|
Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
23 - 10 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, Gerard Esqueda!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
43 - 16 - 2, fighting out of London, Red Fox!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Steven Brown and Richard Clark.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A looping hook to the body misses from Esqueda. Fox does a little dance to reset his feet.
Fox scores with a body shot.
Esqueda lands a nice shot that snaps Fox's head back.
Esqueda has been working on his boxing with his coaches at The Barracks - LOD in the buildup to the fight.
Fox throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Esqueda keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Fox.
Fox throws a body punch but Esqueda moves out of range.
Esqueda throws a body punch but Fox moves out of range.
A nice inside leg kick there by Fox. That's going to slow Esqueda down.
Esqueda swats away the attempt to clinch by Fox.
Fox scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Esqueda scores with a spinning back kick!
Fox misses the shot to the body.
Esqueda connects with the punch.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Esqueda swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Fox counters with a body kick that stops Esqueda in his tracks momentarily.
Red Fox is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Fox checks the leg kick.
A punch combination from Fox misses.
Esqueda thows a body shot but no joy.
Fox chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Esqueda looks to score with a jab to the body but Fox is just out of range.
Esqueda slips a jab and a cross from Fox.
Esqueda chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Esqueda keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Fox.
Fox is looking to clinch but Esqueda is avoiding it.
Esqueda throws a jab but it's blocked by Fox.
Fox throws an off balance right hand
and Esqueda counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Esqueda.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fox wants to sweep here but Esqueda controlling him for the moment.
Fox is trying to keep Esqueda in close.
Esqueda throws a big right hand that misses.
Fox looking to control.
Fox looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The ref stands the fighters back up. Red Fox was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Fox lands a jab to the nose.
Fox throws a combination that misses
and Esqueda counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Fox's guard now.
Esqueda will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Fox looking to hit a scissor sweep but Esqueda is one step ahead there.
Esqueda has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Fox has Esqueda pulled in close to control his posture.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fox has momentary wrist control but Esqueda slips an elbow through the middle.
Fox 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.
Fox is trying to control the position but Esqueda postures up.
Fox working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Esqueda.
Fox looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
OK we're going to have a standup here. Red Fox hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Fox moves in looking to clinch but Esqueda pushes him off.
A slapping leg kick lands for Esqueda.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fox ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Esqueda moves away.
Esqueda 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.
Fox lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Esqueda uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Fox.
Fox clobbers Esqueda with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Fox misses with a body shot.
Esqueda avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Esqueda ducks right into an uppercut from Fox.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A looping hook to the body misses from Fox. Esqueda does a little dance to reset his feet.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Fox displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Esqueda scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Fox doesn't seem bothered though.
Fox takes one on the chin but seems OK.
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 Gerard Esqueda will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Esqueda wants to land a leg kick but Fox is out of range.
Esqueda throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Fox avoids the body shot from Esqueda.
Fox throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Fox tries to bum rush Esqueda with a series of wild strikes but Esqueda uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Esqueda throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
The fighters circling - Fox throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Esqueda lands with an overhand left.
A telegraphed right hand from Fox misses the target.
A swing and a miss from Fox.
Red Fox seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Esqueda throws a hook to the side of Fox's head but Fox sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Esqueda looking to land some kicks to the body here.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Fox throws a leg kick
and Esqueda counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Fox is looking to improve his position.
Ground and pound from Esqueda.
Fox is trying to get back to full guard.
Esqueda throwing shots but Fox is blocking nicely.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Esqueda lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Esqueda thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Esqueda missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Fox trying to control but Esqueda postures up.
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!
Esqueda throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Fox moves into full guard.
Gerard Esqueda overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Esqueda wants to control from the top but Fox keeps moving.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Esqueda in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Fox holds on and takes a little breather.
Esqueda scoring with punches to the head and body.
Esqueda postures up.
Fox being controlled here, momentarily.
Fox controls Esqueda momentarily but Esqueda frees himself.
OK we're going to have a standup here. Red Fox hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Fox throws a leg kick
and Esqueda counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Fox's guard now.
Fox has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Esqueda has passed into side control.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fox pushes Esqueda away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Esqueda gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
An elbow from Esqueda crashes against the mat.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Esqueda controlling the position.
Fox sneaks back into half guard.
Fox trying to control from the bottom.
Esqueda missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Esqueda 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.
Fox is trying to get back to full guard.
Esqueda thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Fox is refusing to be controlled, as Esqueda sits in half guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Esqueda is looking to take a break and control but Fox is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Fox manages to get to full guard.
Fox is trying to control the position but Esqueda postures up.
Fox working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Esqueda.
Esqueda is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fox is trying to control the position from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Esqueda content to stall in guard here.
Esqueda trying to control but Fox is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Gerard Esqueda dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!
Esqueda punishes Fox's body with a nice straight punch.
Esqueda showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Fox.
Fox throws a hook but Esqueda blocks it.
Fox throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Fox scores with a spinning back kick!
Fox throws a jab but it's blocked by Esqueda.
Fox lands a right hook to the body.
Esqueda looks to land a right hand but Fox moved out of range.
Fox moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Fox swings and misses with a hook to the body.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Esqueda blocks a leg kick.
Fox tries to clinch but Esqueda moves out of range.
Fox misses with a left hand
and Esqueda counters with a single leg into guard. Fox didn't expect that.
Esqueda trying to control but Fox is working from the bottom.
Fox looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Esqueda puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Fox trying to control but Esqueda postures up.
Esqueda performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Fox has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Esqueda is working away from the top position though.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Esqueda lands strikes from half guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Esqueda is trying to work for a kimura but Fox is defending well.
Fox gets full guard.
Fox keeping full guard, as Esqueda tries to pass.
Esqueda lands a couple of digs.
Esqueda is looking to work some ground and pound but Fox has wrist control.
Esqueda throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Fox works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Esqueda postures up.
Fox might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Esqueda haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Fox has momentary wrist control but Esqueda slips an elbow through the middle.
Fox avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fox trying to keep a closed guard but Esqueda is proving a slippery customer.
Esqueda postures up in Fox's guard and throws a big left but Fox blocks it.
Esqueda trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Esqueda postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Esqueda passes into half guard.
Fox is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Esqueda works his foot free and advances to mount.
Fox taking shots to the head.
Fox wants to hold on but Esqueda pushes him away.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda looking to control but Fox is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Esqueda has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Fox's face.
Esqueda lands a big shot there that rocks Fox but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Esqueda landing strikes, looking to finish!
Esqueda lands with some strikes.
Esqueda trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Fox bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Esqueda not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Esqueda seems keen to control Fox's posture.
Esqueda is looking for a triangle but Fox pushes his legs off easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Gerard Esqueda clearly takes that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!
Fox is looking to land body kicks.
Fox tries to close the distance and clinch up but Esqueda swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Esqueda misses with a low kick as Fox jumps back.
Fox chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Esqueda can pounce on him.
Fox throws a nice inside leg kick.
Fox attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
A slow jab from Esqueda misses its intended target.
Fox is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
A swing and a miss from Esqueda.
A big right from Fox misses.
Esqueda slips under a jab.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Fox cracks Esqueda with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Fox lands a jab to Esqueda's midsection.
Nice body punch from Esqueda.
Esqueda throws a low kick, looking for Fox's leg but Fox calmly moves out of range.
Esqueda's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Fox connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Esqueda scrambles back to his feet.
Fox fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Esqueda takes a shot to the body in his stride.
A looping hook to the body misses from Fox. Esqueda does a little dance to reset his feet.
Esqueda lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Esqueda avoids the body shot from Fox.
Fox misses with an uppercut
and Esqueda counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Fox!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Check out the look on Esqueda's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Esqueda creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Fox sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Fox tries to bench press Esqueda off him but Esqueda keeps the position.
Fox managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Esqueda.
Fox gets back to half guard.
Fox trying to control from the bottom.
Esqueda looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Fox taking some punishment here, with Esqueda in his half guard.
Fox pushes Esqueda off looking to stand but Esqueda dives back in and keeps control.
Fox on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Fox trying to control from the bottom.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fox tries to get to full guard but Esqueda has control of the leg.
Fox is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Esqueda thows a huge punch but Fox dodges it nicely.
Esqueda tries to pass to full mount but Fox defends it.
Fox tries to roll over but Esqueda keeps him under control.
Esqueda is trying to control. Fox wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Fox is trying to get back to full guard.
Esqueda winds up and cracks Fox with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Fox keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fox moves into full guard.
Esqueda lands a couple of digs.
Fox has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Esqueda scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Fox trying to control the position.
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!
Esqueda wants to control from the top but Fox keeps moving.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Esqueda is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Fox is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Esqueda with a flurry of punches that miss.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Gerard Esqueda had his way with Red Fox in that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!
Fox misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Esqueda.
A cross from Esqueda lands.
Fox scores with a leg kick.
Fox gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Fox letting Esqueda take a breather here.
Esqueda tries to work over Fox's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Esqueda has a couple of punches blocked by Fox.
Esqueda lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Fox.
Fox working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Esqueda pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Good work by Fox as he checks the leg kick.
Fox fails in his attempt to clinch.
Fox cracks the inside of Esqueda's front leg.
That's one minute gone in the round.
A slapping leg kick lands for Fox.
Esqueda avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Fox lands with a good body shot.
Esqueda misses with an uppercut.
Fox misses with a double jab.
Fox is looking to clinch but Esqueda is avoiding it.
Esqueda throws a shot to the body.
Fox scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Esqueda doesn't seem bothered though.
Fox scores with a punch to the head.
Fox thows a body shot but no joy.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Fox, right into the meat.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fox falls off balance throwing a combination
and Esqueda counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fox not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Esqueda is looking to work some ground and pound but Fox has wrist control.
Fox looking for a sweep. Not yet Fox, not yet.
Fox has control of Esqueda's left arm, preventing Esqueda from doing any damage.
Esqueda preventing the sweep.
Fox is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Esqueda stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Fox swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Fox wants to get back to his feet but Esqueda is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Esqueda with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Fox's head.
Gerard Esqueda is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Fox trying to control the position.
Fox wants to control the position but Esqueda says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Esqueda looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Esqueda trying to control from half guard but Fox is working away.
Fox trying to control here.
Esqueda controlling the pace.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Esqueda uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Fox.
Red Fox has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Esqueda avoids the body shot from Fox.
Fox misses with a two punch combination.
Fox throws a leg kick but Esqueda moved away.
Fox misses with a hook. Esqueda ducked under it nicely.
Red Fox seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Esqueda lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Fox connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Esqueda's hands.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fox swings widly with a right hand
and Esqueda counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Esqueda.
And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Gerard Esqueda.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Esqueda, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 50:45
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 50:46
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 50:45
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gerard Esqueda!
Gerard Esqueda managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, $300, into his post fight interview.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
|
S |
C |
G |
|
energy
A | B |
|
hype
A | B |
|
pop
A | B |
|
mgr
A | B |
|
FIGHT
RATING
100% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
