PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Fredrik Stenberg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dante Esposito (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Stenberg
vs
Esposito

177 cm
29
164 lbs
17 - 9 - 0

178 cm
27
161 lbs
16 - 6 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Bullet Proof System
Amped Performance

Aspire Clothing
Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Fredrik Stenberg!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Dante Esposito !
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Alyssa Summers and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Esposito takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Esposito fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Nice uppercut lands for Esposito . That snapped Stenberg's head back.
Esposito 's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Stenberg connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Esposito scrambles back to his feet.
Esposito throws a body punch but Stenberg moves out of range.
Stenberg looks to score with a jab to the body but Esposito is just out of range.
Esposito throws a leg kick
and Stenberg counters with a nice uppercut.
Stenberg ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Esposito moves away.
Stenberg connects with a single shot there.
Stenberg needs to keep his hands up - Esposito had a free shot at his head there.
Stenberg scores with a decent looking hook.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Esposito throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Esposito uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Stenberg.
Esposito tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Stenberg is able to avoid easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esposito misses with the body kick
and Stenberg counters with a straight right hand.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Esposito . Stenberg shrugs it off though.
Esposito just misses with a punch to the body.
Stenberg seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
The fighters circle momentarily. Stenberg darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

Stenberg gets a double leg takedown into Esposito 's guard.
Stenberg throwing strikes but missing.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stenberg wants to pass the guard but Esposito is keeping the position.
Esposito working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Stenberg.
Stenberg loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Stenberg throwing strikes from guard but Esposito blocks nicely.
Stenberg throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stenberg throwing strikes from guard but Esposito blocks nicely.
Esposito working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Stenberg.
Stenberg postures up in Esposito 's guard and throws a big left but Esposito blocks it.
Stenberg lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Esposito utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Stenberg throws a big elbow that misses.
Stenberg 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.
Stenberg is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Stenberg throws a big elbow that misses.
Stenberg loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Esposito controls Stenberg momentarily but Stenberg frees himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stenberg in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Stenberg throws a big right hand that misses.
Esposito avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Esposito avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Stenberg missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Stenberg throwing strikes but missing.
Esposito looking to control.
Stenberg missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Stenberg landing with the ground and pound.
Stenberg content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Stenberg accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Esposito working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Stenberg.
Stenberg pushes down on Esposito 's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Esposito avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Stenberg.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Esposito keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Esposito regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Stenberg.
Stenberg with a nice head shot there.
Stenberg postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Esposito has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Stenberg throws a big elbow that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fredrik Stenberg dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Good exchange - Stenberg coming out on top.
Esposito takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Esposito staying out of range there.
Stenberg blocks a low kick nicely.
It looked like Stenberg wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Dante Esposito seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stenberg throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Esposito uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Stenberg.
Esposito throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Esposito ducks under a wild hook from Stenberg.
The fighters circle momentarily. Esposito darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Esposito uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Stenberg.
Esposito swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
A bone on bone clash there as Esposito blocks the leg kick.
Esposito misses with a looping right.
Stenberg is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Esposito misses with a wild body shot.
Stenberg was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Fredrik Stenberg is winning the standup battle so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esposito scores with a nice head shot.
Stenberg displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Esposito throws out the jab.
Esposito uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Stenberg.
Stenberg lands with a hook. Esposito tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Esposito swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Dante Esposito is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Esposito loads up on a big right hand but Stenberg slips the punch.
Stenberg looks to score with a jab to the body but Esposito is just out of range.
Esposito chopping away at his opponent's legs.
An inside leg kick lands from Esposito .
Esposito goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
A left and a right from Esposito both land. Nice combination.

Stenberg looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Esposito working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Stenberg.
Stenberg working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Stenberg is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Esposito can do to turn this around?
Stenberg postures up and lands a big shot to Esposito 's brow.
Esposito looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Esposito really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Stenberg. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Esposito is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Esposito working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Stenberg.
Stenberg trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Stenberg works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Stenberg takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Esposito blocking the ground and pound attempt from Stenberg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stenberg drops an elbow to the side of Esposito 's head.
Stenberg missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Stenberg seems to be looking for submissions.
Stenberg 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.
Esposito tries to roll over but Stenberg keeps him under control.
Stenberg thows a huge punch but Esposito dodges it nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Esposito blocking the ground and pound attempt from Stenberg.
Esposito controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Esposito has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Stenberg is working away from the top position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stenberg throwing shots but Esposito is blocking nicely.

Stenberg is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Esposito has managed to free his arm - good work.
Esposito is looking to improve his position.
Stenberg thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Fredrik Stenberg overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Stenberg seems to be working for a kimura but Esposito defends the submission attempt.

Stenberg is looking for submissions but instead, Esposito has regained full guard.
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 Fredrik Stenberg will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Esposito uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Stenberg.
Stenberg throws a big shot that misses.
Esposito feints and then cracks Stenberg's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Stenberg down.
Stenberg throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Stenberg scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Esposito throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Stenberg on the side of the head.
Esposito lands with a kick to the temple. Stenberg shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Stenberg throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Esposito connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Stenberg takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Esposito tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stenberg was well out of range. Poor timing from Esposito .
Stenberg blocks a jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stenberg scores with a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esposito takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Esposito moves out of range of the strikes.
Stenberg's corner calls for a 1-2. Stenberg obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Esposito misses with a body kick.
Esposito uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Stenberg.
Esposito doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Stenberg swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Esposito works Stenberg's body with a nice hook.
Stenberg throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Esposito fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Stenberg manages to avoid it.
Stenberg looks to throw the jab but Esposito is out of range.
Esposito pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Dante Esposito has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esposito with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Stenberg to score with a decent uppercut.
Good leg kick by Esposito there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Esposito misses with a body shot.

Stenberg bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Stenberg tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Stenberg has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Esposito parries the strikes from Stenberg easily there. Stenberg is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Esposito to escape.
Sloppy strikes there by Stenberg.

Stenberg tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Stenberg goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Esposito rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Stenberg's guard! Nice work there by Esposito !
Fredrik Stenberg is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stenberg is adopting a defensive guard.
Stenberg wants to sweep but no luck.
Stenberg is trying to control the position but Esposito postures up.
Stenberg seems keen to control Esposito 's posture.

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.
Stenberg continues to stall.

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 Fredrik Stenberg.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Stenberg, 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 30:28
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Fredrik Stenberg!
Fredrik Stenberg got down on his knees post fight and begged the management for a title shot. 'Please, I want that title shot so bad! Give it to me!'