PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kyle Hunecke (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zach vanEsselstyn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hunecke kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Indestructible. vanEsselstyn is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Day and Night. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Hunecke
vs
vanEsselstyn

180 cm
20
265 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

188 cm
23
265 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kyle Hunecke!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Zach vanEsselstyn!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Franklyn Lucas and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
vanEsselstyn fails with a takedown attempt.
No joy there for Hunecke, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hunecke looks to land a combination but vanEsselstyn avoids it well.

vanEsselstyn shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

vanEsselstyn is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Hunecke is just riding it out for now. vanEsselstyn eventually gives up the hold.

vanEsselstyn 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.
Hunecke has hold of vanEsselstyn's hands but vanEsselstyn slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
vanEsselstyn throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

vanEsselstyn is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Hunecke knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for vanEsselstyn on the ground.
Hunecke blocking the ground and pound attempt from vanEsselstyn.
vanEsselstyn thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Hunecke manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Hunecke jabs vanEsselstyn right on the nose. vanEsselstyn blinks but takes it well.

It looks like Zach vanEsselstyn has been cut.
vanEsselstyn is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
vanEsselstyn shoots in and drives through. Hunecke sprawls well.
vanEsselstyn looks gassed!
Hunecke swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A lazy left from Hunecke finds it's target.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hunecke shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hunecke misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
vanEsselstyn closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hunecke circles away.
Kyle Hunecke has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zach vanEsselstyn.
vanEsselstyn takes a swing at Hunecke's ribcage but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hunecke swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by vanEsselstyn.

That has opened up Zach vanEsselstyn's cut even more.
vanEsselstyn tries for a takedown but Hunecke circles away easily
and Hunecke counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

vanEsselstyn is rocked!
Hunecke throws a right and a left that vanEsselstyn avoids nicely.
Hunecke swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hunecke misses with a wild body shot.
Hunecke throws a combination but it was largely blocked by vanEsselstyn.
vanEsselstyn takes a shot to the body in his stride.
vanEsselstyn fails with a takedown attempt.
Hunecke uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Hunecke throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
vanEsselstyn fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Zach vanEsselstyn seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
vanEsselstyn tries for a takedown but Hunecke circles away easily
and Hunecke counters with a three punch combo that has vanEsselstyn backing up. vanEsselstyn nods at Hunecke to acknowledge the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hunecke gets a takedown into half guard.
vanEsselstyn lands one or two decent shots to the body here. Although from his own half guard, he's not going to be causing too much damage.
vanEsselstyn makes his way to full guard. A much better position for vanEsselstyn.
vanEsselstyn looking for a sweep. Not yet vanEsselstyn, not yet.
vanEsselstyn working a defensive guard here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now vanEsselstyn is on top in guard.
Hunecke keeping moving, preventing vanEsselstyn from controlling successfully.
vanEsselstyn trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
vanEsselstyn won't allow Hunecke to get back to his feet.
Hunecke tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Hunecke working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from vanEsselstyn.
vanEsselstyn throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hunecke works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
vanEsselstyn is working Hunecke over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Hunecke is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
vanEsselstyn fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
vanEsselstyn shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Hunecke counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
vanEsselstyn shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
vanEsselstyn shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
vanEsselstyn is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
vanEsselstyn misses with a takedown attempt - Hunecke sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kyle Hunecke dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Zach vanEsselstyn's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

vanEsselstyn has his takedown stuffed
and Hunecke counters with a series of strikes. vanEsselstyn will be more careful next time no doubt.
No luck for vanEsselstyn with that takedown attempt.
Hunecke scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Hunecke scores with a three punch combo!
Kyle Hunecke is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
vanEsselstyn misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Kyle Hunecke has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zach vanEsselstyn.
vanEsselstyn fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Hunecke will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Hunecke throws a nice looking combination but vanEsselstyn bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
vanEsselstyn shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hunecke but Hunecke pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Hunecke misses with a double jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hunecke will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

vanEsselstyn closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Hunecke escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
vanEsselstyn fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Hunecke throws a shot to the body.
Hunecke misses with a looping right.
vanEsselstyn misses with a takedown
and Hunecke counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Hunecke fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kyle Hunecke is winning the standup battle so far.

vanEsselstyn drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
vanEsselstyn wants to control from the top but Hunecke keeps moving.
vanEsselstyn with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
vanEsselstyn working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Hunecke's head.
vanEsselstyn thows a big elbow that misses.

Hunecke kicks vanEsselstyn off and gets to his feet.
Hunecke throws a nice looking combination but vanEsselstyn bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

vanEsselstyn shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Hunecke looking to hit a scissor sweep but vanEsselstyn is one step ahead there.
vanEsselstyn showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
vanEsselstyn postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
vanEsselstyn trying to control but Hunecke is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
vanEsselstyn postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
vanEsselstyn stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hunecke swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hunecke wants to sweep here but vanEsselstyn controlling him for the moment.
vanEsselstyn controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Hunecke shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with vanEsselstyn but vanEsselstyn pushes him off and we're back to square one.
vanEsselstyn misses with a takedown
and Hunecke counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
vanEsselstyn shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Hunecke as he jumps to the side.
Hunecke misses with a few strikes there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
vanEsselstyn changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hunecke tries to avoid it but vanEsselstyn manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hunecke to the ground. Hunecke escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Hunecke lands with a right hand.
vanEsselstyn misses with a takedown
and Hunecke counters with a series of strikes. vanEsselstyn will be more careful next time no doubt.
Horrible takedown by vanEsselstyn or perhaps it was just good defense by Hunecke which made him look bad.
Hunecke looks to land a left hand but vanEsselstyn moved out of range nicely.
Nice takedown defense from Hunecke. No joy for vanEsselstyn on that attempt.
Nice shot lands for Hunecke.
vanEsselstyn tries for a takedown but Hunecke sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Hunecke misses with an uppercut. vanEsselstyn saw that one coming.
vanEsselstyn gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Hunecke makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

vanEsselstyn shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
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 Kyle Hunecke will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Zach vanEsselstyn's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Hunecke lands a head shot.
Left hook, right uppercut from Hunecke.
vanEsselstyn shoots for a takedown but Hunecke saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Hunecke lands a jab to the nose.

The cut above Zach vanEsselstyn's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Hunecke darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
vanEsselstyn takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
vanEsselstyn shoots in and drives through. Hunecke sprawls well.
Hunecke displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

Zach vanEsselstyn's cut is absolute horrible now. This looks like something out of a horror film with blood covering both fighters.
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!
Hunecke rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but vanEsselstyn moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

vanEsselstyn moves into the clinch.
Hunecke wants to break free but vanEsselstyn has control.
Hunecke gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from vanEsselstyn.
Kyle Hunecke has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zach vanEsselstyn.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

vanEsselstyn has hold of one of Hunecke's legs. Hunecke is fighting the takedown attempt but vanEsselstyn gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
vanEsselstyn trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hunecke on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Hunecke tries to get out of the position.
vanEsselstyn loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
vanEsselstyn postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
vanEsselstyn in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hunecke is pulling down on vanEsselstyn's head. It's preventing any offense from vanEsselstyn, at least for the moment.
vanEsselstyn working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Hunecke's head.
vanEsselstyn loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
vanEsselstyn working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Hunecke throws a series of punches but vanEsselstyn avoids them all with ease.
vanEsselstyn shoots for a double leg takedown but Hunecke sprawls well. He's pushed vanEsselstyn's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Hunecke fails with the takedown

and vanEsselstyn counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
vanEsselstyn wants a takedown.
Hunecke wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Hunecke is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
vanEsselstyn drops down looking for an ankle pick but Hunecke pulls his leg out and moves away.
vanEsselstyn has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Hunecke thuds his right hand into vanEsselstyn's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

vanEsselstyn has Hunecke up against the cage in a clinch.
vanEsselstyn tries for a takedown but Hunecke manages to get underhooks.
Hunecke is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
vanEsselstyn goes for a takedown attempt but Hunecke pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Hunecke throws out a powerful jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hunecke looks to land a combination. vanEsselstyn sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
vanEsselstyn shoots in for a takedown but Hunecke shows good takedown defense.
vanEsselstyn wants to clinch.
Hunecke misses with a series of wild punches.
vanEsselstyn shoots in and drives through. Hunecke sprawls well.
Hunecke connects with a crisp jab.
vanEsselstyn fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Hunecke works over vanEsselstyn's head and body with a nice combination.
Hunecke thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
vanEsselstyn tries for a takedown but Hunecke sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Nice takedown defense from vanEsselstyn. No joy for Hunecke on that attempt.
vanEsselstyn throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Hunecke's waist but Hunecke gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing vanEsselstyn off to one side.

vanEsselstyn clinches up with Hunecke and pushes him back against the cage.

Hunecke pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hunecke misses with a combination

and vanEsselstyn counters with a shoot takedown. Hunecke fights it but they end up in guard.
Zach vanEsselstyn has got the better of the ground game so far.
vanEsselstyn throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
vanEsselstyn scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Zach vanEsselstyn has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
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!
Hunecke wants to sweep here but vanEsselstyn controlling him for the moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

vanEsselstyn 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.
vanEsselstyn postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kyle Hunecke showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Hunecke, 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 Jonathan Paton scores the fight 30:27
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 30:27
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kyle Hunecke!