ESFL 9 PBP Commentary

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tony Ferguson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Big Nasty (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tony Ferguson has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Ferguson
vs
Nasty

180 cm
25
160 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

170 cm
19
165 lbs
0 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tony Ferguson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Big Nasty!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Steve Montenegro and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ferguson leaves Nasty with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Nasty lands a jab to the nose.
Nasty throws a hook to the side of Ferguson's head but Ferguson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ferguson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Nasty tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Ferguson paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Nasty gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Ferguson to score an easy takedown into full guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Ferguson controls from within his opponent's guard.
Nasty wants to stand up but Ferguson is controlling him.
Nasty avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferguson scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Ferguson stops Nasty from standing up.
Ferguson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Ferguson trying to control the position from guard on top but Nasty is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ferguson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Ferguson thows a big elbow that misses.
Nasty is looking to stand up but Ferguson isn't so interested in that idea.
Ferguson passes Nasty's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Ferguson trying to control the action but Nasty is working from the bottom.
Nasty pushes Ferguson off looking to stand but Ferguson dives back in and keeps control.
Ferguson is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Ferguson lands strikes from half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ferguson passes the guard and advances to mount!
Nasty really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Ferguson. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Ferguson controlling from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Nasty?
Ferguson prevents Nasty from getting the reversal.
Nasty squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Ferguson fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Ferguson avoids the attempt from Nasty to control.
Ferguson in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Ferguson scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Nasty?
Ferguson dominating with strikes here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ferguson breaks from Nasty's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Nasty takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nasty can't escape the position.
Nasty is bucking up trying to escape but Ferguson cracks him with another couple of good strikes.

Nasty is rocked!
Nasty takes a big shot to the dome and his eyes have rolled back in his head! Ferguson's killer instinct has kicked in as he finishes the fight with more strikes. Impressive finish.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:33 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Tony Ferguson!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
47%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Raul Ewing (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tommy Sparks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ewing comes to the ring accompanied by B.o.B. - Created A Monster. Sparks is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Cult of Personality. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the ring.

Ewing
vs
Sparks

193 cm
26
258 lbs
8 - 9 - 0

190 cm
22
225 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Dangerous GnP
Brawler
Powerful

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 8 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Raul Ewing!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tommy Sparks!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Steve Montenegro and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ewing connects with a right hand. Sparks shakes it off.
Crunch! Ewing slams his shin into Sparks's torso.
Raul Ewing seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ewing doesn't manage to clinch there - Sparks circles away.
Ewing ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Sparks misses with a takedown attempt
and Ewing counters with a nice leg kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sparks on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Sparks looks gassed!
Ewing throws a nice outside leg kick.
Ewing throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

It looks like Tommy Sparks has been cut.
Ewing connects with a leg kick. Sparks looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Ewing lands a nice leg kick that just misses Sparks's sensitive parts.
Ewing lands a head kick!
Ewing lands a head kick. Sparks smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

Oooooh!!! Ewing has knocked Sparks down with a huge combo! Ewing steps away and waves a wobbly Sparks back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!

Sparks is rocked!
Ewing connects with a solid leg kick.
Sparks is still on wobbly legs! Can Ewing finish him?
Ewing cracks Sparks with a brutal left hook that knocks him out cold! This one is over in a flash! Game over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Raul Ewing!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
100%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Junjun Batobato (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Unigu Rege (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Junjun Batobato has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Batobato
vs
Rege

175 cm
18
165 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

180 cm
19
160 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Junjun Batobato!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Unigu Rege!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Eddie Farnsworth and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rege shoots for a double leg takedown but Batobato sprawls well. He's pushed Rege's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Rege keeps Batobato at a distance using the push kick.
Batobato shoots in for a takedown but Rege shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Batobato dodges the punch combination from Rege.

Batobato tries to sprawl but Rege drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Batobato is trying to stand.
Batobato wants to get back to full guard but Rege has mounted him!
Rege working Batobato over with strikes here.
Rege controlling his opponent.
Batobato keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Rege controlling the position easily from mount.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Let's hope that Rege has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Batobato has given up his back here.

Rege has the rear naked choke here! This is very bad for Batobato! Can he survive? No! He's out! Rege gets to his feet and celebrates with his cornermen. He looks absolutely delighted. In the post fight interviews he takes time to thank his parents and everyone who has believed in him from the start. How sweet.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:44 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Unigu Rege!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
39%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Frankie Edgar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tommy Fire (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tommy Fire is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Edgar
vs
Fire

170 cm
25
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

167 cm
18
155 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Frankie Edgar!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tommy Fire!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Chad Campbell and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fire tries to bum rush Edgar with a series of wild strikes but Edgar uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Fire throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Fire swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Nice sprawl there from Edgar as Fire shoots in.
Frankie Edgar seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Edgar is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Edgar closes this distance looking for a takedown but Fire circles away.
Edgar closes this distance looking for a takedown but Fire circles away.
Edgar misses with a takedown attempt

and Fire counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Fire.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Frankie Edgar. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Edgar tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Fire smiles and moves away.
Edgar swats away the attempt to clinch by Fire.

Edgar shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Fire is trying to defend but Edgar finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Edgar is trying to control. Fire wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Edgar is thwarting Fire's attempts to control the position.
Fire is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Edgar's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Edgar's back!
Edgar trying to control the hands but Fire won't let him.
Fire trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Edgar looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Edgar tries to escape the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Edgar is trying to get back to his feet but Fire has full control of the position and if anything, Edgar has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Fire decides to get back to his feet. A strange decision but one that the crowd certainly appreciate.

Fire clinches.
Fire lands a body punch.
Fire stops a takedown attempt from Edgar.
Fire is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Edgar pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Edgar prevents a takedown attempt there.
Edgar changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Fire fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Edgar shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Fire keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Edgar misses with a head shot. Fire uses the momentum to regain guard.
Edgar stopping the sweep attempt from Fire.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Fire preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Fire can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Edgar throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Edgar wants to control from the top but Fire keeps moving.
Edgar keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Fire's head.
Fire wants to stand and escape but Edgar is having none of it.
Fire not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Edgar stays in close to Fire's body and controls the position.
Edgar postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frankie Edgar dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Edgar shoots in but no luck this time.

Fire drives through and clinches with Edgar against the ropes.
Fire misses with a short punch on the inside.
Fire has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Edgar is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Edgar wants the takedown. Fire is fighting it off but Edgar persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Fire's guard against the ropes.
Edgar trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Edgar stopping the sweep attempt from Fire.
Edgar working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Frankie Edgar overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Edgar working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Fire wants to sweep but no luck.
Edgar has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Fire utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Edgar connects with a couple of short punches.
Edgar throws a big right hand that misses.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Fire is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Edgar works over Fire with some ground and pound from guard.
Fire is breathing heavily.
Edgar works over Fire with some ground and pound from guard.
Fire is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Edgar wants to stand but Fire has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Edgar throwing strikes from guard but Fire blocks nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fire wants to stand up but Edgar is controlling him.
Fire is adopting a defensive guard.
Edgar wants to control from the top but Fire keeps moving.
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.
Sloppy strikes from Edgar. Those never looked like landing.
Edgar fails with the takedown.
Edgar fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Fire is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Edgar.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Frankie Edgar. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A cross from Edgar lands.
Edgar shoots in looking for a takedown but Fire manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Edgar's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Edgar swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Fire counters with a nice uppercut.
Edgar works over Fire's head and body with a nice combination.
Edgar throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Fire scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Edgar doesn't seem bothered though.
Fire throws a sloppy head kick and Edgar moves out of range easily.
Fire throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Edgar.
Fire misses with a takedown
and Edgar counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Edgar circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Edgar moves into range and clinches up with Fire.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Fire breaks from the clinch.
Edgar shoots for a double leg takedown but Fire sprawls well. He's pushed Edgar's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Fire looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Fire throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Edgar misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A swing and a miss from Fire.

Edgar closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Fire did well to prevent Edgar getting side control.
Edgar is looking to take a break and control but Fire is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fire controlling the position for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frankie Edgar dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Edgar fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Fire sprawls well initially but Edgar persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Edgar seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Fire does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Fire slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Edgar looking to sit in guard and control but Fire gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Edgar wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Fire is now in half guard.
Edgar is trying to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Edgar is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Fire jumps into side control!
Edgar wants to get back to his feet but Fire is dominant here and he's now got Edgar's back!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Fire gets to his feet and calls for his opponent to stand and trade! Heeeere we go!
Edgar has a takedown stuffed.
Fire lands a head kick!
Edgar throws a combination. Fire tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

Fire moves into the clinch.
A right hand to the body from Fire.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Edgar tries to pull guard but Fire won't allow it.
Fire is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Edgar is keeping busy.

Fire breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Fire closes the distance and clinches.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Fire swings wildly with an uppercut but Edgar uses good head movement to avoid it.

Edgar has Fire pressed up against the ropes. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Edgar pulls back from the ropes and twists to the side, sending Fire tumbling to the mat - Edgar dives into Fire's guard.
Edgar trying to control the position from guard on top but Fire is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fire trying to control the position.
Edgar makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Edgar tries to free his leg and advance position but Fire is retaining full guard.
Edgar looking to sit in guard and control but Fire gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Fire decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Edgar, up you get!
Fire misses with a wild combination.

Fire moves into range and clinches up with Edgar.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Edgar is looking for a takedown up against the ropes. Fire gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Frankie Edgar. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Edgar is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Fire escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Edgar feints and as Fire raises his hands in defense, Edgar changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
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!
Fire bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Edgar's guard.
Fire stopping the sweep attempt from Edgar.

Fire decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Tommy Fire.
I think Edgar 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Frankie Edgar!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
64%

Undercard bout

Co-main event

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Punch DaFace (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jackson Hildr (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.

DaFace
vs
Hildr

200 cm
21
250 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

198 cm
23
275 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Very confident

No Joke Drugs

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 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Punch DaFace!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jackson Hildr!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, David Schapiro and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
DaFace ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

DaFace moves into the clinch.
Hildr has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Hildr escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
DaFace misses with a jab, cross combination.
DaFace tries to clinch but Hildr moves out of range.
DaFace wants to clinch.
DaFace looks to clinch

and Hildr counters with a takedown into side control.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Hildr is trying to get an arm triangle but DaFace is defending well.
This has been an exciting period of action!
DaFace wants to get back to his feet.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

Hildr is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. DaFace knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Hildr moves into full mount!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hildr wants to finish this one by submission but DaFace is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Hildr.

Hildr is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. DaFace can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Hildr trying to control but DaFace is having none of it.
Hildr won't let DaFace get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.

Hildr with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
DaFace is trying to get to the ropes to help him get back to his feet.
DaFace trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hildr controlling the position easily from mount.

Hildr is working to isolate an arm here. It's a telegraphed submission attempt but he's gone for it anyway - and he's got it! Hildr extends the arm and DaFace is forced to tap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:45 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Jackson Hildr!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
54%

Main event

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jake Hunter (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gabrial Worthington (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hunter comes to the ring accompanied by The DOC vs Earshot. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Hunter
vs
Worthington

180 cm
25
179 lbs
14 - 7 - 0

185 cm
20
185 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jake Hunter!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Gabrial Worthington!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Steve Montenegro and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hunter swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Worthington has his takedown stuffed
and Hunter counters with a left and a right that stings Worthington.
Worthington misses with a takedown attempt

and Hunter counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Worthington looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Hunter passes into half guard.
Worthington wants to control the action here but instead Hunter manages to pass to full mount!
Hunter trying to control but he's not successful this time.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Worthington is trying desperately to improve position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Worthington is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Worthington wants to hold on but Hunter pushes him away.

Hunter is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Worthington to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Worthington shrugs it off.
Worthington keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Hunter has control of Worthington's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Worthington regains control of the situation pretty easily.

Hunter is working for a guillotine from mount but Worthington frees his head quite easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Worthington tries to improve his position but Hunter has taken his back! Hunter has a choke - it's sunk in pretty tight... Will Worthington tap? No... maybe... yes! He's tapped! Hunter pushes Worthington away and gets up to celebrate with his corner!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:19 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Jake Hunter!
Jake Hunter is the new middleweight champion!