PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Roberto Duranto (ranked 280 p4p, 39 weight class) and Diego Escobar (ranked 494 p4p, 65 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Duranto
vs
Escobar

180 cm
32
164 lbs
19 - 8 - 2

182 cm
31
160 lbs
29 - 11 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

KOMBAT KLOTHING
Conviction

HELLS BALLS RECOVERY
Groove Gear

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 19 - 8 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Roberto Duranto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 29 - 11 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Diego Escobar!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A head kick misses from Duranto.

Escobar moves into range and clinches up with Duranto.
Escobar is trying to pull guard but Duranto turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Escobar lands a shoulder strike.
Escobar tries to work over Duranto's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Escobar looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Escobar misses with a punch on the inside.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Escobar.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Duranto.
Escobar misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Duranto breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Duranto looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Duranto scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

It looks like Diego Escobar has been cut.
Escobar darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Escobar ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Duranto moves away.
Duranto scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Jab by Duranto.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Duranto looks to throw the jab but Escobar is out of range.
Escobar tried to score with a low kick but Duranto checks it.
Diego Escobar seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Duranto is looking to clinch but Escobar is avoiding it.
Escobar slips under a jab from Duranto.
Escobar appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Escobar lands a body punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Escobar blocking some punches.
Duranto looking to slow down the pace here.
Duranto lands a left hand.
Duranto blocks a body shot from Escobar.
Escobar lands a left hand.

Duranto breaks the clinch.
Escobar listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Duranto ducks under a wild hook from Escobar.
Duranto moves forwards but Escobar connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Duranto has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Duranto there as he acknowledges the shot.
Escobar misses with a looping left.

Escobar pushes Duranto up against the cage in a clinch.
Duranto doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Duranto lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Escobar backwards.
Escobar jumps guard but Duranto stands there with Escobar around his waist. Escobar gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Escobar working aggressively here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Escobar tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Escobar lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Duranto misses with a short punch on the inside.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Duranto.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Escobar.
Duranto is trying to push Escobar away but Escobar has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Duranto misses with a hook to the ribs.
Duranto lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Escobar lands with a short shot to the head.
Duranto pushes Escobar back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Escobar scores with a nice hook to the head.
Escobar jumps guard but Duranto turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Roberto Duranto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Diego Escobar.
Duranto has a couple of punches blocked by Escobar.
Escobar tries to pull guard but Duranto won't allow it.
Escobar blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Nice body punch from Escobar.
Duranto working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Escobar blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Escobar tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Escobar decides to pull guard.

Escobar is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Duranto is aware though and is defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Escobar controls Duranto momentarily but Duranto frees himself.
Duranto passes Escobar's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Escobar is looking for a sweep. Duranto is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Duranto content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Escobar is pressing down on Duranto's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Duranto wants to get up but he can't break Escobar's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Escobar is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Duranto is aware though and is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Escobar has an active guard here but Duranto has managed to pass into half guard.
Duranto keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Escobar moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Escobar looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Duranto has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Escobar trying to keep a closed guard but Duranto is proving a slippery customer.

Escobar had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Duranto defends it easily.

Escobar has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Duranto 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 Escobar.
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 Roberto Duranto will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Diego Escobar's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Decent striking displayed by Escobar there.
Diego Escobar seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Duranto lands a lovely overhand right.
Escobar tries to clinch up.
Escobar looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

Escobar has managed to clinch.
Duranto lands a nice shot to the body.
Duranto swings wildly with an uppercut but Escobar uses good head movement to avoid it.
Escobar misses with a hook to the ribs.
Escobar's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Escobar misses with a punch on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Duranto lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Escobar misses with a hook from the clinch.
Duranto lands a right hand.
Escobar misses with a punch to the body.
Escobar misses with a body punch.
Duranto lands with a left to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Escobar jumps guard but Duranto stands there with Escobar around his waist. Escobar gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Escobar misses with a short punch on the inside.
Escobar tries to work over Duranto's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Escobar tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Duranto's elbow.
Duranto tries a body shot but Escobar blocks it.
Escobar gets through Duranto's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Escobar tries a body shot but Duranto blocks it.
Duranto prevents a body shot from Escobar.
Duranto prevents a body shot from Escobar.
Duranto misses with a punch on the inside.
Duranto lands with a light punch inside.
Escobar lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Duranto or not.
Duranto cracks Escobar with a nice body shot.
Duranto throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Escobars head.
A nice left hand lands by Duranto.
Duranto swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A nice right hand lands inside from Escobar.
Escobar swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Duranto blocks an uppercut.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Escobar creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

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!
Escobar blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Escobar blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Escobar drags the fight down to the ground.
Escobar trying to keep a closed guard but Duranto is proving a slippery customer.

Escobar has his foot on Duranto's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Duranto works his way back into a safe position though.

Escobar looking for subs off his back but Duranto has passed one foot through into half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Escobar gets full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Duranto slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Escobar isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Duranto stacks Escobar on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Duranto!
Escobar is trying to improve his position.
Escobar manages to work his way to half guard, despite Duranto's best efforts.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Duranto prevents Escobar from improving his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Duranto in particular looking to stall.
Escobar is looking to improve his position.
Escobar regains full guard. Nicely done.

Escobar looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Duranto passes into half guard.
Escobar wants to improve his position but Duranto is controlling well.
Escobar wants to get back to full guard but Duranto has passed into side control.
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 Roberto Duranto will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Diego Escobar's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Duranto feints and then cracks Escobar's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Escobar down.
Escobar lands an overhand right.
Escobar looks to score with a jab to the body but Duranto is just out of range.
Escobar throws a jab when Duranto was well out of range.
Duranto connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Duranto looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Duranto rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Escobar moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Duranto throws a head kick that misses.
Duranto backing away here, and Escobar unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Good standup being displayed there by Escobar as he connects with a hook.
Nice defenses there by Duranto.
Duranto takes one to the side of the head.
A low kick from Escobar is predictable there
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Escobar lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Escobar waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Duranto.
Escobar 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.
Escobar swings for the body but Duranto moves out of range.
Escobar swings for the body but Duranto moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Escobar's jab looks to have found its range, popping Duranto under the eye.
Escobar throws a hook but Duranto avoids it easily.
Duranto misses with a straight right.
A swing and a miss from Duranto.
The fighters circling - Duranto throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Escobar throws a nice inside leg kick.
Duranto uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Duranto avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Escobar connects with a right hand. Duranto shakes it off.
Escobar throws a low kick but it's checked well by Duranto.
Nice shot lands for Escobar.
Duranto throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Escobar cracks a nice hook into Duranto's ribs.
Duranto pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Escobar connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
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!
Escobar slips a jab and a cross from Duranto.
Escobar ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Duranto moves away.
Duranto half committed to a counter leg kick.
Escobar scores with a punch to the head.
Diego Escobar has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Escobar is looking to score with low kicks.
Duranto misses the jab.
Duranto looks to score with a jab to the body but Escobar is just out of range.
Duranto connects with a high kick.
Escobar displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Duranto throws out the jab.
Duranto takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Escobar scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Jab from Duranto.
Escobar jabs Duranto to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Escobar throws a poor cross that misses
and Duranto counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Escobar throws a leg kick that misses.
It looked like Duranto wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Escobar misses with an uppercut
and Duranto counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Duranto on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Escobar's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Duranto connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Escobar scrambles back to his feet.
Duranto on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Escobar smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Duranto blocks a jab.
Duranto tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Escobar manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Duranto waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Escobar.
Duranto takes one to the side of the head.
Duranto fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Duranto takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Duranto throws a sloppy head kick and Escobar moves out of range easily.
Duranto moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Escobar attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Escobar tries to land a leg kick but Duranto saw it coming and moves away.
A good leg kick by Escobar.
Escobar misses with a hook.
Escobar keeps the fight on the outside.
Duranto throws a body punch but Escobar moves out of range.
An inside leg kick lands from Escobar.
Escobar fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Duranto checks it well.
Escobar throws the left hand but Duranto avoids the punch easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A leg kick checked by Duranto.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Escobar avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Duranto takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Escobar throws a hook to the side of Duranto's head but Duranto sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Duranto thuds his right hand into Escobar's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

Duranto clinches.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Duranto creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Roberto Duranto has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Duranto lands a left hand that snaps the head of Escobar backwards.
Escobar misses with a punch to the body.
Roberto Duranto is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Duranto blocks an uppercut.
Escobar blocks an uppercut.
Duranto blocks a body shot from Escobar.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Duranto.
Escobar struggles to land a body shot inside as Duranto controls his hands.
Escobar throws a punch but it's blocked by Duranto.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Diego Escobar.
I think Duranto 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Roberto Duranto!
Roberto Duranto made sure to give a little speech post fight, saying 'Just give me next fight.'.