PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Sebaastian Struve (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Frank Esposito (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). On his way into the ring it seems that Sebaastian Struve has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Sebaastian Struve seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Struve
vs
Esposito

179 cm
19
185 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

178 cm
20
182 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Powerful

(GTI) - HGH Nutrients

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Sebaastian Struve!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Frank Esposito!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Nard Betker and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Struve tried to score with a low kick but Esposito checks it.
Struve moves out of range of the body kick from Esposito.
Esposito misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Struve fails with an attempt to clinch.
Good work by Esposito as he checks the leg kick.
Esposito throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

Struve closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Esposito did well to prevent Struve getting side control.

Struve is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Esposito really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Struve. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Struve thows a huge punch but Esposito dodges it nicely.
Esposito is looking for a sweep. Struve is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
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.
Struve wants to take a breather but Esposito is having none of it.
Struve thows a huge punch but Esposito dodges it nicely.
Struve lands strikes from half guard.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Struve missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esposito tries to get to full guard but Struve has control of the leg.
Struve throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Esposito trying to control here.
Struve missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Esposito keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Struve not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Esposito is defending against the submission attempts here by Struve.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Struve looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Esposito is fending him off so far but Struve persists. Nope, Esposito circles away and we're back to standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Struve misses with a head kick.

Struve drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Struve is trying to ground and pound but Esposito uses the momentary lack of control by Struve to regain half guard.
Esposito tries to get to full guard but Struve has control of the leg.
Struve looks to land a strike but Esposito avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Struve won't allow Esposito to sweep him here.
Struve loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Struve throwing strikes but missing.
Struve throwing strikes but missing.
Struve makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Struve postures up in Esposito's guard and throws a big left but Esposito blocks it.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Struve shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Struve showed some decent athleticism there.
Esposito trying to control here.
Struve wants to control but Esposito is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Struve is looking for a kimura but Esposito is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Struve to get the leverage.
Esposito manages to get to full guard.
Struve throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Esposito works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Struve is breathing heavily.
Struve landing with the ground and pound.
Struve throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Esposito is trying to keep Struve in close.
Esposito keeping moving, preventing Struve from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sebaastian Struve dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Struve scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Esposito misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Struve tries to close the distance and clinch up but Esposito swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A jab from Struve misses.
Struve tries to clinch up but Esposito circles away and keeps his distance.
Struve throws out a leg kick but Esposito moves out of range and Struve only half commits.
Struve fails in his attempt to clinch.
Struve moves in looking to clinch but Esposito pushes him off.
Esposito tries to clinch up.
Esposito missing with a left hand there. Struve was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Struve ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Esposito moves away.
Esposito goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Esposito throws a leg kick but Struve moved away.
A decent looking cross lands there for Struve.
Struve blocks a leg kick.
Esposito misses with a body shot.
Struve throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Esposito's waist but Esposito gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Struve off to one side.
Esposito tries to land a front kick but Struve steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Struve throws a big shot that misses.
Struve lunges at Esposito with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Esposito's hand.
Struve misses with a low kick.

Struve closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Struve lands in his opponent's guard.
Esposito keeping full guard, as Struve tries to pass.
Esposito avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Esposito avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Esposito utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Struve 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.
Struve scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Struve trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Esposito is edging up against the ropes. He's using the ropes to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Struve tries to land a knee to the head but Esposito blocks with his arms.
Struve with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Esposito escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Esposito uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Struve has time to react.
Frank Esposito is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Struve tries to close the distance and clinch but Esposito swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Esposito misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Esposito looks to land a body kick but Struve moved away.
Struve throws a leg kick
and Esposito counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Struve shoots in but Esposito avoids the takedown attempt easily.
A chopping leg kick lands by Esposito.
Esposito throws a wild body kick that Struve sees coming a mile off.
Struve throws a head kick that misses.
Struve has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sebaastian Struve. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Struve fails in his attempt to clinch.
Esposito scores with a nice body kick.
Esposito fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Struve checks it well.
Esposito misses with an attempted mid kick.
Struve swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Struve swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Struve tries to close the distance and clinch but Esposito swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Struve tries to clinch but Esposito moves out of range.
Struve tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Esposito swivels and escapes.
Esposito tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Struve is able to avoid easily.
Esposito throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Sebaastian Struve seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Struve blocks a head kick by Esposito.

Struve darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esposito tries to roll over but Struve keeps him under control.
Struve trying to control the action but Esposito is working from the bottom.
Struve throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Esposito showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Esposito stuffs the takedown attempt from Struve. Struve gets slowly back to his feet.
A bone on bone clash there as Esposito blocks the leg kick.
Esposito goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
The crowd cheers as Struve lands an impressive looking overhand right. Esposito doesn't seem phased though.
Esposito looks for the body kick but Struve saw that one coming.
Esposito looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Esposito throws a leg kick but Struve moved away.
A chopping leg kick lands by Esposito.
Esposito doesn't manage to clinch there - Struve circles away.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Esposito.
Esposito wants to slow Struve down by chopping away at his legs.
Esposito lets loose with a powerful body kick. Struve will feel that in the morning.
Struve will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Esposito thows a body kick. Struve tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Esposito misses with a body kick.
A slapping body kick lands there for Esposito.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Struve has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Esposito.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esposito uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Struve has time to react.
Esposito tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Esposito misses with a head kick.
Esposito throws a solid leg kick but Struve takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Esposito.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Esposito. Struve shrugs it off though.
Esposito throws a sloppy head kick and Struve moves out of range easily.
Nice body punch from Esposito.
Esposito throws a nice inside leg kick.
Jab from Esposito.
Esposito looks for the body kick but Struve saw that one coming.
Struve takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Struve closes the distance and clinches up with Esposito, looking for a takedown. Struve pushes Esposito against the ropes but Esposito circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Esposito throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Esposito misses with an uppercut.
Struve moves out of range as Esposito strikes.
Struve throws a shot from downtown. Esposito moves away and avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esposito swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Struve shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Esposito can't escape the position.
Esposito wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Struve.
Struve lands with some strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Struve misses with a head shot.

Struve jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Esposito is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Esposito and Struve has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Struve throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Esposito struggling a bit here.
Esposito is not content to let Struve control the position.
Struve sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Esposito is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Esposito tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Struve wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
The ground and pound from Struve seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Esposito is trying to get back to half guard.

Struve is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Esposito has escaped the position, nice work there.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Struve looks to clinch
and Esposito counters with a stiff right hand.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Esposito throws a leg kick which misses Struve's front leg but catches the back leg as Struve tries to avoid it.
Esposito throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Esposito pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Struve checks a leg kick nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Esposito really dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Esposito throws and low kick but Struve moves out of range easily.
Struve tried to score with a low kick but Esposito checks it.
Esposito throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Esposito throws a low kick but Struve avoids it.
Esposito cracks the inside of Struve's front leg.
Struve tries to close the distance and clinch up but Esposito swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Esposito throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Struve darts in trying to clinch
and Esposito counters with a slapping leg kick.
Esposito tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Struve is able to avoid easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Esposito circles away from the clinch attempt.
Esposito attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Struve ducks under a wild hook from Esposito.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Struve dives in and grabs Esposito's left leg, looking for a takedown. Esposito pushes down on Struve's head and hops out.
Struve circles away from the clinch attempt.
Esposito throws a head kick but Struve moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esposito lands the left hand.
Frank Esposito seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Esposito throws a series of strikes that have Struve backpedaling.
Esposito jabs at Struve's body.
Struve fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Esposito checks it well.
Esposito stuffs the takedown attempt from Struve. Struve gets slowly back to his feet.
Esposito throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Struve is looking to clinch but Esposito is avoiding it.
Esposito ducks under a wild hook from Struve.
Nice takedown defense from Esposito. No joy for Struve on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sebaastian Struve. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Esposito misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Esposito. Struve shrugs it off though.
Good leg kick by Esposito there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Struve takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Esposito scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Struve shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Esposito as he jumps to the side.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esposito connects with a nice looking jab.
Struve fails with a takedown attempt.
Struve checks a leg kick.
Esposito fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Struve.
Esposito scores with a head kick.

Struve shoots in and bounces Esposito off the ropes to secure the takedown into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Struve stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Esposito swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Struve trying to control the position from guard on top but Esposito is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Struve thows a big elbow that misses.
Struve with a flurry of punches that miss.
Struve postures up in Esposito's guard and throws a big left but Esposito blocks it.
Struve looking to pass the guard.
Esposito manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Esposito controlling the pace for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Struve working to try and regain half guard.
Esposito can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Struve is looking to escape.
Struve is looking to improve his position but Esposito isn't that keen on the idea.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Esposito dominated that fourth 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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Struve avoids a kick to the body.
Esposito fails in his attempt to clinch.
Struve thows a body shot but no joy.
Esposito moves in looking to clinch but Struve pushes him off.
Struve throws a push kick but Esposito slaps the foot to one side.
Struve connects with a good right hand that stumbles Esposito. Esposito circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

Struve fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Esposito, pushing him back against the ropes.
Esposito is trying to stall.
Struve throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Esposito blocks it with crossed arms.

Esposito escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Struve looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Struve misses with a head shot. Esposito uses the momentum to regain guard.
Esposito looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Struve with a nice head shot there.
Sebaastian Struve overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Struve drops back, looking for a kneebar! Esposito looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Esposito looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Esposito!
You can see the frustration on Struve's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Struve trying to control but Esposito flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!
Struve rolls, trying to escape but Esposito keeps control of the position.

That's two 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.
Struve is working hard here to advance position.
Esposito has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Struve's body.
Struve can't escape the position.
Struve rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Esposito is trying to control the action in half guard but Struve is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Struve looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Esposito tries to stand and escape but Struve is controlling the position.

Esposito stands up and beckons Struve to join him on the feet.
Esposito moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Sebaastian Struve has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Esposito moves into the clinch.
Frank Esposito is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Struve is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Esposito as Struve tries to tie him up.
Struve dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the ropes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Struve tries a knee to the head but Esposito blocks it.
Esposito prevents the takedown attempt.
A shot in the inside from Esposito.
Esposito just leaning against Struve, taking a breather.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
A hook to the body from Esposito.
Struve missing with knees to the body.
Esposito lands an elbow inside that Struve shrugs off.
Struve throws an elbow that misses.
Esposito comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Esposito connects with a knee to the head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Struve managing to block the knees to the body from Esposito.
Esposito lands a left hand.
Esposito on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Struve goes for a takedown attempt but Esposito pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Frank Esposito.
I think Esposito has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Aafke Stam scores the fight 46:49
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 46:49
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Frank Esposito!
Frank Esposito is the new welterweight champion!