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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Frank Esposito (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sebaastian Struve (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.
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| 178 cm
21
182 lbs
7 - 2 - 0 |
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179 cm
20
185 lbs
4 - 1 - 0 |
BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cardio machine |
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BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined |
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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
7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Frank Esposito!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Sebaastian Struve!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Aafke Stam and Patrick Alders.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Esposito looks for the body kick but Struve saw that one coming.
Esposito tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Struve was well out of range. Poor timing from Esposito.
Donk. Struve catches Esposito right on the button with a cross.
Esposito fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Struve manages to avoid it.
Struve chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Esposito jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A punch lands to the side of Esposito 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Esposito stuffs the takedown attempt from Struve. Struve gets slowly back to his feet.
Struve misses with a body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Struve keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sebaastian Struve seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Esposito pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Struve shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Esposito as he avoids it easily.
Esposito slaps away a takedown attempt from Struve, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Frank Esposito has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sebaastian Struve.
Esposito throws a wild body kick that Struve sees coming a mile off.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Struve shoots in but no luck this time.
Esposito keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Struve.
Esposito has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Struve finds it's way round the side to connect with Esposito's head.
A cross from Struve lands.
Frank Esposito is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Struve thuds his right hand into Esposito's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Esposito connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Struve misses with a looping right.
Struve throws a hook but Esposito blocks it.
Esposito bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Esposito tries to score with a low kick but Struve moves his leg out of the way.
Esposito walks into a left hand.
Struve fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Esposito avoids it really well and circles away.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Struve looks to throw a body kick
and Esposito counters by moving into the clinch.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Esposito is struggling to control the position.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Esposito.
Struve misses with a hook to the ribs.
Struve lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A shot in the inside from Struve.
Esposito misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Struve.
Esposito lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Struve.
Struve blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Struve is trying to break the clinch but Esposito is controlling him.
Struve is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Struve manages to break the clinch.
A swing and a miss from Struve.
Jab from Esposito.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Esposito moves out of range as Struve strikes.
Esposito scores with a body shot.
Struve looks gassed!
Esposito thumps Struve with a low kick.
Esposito scoring well with a low kick there.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esposito doesn't manage to clinch there - Struve circles away.
Struve ducks under a wild hook from Esposito.
Esposito lands with an uppercut that bounces Struve off the ropes and back into rage.
Esposito misses with a body shot.
Esposito instigates a clinch.
Struve is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Esposito.
Esposito stalling.
Struve blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Struve blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A hook to the body from Esposito.
Still in the clinch, Esposito scores with a nice short uppercut.
Struve on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Esposito lands a right hand.
Esposito lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A right hand to the body from Esposito.
Esposito scores with a shoulder strike.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Esposito lands a shoulder strike.
Esposito lands a shot to the body.
Esposito lands with a left to the head.
A right hand to the body from Esposito.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esposito lands an elbow that stopped Struve in his tracks for a moment.
Struve tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Esposito is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Struve misses with a hook from the clinch.
Esposito lands a hook that snaps the head of Struve backwards.
A right handed body shot lands from Esposito.
Struve takes an elbow to the temple.
Esposito trying to land knees to the body.
Esposito is leaning against Struve and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Nice elbow from Esposito.
Esposito stalls.
A short right from Esposito.
Esposito missing with knees to the body.
Struve dodges an elbow strike from Esposito.
Esposito trying to stall but Struve improves his position.
Esposito using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Struve tries to break free but Esposito pushes him back against the ropes.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Struve managing to block the knees to the body from Esposito.
Struve's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Struve effectively controlling the action here.
Esposito lands a shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Frank Esposito dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.
Esposito throws a low kick but Struve avoids it.
A big right from Esposito misses.
Esposito checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Struve walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Esposito misses the jab.
Esposito looks to score with a jab to the body but Struve is just out of range.
Esposito tries a head kick but it misses.
Esposito misses with a straight right.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Struve uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Esposito.
Struve's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Struve duly obliges.
Struve fails with the takedown.
Struve is breathing heavily.
Esposito ducks under a wild hook from Struve.
That's one minute gone in the round.
A slow jab from Esposito misses its intended target.
Struve scores with a decent looking hook.
A telegraphed right hand from Esposito misses the target.
Struve shoots in looking for a takedown. Esposito tries to sprawl out of it but Struve keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Esposito manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Struve shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Esposito manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Struve wants to pass the guard but Esposito is keeping the position.
Esposito not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Struve postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Esposito pulls Struve in close to prevent any damage.
Struve has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Struve wants to control from the top but Esposito keeps moving.
Struve cracks Esposito with a solid left hand.
Esposito not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Esposito keeping moving, preventing Struve from controlling successfully.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Struve postures up.
Struve trying to control the position from guard on top but Esposito is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Esposito manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Struve manages to get himself to full guard.
Struve being controlled here, momentarily.
Struve trying to control the position.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Struve is trying to hold Esposito in close to prevent damage but Esposito has managed to pass into half guard.
Struve is refusing to be controlled, as Esposito sits in half guard.
Esposito is taking a breather. Struve says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Struve is not content to let Esposito control the position.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Struve is looking to improve his position.
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 Frank Esposito will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.
Struve misses with a straight left.
Struve misses with a hook.
Struve checks the leg kick.
Good standup being displayed there by Esposito as he connects with a hook.
A punch combination from Esposito misses.
Struve connects with a right hand. Esposito shakes it off.
Frank Esposito is winning the standup battle so far.
Struve moves out of range as Esposito strikes.
Esposito misses with a looping right.
Struve clobbers Esposito with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Struve shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Struve thows a huge punch but Esposito dodges it nicely.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Esposito blocking the ground and pound attempt from Struve.
Esposito trying to control here.
Struve thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Esposito's head.
Esposito wants to get back to full guard.
Struve thows a huge punch but Esposito dodges it nicely.
Struve thows a huge punch but Esposito dodges it nicely.
Struve takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Esposito works his way to full guard. Good work.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Struve throws a big right hand that misses.
The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Esposito takes a jab right on the kisser.
Esposito throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Esposito dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Esposito misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Struve.
Struve lands a jab to the head.
Struve misses with a two punch combination.
Esposito moves away from the strike by Struve.
Esposito staying out of range there.
Esposito tries to clinch up.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esposito uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Struve.
Struve with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Esposito to score with a decent uppercut.
Esposito wants to clinch.
Struve uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Esposito.
Struve loads up on a big right hand but Esposito slips the punch.
Struve misses with a takedown attempt
and Esposito counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Nice takedown defense from Esposito. No joy for Struve on that attempt.
Struve throws a series of punches but Esposito moves out of range.
Esposito missing with a left hand there. Struve was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Esposito throws a series of strikes that have Struve backpedaling.
Struve is rocked!
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esposito blocks a head kick by Struve.
Esposito throws a solid leg kick but Struve takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Esposito.
Esposito avoids the body shot from Struve.
Esposito misses with the body kick
and Struve counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Struve throws a leg kick that misses.
Struve waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Esposito.
Esposito throws a front kick that sends Struve stumbling back into the ropes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A left lands for Esposito.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Struve moves out of range as Esposito throws a body kick.
Esposito throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Esposito avoids the body shot from Struve.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Frank Esposito clearly takes that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!
Struve throws a head kick that misses.
Struve swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Struve scores with a crisp jab that stopped Esposito in his tracks.
Struve waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Esposito.
Struve looks to land a left hand but Esposito moved out of range nicely.
Struve looks to land a left hand but Esposito moved out of range nicely.
Struve thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nice defenses there by Esposito.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Esposito tries a head kick but it misses.
Struve feints and then cracks Esposito's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Esposito down.
Nice shot lands for Struve.
A telegraphed right hand from Struve misses the target.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Esposito throws a leg kick but Struve moved away.
Struve misses with a body punch
and Esposito cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Esposito moves out of range of the strikes.
Struve fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Struve throws a jab when Esposito was well out of range.
Struve throws a lazy right hand but Esposito sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Struve uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Esposito has time to react.
Esposito rushes Struve and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.
Struve drops down looking for an ankle pick but Esposito pulls his leg out and moves away.
Struve is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
A big right from Struve misses.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esposito tries to clinch up but Struve circles away and keeps his distance.
A telegraphed right hand from Esposito misses the target.
Esposito tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Struve was well out of range. Poor timing from Esposito.
Struve scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Esposito misses with a double jab
and Esposito takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Esposito scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
A big right from Struve misses.
Struve throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Esposito stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Struve misses with a hook.
Esposito finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Struve misses the target.
Esposito moves out of range of the strikes.
Struve misses with a straight left.
Struve connects with a solid leg kick.
Esposito takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
The fight stays on the outside here - Esposito looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Esposito blocks a jab.
Esposito takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Esposito misses with a telegraphed body shot
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Struve looks to throw the jab but Esposito is out of range.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Esposito tries to clinch
and Struve counters with a right hand to the body.
Jab, jab by Struve - just one landing.
An inside leg kick from Esposito misses.
Struve lands a nice hook to Esposito's body. Esposito takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Struve tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Esposito thows a left - swing and a miss!
Struve looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Struve looks to throw the jab but Esposito is out of range.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Some bone on bone action there as Struve checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Struve getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close fourth round but I would say that Frank Esposito will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!
Struve throws out a loose jab but Esposito uses good head movement to avoid it.
Struve shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Esposito pinned against the cage. Esposito gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Esposito looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Esposito tried to score with a low kick but Struve checks it.
Struve connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Esposito's hands.
Esposito takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Esposito slips under a jab from Struve.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Decent striking displayed by Esposito there.
Esposito is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Struve can do to turn this around?
Esposito slips under a jab from Struve.
Esposito throws a chopping leg kick but Struve manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Esposito moves forwards but Struve connects with a nice, crisp jab.
That's one minute gone in the round.
A combination from Esposito does no damage.
Struve staying out of range there.
Esposito will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Struve misses with a straight left.
Esposito looks to land a body kick but Struve moved away.
Esposito tries to clinch there but Struve circles away.
Struve fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Struve changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Esposito looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Struve tries to move to mount but Esposito blocks the move with his legs.
Struve is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Esposito is trying to improve his position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Struve laying and praying for a moment but Esposito takes advantage and regains half guard.
Esposito is looking to improve his position.
Struve throwing shots but Esposito is blocking nicely.
Sebaastian Struve has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Struve is looking to advance position but Esposito won't allow it.
Struve lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Struve is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Struve with the ground and pound but Esposito uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Struve trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Esposito has Struve pulled in close to control his posture.
Frank Esposito is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Struve tries to free his leg and advance position but Esposito is retaining full guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Struve trying to control the position from guard on top but Esposito is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Esposito controls Struve momentarily but Struve frees himself.
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 throwing strikes but missing.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Struve misses with a shot to the body
and Esposito counters with a slapping leg kick.
Esposito moves out of range of the strikes.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Esposito throws a nice outside leg kick.
Esposito fails with an attempt to clinch.
Esposito pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
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 Frank Esposito.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Esposito, 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 50:45
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 50:46
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 50:45
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Frank Esposito!
Frank Esposito retains his welterweight title!
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
79% |
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