PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tony Espino (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Black Mamba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Black Mamba looks lathargic as he enters the arena. Wake up son, you're about to have a fight!

Espino
vs
Mamba

220 cm
23
290 lbs
1 - 3 - 1

215 cm
20
290 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Self confident

BJJ White Belt
Decent knees
Powerful

Future Pharmaceuticals (144 for $10)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Tony Espino!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Black Mamba!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Daniel Blasius and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice sprawl there from Mamba as Espino shoots in.
Mamba tries to clinch but Espino moves out of range.
Mamba just misses with a punch to the body.
Espino avoids the head kick by Mamba.
Nice sprawl there from Mamba as Espino shoots in.
Mamba throws a big shot that misses.
Espino moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Mamba misses with a combination

and Espino counters with a single leg into guard. Mamba didn't expect that.
Mamba keeping full guard, as Espino tries to pass.
Espino tries to stand but Mamba is controlling from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Espino accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Espino 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.

Espino drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Espino jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Espino is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Mamba is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Mamba has escaped and now he's on top!
Mamba trying to control the position from guard on top but Espino is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Espino is looking to stand up but Mamba isn't so interested in that idea.
Mamba really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Espino. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Mamba wants to control from the top but Espino keeps moving.

Espino working for a triangle but Mamba defends it easily.

Espino throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Espino is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Mamba is aware though and is defending well.

Espino is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Mamba defends well.

Espino has an active guard here but Mamba has managed to pass into half guard.
Espino is breathing heavily.

Mamba decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Mamba darts in trying to clinch

and Espino counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Mamba!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mamba is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Espino looking to secure an arm triangle but Mamba defends it well.

Espino is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Mamba has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Mamba!
Mamba would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Espino working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Mamba doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Mamba manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Espino looking for a sweep. Not yet Espino, not yet.

Espino pushes Mamba off and gets back to his feet.

Espino closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Espino lands in his opponent's guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Espino passes Mamba's left leg - he's now in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Mamba throws a combination that misses

and Espino counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Espino uses his free foot to push down on Mamba's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Mamba.

Espino jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Mamba is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Mamba and Espino has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Mamba is trying to improve his position.
Tony Espino overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Espino goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Mamba has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Espino but great work by Mamba.
Espino is pushing Mamba's head away, looking to escape. Mamba manages to hold on to the position though.
Espino wants to control but Mamba postures up.
Espino is trying to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Espino struggling a bit here.
Espino is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Mamba misses with a combination
and Espino counters with a three punch combo that has Mamba backing up. Mamba nods at Espino to acknowledge the strikes.
Mamba throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Espino counters with a nice double leg into side control. Mamba won't be happy with that.
Mamba is breathing heavily.

Espino tries for a kimura but Mamba is defending well.

Espino working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Espino is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Mamba is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Espino tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mamba is looking to regain half guard here but Espino keeps moving and retains side control.

Espino is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Mamba knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Espino goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Mamba has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Espino but great work by Mamba.
Espino tries to escape but Mamba is in control.
Espino tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Mamba wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Espino wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

Mamba decides to take the fight back to the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Espino takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Mamba misses with a double jab
and Espino counters with a three punch combo that has Mamba backing up. Mamba nods at Espino to acknowledge the strikes.
Mamba scores with a leg kick.
Espino dodges the punch combination from Mamba.
Tony Espino is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mamba is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Espino showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Mamba.
Mamba swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
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 Tony Espino will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Mamba displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Espino.
Espino fails with the takedown.
Espino avoids a punch combination nicely.
Espino shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tony Espino. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A punch combination from Mamba misses.
Mamba takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mamba misses with a two punch combination.
Mamba swinging wildly here.
Espino fails to land the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Espino decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Espino is looking for a kimura but Mamba is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Espino to get the leverage.
Mamba is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Espino's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Espino's back!

Espino manages to stand up with Mamba still on his back. Eventually Mamba drops to his feet and we're back in the standing position.
Mamba misses with a head kick.
Mamba takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

Mamba tries to keep at a distance but Espino has taken the fight into the clinch.
Mamba gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Espino.
Mamba is trying to break the clinch but Espino has him pressed against the cage.
Black Mamba has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mamba throws a head punch that misses.
Nice elbow from Espino.

Mamba breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Mamba throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Espino counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Espino is trying to work for a kimura but Mamba is defending well.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Espino seems to be looking for submissions.

Espino is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Mamba has managed to free his arm - good work.
Espino working the head and body with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Espino is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Mamba has managed to free his arm - good work.

Mamba is defending against the submission attempts here by Espino.

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.

Espino is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Mamba defends it well.

Espino is looking for a kimura here.

Espino is looking for a kimura but Mamba is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Espino to get the leverage.
Tony Espino is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Espino moves into full mount! Mamba won't be happy about that!

And that's the end of the fight!
Tony Espino showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Espino, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tony Espino!