PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Manuel Espero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jack Estripador (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Espero
vs
Estripador

193 cm
22
230 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

190 cm
23
265 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Manuel Espero!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jack Estripador!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Damien Edna and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Estripador connects with a single shot there.
Estripador takes one to the chin there.
Espero scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

Estripador decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Espero wants to improve his position but Estripador is controlling well.
Estripador is looking to take a break and control but Espero is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Estripador is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Estripador is looking for a kimura but Espero is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Estripador to get the leverage.
Espero manages to get to full guard.
Espero looking to control.
Espero is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Estripador with a flurry of punches that miss.

Estripador thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

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

Estripador drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Estripador jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Estripador won't allow Espero to get back to his feet.
Espero wants to sweep but no luck.
Espero knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Estripador on the ground.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Espero lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Espero keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Estripador fails to land with a series of punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Espero showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Estripador.
Espero lands a jab-cross combination.
Espero defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Estripador.
Estripador looks gassed!
Estripador throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Espero's waist but Espero gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Estripador off to one side.
Manuel Espero has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jack Estripador.
Estripador tries to bum rush Espero with a series of wild strikes but Espero uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Estripador is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Espero throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Estripador.
The fight stays on the outside here - Estripador looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Espero scores with a head kick.
Estripador misses with a combination
and Espero counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Estripador throws a combination that misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.

Espero feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Espero trying to control the position from guard on top but Estripador is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Estripador working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Espero doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Espero manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Espero has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Espero would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Espero trying to control but Estripador is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Espero not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

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.
Estripador thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Espero wants to get up but he can't break Estripador's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Estripador throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Espero escapes and throws Estripador's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Espero tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Espero working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jack Estripador will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Espero tries to clinch there but Estripador circles away.
Estripador throws a chopping leg kick but Espero manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Estripador doesn't manage to clinch there - Espero circles away.
Estripador doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Espero counters with a thumping low kick.
Estripador takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Espero avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Estripador dodges the punch combination from Espero.
Estripador shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Espero counters with a nice leg kick.
Estripador throws a right hand that Espero ducks under and follows up with a left that Espero also avoids with ease.
A jab from Espero does it's job there.
Nice sprawl there from Espero as Estripador shoots in.
Manuel Espero has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jack Estripador.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Estripador throws a right hand that Espero ducks under and follows up with a left that Espero also avoids with ease.
Estripador misses with a series of wild punches.
Espero throws a combination. Estripador tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Estripador is breathing heavily.

Espero bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Estripador is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Estripador is trying to escape the position but Espero is controlling the position.
Estripador prevents Espero from moving into mount.
Espero looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Estripador is avoiding damage well.
Estripador wants to control but Espero postures up.
Estripador throws a couple of strikes even though he's not really in a good position to do so.
Estripador is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Espero's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Estripador tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

Estripador looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Estripador is refusing to be controlled, as Espero sits in half guard.
Estripador trying to control here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Estripador throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Estripador wants to control but Espero is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Estripador tries to kick Espero off but Espero keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Estripador regains full guard. Nicely done.
Espero trying to stand up but can't free himself from Estripador's guard.
Estripador manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

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.
Estripador landing strikes from the mount and Espero is in trouble!
Estripador is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Estripador punching from mount but Espero doing a good job of avoiding damage.

Estripador is standing up, even though he is in mount.
A right-left combo lands from Estripador.
Estripador tries to clinch up but Espero circles away and keeps his distance.
Estripador shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Espero sprawls well. Espero wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Estripador gets slowly back to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Estripador throws out a leg kick but Espero moves out of range and Estripador only half commits.
Estripador works over Espero's head and body with a nice combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Estripador showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Espero avoids a punch combination nicely.
Espero avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Espero takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Estripador falls off balance throwing a combination
and Espero counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Jack Estripador seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Decent striking displayed by Estripador there.
Estripador throws a left and a right that both miss
and Espero counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Estripador throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Espero scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Estripador throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Estripador takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Espero fails to land with a series of punches.
Estripador misses with a takedown

and Espero counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Estripador's guard now.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Estripador is looking to stand up but Espero isn't so interested in that idea.
Espero trying to control the position from guard on top but Estripador is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Estripador throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Espero would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Estripador is on top in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Espero is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Estripador sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Espero's guard.

Espero is defending against the submission attempts here by Estripador.
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!
Espero trying to get back to full guard but Estripador takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Espero tries to lock up and control but Estripador gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Jack Estripador is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Estripador is working for a guillotine from mount but Espero frees his head quite easily.
Estripador with some aggressive grappling here, looking for the finish.
Estripador landing strikes from the mount.
Espero is trying to reverse the position but instead Estripador has taken his back - oops!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Estripador misses with an elbow to the head.

Espero won't enjoy being in this position. Estripador looking for the choke. Oh... he's slipped the arm under the neck - Espero is tapping - it's over boys! Estripador picks up the submission victory!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:26 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Jack Estripador!