PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Fydor Espada (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bill Goldberg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Espada
vs
Goldberg

185 cm
19
213 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
23
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Fydor Espada!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Bill Goldberg!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Dillan Fox and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Some bone on bone action there as Goldberg checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Goldberg slips a jab and a cross from Espada.
A slapping body kick lands there for Goldberg.
Goldberg dives in and grabs Espada's left leg, looking for a takedown. Espada pushes down on Goldberg's head and hops out.
Horrible takedown by Goldberg or perhaps it was just good defense by Espada which made him look bad.
Espada tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Espada tries to clinch up.
Espada chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Goldberg can pounce on him.
Espada misses with a head kick.

Goldberg feints and as Espada raises his hands in defense, Goldberg changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Goldberg controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Espada working a defensive guard here.
Goldberg prevents Espada from getting back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Goldberg passes into half guard.
Espada is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Goldberg passes to side control.
Goldberg postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
You can see the frustration on Espada's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Goldberg working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Espada isn't going anywhere.
Espada on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Espada regains half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Espada wants to control but Goldberg is keeping busy.
Espada is trying to get back to full guard.
Espada is breathing heavily.
Espada won't allow Goldberg to pass to mount.

Goldberg stands up from half guard.
Goldberg takes one on the button.
Espada misses with a looping right.
Espada tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Goldberg paws at him with a jab and circles away.

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.
Goldberg tries to close the distance and clinch but Espada swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Goldberg has managed to clinch.
Goldberg can't get the takedown.
Fydor Espada has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bill Goldberg.

Espada manages to pull guard.
Goldberg looking to pass the guard.
Goldberg throws a strike but Espada rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Goldberg wants to sweep here but Espada controlling him for the moment.
Espada scoring with some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bill Goldberg dominated that 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.

Goldberg keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Espada.
Espada misses with a takedown

so Goldberg counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Espada is trying to hold Goldberg in close to prevent damage but Goldberg has managed to pass into half guard.
Goldberg slows the pace down in half guard.
Espada wants to get back to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Goldberg decides to stand up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Goldberg darts in and clinches Espada up against the cage.
Espada has Goldberg pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Goldberg manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Goldberg wants a takedown.

Espada manages to break the clinch.
Goldberg shoots in for a takedown but Espada shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Fydor Espada seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Espada falls off balance throwing a combination
and Goldberg counters with a body kick.
Espada displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Goldberg.
Fydor Espada has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bill Goldberg.
Espada shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Goldberg counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Espada's guard now.
Espada is trying to control the position but Goldberg postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Espada is working an open guard so Goldberg takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Goldberg clinches up against the cage.
Espada tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Goldberg smiles and moves away.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Espada throws a combination that misses
and Goldberg counters with a slapping leg kick.

Goldberg bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Goldberg goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Espada rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Goldberg's guard! Nice work there by Espada!

Espada is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Goldberg is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Goldberg has escaped and now he's on top!
Goldberg wants to control from the top but Espada keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Espada manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

Espada goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Goldberg is on top in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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.
Espada avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Espada keeping moving, preventing Goldberg from controlling successfully.
Goldberg trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Espada keeping moving, preventing Goldberg from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bill Goldberg showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Espada's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Espada misses with a few strikes there.
Goldberg with a jab.
Espada swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Goldberg counters with a single leg into guard. Espada didn't expect that.
Goldberg throws a big right hand that misses.
Goldberg looking to sit in guard and control but Espada gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Goldberg looking to try and escape his hips here, looking for a submission. It looks like he's going for a triangle but Espada is defending well. Goldberg quickly switches to an armbar and extends the arm! Espada has no choice but to tap, to a very quick submission! Wow, that was lightning fast! Goldberg celebrates on the cage, with the crowd.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:51 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Bill Goldberg!