PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Esteban Cordoza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Daniel Plainview (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.

Cordoza
vs
Plainview

185 cm
22
204 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

190 cm
21
211 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
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 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Esteban Cordoza!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Daniel Plainview!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cordoza gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Cordoza with a knee to the head.

It looks like Daniel Plainview has been cut.
Cordoza using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Plainview looks gassed!
Plainview tries to pull guard but Cordoza holds him up against the cage and eventually Plainview drops back down to his feet.
Cordoza digs a right hand into Plainview's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Plainview's gas tank.

Cordoza has Plainview pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Cordoza pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Plainview tumbling to the mat - Cordoza dives into Plainview's guard.
Cordoza controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cordoza trying to control the position from guard on top but Plainview is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Cordoza stands up from Plainview's guard - Cordoza perhaps looking for a knockout.

Cordoza fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Plainview sprawls well initially but Cordoza persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Cordoza knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Plainview on the ground.
Plainview is not content to let Cordoza control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cordoza not doing much here.

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

Cordoza is working for a submission of some sort.
Cordoza perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Cordoza tries to pass the half guard into mount. Plainview knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Cordoza escapes and gets back to his feet.

That's two 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.

Cordoza moves into the clinch.
Cordoza is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Cordoza with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Cordoza connects with a nasty looking knee right to Plainview's face.
Cordoza stalling in the clinch.
Plainview tries to pull guard but Cordoza holds him up against the cage and eventually Plainview drops back down to his feet.
Cordoza scores with a knee to the head.
Cordoza leaning against his opponent.

Cordoza has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Plainview is trying to keep an underhook but Cordoza manages to get the takedown into half guard.

Cordoza is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Plainview sees it coming and defends easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Plainview looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Cordoza seems to be working for a kimura but Plainview defends the submission attempt.
Cordoza wants to lay and pray for a moment but Plainview keeps working.

Plainview is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Cordoza pulls his head out easily.

Cordoza is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Plainview doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Cordoza.
Cordoza trying to mount his opponent but Plainview defends it.

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.
Cordoza moves nicely into side control.
Plainview tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Cordoza wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Cordoza has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

Plainview tries to keep at a distance but Cordoza has taken the fight into the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Plainview is fighting off a takedown attempt but Cordoza is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Plainview to the mat. Plainview regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Cordoza has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Cordoza is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Cordoza tries to free his leg and advance position but Plainview is retaining full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Esteban Cordoza dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Daniel Plainview's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Cordoza gets a clinch.

Cordoza pulls guard.
Cordoza wants to sweep here but Plainview controlling him for the moment.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Cordoza holds on and takes a little breather.
Plainview looking to pass the guard.
Cordoza is trying to control the position but Plainview postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Plainview won't allow Cordoza to sweep him here.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Cordoza has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Plainview off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

Cordoza moves into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Plainview taking a breather.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Plainview takes a knee right on the jaw!
Plainview letting Cordoza take a breather here.
Plainview jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Cordoza walks away with a smile on his face. Plainview gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Plainview looks to clinch

and Cordoza counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Cordoza works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Cordoza stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
A nice leg kick lands there from Cordoza.

Cordoza closes the distance and clinches.

Cordoza has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Plainview uses from the top position.

Plainview drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Cordoza dives on top into guard.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Plainview looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Cordoza has picked Plainview up and slammed him! Plainview can't keep hold of the triangle and Cordoza manages to pass to side control!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Cordoza is trying to get an arm triangle but Plainview is defending well.

Cordoza stands up and beckons Plainview to his feet.
Cordoza throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

Cordoza changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Plainview looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Cordoza is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Plainview is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Plainview is trying to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cordoza wants to control but Plainview is keeping him busy.

Cordoza has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Plainview looks to clinch

and Cordoza counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Cordoza.
Cordoza looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Cordoza postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Plainview is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Cordoza, into his guard.
Cordoza is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cordoza trying to keep a closed guard but Plainview is proving a slippery customer.
Cordoza is looking to stand up but Plainview isn't so interested in that idea.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Cordoza trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Plainview trying to control the position from guard on top but Cordoza is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Esteban Cordoza dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Daniel Plainview's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Plainview wants to clinch

and Cordoza counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Cordoza looking to pass the guard.
Cordoza is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Plainview can do to turn this around?

Plainview looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Cordoza not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

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

Plainview is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Cordoza defends well.
Cordoza trying to control but Plainview is working from the bottom.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Plainview keeping full guard, as Cordoza tries to pass.

Cordoza stands up and waves to Plainview to follow him.

Cordoza shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Plainview napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Cordoza staying calm.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cordoza thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Cordoza trying to control the action but Plainview is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cordoza fails to land a wild elbow strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.

Cordoza tries for a kimura but Plainview is defending well.
Esteban Cordoza overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Plainview is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Plainview tries to buck Cordoza off but Cordoza is having none of it.
Esteban Cordoza is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Plainview trying to remain calm as Cordoza controls from the top position.
Cordoza's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

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.

Cordoza wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Plainview, who protects the arm well.
Plainview is trying to buck Cordoza off.
Daniel Plainview has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Cordoza is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Plainview is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Cordoza wants to control but Plainview is keeping him busy.
Cordoza is staying tight to Plainview's torso, preventing him from escaping.

And that's the end of the fight!
Esteban Cordoza showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Cordoza has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight for Esteban Cordoza!
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight for Esteban Cordoza!
Judge Suge Night scores the fight for Esteban Cordoza!

Esteban Cordoza wins by unanimous decision!