PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Hamilton Eslay (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mikko Rourke (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rourke has chosen Rolling Stones - Paint it black as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Eslay
vs
Rourke

191 cm
23
200 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

182 cm
27
196 lbs
14 - 9 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

SPARTA FIGHTWARE-GTI
XTREME PWNAGE: Down Under!

XTREME PWNAGE: Down Under!
Perkele!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Hamilton Eslay!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Mikko Rourke!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Donatello Bradman and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Eslay stuffs the takedown attempt from Rourke. Rourke gets slowly back to his feet.
Rourke is trying hard to land a takedown here. Eslay sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Rourke ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Nice defenses there by Rourke.
Eslay throws a right and a left that Rourke avoids nicely.
Rourke uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Eslay.
Eslay throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Eslay throws a big shot that misses.
Eslay pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Rourke cracks Eslay with a good jab.
Eslay avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Eslay moves out of range of the strikes.
Eslay missing with a left hand there. Rourke was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Eslay throws a looping overhand right but Rourke ducks down to avoid it.
Rourke misses with a double jab.
Rourke loads up on a big right hand but Eslay slips the punch.
Rourke moves out of range of the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rourke uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Eslay.
Eslay keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Rourke.
Rourke looks for a takedown but Eslay sprawls well.
Hamilton Eslay has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mikko Rourke.
Eslay throws a hook but Rourke avoids it easily.
Rourke missing with a left hand there. Eslay was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Rourke shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Eslay as he jumps to the side.
Rourke turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Eslay misses with a looping right.
A combination from Eslay does no damage.
Eslay throws a hook but Rourke avoids it easily.
Rourke throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rourke missing with a left hand there. Eslay was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Eslay scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Rourke thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rourke throws a sloppy head kick and Eslay moves out of range easily.
Rourke darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Eslay lands with a right hand.
Rourke takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Eslay swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Rourke moves out of range as Eslay strikes.
Rourke doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Eslay swings for the body but Rourke moves out of range.
Eslay cracks Rourke with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Rourke lands with a nice body punch.
Eslay defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Rourke.
Rourke throws a lazy right hand but Eslay sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A punch lands to the side of Eslay 's head but he takes it in his stride.

Eslay gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Eslay looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Eslay is looking to stand up but Rourke isn't so interested in that idea.
Rourke content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Rourke working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Rourke postures up and lands a big shot to Eslay's brow.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rourke accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Rourke wants to control from the top but Eslay keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rourke throws a big right hand that misses.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rourke accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Eslay keeping moving, preventing Rourke from controlling successfully.
Rourke with a flurry of punches that miss.
Eslay wants to stand but Rourke is controlling the position.
Rourke working some strikes from top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Eslay working for a triangle but Rourke defends it easily.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Rourke trying to control the position from guard on top but Eslay is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Eslay has momentary wrist control but Rourke slips an elbow through the middle.
Eslay is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
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!

Eslay looking for a guillotine here but Rourke defends easily.
Rourke sitting in guard, not really doing much.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rourke stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Eslay swivels though and keeps the full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Hamilton Eslay will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Eslay swings for the body but Rourke moves out of range.
A good leg kick by Rourke.
Rourke fails with a takedown attempt.
Eslay bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Rourke's head backwards.
Eslay moves out of range of the leg kick from Rourke.
A decent looking cross lands there for Eslay.
Rourke throws a right and a left that Eslay avoids nicely.
Rourke needs to keep his hands up - Eslay had a free shot at his head there.
Rourke rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Eslay moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Eslay clinches up with Rourke and pushes him back against the cage.
Eslay lands a hook to the side of the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rourke lands with a light punch inside.
Eslay misses with a punch to the body.
Eslay lands with a left to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rourke tries to break the clinch but Eslay is controlling the position.

Rourke breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rourke with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Eslay to score with a decent uppercut.
Hamilton Eslay is winning the standup battle so far.
Eslay ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rourke moves away.
Rourke walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Eslay misses with a looping right.
Eslay misses with a hook.
Rourke fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Eslay looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Rourke jabs at Eslay's body.
Eslay throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Eslay throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Rourke's jab looks to have found its range, popping Eslay under the eye.
Eslay swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Rourke counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rourke throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rourke tests Eslay's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Eslay slips a jab from Rourke.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
A nice combination there by Rourke.
Eslay tests Rourke's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Rourke lands a head shot.
A combination from Eslay does no damage.
Rourke looks to throw the jab but Eslay is out of range.
Rourke takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Eslay throws a jab when Rourke was well out of range.
Eslay misses with a lunging right hand
and Rourke counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Rourke throws a hook but Eslay blocks it.
A jab from Eslay misses.
Eslay is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Rourke.
Rourke scores with a crisp jab that stopped Eslay in his tracks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rourke shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Eslay as he jumps to the side.
Eslay is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Eslay uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rourke.
Rourke misses with a series of wild punches.
Rourke lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Rourke slips under a jab.
Horrible takedown by Rourke or perhaps it was just good defense by Eslay which made him look bad.
Hamilton Eslay has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mikko Rourke.
Rourke lands a right hook to the body.
Eslay tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rourke was well out of range. Poor timing from Eslay.
Rourke throws a body punch but Eslay moves out of range.
Rourke swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Eslay wants to clinch.
Eslay swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rourke throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Eslay tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Rourke is in Eslay's guard.

Rourke avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Eslay is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Rourke defends well.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rourke throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Rourke is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Rourke lands a couple of digs.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rourke with a nice head shot there.

Eslay throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Mikko Rourke will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Rourke lands with a good body shot.
A big left from Rourke misses.
Eslay lands a nice shot that snaps Rourke's head back.
Eslay slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Rourke throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Eslay's head.
A punch lands to the side of Eslay 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Rourke throws a good cross that connects.
Rourke scores with a spinning back kick!
Rourke slips a straight right by Eslay.
Hamilton Eslay is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Eslay connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Rourke momentarily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nice body kick there by Rourke.
Rourke is trying hard to land a takedown here. Eslay sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Eslay throws a one two combo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Eslay swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Eslay throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rourke sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Rourke looks for a takedown but Eslay sprawls well.
Eslay misses with a wild body shot.
Rourke scores with a hook to the body. Eslay takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Eslay throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rourke uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Eslay.
The fighters circling - Rourke throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Eslay throws a right hand that Rourke ducks under and follows up with a left that Rourke also avoids with ease.
Eslay jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Eslay slips under a jab.
Some wild striking there from Eslay.
Eslay slips under a jab from Rourke.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rourke fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Rourke misses with a straight right.
Eslay rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Rourke counters with a nice low kick that buckles Eslay's knee momentarily.
Rourke connects with a good right hand that stumbles Eslay. Eslay circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Rourke misses with the combination.
Some wild striking there from Eslay.
Rourke ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Eslay gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Rourke lands a jab to the nose.
Rourke catches Eslay with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Rourke. Eslay shrugs it off though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rourke takes a swing at Eslay's ribcage but misses.
A head kick misses from Rourke.
Eslay looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Rourke lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Eslay circles away quickly and effectively.
Rourke throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Eslay stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Eslay throws a right hand that Rourke ducks under and follows up with a left that Rourke also avoids with ease.
Rourke looks to score with a jab to the body but Eslay is just out of range.
Eslay throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Rourke throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Rourke tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Eslay swivels and escapes.
Hamilton Eslay has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mikko Rourke.
Eslay scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Rourke displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Eslay throws out the jab.
Rourke shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Eslay defends it nicely.
The crowd cheers as Rourke lands an impressive looking overhand right. Eslay doesn't seem phased though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jab, jab by Rourke - just one landing.
Eslay throws a shot from downtown. Rourke moves away and avoids it.
Rourke is looking to slow Eslay down with leg kicks.
A swing and a miss from Eslay.
Rourke throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Rourke scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Eslay thuds a left hand into Rourke's body.
Eslay misses with a wild combination.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Eslay misses with a straight left.
Rourke uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Eslay.
Eslay misses with a series of wild punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikko Rourke really dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Eslay tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Rourke, right into the meat.
Eslay misses the shot to the body.
Eslay sizes up Rourke with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Eslay tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Rourke manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Rourke scores with a body shot.
Rourke fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

Rourke scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Eslay is not content to let Rourke control the position.
Eslay tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Rourke wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

Rourke working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rourke landing a few strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rourke trying to control the action but Eslay is working from the bottom.
Rourke working the head and body with strikes.
Eslay tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Rourke lands a few punches from side control.
Rourke landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Eslay tries to buck Rourke off but Rourke is having none of it.
Rourke in side control lands a decent elbow.
Rourke is chipping away with strikes.
Eslay tries to improve position but can't.
Rourke is looking to take a break and control but Eslay is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Eslay takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Eslay is trying to improve his position.
You can see the frustration on Eslay's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

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

Rourke is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Eslay has escaped the position, nice work there.
Eslay is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Eslay is not in a great position here, taking some shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Eslay is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Rourke off and has taken his back!
Eslay is controlling the position but Rourke somehow manages to roll and ends up with half guard.

Rourke actively working from the bottom here.
Rourke is trying to control but can't.
Eslay throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Eslay is looking for a kimura but Rourke is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Eslay to get the leverage.
Rourke has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Eslay is working away from the top position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rourke is defending against the submission attempts here by Eslay.
Eslay seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.

Eslay is working for a submission of some sort.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rourke is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikko Rourke dominated that fourth round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Eslay looks to score with a jab to the body but Rourke is just out of range.
Rourke swings for the body but Eslay moves out of range.
Eslay throws a one two combo.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Eslay!
Rourke listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Eslay misses with a few strikes there.
Jab, jab by Eslay - just one landing.
Rourke fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Eslay manages to avoid it.
Rourke cracks Eslay with a good jab.
Eslay swings widly with a right hand
and Rourke connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Rourke pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Rourke looks to land a right hand but Eslay moved out of range.
Eslay throws a right and a left that Rourke avoids nicely.
Eslay slips under a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Eslay takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.

Rourke closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Rourke lands in his opponent's guard.

Rourke got a little sloppy there for a moment and Eslay has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Rourke has managed to get both his arms back between Eslay's legs - danger averted.
Rourke is in close to Eslay's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Rourke is looking to work some ground and pound but Eslay has wrist control.
Eslay is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Rourke slips nicely into half guard.
Rourke has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Eslay taking some punishment here, with Rourke in his half guard.
Rourke takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Rourke wants to control but Eslay is keeping him busy.
Mikko Rourke has got the better of the ground game so far.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Eslay is trying to stand back up but Rourke is controlling him
Rourke slips a nice elbow through Eslay's hands, connecting with Eslay's forehead.
Rourke working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Rourke is keen to just control but Eslay is a slippery customer.

Rourke is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Rourke is looking to take a break and control but Eslay is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Rourke throwing shots but Eslay is blocking nicely.
Eslay regains full guard. Nicely done.

Eslay throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Rourke cracks Eslay with a solid left hand.
Hamilton Eslay has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Eslay looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Eslay working for submissions but it's allowed Rourke to get to half guard.
Eslay is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Rourke scores with a couple of nice shots.
Eslay is trying to stand.
Eslay has hold of Rourke's hands but Rourke slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Eslay looks like he's trying to stand up.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Rourke connects with a nice short shot to Eslay's temple.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Rourke lands a nice short elbow.
Rourke wants to lay and pray for a moment but Eslay keeps working.

Eslay looking for submissions off his back.
Rourke working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rourke wants to control but Eslay is keeping him busy.

Rourke is looking for a kimura here.
Rourke is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Mikko Rourke is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Rourke winds up and cracks Eslay with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Rourke is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Rourke blocks the strikes from Eslay.
Rourke lands with a punch from half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rourke is nestled in close to Eslay, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Eslay misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Rourke not doing much here.
Rourke wants to control but Eslay is keeping him busy.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mikko Rourke comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Rourke has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Eliza Hachem scores the fight 46:49
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 46:49
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mikko Rourke!
Mikko Rourke is the new middleweight champion!
Mikko Rourke really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Perkele! logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.