PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Eskobar Andersson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Will Messinger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Messinger has chosen Huckleberry by Ichabod as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Andersson
vs
Messinger

182 cm
29
167 lbs
19 - 13 - 0

170 cm
36
160 lbs
16 - 21 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Very quick

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Eskobar Andersson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 21 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Will Messinger!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Don Winkell and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Andersson doesn't manage to clinch there - Messinger circles away.
Messinger pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Andersson misses with a series of wild punches.
Messinger tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Andersson swivels and escapes.

Andersson takes the fight into the clinch.
Messinger is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Andersson is keeping busy.
Andersson connects with a knee to the head.
Messinger tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Andersson avoids it.
Messinger is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Andersson is defending well.
Andersson lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Andersson blocks an elbow strike from Messinger.
Messinger has Andersson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Andersson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Eskobar Andersson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Will Messinger.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Andersson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Messinger has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Andersson lands a left hand.

Messinger breaks from the clinch.
Messinger swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Andersson moves in looking to clinch but Messinger pushes him off.
Will Messinger seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Messinger is defended easily by Andersson.
Messinger throws a lazy right hand but Andersson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Andersson lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Andersson wants to clinch up but Messinger keeps it at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Messinger goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

Messinger rushes Andersson and presses him up against the cage.
Andersson looking to throw knees to the head but Messinger is blocking nicely.
Andersson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Andersson scores with a shot to the side of Messinger's head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Messinger tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Andersson avoids it.
Andersson landing knees to the head.

Messinger's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Andersson tries a head kick but it misses.
Messinger misses with a hook

and Andersson counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Andersson.
Messinger trying to land knees to the body.
Andersson landing knees to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Andersson swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Andersson lands a knee to the head.
Messinger misses with a knee strike.
Andersson tries to land a knee to the head but Messinger blocks with his arms.
Messinger misses with a knee strike.

Messinger escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Messinger throws a jab but it's blocked by Andersson.
Messinger looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Andersson is looking to clinch but Messinger is avoiding it.

Messinger moves into the clinch successfully.
A shot in the inside from Andersson.
Andersson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Andersson missing with knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Andersson landing knees to the head.
Andersson tries a knee to the head but Messinger blocks it.
Messinger can't break the clinch.
Andersson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
A right hook to the body lands for Andersson.
Andersson lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Messinger tries for a takedown but Andersson manages to get underhooks.
Andersson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Andersson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Messinger.
Andersson is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Messinger is defending well for now.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Messinger breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nice sprawl there from Andersson as Messinger shoots in.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Messinger throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Messinger misses with a leg kick
and Andersson makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eskobar Andersson dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Messinger throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Andersson tries a head kick but it misses.
Messinger lands a nice leg kick that just misses Andersson's sensitive parts.

Messinger is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Andersson's half guard.
Messinger trying to control from half guard but Andersson is working away.
Andersson controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Messinger wants to take a breather but Andersson is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Andersson gets full guard.
Andersson controlling Messinger's posture.
Andersson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Andersson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Messinger.

Messinger gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Andersson tries to close the distance and clinch but Messinger swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Messinger misses with a looping left.
Messinger keeps the fight on the outside.
Messinger ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Eskobar Andersson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A big left from Messinger misses.
Messinger misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Andersson.
Andersson scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Andersson wants to slow Messinger down by chopping away at his legs.
Andersson ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Messinger throws a low kick but Andersson moves out of range easily.
Messinger misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Messinger throws a lazy uppercut

and Andersson counters by clinching up.
Andersson connects with a knee to the head.
Eskobar Andersson has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Andersson landing knees to the body.
Messinger has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Messinger breaks from the clinch.
Messinger looks to score with a jab to the body but Andersson is just out of range.

Messinger closes the distance and clinches.
Andersson landing knees to the head.
Messinger wants to break free but Andersson has control.
Andersson with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Messinger tries to circle away but Andersson has him pinned against the cage.
Messinger has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Andersson avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Messinger tries to break free but Andersson pushes him back against the cage.
Messinger is trying to break the clinch but Andersson has him pressed against the cage.
Andersson pushes Messinger back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Messinger is trying to break the clinch but Andersson is controlling him.
A short uppercut from Andersson.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Andersson tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Andersson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Andersson looking to throw knees to the head but Messinger is blocking nicely.
Andersson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
A short left from Andersson.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The referee is keeping an eye on Messinger - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Andersson lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Messinger.
Messinger is trying to force a seperation but Andersson has the dominant position.
Andersson lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Will Messinger will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Messinger takes the fight into the clinch.
Andersson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Messinger blocks it with crossed arms.
Andersson tries to land a knee to the head but Messinger blocks with his arms.
Andersson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Messinger is trying to push Andersson away but Andersson has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Messinger is looking to break free of the clinch but Andersson has double underhooks.
Andersson keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Messinger's efforts to push away.
Andersson is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Messinger is defending well for now.
Messinger has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Andersson after a bit of a struggle.
Andersson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Messinger looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Messinger's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Andersson throws a knee to the head but misses.
Andersson lands with a right to the head.
Andersson using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Messinger's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Will Messinger seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Andersson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Messinger digs a good body shot into Andersson's ribs.
Andersson stuffs the takedown attempt from Messinger. Messinger gets slowly back to his feet.

Messinger drives through with a takedown into guard.
Messinger trying to control but Andersson is working from the bottom.
Messinger stops Andersson from standing up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Andersson keeping moving, preventing Messinger from controlling successfully.
Messinger pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Andersson is keeping the position for now.

Messinger drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Andersson dives on top into guard.
Messinger keeping full guard, as Andersson tries to pass.

Andersson gets to his feet. Messinger looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Messinger just misses with a punch to the body.
Andersson tries to clinch
and Messinger counters with a thumping low kick.
Messinger fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Eskobar Andersson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Will Messinger.
A head kick misses from Messinger.
Messinger throws a half hearted mid kick.

Andersson rushes Messinger and presses him up against the cage.
Andersson has Messinger pressed against the cage, preventing Messinger from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Andersson scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Messinger working hard to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Messinger takes a knee right on the jaw!
Messinger avoiding damage as Andersson throws knees to the body.
Andersson using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Messinger tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Andersson smiles and moves away.
Messinger takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Andersson dodges the punch combination from Messinger.
Messinger dives in and grabs Andersson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Andersson pushes down on Messinger's head and hops out.
Messinger is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The crowd cheers as Andersson lands an impressive looking overhand right. Messinger doesn't seem phased though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eskobar Andersson clearly takes that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Messinger throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Andersson counters with a three punch combo that has Messinger backing up. Messinger nods at Andersson to acknowledge the strikes.
Messinger fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Messinger will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Messinger just misses with a punch to the body.
Messinger lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Messinger throws a low kick, looking for Andersson's leg but Andersson calmly moves out of range.
A bone on bone clash there as Andersson blocks the leg kick.

Andersson clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Andersson tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Andersson lands a good knee to the midsection. Messinger won't want to take too many of those.
Andersson putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Messinger in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Messinger blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Andersson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Andersson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Messinger tries to land a knee to the head but Andersson blocks with his arms.
Andersson lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Andersson unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Messinger is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Messinger can't break the clinch.
Messinger drops down looking for an ankle pick but Andersson pulls his leg out and moves away.
Messinger looking to land some kicks to the body here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Andersson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Messinger throws out the jab.
Messinger throws a series of punches but Andersson avoids them all with ease.
Messinger avoids the head kick by Andersson.

Andersson clinches.
Andersson unloads a knee to the mid-section. Messinger lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
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!
Messinger has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Andersson is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Eskobar Andersson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Will Messinger.
Andersson prevents Messinger from breaking the clinch.
Andersson lands a left hand.
Andersson using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Andersson lands a nice knee to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Andersson looking to throw knees to the head but Messinger is blocking nicely.
Still in the clinch, Messinger scores with a nice short uppercut.
A body shot lands from Andersson.
Andersson lands a nice shot to the body.
Andersson scores with a knee to the head.
Messinger is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Andersson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Messinger blocks it with crossed arms.
Andersson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Andersson misses with a knee strike.
Andersson throws a knee to the head but misses.
Andersson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Andersson misses with a knee strike.
Messinger avoiding damage as Andersson throws knees to the body.
Andersson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Messinger tries to stall but Andersson uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Andersson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Messinger working hard to break the clinch.
Andersson tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Messinger avoids it.
Messinger is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Andersson tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Messinger lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Andersson blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Andersson misses with a knee strike.
Andersson misses with a knee strike.
Messinger landing knees to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Messinger on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Messinger is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Andersson prevents a takedown attempt there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eskobar Andersson had his way with Will Messinger in that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Ouch! a nice leg kick from Messinger, right into the meat.
Messinger shoots in looking for a takedown but Andersson manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Messinger's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Messinger gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Messinger is trying to break free.
Messinger avoiding damage as Andersson throws knees to the body.
Messinger has had enough of the clinch but Andersson keeps him there for the moment.
Andersson trying to land knees to the body.
Messinger misses with an elbow over the top.
Andersson throws a knee to the head but misses.
Messinger is trying to push Andersson away but Andersson has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Andersson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Messinger has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Andersson tries a knee to the head but Messinger blocks it.
Andersson tries to land a knee to the head but Messinger blocks with his arms.
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.
Andersson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Messinger blocks it with crossed arms.
Andersson misses with a knee strike.
Messinger misses with an elbow over the top.
Messinger wants a takedown.
Andersson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Messinger blocks it with crossed arms.
Andersson is pressed up against the cage. Messinger has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Andersson down to the mat. Andersson avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Eskobar Andersson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Will Messinger.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Messinger.
Andersson is trying to get back to his feet.

Messinger tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Messinger has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Messinger tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Andersson regains half guard, as Messinger was trying to land strikes.
Will Messinger has got the better of the ground game so far.
Messinger wants to pass the guard but Andersson is defending well.
Andersson gets full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Andersson keeping moving, preventing Messinger from controlling successfully.
Andersson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Andersson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Messinger is one step ahead there.
Messinger controls from within his opponent's guard.
Messinger throws a big elbow that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Messinger wants to stand but Andersson is controlling his posture from full guard.
Messinger trying to control but Andersson is working from the bottom.

Will Messinger has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Andersson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Messinger swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Will Messinger has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Messinger keeps the fight on the outside.

And that's the end of the fight!
Will Messinger comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Andersson has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 48:47
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 48:47
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eskobar Andersson!
Eskobar Andersson retains his lightweight title!
An out of breath Eskobar Andersson thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.