PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kevin Ezequiel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Josh Bognar (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.

Ezequiel
vs
Bognar

170 cm
18
130 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

199 cm
18
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kevin Ezequiel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Josh Bognar!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Vladimir Khabensky and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bognar keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Bognar tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ezequiel sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Bognar somewhat.
Ezequiel getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Bognar.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Ezequiel has Bognar pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Bognar manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Bognar blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Ezequiel wants to break free but Bognar has control.

Ezequiel jumps guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Bognar is looking to stand up but Ezequiel won't let him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bognar postures up in Ezequiel's guard and throws a big left but Ezequiel blocks it.
Bognar trying to control but Ezequiel is working from the bottom.
Bognar sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Ezequiel's guard.
Bognar passes to side control.
Ezequiel tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Bognar decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Ezequiel tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Bognar counters with a body kick.
Bognar throws a head kick that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bognar is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ezequiel stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ezequiel wants it to stay on the feet.
Kevin Ezequiel has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Josh Bognar.
Ezequiel tries for a takedown but Bognar sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Bognar throws a low kick but Ezequiel avoids it.

Bognar has Ezequiel up against the cage in a clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ezequiel jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Bognar walks away with a smile on his face. Ezequiel gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Bognar displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ezequiel.
Ezequiel is breathing heavily.
Ezequiel shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Bognar closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bognar breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ezequiel fails with a takedown attempt.

Bognar takes the fight into the clinch.
Bognar is trying to pull guard but Ezequiel has him pressed against the cage.

Bognar escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Bognar misses with a double jab.
Ezequiel keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Bognar stuffs the takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bognar closes the distance and clinches up with Ezequiel, looking for a takedown. Bognar pushes Ezequiel against the cage but Ezequiel circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Ezequiel darts in and clinches Bognar up against the cage.

Bognar's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Bognar looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ezequiel is fending him off so far but Bognar persists. Nope, Ezequiel circles away and we're back to standing.
Ezequiel looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Bognar is fending him off so far but Ezequiel persists. Nope, Bognar circles away and we're back to standing.
Bognar throws a series of punches but Ezequiel moves out of range.
Bognar stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Bognar wants it to stay on the feet.

Ezequiel closes the distance and clinches.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ezequiel is trying to push Bognar away but Bognar has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ezequiel's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Bognar dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Ezequiel stuffs the takedown attempt from Bognar. Bognar gets slowly back to his feet.
Bognar stuffs the takedown attempt from Ezequiel. Ezequiel gets slowly back to his feet.
Ezequiel tries to score a power double leg takedown but Bognar sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Ezequiel somewhat.

Ezequiel moves into range and clinches up with Bognar.
Bognar lands an elbow inside that Ezequiel shrugs off.
Ezequiel wants to break free but Bognar has control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ezequiel breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ezequiel tries to close the distance and clinch but Bognar swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Horrible takedown by Bognar or perhaps it was just good defense by Ezequiel which made him look bad.
Ezequiel dives in and grabs Bognar's left leg, looking for a takedown. Bognar pushes down on Ezequiel's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kevin Ezequiel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Bognar throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ezequiel's waist but Ezequiel gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Bognar off to one side.
Bognar fails in his attempt to clinch.
Josh Bognar seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Bognar moves in looking to clinch but Ezequiel pushes him off.
Bognar tries to bum rush Ezequiel with a series of wild strikes but Ezequiel uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Kevin Ezequiel is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ezequiel throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Bognar sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Ezequiel tries a head kick but it misses.
Ezequiel fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Bognar avoids it really well and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ezequiel shoots for a double leg takedown but Bognar sprawls well. He's pushed Ezequiel's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Nice takedown defense from Ezequiel. No joy for Bognar on that attempt.
Bognar shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ezequiel but Ezequiel pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Bognar swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Ezequiel counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Ezequiel tries to clinch but Bognar moves out of range.
Bognar throws a sloppy head kick
and Ezequiel counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Ezequiel tries to clinch but Bognar moves out of range.
Ezequiel looks for a takedown but Bognar sprawls well.
Ezequiel fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Bognar avoids it really well and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bognar drives through and clinches with Ezequiel against the cage.

Bognar's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Bognar shoots in and drives through. Ezequiel sprawls well.
Bognar moves in looking to clinch but Ezequiel pushes him off.
Ezequiel wants to clinch.
Bognar stuffs the takedown attempt from Ezequiel. Ezequiel gets slowly back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ezequiel tries to close the distance and clinch but Bognar swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Bognar throws a series of punches but Ezequiel avoids them all with ease.
Ezequiel throws a sloppy head kick and Bognar moves out of range easily.

Bognar closes the distance and pushes Ezequiel back into the cage.
Bognar tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Ezequiel gets underhooks to prevent Bognar's takedown attempt.

Ezequiel pulls guard successfully.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ezequiel wants to sweep here but Bognar controlling him for the moment.
Ezequiel avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Kevin Ezequiel will probably get the nod.
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!

Ezequiel moves in looking to clinch but Bognar pushes him off.

Bognar moves into the clinch successfully.
Ezequiel missing with knees to the body.
Ezequiel is looking for a takedown.
Ezequiel slows down the pace here.
Ezequiel tries to pull guard but Bognar forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bognar can't get the takedown.
Bognar with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Ezequiel breaks the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bognar instigates a clinch.
Ezequiel is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Bognar is defending well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kevin Ezequiel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ezequiel tries to pull guard but Bognar forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Ezequiel avoids a wild elbow strike from Bognar.

Bognar breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ezequiel avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A lazy left from Bognar finds it's target.
Bognar misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Bognar moves into range and clinches up with Ezequiel.
Ezequiel lands a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ezequiel on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Ezequiel managing to block the knees to the body from Bognar.
Ezequiel has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Bognar after a bit of a struggle.
Bognar is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Bognar fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Ezequiel's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Bognar leaves Ezequiel with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bognar avoids the head kick by Ezequiel.
Ezequiel fails with the takedown.
Bognar scores with a jab to the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bognar throws a sloppy head kick and Ezequiel moves out of range easily.
Ezequiel tries to clinch up but Bognar circles away and keeps his distance.
Ezequiel with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Bognar to score with a decent uppercut.
No luck for Ezequiel with that takedown attempt.
Bognar fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Ezequiel has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Bognar fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Bognar on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Ezequiel. Ezequiel obviously looking to wear him down.
Bognar tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ezequiel swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ezequiel slaps away a takedown attempt from Bognar, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Bognar slaps away a takedown attempt from Ezequiel, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Ezequiel tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Bognar shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ezequiel but Ezequiel pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Ezequiel forces Bognar back against the cage and clinches.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bognar can't break the clinch.
Ezequiel is trying to pull guard but Bognar turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Josh Bognar comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Bognar has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Illya Tyunina scores the fight for Josh Bognar!
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight for Josh Bognar!
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight for Josh Bognar!

Josh Bognar wins by unanimous decision!
Our winner, Josh Bognar, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.