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. Eskobar Andersson is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Andersson
vs
Messinger

182 cm
32
167 lbs
25 - 14 - 0

170 cm
38
160 lbs
18 - 26 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Fast

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Eskobar Andersson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 26 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Will Messinger!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
We've got one fighter who appears to only be looking to counter and the other not looking particularly aggressive either, so we could be in for a dull fight.
Andersson throws a lazy head kick
and Messinger counters with an inside leg kick.
Messinger blocks a head kick by Andersson.
Andersson looks to clinch
and Messinger counters with a thumping low kick.
Andersson darts in trying to clinch
and Messinger counters with a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Andersson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Messinger defends it nicely.
Messinger circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Andersson has taken the fight to the clinch.
Andersson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Messinger has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Andersson after a bit of a struggle.
Messinger misses with a hook to the ribs.
Andersson tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Andersson avoiding damage as Messinger throws knees to the body.
Andersson scores with a knee to the head.
Andersson misses with a knee strike.
Messinger is trying to break the clinch but Andersson has him pressed against the cage.
Andersson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Messinger blocks it with crossed arms.

Messinger works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Messinger throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Andersson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Messinger is looking to work some ground and pound but Andersson has wrist control.
Andersson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Messinger throwing strikes but missing.
Messinger wants to pass the guard but Andersson is keeping the position.
Messinger working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Messinger working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Messinger throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Messinger throws a big elbow that misses.

Messinger stands up and waves to Andersson to follow him.
Nice sprawl there from Messinger as Andersson shoots in.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Messinger circles away from the clinch attempt.
Andersson is looking to clinch but Messinger is avoiding it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Will Messinger dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Andersson is looking to clinch but Messinger is avoiding it.
Messinger circles away from the clinch attempt.
Andersson dives in and grabs Messinger's left leg, looking for a takedown. Messinger pushes down on Andersson's head and hops out.
Messinger avoids the head kick by Andersson.
Eskobar Andersson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Andersson looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Andersson is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Messinger sees it coming and defends easily.
Messinger pushes Andersson off looking to stand but Andersson dives back in and keeps control.

Messinger is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Andersson pulls his head out easily.

Andersson seems to be working for a kimura but Messinger defends the submission attempt.
Messinger is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Messinger is trying to stand back up but Andersson is controlling him

Andersson is working for a kimura but Messinger is defending it quite comfortably.

Andersson looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Andersson is working for a submission of some sort.
Messinger wants to get back to his feet.
Andersson wants to take a breather but Messinger is having none of it.

Andersson is working for a kimura but Messinger is defending it quite comfortably.
Andersson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Messinger defending well though.
Messinger tries to roll over but Andersson keeps him under control.
Andersson is pressing down on Messinger's thigh, looking to free his foot. Messinger is holding on for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Andersson decides to stand up.
Nice takedown defense from Messinger. No joy for Andersson on that attempt.
Andersson shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Messinger eats them both and turns towards Andersson to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.

Andersson clinches up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Andersson tries a knee to the head but Messinger blocks it.
Andersson tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eskobar Andersson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Andersson has Messinger pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Messinger manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Andersson can't get the takedown.
Messinger is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Andersson pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Andersson breaks the clinch.
Andersson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Andersson shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Messinger's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eskobar Andersson dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

The fight stays on the outside here - Andersson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Messinger blocks a head kick by Andersson.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Messinger tries to keep at a distance but Andersson has taken the fight into the clinch.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Andersson obliges.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Andersson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Andersson throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Messinger.
Messinger defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Andersson.

Andersson closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Messinger to the mat! Messinger manages to get full guard.
Messinger has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Messinger has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Andersson can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Andersson decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Messinger, up you get!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Andersson throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Andersson closes the distance looking to clinch

and Messinger counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Messinger.
Andersson tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Messinger pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Andersson clinches.
Messinger throws a head punch that misses.
Andersson tries for a takedown but Messinger manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eskobar Andersson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Messinger trying to land knees to the body.
Messinger goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Messinger tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Messinger stops a takedown attempt from Andersson.
Messinger managing to block the knees to the body from Andersson.
Andersson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Messinger.
Messinger fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Messinger has had enough of the clinch but Andersson keeps him there for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Messinger tries to break the clinch but Andersson is controlling the position.
Andersson is trying to drag Messinger to the mat but Messinger just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Andersson fails to pull guard.

Andersson pulls guard effortlessly.
Messinger looking to pass the guard.
Messinger is looking to advance position but Andersson has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Andersson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Andersson lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
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!
Andersson tries to control but Messinger wriggling away.
Andersson misses with a head shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Eskobar Andersson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Andersson 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eskobar Andersson!
After winning the bout, Eskobar Andersson thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.
The defeated Will Messinger had this to say: 'I'm disappointed I could finish this fight and bring home a win for me, my family, and my trainers. Thanks to all the fans, I love you all!'.