PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Vincent Escargesa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John McClane (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McClane has chosen Refuse/Resist as his entrance music. John McClane told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Escargesa
vs
McClane

189 cm
23
197 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

182 cm
32
201 lbs
12 - 9 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Vincent Escargesa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, John McClane!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Wagner Zegers and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Escargesa lands a straight punch to the body, keeping McClane at a distance.
We've been informed that McClane has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
McClane moves into range and connects with a jab.
Escargesa dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
McClane works Escargesa's body with a nice hook.
McClane is looking to chop away at Escargesa's legs.
McClane slips under a jab.

McClane gets a clinch.
Escargesa lands a hook that snaps the head of McClane backwards.
Escargesa tried to land a shot to the body but connects with McClane's elbow.
McClane prevents a body shot from Escargesa.

McClane manages to break the clinch.
McClane dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A decent looking body kick lands there for McClane.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Escargesa walks into a jab.
McClane lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
McClane walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

It looks like John McClane has been cut.
McClane keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Escargesa fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with McClane, pushing him back against the ropes.
McClane misses with the head strike.

McClane breaks from the clinch.
McClane throws out a loose jab but Escargesa uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Escargesa takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
McClane keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Escargesa will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
McClane lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
McClane throws a one two combo.
McClane avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Escargesa sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Escargesa digs a good body shot into McClane's ribs.
McClane throws a head kick that misses.
McClane bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Escargesa wants to clinch.
McClane chopping away at his opponent's legs.
McClane uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Escargesa.
McClane moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
McClane tries to work over Escargesa's front leg with a kick but Escargesa checks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A head kick misses from McClane.
A shot to the liver by Escargesa. Beautiful body shot.
A bone on bone clash there as Escargesa blocks the leg kick.
Escargesa looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
McClane throws a sloppy head kick and Escargesa moves out of range easily.
Escargesa swings for the body but McClane moves out of range.
A jab lands there for McClane.
Escargesa rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but McClane moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Escargesa tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but McClane paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A jab from Escargesa misses.
Escargesa misses with the combination.
Escargesa slips under a jab.
Escargesa looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Escargesa throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Escargesa throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
McClane throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McClane slips a jab from Escargesa.
Escargesa lands a jab to the nose.
McClane avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Escargesa checks a leg kick nicely.
McClane misses with an attempted mid kick.
Escargesa wants to clinch up but McClane keeps it at a distance.
McClane throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Escargesa sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Escargesa throws a combination but it was largely blocked by McClane.
Escargesa throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Escargesa is looking to wear down McClane with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
McClane tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Escargesa was well out of range. Poor timing from McClane.
McClane scores with a hook to the body. Escargesa takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Escargesa is pinned up against the ropes taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
McClane with a hook.

McClane moves into the clinch.
McClane slows down the pace here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McClane is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

McClane pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
McClane fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Escargesa looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Escargesa works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Escargesa tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but McClane paws at him with a jab and circles away.
McClane lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Escargesa tries to close the distance and clinch up but McClane swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Escargesa swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Escargesa tries to clinch up but McClane circles away and keeps his distance.
McClane gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Escargesa ducks under a wild hook from McClane.
McClane lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Escargesa clobbers McClane with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Decent striking displayed by McClane there.
McClane avoids the body shot from Escargesa.
McClane is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Escargesa had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Escargesa gets cracked with a nice right hand there by McClane.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but John McClane will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on John McClane's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Escargesa darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
McClane cracks Escargesa with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
McClane fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
McClane slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
McClane scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

McClane moves into the clinch successfully.
Escargesa being controlled against the ropes.
McClane continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.
McClane is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Escargesa misses with a punch to the body.
McClane leaning against his opponent.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by John McClane.
Escargesa throws a body punch but McClane moves out of range.
McClane lands a right hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from McClane finds it's way through Escargesa's defenses.
Escargesa takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Escargesa avoids a kick to the body.
Escargesa throws out a loose jab but McClane uses good head movement to avoid it.
Escargesa fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Some bone on bone action there as Escargesa checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Escargesa scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Donk. McClane catches Escargesa right on the button with a cross.
McClane connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Escargesa keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Escargesa looks to throw the jab but McClane is out of range.
McClane circles away from the clinch attempt.
John McClane seems to be getting the better of the standup.
McClane comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Escargesa walks into a stiff left hand from McClane.
McClane uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Escargesa.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McClane fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Escargesa doesn't manage to clinch there - McClane circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Escargesa throws a combination but it was largely blocked by McClane.
Escargesa misses with a lunging right hand

and McClane counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
A head punch blocked on the inside by McClane.

McClane breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
McClane swats away the attempt to clinch by Escargesa.
Escargesa tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but McClane paws at him with a jab and circles away.
McClane fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Escargesa has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Escargesa blocks a jab.
McClane throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Escargesa tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. McClane manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
McClane pushes Escargesa away with a front kick.
McClane lands a jab to the nose.
Sloppy strikes from Escargesa. Those never looked like landing.
McClane lands with a nice body kick.
Vincent Escargesa is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Escargesa throws a one two combo.
Escargesa on the wrong end of a nice hook.
McClane avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Escargesa throws an uppercut from half a mile away. McClane sees it coming and avoids it easily.
McClane lands a high kick!
McClane digs a good body shot into Escargesa's ribs.
McClane lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
McClane lands a slapping body shot.
McClane scores with a crisp jab that stopped Escargesa in his tracks.
McClane lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
McClane with a nice cross.
McClane avoids the body shot from Escargesa.
Escargesa throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
McClane scores with a decent looking hook.
Good work by Escargesa as he checks the leg kick.
Nice shot lands for McClane.
McClane misses with a wild body shot.
McClane has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McClane throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Escargesa misses.
Escargesa throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
McClane swinging wildly here.
McClane shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Escargesa slips under a jab from McClane.
Escargesa on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by McClane. McClane obviously looking to wear him down.

McClane moves into the clinch successfully.
Escargesa jumps guard but McClane stands there with Escargesa around his waist. Escargesa gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Escargesa tries a body shot but McClane blocks it.

McClane breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Escargesa is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
McClane keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Escargesa.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Escargesa takes one on the chin but seems OK.
McClane thuds his right hand into Escargesa's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
McClane throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
McClane ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John McClane showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on John McClane's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

McClane showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Escargesa.
Escargesa on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Escargesa avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Escargesa misses with a hook.
McClane keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
McClane darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Escargesa scores with a shot to the body.
Escargesa tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but McClane paws at him with a jab and circles away.
McClane tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Escargesa ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
McClane connects with a nice looking jab.
Escargesa fails in his attempt to clinch.
Escargesa's corner calls for a 1-2. Escargesa obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Escargesa moves in looking to clinch but McClane pushes him off.
Escargesa misses with an uppercut.
Escargesa closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McClane throws out a powerful jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Escargesa tries to clinch up

and McClane counters by moving into the clinch.
McClane stalling in the clinch but Escargesa improves position.
McClane prevents a body shot from Escargesa.

McClane escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
McClane missing with a left hand there. Escargesa was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Escargesa on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Escargesa staying out of range there.
Escargesa walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Escargesa misses with a body shot.
Escargesa connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
A jab from Escargesa does it's job there.
Escargesa throws a body punch but McClane moves out of range.
McClane lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Escargesa circles away quickly and effectively.
McClane lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
McClane throws a shot from downtown. Escargesa moves away and avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Escargesa throws a combination but it was largely blocked by McClane.
McClane misses with a wild combination.
Escargesa is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McClane fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Escargesa manages to avoid it.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from McClane lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Escargesa has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Escargesa and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.

Escargesa fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with McClane, pushing him back against the ropes.

McClane breaks from the clinch.
McClane swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Escargesa looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Escargesa dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Escargesa blocks a jab.
McClane with a nice cross.
Escargesa throws a right hand that McClane ducks under and follows up with a left that McClane also avoids with ease.
A slow jab from Escargesa misses its intended target.
McClane scores with a push kick.
Escargesa lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McClane slips a jab and a cross from Escargesa.
Escargesa throws a hook but McClane blocks it.
McClane slips under a jab from Escargesa.
McClane takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Escargesa swings for the body but McClane moves out of range.
McClane ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Escargesa moves away.

McClane has taken the fight to the clinch.

McClane escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Vincent Escargesa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
McClane lands with a straight right. Escargesa didn't see that one coming.
Escargesa missing with a left hand there. McClane was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
McClane scores with a shot to the body.
John McClane is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
McClane throws a leg kick but Escargesa moved away.
Escargesa thows a left - swing and a miss!
Escargesa takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Escargesa misses the body punch

and McClane counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by McClane.
McClane is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Escargesa is keeping busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Escargesa scores with a hook to the body.
McClane takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
McClane is trying to break free.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Escargesa lands with a right to the head.
A right hand to the body from Escargesa.
Escargesa doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
McClane is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Escargesa misses with a hook to the ribs.
Escargesa prevents McClane from breaking the clinch.
A right hand to the body from Escargesa.
Escargesa is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the ropes enables McClane to keep the fight standing.
Escargesa jumps guard but McClane stands there with Escargesa around his waist. Escargesa gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Escargesa pulls McClane into guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Escargesa looking to hit a scissor sweep but McClane is one step ahead there.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Vincent Escargesa.
I think McClane 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 28:29
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 28:29
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John McClane!
Our winner, John McClane, 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.