PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Gerard Esqueda (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aaron Witt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Esqueda comes to the cage accompanied by Cant del Barça. Witt has chosen Animal by Disturbed as his entrance music. Gerard Esqueda has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Esqueda
vs
Witt

179 cm
30
169 lbs
25 - 10 - 2

165 cm
32
157 lbs
29 - 8 - 2

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Affordable Quality + Reliable Laundry
Bloodlust Horde Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 10 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, Gerard Esqueda!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 29 - 8 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, Aaron Witt!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Esqueda thows a body shot but no joy.
Witt throws a poor cross that misses

and Esqueda counters with a takedown into side control.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Witt wants to control but Esqueda postures up.
Witt takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Esqueda is looking to take a break and control but Witt is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Witt is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Witt dodges the ground and pound from Esqueda.
Witt tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Esqueda scoring with punches and elbows.
Witt is looking to regain half guard here but Esqueda keeps moving and retains side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esqueda lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Esqueda scoring with punches from side control.
Witt is looking for a sweep.
Witt manages to get back to half guard.
Esqueda is keen to just control but Witt is a slippery customer.
Esqueda throwing shots but Witt is blocking nicely.
Esqueda has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Esqueda trying to control the pace.
Esqueda thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Witt keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Esqueda is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
We've been hearing that Esqueda has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda trying to control the pace.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Esqueda landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Esqueda is nestled in close to Witt, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Witt wants to get back to full guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Esqueda is thwarting Witt's attempts to control the position.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Witt works his way to full guard. Good work.
Witt controls Esqueda momentarily but Esqueda frees himself.
Esqueda content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Esqueda lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Witt looking to control.
Esqueda wants to control from the top but Witt keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Esqueda throwing strikes from guard but Witt blocks nicely.
Witt utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda postures up.
Witt working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Esqueda.
Esqueda working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Esqueda postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Witt is trying to control the position from the bottom.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Esqueda trying to control the position from guard on top but Witt is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Esqueda throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Witt works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Witt is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Esqueda forces his way into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Esqueda moves away from the strike by Witt.
Some bone on bone action there as Esqueda checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Esqueda throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Esqueda throws a hook but Witt avoids it easily.
Esqueda misses with an attempted mid kick.
Witt slips a straight right by Esqueda.
Esqueda tries to land a front kick but Witt steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Witt misses with an uppercut.
Witt avoids the body shot from Esqueda.
Esqueda lands a jab to the head.
Esqueda looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Witt lands a nice shot that snaps Esqueda's head back.
The fighters circling - Witt throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Esqueda connects with an inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esqueda throws a hook but Witt avoids it easily.
Witt misses with an uppercut. Esqueda saw that one coming.
A telegraphed right hand from Witt misses the target.
Esqueda lands with a shot to the body.
Witt shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Esqueda sprawls well. Esqueda wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Witt gets slowly back to his feet.
Witt throws a body punch but Esqueda moves out of range.
Witt takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Esqueda is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Witt scores with a jab to the head.
Esqueda slips a straight right by Witt.
Esqueda lands with a hook. Witt tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Witt connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Witt throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Esqueda.
Esqueda digs a good body shot into Witt's ribs.
Esqueda moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Esqueda just misses with a punch to the body.
Esqueda bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
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!
Witt takes a swing at Esqueda's ribcage but misses.
Esqueda is looking to wear down Witt with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Esqueda misses with a wild body shot.
Witt fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Witt, as that shot connected.
Witt smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Witt comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda needs to keep his hands up - Witt had a free shot at his head there.
Witt moves out of range as Esqueda throws a body kick.
Witt ducks under a wild hook from Esqueda.
Witt takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Esqueda changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A nice leg kick lands there from Esqueda.
Esqueda ducks right into an uppercut from Witt.
Esqueda uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Witt.
Esqueda avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Witt shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Gerard Esqueda has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aaron Witt.
Esqueda fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Esqueda misses with an attempted mid kick.
Esqueda steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Witt.
Esqueda misses with a straight right.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Witt jabs at Esqueda's body.
Witt throws a quick inside leg kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A big left from Witt misses.
Witt shoots in and drives through. Esqueda sprawls well.
Witt on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Esqueda slaps away a takedown attempt from Witt, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Witt works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Esqueda stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Good shot there by Witt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Witt closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Esqueda manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Esqueda 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.

That was a close second round but I would say that Gerard Esqueda will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Esqueda scores with a jab. Witt acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Esqueda keeps Witt at a distance using the push kick.
Esqueda cracks a nice hook into Witt's ribs.
Esqueda bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Esqueda fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Witt on the side of the head.
Esqueda avoids the body shot from Witt.
Esqueda works Witt's body with a nice hook.
Esqueda moves out of range as Witt strikes.
Gerard Esqueda is winning the standup battle so far.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Esqueda, as that shot connected.
Esqueda dodges the punch combination from Witt.

Esqueda closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Esqueda working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Witt tries to improve position but can't.
Esqueda scoring with punches and elbows.
Esqueda trying to control the action but Witt is working from the bottom.
Witt is looking to regain half guard here but Esqueda keeps moving and retains side control.
Witt trying to remain calm as Esqueda controls from the top position.
Esqueda trying to control the position but Witt is working away.
Esqueda scores with a couple of short elbows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Witt manages to work his way to half guard, despite Esqueda's best efforts.
Esqueda works his foot free and advances to mount.
Witt tries to hold on but Esqueda postures up.
Witt is desperately trying to improve his position but Esqueda has a good base and remains in mount.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Esqueda lands a couple of good shots and Witt has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Witt breaks Esqueda's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Witt postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Witt trying to control but Esqueda is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Witt got a little sloppy there for a moment and Esqueda has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Witt has managed to get both his arms back between Esqueda's legs - danger averted.
Witt throws a strike but Esqueda rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Esqueda keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Witt's head.
Esqueda is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Esqueda throws a big right hand that misses.
Witt looking to hit a scissor sweep but Esqueda is one step ahead there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Witt avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Esqueda trying to control the position from guard on top but Witt is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Esqueda with a nice head shot there.
Esqueda postures up.
Witt is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Esqueda preventing the sweep.
Esqueda missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gerard Esqueda clearly takes that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Esqueda moves out of range of the strikes.
Esqueda throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Esqueda lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Esqueda fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Esqueda fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Esqueda defending well as Witt loads up on a big left hand.
Witt dives in and grabs Esqueda's left leg, looking for a takedown. Esqueda pushes down on Witt's head and hops out.
Witt sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
A left and a right from Esqueda both land. Nice combination.
Esqueda connects with a looping right hand.
Esqueda cracks the inside of Witt's front leg.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Esqueda lands a nice shot that snaps Witt's head back.
Witt scores with a jab to the body.

Witt closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Esqueda to the mat! Esqueda manages to get full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Witt pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Esqueda is keeping the position for now.
Witt is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Esqueda is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Witt looking to pass the guard.
Witt won't allow Esqueda to sweep him here.
Witt throwing strikes from guard but Esqueda blocks nicely.
Witt is in close to Esqueda's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Gerard Esqueda overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Witt wants to control from the top but Esqueda keeps moving.
Esqueda is trying to keep Witt in close.
Witt postures up in Esqueda's guard and throws a big left but Esqueda blocks it.
Witt must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Witt missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Witt wants to control from the top but Esqueda keeps moving.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Witt working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Witt with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Esqueda trying to keep a closed guard but Witt is proving a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Witt distracts Esqueda with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Esqueda tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Witt is looking to work some ground and pound but Esqueda has wrist control.
Witt trying to control but Esqueda is working from the bottom.
Esqueda wants to sweep here but Witt controlling him for the moment.
Esqueda preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Witt working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Witt throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Esqueda works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Witt trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Witt cracks Esqueda with a solid left hand.
Witt connects with a couple of short punches.

Esqueda looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Esqueda working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Witt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Witt throwing strikes but missing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Witt lands a couple of digs.
Esqueda is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Aaron Witt will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Esqueda ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Witt moves away.
Esqueda looks to land a left hand but Witt moved out of range nicely.
Witt swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Witt throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Esqueda sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Witt shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Witt misses the shot to the body.
Esqueda thows a body shot but no joy.
Witt misses with a straight left.
Witt moves away from the strike by Esqueda.
Esqueda on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Esqueda ducks right into an uppercut from Witt.
Witt loads up on a big right hand but Esqueda slips the punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big right from Witt misses.
Witt lands a nice looking body shot.
Esqueda lunges at Witt with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Witt's hand.
Esqueda misses with a wild body shot.
Witt cracks Esqueda with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

Witt shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Esqueda tries to roll over but Witt keeps him under control.
Esqueda moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Witt working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Aaron Witt has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Witt content to stall in guard here.
Witt pushing down on Esqueda's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Esqueda is trying to get back to full guard.
Esqueda won't allow Witt to pass to mount.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Esqueda blocking the ground and pound attempt from Witt.
Esqueda is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Witt scores with a couple of nice shots.

Esqueda looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Witt prevents Esqueda from improving his position.
Gerard Esqueda is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Witt is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Esqueda is just riding it out for now. Witt eventually gives up the hold.
Witt not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Witt thows a huge punch but Esqueda dodges it nicely.

Witt is working for a submission of some sort.
Witt with the ground and pound but Esqueda uses the opportunity to regain guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda pulls Witt in to control the position.
Witt is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Witt throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Esqueda avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Esqueda looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Witt throws a big elbow that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aaron Witt comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Esqueda 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 48:47
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 48:47
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gerard Esqueda!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Gerard Esqueda made sure he mentioned $300, along with how happy he was to win his fight.