PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Karnak Mandazur (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gerard Esqueda (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Esqueda has chosen Cant del Barça as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Mandazur
vs
Esqueda

182 cm
35
155 lbs
35 - 7 - 0

179 cm
31
169 lbs
27 - 12 - 2

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Red Belt
World class MT
Granite chin

Reaper Combatwear
Conquer

{R.W} Four Aces Nutrition

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 35 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Karnak Mandazur!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 12 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, Gerard Esqueda!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, James Glass and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mandazur throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Esqueda stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Mandazur.
Nice defenses there by Esqueda.
Mandazur misses with a body kick.
Esqueda lands with a good body shot.
Mandazur will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Mandazur throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mandazur slips a straight right by Esqueda.
Karnak Mandazur seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mandazur shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Mandazur throws a big shot that misses.
Esqueda on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Mandazur looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Esqueda throws out a loose jab but Mandazur uses good head movement to avoid it.
Esqueda dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
The fighters circling - Esqueda throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Mandazur attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Esqueda shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Mandazur defends it nicely.
Mandazur scores with a decent looking hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esqueda bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Esqueda throws a quick inside leg kick.
Mandazur shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Mandazur tries to bum rush Esqueda with a series of wild strikes but Esqueda uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Jab from Mandazur.

It looks like Gerard Esqueda has been cut.
Esqueda lands with a thumping leg kick.
Mandazur throws a good cross that connects.
Mandazur avoids the body shot from Esqueda.

Esqueda scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mandazur wants to control but Esqueda postures up.
Esqueda lands some shots froms side control.
Mandazur is trying to improve his position.

Esqueda is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Mandazur is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Esqueda sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Mandazur is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mandazur is trying to get back to half guard.
Esqueda throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
An elbow from Esqueda crashes against the mat.
Mandazur is trying to control Esqueda's posture but Esqueda avoids it.
Esqueda throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Esqueda has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Esqueda fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Esqueda grinds an elbow into Mandazur's temple.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Esqueda tries to score with some ground and pound. Mandazur controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mandazur sneaks back into half guard.
Esqueda passes the guard and advances to mount!
Mandazur is desperately trying to improve his position but Esqueda has a good base and remains in mount.
Esqueda in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Mandazur is trying to escape the mount.
Esqueda avoids the attempt from Mandazur to control.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Mandazur gets back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mandazur regains full guard. Nicely done.
Mandazur working a defensive guard here.
Esqueda is working Mandazur over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Esqueda scoring with some ground and pound.
Esqueda throws a big elbow that misses.
Esqueda wants to control from the top but Mandazur keeps moving.
Mandazur trying to control the position here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mandazur trying to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Gerard Esqueda will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Gerard Esqueda's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Esqueda takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Karnak Mandazur is winning the standup battle so far.
Esqueda moves into range and connects with a jab.
Esqueda fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Mandazur has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Mandazur throws a body punch but Esqueda moves out of range.
Mandazur throws a wild body kick that Esqueda sees coming a mile off.
Mandazur throws out a loose jab but Esqueda uses good head movement to avoid it.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Mandazur.
The crowd cheers as Esqueda lands an impressive looking overhand right. Mandazur doesn't seem phased though.
Mandazur is looking to land body kicks.
Mandazur throws a low kick but it's checked well by Esqueda.
Mandazur scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Mandazur on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Nice body kick there by Mandazur.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mandazur scores with a body shot.
Mandazur tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mandazur throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Esqueda sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Esqueda misses the shot to the body.
A jab from Mandazur does it's job there.
Mandazur stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

Esqueda closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Mandazur quickly recovers to half guard.
Mandazur wants to get back to full guard.
Mandazur trying to control here.
Esqueda thows a huge punch but Mandazur dodges it nicely.
Mandazur tries to roll over but Esqueda keeps him under control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Esqueda is thwarting Mandazur's attempts to control the position.
Mandazur tries to get to full guard but Esqueda has control of the leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Esqueda is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Esqueda missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Mandazur is trying to get back to full guard.
Esqueda throws a strike but Mandazur avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Mandazur is pulling down on Esqueda's head. It's preventing any offense from Esqueda, at least for the moment.
Esqueda with a nice head shot there.
Esqueda wants to control from the top but Mandazur keeps moving.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Esqueda accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mandazur trying to keep a closed guard but Esqueda is proving a slippery customer.
Mandazur is really struggling to control Esqueda but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Esqueda being controlled here momentarily.
Esqueda throws a big elbow that misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Mandazur avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Mandazur working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Esqueda.
Mandazur preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Mandazur controls Esqueda momentarily but Esqueda frees himself.
Mandazur pulls Esqueda in to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Karnak Mandazur.
Esqueda throws a nice outside leg kick.
Esqueda tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Esqueda connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
A telegraphed right hand from Esqueda misses the target.
Mandazur tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Esqueda was well out of range. Poor timing from Mandazur.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Esqueda 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 Mandazur has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Mandazur and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Mandazur throws a front kick aimed at Esqueda's knee but Esqueda avoids it well.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Mandazur.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Esqueda thuds his right hand into Mandazur's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Esqueda fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mandazur manages to avoid it.
Mandazur throws a head kick that misses.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mandazur looks to land a left hand but Esqueda moved out of range nicely.
Mandazur ducks under a wild hook from Esqueda.
Mandazur shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Esqueda defending well as Mandazur loads up on a big left hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Karnak Mandazur dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Gerard Esqueda's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Esqueda connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Esqueda shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Mandazur pinned against the cage. Mandazur gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Esqueda scores with a shot to the body.

Esqueda closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Mandazur quickly recovers to half guard.
Mandazur blocking the ground and pound attempt from Esqueda.
Esqueda thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Mandazur is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Esqueda's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Esqueda's back!
Mandazur is hanging on to Esqueda's back as he tries to escape.
Mandazur slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
Esqueda tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esqueda is looking to get to half guard.
Mandazur controlling from the full mount.
Gerard Esqueda has got the better of the ground game so far.
Mandazur can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Esqueda is looking to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Esqueda is desperately trying to improve his position but Mandazur has a good base and remains in mount.
Mandazur controlling his opponent.
Mandazur trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Karnak Mandazur.
A chopping leg kick lands by Esqueda.
Mandazur takes a swing at Esqueda's ribcage but misses.
Mandazur takes one on the button.
Mandazur throws out a leg kick but Esqueda moves out of range and Mandazur only half commits.
Esqueda scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Esqueda cracks Mandazur with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Karnak Mandazur is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Esqueda drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Mandazur isn't going anywhere.
Mandazur is trying to control Esqueda's posture but Esqueda avoids it.
Mandazur manages to work his way to half guard, despite Esqueda's best efforts.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mandazur blocking the ground and pound attempt from Esqueda.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Esqueda wants to lay and pray for a moment but Mandazur keeps working.
Mandazur holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Mandazur is looking for a sweep. Esqueda is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Esqueda throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Mandazur has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Esqueda is working away from the top position though.
Esqueda sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Mandazur defending well though.
Esqueda is thwarting Mandazur's attempts to control the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mandazur is not content to let Esqueda control the position.
Mandazur trying to control from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gerard Esqueda really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Gerard Esqueda's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Mandazur throws a solid leg kick but Esqueda takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Mandazur.
Esqueda scores with the left hand. Mandazur knows he should have avoided that one.
Nice uppercut there from Mandazur.
Mandazur defending well as Esqueda loads up on a big left hand.
A nice leg kick lands there from Esqueda.
Esqueda clobbers Mandazur with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Esqueda displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mandazur throws out the jab.
Mandazur paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Good exchange - Esqueda coming out on top.
Mandazur moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Esqueda lands with a nice body punch.
Esqueda lands an overhand right.
Mandazur dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Esqueda lands a lovely overhand right.
Esqueda tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Mandazur was well out of range. Poor timing from Esqueda.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esqueda lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Mandazur tries to land a front kick but Esqueda steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

Esqueda is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Mandazur's half guard.
Mandazur keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Mandazur is trying to maintain the position but Esqueda is very close to passing his half guard.
Esqueda trying to control the action but Mandazur is working from the bottom.
Esqueda throwing shots but Mandazur is blocking nicely.
Mandazur has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Esqueda is working away from the top position though.
Mandazur is looking to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Esqueda scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Mandazur is trying to control but can't.
Esqueda with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Mandazur has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Esqueda is working away from the top position though.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Esqueda thows a huge punch but Mandazur dodges it nicely.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Esqueda lands a nice short elbow.
Mandazur wants to control but Esqueda is keeping busy.
Esqueda missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Esqueda thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Mandazur's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda winds up and cracks Mandazur with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Esqueda thows a huge punch but Mandazur dodges it nicely.
Ground and pound from Esqueda.
The fighters are battling for position here. Mandazur manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Esqueda trying to control the position from guard on top but Mandazur is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mandazur working a defensive guard here.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Mandazur holds on and takes a little breather.
Esqueda postures up.
Esqueda trying to control but Mandazur is working from the bottom.
Esqueda working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
A lazy body kick from Mandazur

and Esqueda counters with a nice double leg into side control. Mandazur won't be happy with that.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Esqueda misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Mandazur tries to bench press Esqueda off him but Esqueda keeps the position.
Mandazur is working hard here to advance position.
Esqueda lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Esqueda throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Mandazur can't do much from the bottom here.
Esqueda trying to control the action but Mandazur is working from the bottom.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mandazur is trying to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gerard Esqueda dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Gerard Esqueda's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Mandazur swings for the body but Esqueda moves out of range.
Jab from Esqueda.
Mandazur avoids the body shot from Esqueda.
Mandazur tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Esqueda manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Mandazur fakes the leg kick and cracks Esqueda in the body.

Esqueda shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Esqueda showed some decent athleticism there.
Mandazur is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Esqueda working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Mandazur is trying to maintain the position but Esqueda is very close to passing his half guard.
Esqueda stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esqueda is thwarting Mandazur's attempts to control the position.
Esqueda scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Esqueda wants to lay and pray for a moment but Mandazur keeps working.
Mandazur is trying is best to control the position here.
Esqueda thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Mandazur is looking to control Esqueda's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Mandazur avoid being mounted?
Mandazur on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Karnak Mandazur has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda prevents Mandazur from improving his position.
Mandazur is trying to maintain the position but Esqueda is very close to passing his half guard.
Mandazur avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Esqueda.
Mandazur trying to control here.

Karnak Mandazur has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Esqueda bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Mandazur misses with a two punch combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mandazur thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Esqueda if he has to take too many more of those.
Mandazur walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Gerard Esqueda is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Mandazur just misses with a punch to the body.
Mandazur looks to land a left hand but Esqueda moved out of range nicely.
Mandazur misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Esqueda.
Mandazur walks forward, straight into a front kick from Esqueda.
Esqueda bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Esqueda scores with a shot to the body.
Esqueda scores with a nice head shot.
Mandazur takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Mandazur throws a low kick, looking for Esqueda's leg but Esqueda calmly moves out of range.
Esqueda takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Mandazur throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nice shot lands for Esqueda.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda scores with a nice right hand.
Mandazur misses the shot to the body.
Mandazur shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Mandazur misses with an uppercut. Esqueda saw that one coming.
Mandazur tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Esqueda manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Mandazur throws a low kick, looking for Esqueda's leg but Esqueda calmly moves out of range.
Mandazur tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Esqueda was well out of range. Poor timing from Mandazur.
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!
Esqueda darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Mandazur dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Esqueda keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A head kick misses from Mandazur.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mandazur is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Esqueda throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mandazur throws an overhand right that lands on Esqueda's shoulder, as Esqueda tries to avoid the shot.

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 Karnak Mandazur.
I think Esqueda 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 47:48
Judge James Glass scores the fight 47:48
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gerard Esqueda! Gerard Esqueda retains his lightweight title!
Gerard Esqueda took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, $300 for their support in the buildup to the fight.
In defeat, Karnak Mandazur stepped up to the mic, saying 'Ah I see. Step one learn CTD, step two make call out thread, step three use CTD. Fun.'.