PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jie Liu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gerard Esqueda (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Liu comes into the arena with The Cinematic Orchestra ft. Roots Manuva - All Things To All Men blaring out of the sound system. Esqueda is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Cant del Barça. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Liu
vs
Esqueda

173 cm
33
162 lbs
30 - 15 - 1

179 cm
33
169 lbs
28 - 15 - 2

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

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 30 - 15 - 1, fighting out of New York, Jie Liu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 15 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, Gerard Esqueda!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Liu misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Esqueda.
Esqueda dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Liu. That did some damage!
Liu takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Esqueda.
Esqueda looks to land a right hand but Liu moved out of range.
Esqueda moves out of range of the body kick from Liu.
Esqueda changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Gerard Esqueda seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Liu misses with a leg kick.
Esqueda looks to land a right hand but Liu moved out of range.
Liu throws a body kick that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Liu throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Liu tries to score with a low kick but Esqueda moves his leg out of the way.
Liu drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Esqueda cracks the inside of Liu's front leg.
Esqueda throws a body shot but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esqueda fakes the leg kick and cracks Liu in the body.
Liu throws a half hearted mid kick.
Esqueda wants to land a leg kick but Liu is out of range.
Liu chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Esqueda can pounce on him.
Esqueda misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A good leg kick by Esqueda.
Esqueda connects with a solid leg kick.
Liu blocks a low kick nicely.
Esqueda misses the jab.
Liu is looking to land body kicks.
Esqueda avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Esqueda shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Esqueda is looking to chop away at Liu's legs.
Liu changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Esqueda drops his hands momentarily and Liu takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda throws a body shot but no joy.
Liu tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Esqueda shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Liu but Liu pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Liu tries to counter with a takedown but Esqueda is quick to defend against it.
Esqueda avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Good exchange - Esqueda coming out on top.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Esqueda, right into the meat.
Esqueda misses the jab.
Liu throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Liu throws out a leg kick but Esqueda moves out of range and Liu only half commits.
Esqueda throws a big shot that misses.
Esqueda throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Liu on the side of the head.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Liu checks a leg kick.
Good leg kick by Esqueda there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Liu feints and then cracks Esqueda's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Esqueda down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda misses with a body shot.
Liu throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Esqueda throws a looping overhand right but Liu ducks down to avoid it.
Liu half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Liu looks to land a right hand but Esqueda moved out of range.
Good standup being displayed there by Esqueda as he connects with a hook.
Liu keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Esqueda looking to land some kicks to the body here.
A bone on bone clash there as Esqueda blocks the leg kick.
Esqueda tries to work over Liu's front leg with a kick but Liu checks it.
Esqueda checks a leg kick nicely.
Liu connects with a nice looking jab.

It looks like Gerard Esqueda has been cut.
Liu scores with a jab. Esqueda acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Liu is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Liu throws a hook to the side of Esqueda's head but Esqueda sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Esqueda throws a hook but Liu blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Esqueda. Liu does a little dance to reset his feet.
Liu throws a low kick but it's checked well by Esqueda.
Liu tries to score with a low kick but Esqueda moves his leg out of the way.
A nice leg kick lands there from Esqueda.
Esqueda gets off balance looking for a body kick

and Liu counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Esqueda looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Esqueda has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Esqueda is looking to control Liu's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Esqueda avoid being mounted?
Liu missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Liu wants to take a breather but Esqueda is having none of it.

Esqueda is defending against the submission attempts here by Liu.
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 corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Esqueda waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Liu.
Liu is looking to chop away at Esqueda's legs.
Liu uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Esqueda.
Liu steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Esqueda.
Liu dips to his left and cracks Esqueda with an uppercut!
Liu takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
A big right from Liu misses.
Esqueda takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Esqueda waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Liu.
Liu throws a leg kick but Esqueda moved away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Liu lands with an overhand left.
Liu will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Esqueda throws a low kick but Liu moves out of range easily.
Liu throws a wild body kick that Esqueda sees coming a mile off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esqueda checks a low kick from Liu.
Esqueda misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Esqueda misses with a leg kick

and Liu counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Liu throws a big right hand that misses.
Liu stands up over Esqueda, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Esqueda is looking for a triangle but Liu pushes his legs off easily.
Liu passes Esqueda's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Liu connects with a nice short shot to Esqueda's temple.

Liu is working for a kimura but Esqueda is defending it quite comfortably.
Liu trying to control from half guard but Esqueda is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Liu wants to pass the guard but Esqueda is defending well.

Liu is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Esqueda trying to control here.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Liu connects with a nice short shot to Esqueda's temple.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Liu seems to be looking for submissions.
Esqueda moves into full guard.
Liu postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Esqueda is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Liu is aware though and is defending well.
Esqueda keeping full guard, as Liu tries to pass.
Liu is looking to advance position but Esqueda has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda is landing with some decent strikes but Liu is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Liu working to try and regain half guard.
Esqueda wants to control the pace but Liu is squirming around nicely.
Jie Liu overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Liu working to try and regain half guard.
Esqueda breaks from Liu's wrist control and lands an elbow.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Liu is looking to get to half guard.
Liu is in a horrible position here. Esqueda smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
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 Jie Liu will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Gerard Esqueda's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Liu pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Liu defending well as Esqueda loads up on a big left hand.
Nice jab there from Liu.
Good leg kick by Esqueda there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Liu keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Esqueda getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Liu closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Esqueda throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Liu sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Liu tries to counter with a takedown but Esqueda is quick to defend against it.
Esqueda ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Esqueda throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Esqueda feints and then cracks Liu's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Liu down.
Liu ducks under a wild hook from Esqueda.
Esqueda will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Liu keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice shot lands for Esqueda.
Esqueda slips a jab from Liu.
Gerard Esqueda seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Liu looks to land a left hand but Esqueda moved out of range nicely.
Liu blocks a leg kick.
Esqueda moves out of range as Liu throws a body kick.
The fighters circling - Esqueda throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Liu attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Esqueda connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Nice takedown defense from Liu. No joy for Esqueda on that attempt.
Esqueda turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Esqueda moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Esqueda misses with a looping right.
Liu drops down looking for a counter takedown but Esqueda sprawls and moves away.
Esqueda tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Liu.
Liu wants to slow Esqueda down by chopping away at his legs.
And Esqueda tries to counter it with a takedown but Liu pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Esqueda walks into a left hand.
Esqueda throws a nice inside leg kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Esqueda smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Esqueda throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Liu half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Liu misses with a double jab.
Esqueda keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Esqueda throws a leg kick which misses Liu's front leg but catches the back leg as Liu tries to avoid it.
Esqueda misses with a straight right.
Esqueda connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Esqueda swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Esqueda wants to slow Liu down by chopping away at his legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda throws a low kick but Liu moves out of range easily.
Esqueda moves out of range of the leg kick from Liu.
Esqueda checks a leg kick nicely.
Liu fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Esqueda checks it well.
Esqueda takes one on the button.
Liu throws a good cross that connects.
Esqueda chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Liu can pounce on him.
The fighters circling - Esqueda throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Liu appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Esqueda missing with a left hand there. Liu was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Liu moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
A shot to the liver by Esqueda. Beautiful body shot.
Liu chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Esqueda can pounce on him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Liu is able to avoid easily.
Liu tries to counter with a takedown but Esqueda is quick to defend against it.
Esqueda checks a leg kick.
Esqueda bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Liu's head backwards.
Liu's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Esqueda connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Liu scrambles back to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Some bone on bone action there as Liu checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Liu keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Liu lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Liu scores with a kick to the body.
A slow jab from Esqueda misses its intended target.
Esqueda stuns Liu with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Liu tries to bum rush Esqueda with a series of wild strikes but Esqueda uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Esqueda connects with a body shot.
Good leg kick by Liu there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gerard Esqueda comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gerard Esqueda!
Gerard Esqueda made sure to mention his sponsor, $300 in his post fight interview.