PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Esteban Mcdaniel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Curtis Rook (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Mcdaniel
vs
Rook

202 cm
18
161 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

175 cm
18
157 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
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 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Esteban Mcdaniel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Curtis Rook!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Taro Takaoka and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rook throws a nice inside leg kick.
Mcdaniel really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Rook closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Rook avoiding damage as Mcdaniel throws knees to the body.
Rook is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Mcdaniel to keep the fight standing.
Rook goes for a takedown in the clinch but Mcdaniel prevents it.

Rook breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rook is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Rook throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Mcdaniel tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Rook is in Mcdaniel's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Mcdaniel isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Rook stacks Mcdaniel on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Rook!
Rook trying to control the position but Mcdaniel is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rook in side control, just content to control the action for now.

Rook is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Mcdaniel knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Mcdaniel defending against the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Mcdaniel gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Mcdaniel avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Rook.
Mcdaniel wants to improve his position but Rook is controlling well.
Rook is trying to control. Mcdaniel wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Rook is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Mcdaniel is working to get back to half guard.
Rook trying to control but he's not successful this time.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Rook sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mcdaniel keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Mcdaniel is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Mcdaniel is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Rook prevents Mcdaniel from getting the reversal.

Rook goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Mcdaniel turns into him and now he's in Rook's guard.
Mcdaniel postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mcdaniel preventing the sweep.
Rook is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Mcdaniel throws a big right hand that misses.
Mcdaniel postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Rook bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Mcdaniel's guard.

Mcdaniel has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Rook can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Mcdaniel trying to keep a closed guard but Rook is proving a slippery customer.
Mcdaniel will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rook stopping the sweep attempt from Mcdaniel.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Curtis Rook dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Rook shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Rook showed some decent athleticism there.
Mcdaniel manages to get to full guard.
Rook trying to control but Mcdaniel is working from the bottom.
Rook throwing strikes from guard but Mcdaniel blocks nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rook trying to stand up but can't free himself from Mcdaniel's guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Mcdaniel is on top in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rook looking to control.
Mcdaniel postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Mcdaniel postures up in Rook's guard and throws a big left but Rook blocks it.
Rook 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.
Mcdaniel throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Rook works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Mcdaniel keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Rook's head.
Rook wants to stand up but Mcdaniel is controlling him.
Mcdaniel scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Mcdaniel postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Mcdaniel with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Rook wants to sweep here but Mcdaniel controlling him for the moment.
Mcdaniel is looking to work some ground and pound but Rook has wrist control.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Mcdaniel distracts Rook with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Mcdaniel preventing the sweep.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Mcdaniel clinches with his opponent.
Mcdaniel leaning against his opponent.
Mcdaniel throws a punch but it's blocked by Rook.
Mcdaniel lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Rook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rook is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Mcdaniel is defending well for now.
Mcdaniel has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Rook after a bit of a struggle.
Rook missing with knees to the body.
Rook is trying to force a seperation but Mcdaniel has the dominant position.
Rook looking to slow down the pace here.
Rook pushes off an throws an elbow but Mcdaniel leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

Rook lands a takedown into guard.
Rook trying to control the position from guard on top but Mcdaniel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rook forces his way into half guard.
Mcdaniel is trying to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rook is looking to take a break and control but Mcdaniel is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Rook not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Mcdaniel wants to get back to full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rook not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Rook wants to take a breather but Mcdaniel is having none of it.
Rook thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Mcdaniel's head.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Curtis Rook will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Rook closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Mcdaniel quickly recovers to half guard.
Mcdaniel is looking to improve his position.
Mcdaniel gets back to full guard.
Mcdaniel controlling Rook's posture.
Rook keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Mcdaniel's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rook wants to control from the top but Mcdaniel keeps moving.
Mcdaniel wants to sweep but no luck.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mcdaniel wants to control but Rook passes easily into half guard.
Rook prevents Mcdaniel from improving his position.
Mcdaniel is refusing to be controlled, as Rook sits in half guard.
Rook lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Rook is trying to control the action in half guard but Mcdaniel is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Rook has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Mcdaniel is trying to stand back up but Rook is controlling him
Rook is controlling the pace.
Mcdaniel avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Rook.

Rook seems to be working for a kimura but Mcdaniel defends the submission attempt.
Curtis Rook has got the better of the ground game so far.
Mcdaniel trying to hold on to Rook's head to control him but Rook postures up.
Rook prevents Mcdaniel from improving his position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mcdaniel slips under a jab from Rook.
Mcdaniel tries to counter with a takedown but Rook is quick to defend against it.
Rook wants to clinch.

Rook fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Mcdaniel to the ground. Rook is now in Mcdaniel's guard.
Mcdaniel is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Mcdaniel is really struggling to control Rook but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Rook stands up over Mcdaniel, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Mcdaniel keeping moving, preventing Rook from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rook stopping the sweep attempt from Mcdaniel.
Mcdaniel is working hard here to advance position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Mcdaniel keeping moving, preventing Rook from controlling successfully.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Rook wants to stand but Mcdaniel has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rook tries a head kick but it misses.
Rook fails in his attempt to clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rook moves in looking to clinch but Mcdaniel pushes him off.
Esteban Mcdaniel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Curtis Rook is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Mcdaniel has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Rook.

And that's the end of the fight!
Curtis Rook comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Rook winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Shirou Masuda scores the fight 27:30
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Curtis Rook!