PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Sam Rogers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryan Escobar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Rogers
vs
Escobar

183 cm
30
177 lbs
15 - 6 - 0

170 cm
23
170 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Sam Rogers!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ryan Escobar!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Frank Dennis and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Escobar misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rogers.
Rogers changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Rogers fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Rogers shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Escobar defends it nicely.
Escobar tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Rogers defends well and Escobar ends up having to push Rogers into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Escobar shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Rogers manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Rogers wants to stand up but Escobar is controlling him.
We've been hearing good reports from Rogers's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Escobar throws a big elbow that misses.
Rogers is looking to stand up but Escobar isn't so interested in that idea.
Escobar controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Escobar looking to pass the guard.
Rogers is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Rogers misses with a takedown attempt - Escobar sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sam Rogers. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice sprawl there from Rogers as Escobar shoots in.
Rogers seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Danga de danga de dang - Rogers scores with a four punch combination!

It looks like Ryan Escobar has been cut.
Rogers staying out of range there.
Rogers drops down looking for a counter takedown but Escobar sprawls and moves away.

Escobar feints and as Rogers raises his hands in defense, Escobar changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Escobar trying to control the position from guard on top but Rogers is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rogers wants to get back to his feet but Escobar is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rogers pushes Escobar off and scrambles back to his feet.
Escobar avoids a punch combination nicely.
Rogers fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Escobar avoids it really well and circles away.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rogers lands with a straight right. Escobar didn't see that one coming.
Escobar swings and misses with a shot to the body
enabling Rogers to counter with a crisp jab.

Rogers gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Escobar to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Rogers is looking to stand up but Escobar isn't so interested in that idea.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Escobar trying to control the position from guard on top but Rogers is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rogers is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Escobar is controlling him.
Escobar wants to pass the guard but Rogers is keeping the position.
Rogers is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Rogers will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Escobar comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Escobar misses with a wild body shot.
Rogers shoots for a double leg takedown but Escobar sprawls well. He's pushed Rogers's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Rogers fails with the takedown.
Rogers tries for a takedown but Escobar sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Escobar misses with an uppercut.
Escobar shoots in but Rogers avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Rogers closes the distance and clinches up with Escobar, looking for a takedown. Rogers pushes Escobar against the cage but Escobar circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rogers keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Escobar is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Rogers rather than just go for the knockout.
Rogers dives in and grabs Escobar's left leg, looking for a takedown. Escobar pushes down on Rogers's head and hops out.
Escobar shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Escobar dives in for a single leg takedown but Rogers sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Escobar dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ryan Escobar's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Rogers slips a straight right by Escobar.
Escobar misses with a takedown attempt - Rogers sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Rogers throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Escobar's waist but Escobar gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rogers off to one side.
Sam Rogers is winning the standup battle so far.
Nice sprawl there from Rogers as Escobar shoots in.
Escobar tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rogers swivels and escapes.
Sam Rogers has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ryan Escobar.

Rogers closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Rogers lands in his opponent's guard.
Escobar preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Escobar manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Rogers manages to get himself to full guard.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Escobar is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Rogers is wriggling around but Escobar manages to pass to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rogers looks like he's trying to stand up.

Rogers pushes Escobar off and gets back to his feet.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Escobar.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Rogers is defended easily by Escobar.
Rogers thows a left - swing and a miss!
Rogers fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Escobar with the counter takedown but Rogers avoids it easily.
Rogers fails to land the takedown.

Escobar drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Escobar is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Escobar wants to pass the guard but Rogers is keeping the position.
Rogers wants to stand up but Escobar is controlling him.
Escobar is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Escobar stops Rogers from standing up.
Escobar working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Escobar stops Rogers from standing up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Rogers will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Escobar is trying hard to land a takedown here. Rogers sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Escobar misses the shot to the body.

Escobar closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Rogers wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Escobar taking a breather here.
Escobar prevents Rogers from escaping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Escobar controls the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Escobar wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rogers keeps working.
Rogers wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Escobar trying to control the action but Rogers is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Escobar fails with the takedown.

Rogers manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Escobar on his heels. He'll look to pass Escobar's guard now, I'm sure.
Escobar looking to control.
Escobar has his hands on Rogers's head, controlling the position.
Rogers with a flurry of punches that miss.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ryan Escobar will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Ryan Escobar's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Rogers lands with a straight right. Escobar didn't see that one coming.
Rogers has a takedown stuffed.
Escobar stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Escobar wants it to stay on the feet.
Escobar uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rogers.
Escobar shoots in and drives through. Rogers sprawls well.
Rogers closes this distance looking for a takedown but Escobar circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sam Rogers. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rogers stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Rogers wants it to stay on the feet.
Rogers seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Rogers keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rogers half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

Escobar fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Rogers sprawls well initially but Escobar persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
My spies in Bi-polar Asylum inform me that Escobar has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Rogers pushes Escobar off looking to stand but Escobar dives back in and keeps control.
Escobar thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Rogers's head.
Escobar is keen to just control but Rogers is a slippery customer.
Escobar sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Rogers defending well though.
Rogers is trying to stand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Escobar trying to mount his opponent but Rogers defends it.
Escobar trying to control the action but Rogers is working from the bottom.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Escobar throwing shots but Rogers is blocking nicely.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Escobar lands a jab to Rogers's midsection.
Escobar stuffs the takedown attempt from Rogers. Rogers gets slowly back to his feet.
Escobar shoots in for a takedown but Rogers shows good takedown defense.
Rogers looks for a takedown but Escobar sprawls well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Escobar fails with the takedown.
A big right from Rogers misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rogers feints and as Escobar raises his hands in defense, Rogers changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Escobar working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Rogers doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Rogers manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Rogers trying to control the position from guard on top but Escobar is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Escobar lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Escobar stops Rogers from standing up.
Escobar sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Rogers's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rogers wants to stand back up but Escobar manages to pass into side control.
Rogers is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Escobar asserts his dominance and retains side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Escobar controls the position from side control.
Rogers wants to get back to his feet but Escobar drags him back down.
Ryan Escobar has got the better of the ground game so far.
Escobar controls the position from side control.
Sam Rogers has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Rogers pushes Escobar away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Escobar gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Escobar trying to control the action but Rogers is working from the bottom.
Rogers is trying to buck Escobar off.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rogers looks to throw the jab but Escobar is out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ryan Escobar comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Escobar 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 27:30
Judge George Francis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ryan Escobar!
Ryan Escobar tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.