PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Pablo Escobar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Assange (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Assange has chosen Eddie Van Halen - Eruption as his entrance music. James Assange is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Escobar
vs
Assange

170 cm
23
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

176 cm
36
155 lbs
24 - 9 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Pablo Escobar!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 9 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, James Assange!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Tarja Halkonen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Escobar moves out of range as Assange strikes.
A slow jab from Assange misses its intended target.
Escobar lands with a right hand.

It looks like James Assange has been cut.
Escobar throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Assange swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Assange throws a nice looking combination but Escobar bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Assange throws out a powerful jab.
A jab from Escobar misses.
Escobar uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Assange.
Escobar throws a leg kick which misses Assange's front leg but catches the back leg as Assange tries to avoid it.
Assange fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Escobar manages to avoid it.
Escobar is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Assange.
Assange tries to bum rush Escobar with a series of wild strikes but Escobar uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Assange moves out of range of the strikes.
Escobar throws a combination that misses
and Assange counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Escobar throws a solid leg kick but Assange takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Escobar.
Escobar throws out a loose jab but Assange uses good head movement to avoid it.
A jab lands there for Escobar.
Escobar throws a body punch but Assange moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Escobar throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Escobar throws a poor cross that misses
and Assange counters with a nice leg kick.
Escobar throws a shot from downtown. Assange moves away and avoids it.
Assange keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A punch combination from Escobar misses.
Assange fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Escobar has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Escobar throws a leg kick
and Assange counters with a stiff right hand.
Escobar misses with a series of wild punches.
Escobar misses with a body kick.

Escobar gets tackled into the cage by Assange. Assange maintains the clinch.
Assange tries to land knees in the clinch but Escobar avoids the damage to the body.
Assange lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Escobar backwards.
Assange blocking some punches.
Assange tries to throw a body punch but Escobar avoids it by throwing Assange back against the cage.
Escobar wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Escobar doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
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!
Assange lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Escobar wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Assange jumps guard and drags Escobar to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Escobar stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Assange swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Escobar is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Escobar won't allow Assange to get back to his feet.
Escobar sitting in guard here, content to control.
Escobar trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Escobar has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Assange is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Donk. Assange catches Escobar right on the button with a cross.
Escobar walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Assange tests Escobar's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Escobar takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Escobar scores with a three punch combo!
A chopping leg kick lands by Assange.
Assange throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Escobar.
Escobar avoids a punch combination nicely.
James Assange is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Escobar uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Assange.
Assange swinging wildly here.
James Assange seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Escobar swings widly with a right hand

and Assange counters by moving into the clinch.
Assange misses with a short punch on the inside.
Escobar is trying to maintain a safe position but Assange gets an underhook and turns Escobar into the cage.
Escobar gets through Assange's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Escobar on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Assange misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Escobar.
Assange misses with some punches.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Escobar creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Assange misses with the head strike.

Escobar breaks from the clinch.
Assange throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Escobar throws a jab when Assange was well out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Assange dominated that round.
The cut man is working on James Assange's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Escobar uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Assange blocks a jab.
Assange lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Escobar circles away quickly and effectively.
Assange throws a big shot that misses.
It looked like Escobar wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Nice defenses there by Assange.
Escobar scores with a jab. Assange acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Assange staying out of range there.
Assange lands with a cross.
Assange takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
James Assange is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Escobar tests Assange's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Escobar displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Assange throws out the jab.
Assange staying out of range there.
Escobar misses with a hook. Assange ducked under it nicely.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Assange tries to work over Escobar's front leg with a kick but Escobar checks it.
Escobar throws an overhand right that lands on Assange's shoulder, as Assange tries to avoid the shot.
Assange moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

Assange is rocked!
Assange misses with a low kick.
Escobar attempts a counter takedown but Assange avoids it well and moves away.
Assange is still on wobbly legs! Can Escobar finish him?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Assange jabs at Escobar's body.
Assange seems to have recovered his senses.
Assange misses with a looping left.
Escobar throws a nice looking combination but Assange bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
The fighters circle momentarily. Escobar darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Escobar throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Assange.
Assange staying out of range there.
Assange throws a leg kick which misses Escobar's front leg but catches the back leg as Escobar tries to avoid it.
Escobar wants to clinch.
Escobar walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Assange checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Assange tries to counter with a clinch but Escobar shakes him off and moves away.
Assange will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Nice defenses there by Escobar.
Assange misses with a wild body shot.
Escobar appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Assange ducks under a wild hook from Escobar.
Assange loads up on a big right hand but Escobar slips the punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Escobar throws a sloppy head kick
and Assange counters with a nice uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Escobar.
Escobar cracks Assange with a good jab.
Escobar throws a big shot that misses.
Escobar buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Nice defenses there by Escobar.

Escobar gets a takedown into half guard.
Escobar is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Assange!
Escobar wants to stand but Assange is holding on to him, trying to stop him posturing up.
Assange is controlling an arm, preventing Escobar from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Escobar avoids the attempt from Assange to control.
Assange prevents Escobar from taking his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Assange is squirming around, avoiding Escobar's attempts to control the action.
Escobar can't control as he wanted to and Assange manages to get the fight back to his half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Escobar is looking for a kimura but Assange is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Escobar to get the leverage.
Escobar perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Assange is trying to stand up here but Escobar is controlling him well.
Well, if Escobar is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Assange looks like he's trying to stand up.
Escobar works his way into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pablo Escobar dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on James Assange'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. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Escobar pivots, looking for a leg kick but Assange is out of range and Escobar settles back down.
Escobar scores with a nice right hand.
A swing and a miss from Escobar.
Escobar just misses with a punch to the body.
Escobar throws a right and a left that both miss.
Escobar misses with a double jab.
Assange swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Assange scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Assange loads up on a big right hand but Escobar slips the punch.
Assange takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Assange misses with an uppercut.
Assange lands with a right hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Escobar slips a straight right by Assange.
Assange stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
A telegraphed right hand from Escobar misses the target.
Assange turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Escobar swinging wildly here.
Assange looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
A combination from Assange does no damage.
Escobar throwing a counter right hand but Assange manages to avoid it.
Escobar swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Assange.
A combination from Escobar does no damage.
A nice side step and Assange releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Assange blocks a jab.
Escobar throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Assange counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Pablo Escobar is winning the standup battle so far.
Escobar dodges the punch combination from Assange.
Assange takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Crunch! Assange slams his shin into Escobar's torso.
Escobar bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
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!
Escobar looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Assange is fending him off so far but Escobar persists. Nope, Assange circles away and we're back to standing.
Assange looks like he wants to counter punch here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Assange looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Escobar throws a body punch but Assange moves out of range.
Assange scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Assange fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Escobar has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Assange tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Escobar misses with a wild body shot.
A shot to the body from Escobar misses
and Assange cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Escobar sizes up Assange with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Assange takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Escobar moves into range and connects with a jab.
A jab from Escobar does it's job there.
Escobar ducks right into an uppercut from Assange.
A jab from Escobar misses.
Escobar swings for the body but Assange moves out of range.
A decent looking cross lands there for Escobar.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Assange.
Escobar throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Escobar sets himself, and Assange steps forward looking for the clinch! Escobar avoids it this time.
Assange throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Escobar sees it coming and avoids it easily.
It looked like Escobar wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Assange ducks under a wild hook from Escobar.
Escobar throws a body shot but no joy.
Assange let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Assange tries to bum rush Escobar with a series of wild strikes but Escobar uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Escobar ducks right into an uppercut from Assange.

Assange clinches up against the cage.
Escobar swings wildly with an uppercut but Assange uses good head movement to avoid it.
Escobar blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Assange controlling the action here for a moment.
Escobar is trying to break the clinch but Assange has him pressed against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Escobar throws a head punch that misses.
Escobar prevents a body shot from Assange.
Escobar has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Assange misses with a hook to the ribs.

Escobar's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Assange fails in his attempt to clinch.
Assange lands with a slapping head kick.
Assange moves out of range of the strikes.
Assange connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
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!
Assange uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Escobar.
Assange scores with a nice right hand.
Escobar tries to score a power double leg takedown but Assange sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Escobar somewhat.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to James Assange.
I think Assange 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Assange!
James Assange decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.