PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Yang Tao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gerard Esqueda (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tao comes to the cage accompanied by Carl Douglas - Kung Fu Fighting. Esqueda is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Cant del Barça. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Tao
vs
Esqueda

175 cm
37
170 lbs
38 - 15 - 1

179 cm
35
155 lbs
31 - 16 - 2

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Granite chin

Underworld Clothing

Namunamu Clothing

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 38 - 15 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Yang Tao!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 31 - 16 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, Gerard Esqueda!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tao tries to clinch but Esqueda moves out of range.
A leg kick checked by Esqueda.
Esqueda throws a looping overhand right but Tao ducks down to avoid it.
Esqueda avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Tao takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Tao slips under a jab from Esqueda.
Tao lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Tao moves away from the strike by Esqueda.
Esqueda scores with a leg kick.
Tao avoids the body shot from Esqueda.
Good work by Tao as he checks the leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tao moves out of range as Esqueda strikes.
Esqueda misses with a wild body shot.
Tao is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Gerard Esqueda seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Good exchange - Esqueda coming out on top.
A head kick misses from Tao.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A telegraphed right hand from Esqueda misses the target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A good leg kick by Tao.
Tao moves out of range as Esqueda strikes.
Tao dips to his left and cracks Esqueda with an uppercut!
Tao throws a hook but Esqueda avoids it easily.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Tao.
Esqueda keeps Tao at a distance using the push kick.
Tao slips under a jab from Esqueda.

Tao closes the distance and pushes Esqueda back into the cage.
Esqueda tries to throw a body punch but Tao avoids it by throwing Esqueda back against the cage.
Esqueda can't find room to land a body shot as Tao controls the action.
Esqueda working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Tao lands a left hand.
Tao tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Esqueda tries to pull guard but Tao holds him up against the cage and eventually Esqueda drops back down to his feet.
Tao blocking some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda tries to pull guard but Tao won't allow it.
Esqueda scores with an uppercut up the middle.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tao tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Esqueda's elbow.
Esqueda tries to pull guard but Tao forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Yang Tao has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gerard Esqueda.
Esqueda blocks a body shot from Tao.
Tao blocks an uppercut.
Tao throws a head punch that misses.
Tao blocking some punches.
Esqueda blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Tao prevents a body shot from Esqueda.
Tao tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Esqueda's elbow.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Tao.
Esqueda swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Tao swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Esqueda misses with a hook from the clinch.
Esqueda tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Tao just stands there and leans against the cage.
Esqueda lands a right hand that snaps the head of Tao backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Tao or not.
Esqueda has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Tao seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Esqueda can turn it around.
Esqueda working aggressively here.
Tao goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Esqueda lands a right hand.
A head punch on the inside from Tao fails to land.
Esqueda lands a body punch.
Tao lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Esqueda backwards.
Tao misses with a hook to the ribs.
Tao prevents a body shot from Esqueda.
Still in the clinch, Esqueda scores with a nice short uppercut.
Esqueda blocking some punches.
Esqueda misses with a hook from the clinch.
Tao swings wildly with an uppercut but Esqueda uses good head movement to avoid it.

Esqueda successfully pulls guard.

Esqueda is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Esqueda looking for a guillotine here but Tao defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tao gets to his feet. Esqueda looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Tao throws the left hand but Esqueda avoids the punch easily.
Tao lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
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!
Tao throws a head kick but Esqueda moves out of range.
A slapping leg kick lands for Esqueda.
Esqueda listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Tao wants to slow Esqueda down by chopping away at his legs.
Esqueda uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Tao has time to react.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Esqueda crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Tao - the referee stops the clock and Esqueda gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Tao. Esqueda manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gerard Esqueda dominated that round.
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.

Tao uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Esqueda has time to react.
Esqueda throws a nice looking combination but Tao bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Esqueda smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Esqueda loads up on a big right hand but Tao slips the punch.
Esqueda drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Esqueda misses the shot to the body.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Esqueda throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Esqueda throws a shot from downtown. Tao moves away and avoids it.
Tao was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Esqueda works the jab nicely.
Tao takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Esqueda ducks under a wild hook from Tao.
Tao just misses with a punch to the body.
Esqueda with the counter takedown but Tao avoids it easily.
Tao lands a nice hook to Esqueda's body. Esqueda takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tao bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Tao takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Esqueda fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tao manages to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tao misses with a two punch combination.
Tao on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Esqueda rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Esqueda misses with a head kick.
Esqueda throws a looping overhand right but Tao ducks down to avoid it.
Esqueda sizes up Tao with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Esqueda fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Tao tries to land a front kick but Esqueda steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Tao walks into a jab.
Esqueda has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Esqueda scores with a nice right hand.
Esqueda rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Tao counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Esqueda is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Tao.
Tao jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Gerard Esqueda seems to be getting the better of the standup.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tao moves out of range of the strikes.
Esqueda cracks Tao with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda misses with a hook.
Esqueda rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Tao counters with a nice uppercut.
Good standup being displayed there by Esqueda as he connects with a hook.
Tao ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Esqueda moves away.
Tao moves out of range of the strikes.
Good leg kick by Tao there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Esqueda jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Esqueda misses with a straight left.
Esqueda misses the jab.
Tao feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Esqueda takes a swing at Tao's ribcage but misses.
Esqueda pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A counter left hand to the body from Tao misses its target.
Tao throws a push kick but Esqueda slaps the foot to one side.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Tao - that will leave a mark!
Esqueda tries to clinch but Tao moves out of range.
Tao ducks under a wild hook from Esqueda.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Nice defenses there by Tao.
Esqueda swings for the body but Tao moves out of range.
Tao connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Esqueda momentarily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Esqueda. Tao does a little dance to reset his feet.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Tao - that will leave a mark!
Esqueda scores with a crisp jab that stopped Tao in his tracks.
Esqueda scores with a hook.
Esqueda ducks under a wild hook from Tao.
Esqueda on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Tao throws a nice inside leg kick.
Esqueda misses with a takedown attempt - Tao sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Esqueda misses with a body punch
enabling Tao to counter with a crisp jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tao digs a good body shot into Esqueda's ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda catches Tao with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Esqueda gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Tao throws an overhand right that lands on Esqueda's shoulder, as Esqueda tries to avoid the shot.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Tao.
Esqueda takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Esqueda misses with a low kick.
Tao feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Esqueda takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Esqueda keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tao ducks right into an uppercut from Esqueda.
Esqueda connects with a nice looking jab.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tao fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Esqueda looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Tao fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Esqueda looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Tao slips under a jab from Esqueda.
Tao pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
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 Yang Tao will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Tao throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Tao throws a chopping leg kick but Esqueda manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Tao misses the shot to the body.
Tao dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Esqueda. That did some damage!
Tao bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Tao on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Tao walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Esqueda checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Tao dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Tao. Esqueda does a little dance to reset his feet.
Esqueda feints the counter takedown.
Esqueda moves out of range as Tao strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tao takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Esqueda changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Esqueda takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Tao takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Tao ducks under a wild hook from Esqueda.
Tao swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esqueda looks to score with a jab to the body but Tao is just out of range.
Tao throws a sloppy head kick and Esqueda moves out of range easily.
Tao does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Esqueda misses with a straight left.
Esqueda misses with an uppercut.
Tao avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Tao with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Tao tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Esqueda was well out of range. Poor timing from Tao.
Esqueda thows a left - swing and a miss!
Esqueda throws a nice outside leg kick.
Tao with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Nice jab there from Esqueda.
Tao fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Tao looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Tao throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tao defending well as Esqueda loads up on a big left hand.
Esqueda lands a head kick!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Esqueda on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Tao throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Some wild striking there from Esqueda.
Tao throws a big shot that misses.
Tao defending well as Esqueda loads up on a big left hand.
Tao moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Esqueda ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Tao scores with a hook to the body. Esqueda takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Esqueda takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Tao on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Esqueda. Esqueda obviously looking to wear him down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tao looks to land a right hand but Esqueda moved out of range.
Esqueda missing with a left hand there. Tao was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Tao's jab looks to have found its range, popping Esqueda under the eye.
Tao scores with a nice head shot.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Tao. Esqueda shrugs it off though.
Tao misses with a body kick.
Esqueda throws a looping overhand right but Tao ducks down to avoid it.
Tao throws a quick inside leg kick.
Esqueda connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Tao's hands.
Tao works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Esqueda checks the leg kick nicely there.
Esqueda misses with a straight right.
Esqueda slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tao throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Esqueda digs a good body shot into Tao's ribs.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tao throws a body kick that misses.
Esqueda takes a jab right on the kisser.
Tao takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Tao misses with a straight right.
Tao just misses with a punch to the body.
Tao defending well as Esqueda loads up on a big left hand.
Esqueda will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Esqueda moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Tao misses the shot to the body.

Tao moves into the clinch.

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 Yang Tao.
I think Tao has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Gerard Esqueda!
Gerard Esqueda really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that $300 logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.