PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rick Sampson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ezequiel Calderon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sampson kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is "Off the Chain" by Serg Salinas. Calderon has chosen "One Rhythm (Da Yard Riddim Mix)" by Debi Nova as his entrance music. 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.

Sampson
vs
Calderon

179 cm
31
252 lbs
0 - 15 - 0

185 cm
28
225 lbs
4 - 9 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rick Sampson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ezequiel Calderon!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sampson shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Calderon counters with a two punch combo.
Sampson looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
Calderon lands a high kick!
Sampson with a lazy takedown attempt
and Calderon counters with a three punch combo that has Sampson backing up. Sampson nods at Calderon to acknowledge the strikes.

Calderon closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Sampson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Calderon jumps guard.
Calderon tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Calderon is pulling down on Sampson's head to control his posture.

Calderon has his feet on Sampson's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Calderon fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Sampson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A combination from Calderon does no damage.
Sampson seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
A head kick from Calderon lands but Sampson takes it in his stride.
Sampson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Calderon's waist but Calderon gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sampson off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rick Sampson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Calderon rushes Sampson and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Calderon misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Sampson.
Calderon trying to land knees to the body.

Calderon breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Calderon slaps away a takedown attempt from Sampson, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Despite the aggression on Calderon's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Sampson takes a head kick and keeps coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sampson looks for a takedown but Calderon sprawls well.
Calderon throws a head kick that misses.
Calderon throws a head kick that misses.
Calderon throws a head kick but Sampson moves out of range.
Calderon scores with a head kick.
Calderon has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Sampson is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Calderon scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Calderon scores with a head kick.
Calderon fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

Calderon fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Sampson, pushing him back against the cage.
Calderon is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Sampson is defending well for now.
Calderon is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Sampson is defending well for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee is keeping an eye on Calderon - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

Calderon escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sampson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Calderon as he avoids it easily.
Calderon unleashes a big counter combination but Sampson bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.

Calderon has taken the fight to the clinch.

Calderon breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Calderon throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sampson throws a left and a right that both miss
and Calderon counters with a head kick.
A head kick from Calderon lands but Sampson takes it in his stride.

Sampson is rocked!
Calderon feints with a jab and clips Sampson right behind the ear with a massive overhand right! Sampson is sent crashing into the canvas and Calderon leaps in for the kill! Sampson tries to get to his feet but Calderon is just battering him from every conceivable angle. The ref decides that Sampson is in need of a savior and steps in!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:18 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Ezequiel Calderon!
A pretty intense looking Ezequiel Calderon took the opportunity post-fight to ask for a shot at the title.