PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Giovani Castro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gerard Esqueda (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Esqueda has chosen Cant del Barça as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Castro
vs
Esqueda

170 cm
29
151 lbs
21 - 11 - 1

179 cm
36
155 lbs
33 - 18 - 2

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Spartan Nutrition
GREEN!160

Namunamu Clothing
Bullet Proof System

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 21 - 11 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Giovani Castro!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 33 - 18 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, Gerard Esqueda!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Don Winkell and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Castro connects with an inside leg kick.
No joy there for Castro, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Castro throws a jab when Esqueda was well out of range.
Esqueda changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Esqueda shoots in for a double leg but Castro sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
A shot to the liver by Castro. Beautiful body shot.
Castro misses with a leg kick.
Castro is looking to score with low kicks.
Esqueda misses the jab.
Castro swings for the body but Esqueda moves out of range.
Esqueda misses with a straight left.
Castro connects with a looping right hand.
Castro bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Esqueda slips under a jab from Castro.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big left from Castro misses.
A nice inside leg kick there by Castro. That's going to slow Esqueda down.
Castro misses with a hook.
Castro takes one on the chin but seems OK.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Esqueda moves out of range of the strikes.
Giovani Castro is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castro misses with a body kick.
Castro misses with a straight right.
Esqueda walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Castro lands with an overhand left.
Esqueda throws a right and a left that both miss.
Castro is looking to score with low kicks.
Castro checks the leg kick nicely there.
Esqueda avoids the body shot from Castro.
Castro jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Castro throws a hook to the side of Esqueda's head but Esqueda sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A jab lands there for Esqueda.
Esqueda keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Castro thuds his shin into the meat of Esqueda's side.
Esqueda moves out of range as Castro strikes.
Esqueda moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Castro misses with a hook.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The fighters circle momentarily. Esqueda darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Esqueda has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Castro with a jab.
Castro misses with a straight right.
Castro misses with a hook. Esqueda ducked under it nicely.
Castro throws a right and a left that both miss.
Castro lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Castro lands a right hook to the body.
Esqueda tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Castro swivels and escapes.
A jab lands there for Castro.
Esqueda is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Esqueda bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Esqueda avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Castro pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Esqueda feints the counter takedown.
Castro looks for the body kick but Esqueda saw that one coming.
Esqueda looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Castro throws a jab when Esqueda was well out of range.
Esqueda changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Esqueda ducks under a wild hook from Castro.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Esqueda walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Esqueda shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Castro as he avoids it easily.
Giovani Castro has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gerard Esqueda.
Castro looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Castro throws a one two combo.
Castro cracks the inside of Esqueda's front leg.
Castro throws a body punch but Esqueda moves out of range.
Castro takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
A head kick misses from Castro.
Castro throws a hook to the side of Esqueda's head but Esqueda sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Castro throws a body shot but no joy.
A big left from Esqueda misses.
Esqueda throws out a powerful jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Esqueda lands a head shot.
Castro fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Esqueda lands a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Castro was well out of range. Poor timing from Esqueda.
Castro throws a hook to the side of Esqueda's head but Esqueda sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Castro moves out of range as Esqueda strikes.
Castro throws a hook but Esqueda blocks it.
Esqueda is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Esqueda throws a big shot that misses.
A slow jab from Castro misses its intended target.
Esqueda lands a nice looking body shot.
Castro misses with a looping right.
Esqueda takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Esqueda displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Castro throws out the jab.
Esqueda ducks right into an uppercut from Castro.
Giovani Castro seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Esqueda throws a hook to the side of Castro's head but Castro sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Castro scores with a nice right hand.
Castro feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Esqueda's calf.
Castro closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Castro waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Esqueda.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Giovani Castro dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Castro lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Giovani Castro is winning the standup battle so far.
Castro misses with a lunging right hand

and Esqueda counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Castro!
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Esqueda trying to control the position but Castro is working away.
Castro is letting Esqueda control him for a moment.
Castro is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Esqueda can do to turn this around?
An elbow from Esqueda crashes against the mat.
Castro is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Castro is holding on to half guard well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Castro keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castro has hold of Esqueda's hands but Esqueda slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Castro is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Esqueda scores with a couple of nice shots.
Castro tries to roll over but Esqueda keeps him under control.
Esqueda lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Esqueda has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Castro wants to get back to full guard.
Esqueda thows a huge punch but Castro dodges it nicely.
Esqueda working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Esqueda lands with a punch from half guard.
Esqueda not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Castro trying to hold on to Esqueda's head to control him but Esqueda postures up.
Esqueda throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Esqueda slips a nice elbow through Castro's hands, connecting with Castro's forehead.
Ground and pound from Esqueda.
Esqueda lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Esqueda not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Esqueda takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Esqueda throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Castro avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Esqueda.
Esqueda thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Castro's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castro is refusing to be controlled, as Esqueda sits in half guard.
Esqueda lands with a punch from half guard.
Castro is refusing to be controlled, as Esqueda sits in half guard.
Esqueda thows a huge punch but Castro dodges it nicely.
Esqueda lands strikes from half guard.
Esqueda is just content to waste time from the top position. Castro takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Castro working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Esqueda.
Esqueda throws a strike but Castro rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Castro got a little sloppy there for a moment and Esqueda has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Castro has managed to get both his arms back between Esqueda's legs - danger averted.
Esqueda is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Esqueda is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Castro is aware though and is defending well.
Castro won't allow Esqueda to sweep him here.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Castro misses with a body kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gerard Esqueda showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Esqueda ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Castro takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Castro looks to throw the jab but Esqueda is out of range.
Esqueda swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Castro.
Castro throws a head kick that misses.
Esqueda scores with a body shot.
Esqueda defending well as Castro loads up on a big left hand.
Castro throws a shot to the body.
Esqueda dips to his left and cracks Castro with an uppercut!
Esqueda throws a jab when Castro was well out of range.
Castro ducks under a wild hook from Esqueda.
A little feinted left hand from Castro on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Esqueda misses with a hook. Castro ducked under it nicely.
Esqueda ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Esqueda drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Castro defends it well.
Esqueda lands a glancing blow to the side of Castro's head.
Esqueda wants to land a leg kick but Castro is out of range.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Castro misses with a wild body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castro is looking to clinch.
Castro tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Esqueda was well out of range. Poor timing from Castro.
Esqueda feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Castro's calf.
A punch combination from Castro misses.
Esqueda lands a nice leg kick that just misses Castro's sensitive parts.
Castro misses with a body shot.
Nice body punch from Esqueda.
Esqueda cracks Castro with a right hand to the side of the head.
Castro throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Castro ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Castro takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Esqueda misses with a looping right.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Esqueda has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Castro lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Castro lands with a short shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Castro looking to stall.
Castro lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Castro swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Esqueda lands a nice uppercut.
Castro has a couple of punches blocked by Esqueda.
Castro looking to stall.
Esqueda fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Esqueda working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Castro tries to stall but Esqueda uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Castro trying to stall but Esqueda improves his position.
Esqueda lands a nice shot to the body.
Esqueda lands an uppercut.
Esqueda taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Esqueda swings wildly with an uppercut but Castro uses good head movement to avoid it.
Castro lands with a right to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda blocks an uppercut.
Esqueda lands an uppercut.
Esqueda lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Castro tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Esqueda pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Castro misses with a looping right.
Esqueda changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Esqueda scores with a crisp jab that stopped Castro in his tracks.
Esqueda misses with a low kick as Castro jumps back.
Castro misses with a straight right.
Castro thuds a left hand into Esqueda's body.
Castro jabs Esqueda right on the nose. Esqueda blinks but takes it well.
Esqueda keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Castro.
Esqueda tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Castro is able to avoid easily.
Esqueda lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Castro circles away quickly and effectively.
Esqueda throws a hook but Castro avoids it easily.
Castro throws the left hand but Esqueda avoids the punch easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Castro swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Esqueda.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Esqueda throws a hook but Castro avoids it easily.
Esqueda lands with a thumping leg kick.
Castro throws a jab when Esqueda was well out of range.
Esqueda with the counter takedown but Castro avoids it easily.
Castro throws an off balance right hand

and Esqueda counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Castro!
You can see the frustration on Castro's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Castro trying to remain calm as Esqueda controls from the top position.
Esqueda trying to control the action but Castro is working from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gerard Esqueda comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Esqueda 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gerard Esqueda!
After the big win, Gerard Esqueda made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors $300 and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.