PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Pablo Escobar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Linkin Portier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Escobar
vs
Portier

187 cm
33
196 lbs
26 - 8 - 0

185 cm
34
186 lbs
25 - 14 - 2

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Pearson Specter Litt
Bullet Proof System

Hellbent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Pablo Escobar!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 14 - 2, fighting out of New York, Linkin Portier!
The judges for this bout are , Don Winkell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Portier cracks Escobar with an open hand slap.
Portier thuds a left hand into Escobar's body.
Portier misses with the combination.
Portier throws a series of punches but Escobar avoids them all with ease.
Escobar circles away from the clinch attempt.
Portier throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Escobar sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Portier misses with an uppercut.
We've been informed that Portier has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Linkin Portier seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Portier lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Nice straight punches there by Escobar. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Escobar.
Portier tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Escobar manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Portier swings widly with a right hand
enabling Escobar to counter with a crisp jab.
Escobar looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Portier lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Portier throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Escobar sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Portier will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Portier avoids a kick to the body.
Escobar tried to score with a low kick but Portier checks it.
Escobar misses with a low kick as Portier jumps back.
Portier wants to counter the offense by Escobar and move into the clinch position.
Escobar throws a body kick that misses.
Portier misses with an uppercut. Escobar saw that one coming.
A solid body kick from Escobar.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Portier tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Escobar paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Portier takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

Portier closes the distance and clinches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Escobar.
Escobar using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Portier has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Portier can't find room to land a body shot as Escobar controls the action.
Escobar lands a hook to the side of the head.
Portier swings wildly with an uppercut but Escobar uses good head movement to avoid it.
A right handed body shot lands from Portier.
Portier struggles to land a body shot inside as Escobar controls his hands.

Escobar breaks the clinch.
Escobar displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Portier throws out the jab.

Portier gets a clinch.
A short right from Portier on the inside.
Portier goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Portier lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Portier tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Escobar's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Portier blocks the body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Portier slips under a jab.
Nice body punch from Escobar.
Portier has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Escobar.
Portier uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Escobar.
Portier showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Escobar.
Portier checks a leg kick.
Escobar throws a low kick but Portier moves out of range easily.
Portier has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Escobar.
Portier is looking to clinch but Escobar is avoiding it.
Escobar takes a swing at Portier's ribcage but misses.
Portier checks a leg kick nicely.
Escobar misses with an uppercut. Portier saw that one coming.
Portier moves out of range of the body kick.
Portier tries to clinch but Escobar is having none of it.
Portier lands the left hand.

Portier rushes Escobar and presses him up against the cage.
Escobar wants to get back to striking at distance but Portier won't allow it.
Portier lands a hook that snaps the head of Escobar backwards.
Portier tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Portier blocks an uppercut.
Portier misses with a hook to the ribs.
Portier goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Portier prevents a body shot from Escobar.
Escobar misses with a short punch on the inside.
Escobar tries to work over Portier's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Portier misses with a hook to the ribs.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Portier.

Escobar manages to break the clinch.
Portier tries to clinch up but Escobar circles away and keeps his distance.
Escobar was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Portier tries to close the distance and clinch but Escobar swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A low kick from Portier is predictable there
and Escobar counters with a straight right hand.
Escobar misses with an uppercut.

Portier gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Escobar lands a hook that snaps the head of Portier backwards.
Portier lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Portier tries to work over Escobar's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A short right from Escobar.
Portier struggles to land a body shot inside as Escobar controls his hands.
Escobar blocking some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Portier blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Escobar tries to circle away but Portier has him pinned against the cage.
Escobar tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
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!
A nice left hand lands by Portier.
A head punch on the inside from Portier fails to land.
Escobar throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Portiers head.
Portier tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Portier lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Escobar working aggressively here.
Escobar blocks an uppercut.
Escobar blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Escobar.
Escobar prevents a body shot from Portier.
Escobar working some nice short punches in the clinch.

Escobar's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Escobar misses with a low kick.
Escobar throws a leg kick but Portier sees it coming and moves out of range.
Portier turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Portier looks to score with a jab to the body but Escobar is just out of range.
Escobar slips under a jab from Portier.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Linkin Portier will probably get the nod.
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.

Escobar is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Portier.
Escobar misses with an uppercut. Portier saw that one coming.
Escobar misses with a looping right.
Escobar wants to slow Portier down by chopping away at his legs.
Portier throws a lazy right hand but Escobar sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Escobar seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Escobar looks to land a body kick but Portier moved away.
Portier tries to close the distance and clinch up but Escobar swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Escobar moves out of range of the strikes.
A punch combination from Portier misses.
Portier fails in his attempt to clinch.
A counter left hand to the body from Escobar misses its target.
Pablo Escobar is winning the standup battle so far.
A jab from Portier finds it's way through Escobar's defenses.
Escobar connects with a leg kick. Portier looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Escobar fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Portier is out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Portier drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Escobar takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Escobar throws a front kick aimed at Portier's knee but Portier avoids it well.
Portier fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Portier pushes Escobar up against the cage in a clinch.
Escobar is working Portier over against the cage.
Portier blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Escobar swings wildly with an uppercut but Portier uses good head movement to avoid it.
Escobar has had enough of the clinch but Portier keeps him there for the moment.
Portier blocking some punches.
A head punch on the inside from Portier fails to land.
Escobar blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Escobar pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Escobar misses with an uppercut. Portier saw that one coming.
Portier cracks Escobar with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Portier moves into range and connects with a jab.
Portier misses the jab.
Portier connects with a body shot that sends Escobar's belly button to the back.
That kick from Portier tenderised Escobar's leg. Escobar is trying to keep his angry face on.
Portier avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Portier pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Escobar back to the cage. Portier follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Good exchange - Portier coming out on top.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Escobar throws a solid leg kick but Portier takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Escobar.
Escobar tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Portier tries to close the distance and clinch but Escobar swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Escobar throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Escobar throws a chopping leg kick but Portier manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Escobar throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Portier is looking for the big counter here.
Portier is looking to clinch.
Escobar swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Portier ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Escobar throws a leg kick that misses.
Portier swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Escobar showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Portier.
Portier ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Escobar blocks a head kick by Portier.
Escobar tried to counter with a leg kick but Portier avoided it.
Portier scores with a one two! Escobar had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Portier swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Portier walks into a jab.
Escobar keeps the fight on the outside.

Portier moves into range and clinches up with Escobar.
Escobar swings wildly with an uppercut but Portier uses good head movement to avoid it.
Portier working some nice short punches in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Portier lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Escobar or not.
Portier softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Escobar softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Portier has a couple of punches blocked by Escobar.
Portier scores with a hook to the body.
Linkin Portier seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Escobar lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Portier backwards.
Portier softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Escobar blocks an uppercut.
Escobar throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Portiers head.
Portier fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Portier blocks the elbow strike.
Escobar lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Escobar misses with the head strike.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Portier.
Portier prevents a body shot from Escobar.
Escobar lands with a short head shot on the inside.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Portier tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Portier lands with a left to the head.
Escobar softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Portier misses with a punch on the inside.
Escobar landing knees to the head.

Escobar's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Portier tries to clinch there but Escobar circles away.
Escobar goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Portier throws a nice inside leg kick.
Escobar walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Portier checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Escobar takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Linkin Portier is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Portier tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Escobar paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Escobar swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Nice defenses there by Portier.
Portier scores with a shot to the body.
Portier tests Escobar's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Portier is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Escobar looks to throw the jab but Portier is out of range.
Portier throws a wild body kick that Escobar sees coming a mile off.
Portier lands with a cross.
Portier bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Escobar's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Linkin Portier showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action!

Portier swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Portier blocks the body kick.
Escobar avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Portier lands a nice hook to Escobar's body. Escobar takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Portier throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Escobar sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Some bone on bone action there as Portier checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Portier tries to bum rush Escobar with a series of wild strikes but Escobar uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Escobar with a jab.
Portier scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Escobar doesn't seem bothered though.
Portier tries to clinch but Escobar is having none of it.
Portier clobbers Escobar with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Escobar throws a leg kick that misses.
Escobar ducks right into an uppercut from Portier.
Portier checks a leg kick.
Escobar misses with an attempted mid kick.
Portier motions for Escobar to come forward. Portier throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Portier throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The fighters circling - Escobar throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Portier unleashes a big counter combination but Escobar bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Escobar misses with a looping right.
Portier fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A punch lands to the side of Escobar 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Escobar just misses with a punch to the body.
Escobar scores with a kick to the midsection.
Portier fails to land with a series of punches.
Portier throws a low kick but Escobar moves out of range easily.
Portier darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Portier moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Portier tries to score with a low kick but Escobar moves his leg out of the way.
Escobar looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
A slow jab from Portier misses its intended target.
Escobar drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Portier misses with a series of wild punches.
Escobar throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
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!

Portier moves into the clinch.
Escobar tries to break free but Portier pushes him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Still in the clinch, Escobar scores with a nice short uppercut.
Portier misses with a punch to the body.
Portier struggles to land a body shot inside as Escobar controls his hands.

Escobar's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Escobar throws a nice outside leg kick.
Portier is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Escobar takes one on the button.
Portier cracks Escobar with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Escobar throws a leg kick which misses Portier's front leg but catches the back leg as Portier tries to avoid it.
Escobar dips to his left and cracks Portier with an uppercut!
Escobar lands with a nice body kick.
Escobar fails to land with a series of punches.
Portier is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A jab from Portier finds it's way through Escobar's defenses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Portier pulls out of a head kick attempt.
An attempted straight right counter from Escobar misses the target.
Escobar missing with a left hand there. Portier was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Portier misses with a body shot.
Portier throws a right hand that Escobar ducks under and follows up with a left that Escobar also avoids with ease.
It looked like Escobar wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Portier scores with a nice strike.
A jab from Portier misses.
Escobar connects with a nice looking jab.
Escobar scores with a jab to the jaw.
Portier ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Portier checks a leg kick.
Portier misses with a straight left.
Portier sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Portier takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Escobar ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Portier moves away.
Portier throws a quick inside leg kick.
Escobar lands a slapping body shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Portier takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Portier throws a right hand that Escobar ducks under and follows up with a left that Escobar also avoids with ease.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Portier throws a lazy right hand but Escobar sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Escobar connects with a jab.
Portier's corner calls for a 1-2. Portier obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
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.
A leg kick checked by Escobar.
Portier tries to close the distance and clinch but Escobar swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Portier tries to clinch up.
Escobar looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

Portier closes the distance and clinches.
Escobar prevents a body shot from Portier.
Escobar blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Portier blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Portier misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Escobar landing knees to the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Escobar blocks an uppercut.
Portier blocks an elbow strike.

Escobar manages to break the clinch.
Escobar throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Portier scores with a jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Linkin Portier just about did enough to take it.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Escobar misses with a wild body shot.
Nice cross by Portier.
The fight stays on the outside here - Portier looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Escobar tried to score with a low kick but Portier checks it.
Escobar lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Portier throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Portier has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Escobar finds it's way round the side to connect with Portier's head.
Portier getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Portier tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Portier digs a good body shot into Escobar's ribs.
Portier misses with an uppercut. Escobar saw that one coming.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Escobar connects with a good right hand that stumbles Portier. Portier circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Escobar tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Portier is able to avoid easily.
A swing and a miss from Portier.
A slapping body kick lands there for Escobar.
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!
Portier fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Portier tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Escobar pivots, looking for a leg kick but Portier is out of range and Escobar settles back down.
Portier lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Escobar throws a big shot that misses.
Escobar has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Escobar there as he acknowledges the shot.
Escobar missing with a left hand there. Portier was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A good leg kick by Portier.
Escobar wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Portier walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Escobar swings for the body but Portier moves out of range.
Escobar tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Portier tries to close the distance and clinch but Escobar swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Escobar dodges the punch combination from Portier.
Escobar has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
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!
A slapping leg kick lands for Escobar.
Escobar throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Portier steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Escobar.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Portier misses with a straight right.
Escobar doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Escobar misses with a wild combination.
It seemed like Portier was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Portier throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Portier has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Escobar.
Portier pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Escobar back to the cage. Portier follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

Portier closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Portier tries to work over Escobar's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A short uppercut from Escobar.
Portier misses with the head strike.
Escobar lands with a short shot to the head.
Portier has a couple of punches blocked by Escobar.
Escobar fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Portier avoids a wild elbow strike from Escobar.
Portier swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Portier.
Portier scores with a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Escobar tries to break the clinch but Portier is controlling the position.

Escobar breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Portier lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Portier connects with a looping right hand.
Portier blocks a head kick by Escobar.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Escobar swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Portier clinches.
Escobar lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Portier can't find room to land a body shot as Escobar controls the action.
Escobar struggles to land a body shot inside as Portier controls his hands.

Escobar breaks the clinch.
Escobar keeps the fight on the outside.
Nice defenses there by Escobar.
Portier throws a lazy right hand but Escobar sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Portier blocks a leg kick.
Portier tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Escobar manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A chopping leg kick lands by Escobar.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Portier chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Escobar can pounce on him.
Portier connects with a good right hand that stumbles Escobar. Escobar circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Portier pushes Escobar up against the cage in a clinch.
Portier misses with a hook from the clinch.
Escobar working aggressively here.
Portier tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Escobar prevents a body shot from Portier.
Escobar lands an uppercut.
Portier swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Escobar wants to break the clinch but can't.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Escobar.
Portier tries to throw a body punch but Escobar avoids it by throwing Portier back against the cage.
Portier lands with a right to the head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Portier creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Escobar.
Escobar blocking some punches.
Portier's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Escobar pushes Portier back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Portier stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Linkin Portier will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Escobar's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Portier fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Escobar manages to avoid it.
Portier scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Portier misses with the combination.
Portier works over Escobar's head and body with a nice combination.
Escobar throws a body punch but Portier moves out of range.
Left hook, right uppercut from Portier.
Portier gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Escobar.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Escobar, right into the meat.
Portier throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Escobar slips a straight right by Portier.
Portier doesn't manage to clinch there - Escobar circles away.
Escobar misses with a wild combination.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Portier misses the jab.
Portier tries to clinch up
and Escobar counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Portier misses with a straight right.
Escobar avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Escobar lands a nice looking body shot.
Portier looks to score with a jab to the body but Escobar is just out of range.
Portier takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Portier takes a swing at Escobar's ribcage but misses.
Portier misses with a leg kick
and Escobar counters with a stiff right hand.
Portier swings for the body but Escobar moves out of range.
Escobar stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Portier swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Escobar throws a body punch but Portier moves out of range.
A jab from Portier does it's job there.
Portier throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Portier checks the leg kick nicely there.
Portier scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Escobar shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Portier throws a front kick aimed at Escobar's knee but Escobar avoids it well.
Escobar takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Escobar throws a low kick but Portier moves out of range easily.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Portier checks a leg kick.
Good leg kick by Portier there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Portier throws a right hand that Escobar ducks under and follows up with a left that Escobar also avoids with ease.
Portier throws a series of punches but Escobar moves out of range.
Escobar throws a jab when Portier was well out of range.
A bone on bone clash there as Escobar blocks the leg kick.
Escobar slips under a jab from Portier.
Portier throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Portier throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Escobar counters with a left and a right that stings Portier.
Decent striking displayed by Escobar there.
Pablo Escobar has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Escobar scoring well with a low kick there.
Portier throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Portier tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Escobar paws at him with a jab and circles away.
It looked like Escobar wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Escobar connects with a solid leg kick.
Escobar takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Portier checks a low kick from Escobar.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
A head punch on the inside from Portier fails to land.
Portier lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Escobar fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Escobar misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Escobar blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Portier fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Portier's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A right handed body shot lands from Escobar.
Portier is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Portier lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Escobar lands with a light punch inside.
Portier fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Nice body punch from Escobar.
Escobar tries a body shot but Portier blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A short right from Escobar.
Escobar lands a left hand that snaps the head of Portier backwards.
Escobar pushes Portier back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Escobar with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

Escobar manages to break the clinch.
Escobar swings for the body but Portier moves out of range.
Portier is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Portier lands a glancing blow to the side of Escobar's head.
Portier loads up on a big right hand but Escobar slips the punch.
Escobar circles away from the clinch attempt.
Portier slips under a jab from Escobar.
Escobar takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Portier is looking to clinch but Escobar is avoiding it.
A little feinted left hand from Escobar on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Escobar thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Portier if he has to take too many more of those.
Portier misses with an attempted mid kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Escobar connects with a leg kick. Portier looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Escobar keeps the fight on the outside.
A slow jab from Escobar misses its intended target.
Escobar scores with a nice right hand.

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 Pablo Escobar.
Well Portier has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 48:48
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 47:49
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Linkin Portier!
Linkin Portier is the new middleweight champion!
After winning the bout, Linkin Portier thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.