PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Gordon Lamond (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gerard Esqueda (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Esqueda is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Cant del Barça. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Lamond
vs
Esqueda

171 cm
31
168 lbs
15 - 10 - 0

179 cm
38
155 lbs
37 - 22 - 2

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Granite chin

Arcticus University: London

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 15 - 10 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Gordon Lamond!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 37 - 22 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, Gerard Esqueda!
The judges for this bout are Roger Salmon, Colin Fray and Jeff Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Esqueda scores with a nice right hand.
Lamond throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Esqueda on the side of the head.
Esqueda throws a shot from downtown. Lamond moves away and avoids it.
Lamond misses with a body shot
and Esqueda counters with a nice low kick that buckles Lamond's knee momentarily.
Esqueda throws a leg kick but Lamond moved away.

Lamond moves into range and clinches up with Esqueda.
Lamond working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Esqueda lands an uppercut.
Esqueda can't get the takedown.
Lamond gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Esqueda.
A shot in the inside from Esqueda.
Lamond using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lamond creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Esqueda's defenses.

It looks like Gerard Esqueda has been cut.
A shot in the inside from Lamond.
Esqueda pushes Lamond back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Esqueda is trying to break the clinch but Lamond has him pressed against the cage.
Esqueda takes a knee right on the jaw!
Lamond blocks an uppercut.
Lamond pushes Esqueda back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Lamond unloads a knee to the mid-section. Esqueda lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Lamond lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Esqueda has hold of one of Lamond's legs. Lamond is fighting the takedown attempt but Esqueda gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Lamond is pulling down on Esqueda's head to control his posture.
Lamond keeping full guard, as Esqueda tries to pass.
Esqueda throwing strikes from guard but Lamond blocks nicely.
Lamond avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Esqueda trying to control the position from guard on top but Lamond is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lamond is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Lamond preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Esqueda advances position into side control!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Lamond defending against the ground and pound.
Esqueda creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Lamond sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
You can see the frustration on Lamond's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The strikes coming from Esqueda are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Esqueda wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lamond keeps working.
Esqueda tries to score with some ground and pound. Lamond controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Esqueda wants to control but Lamond is keeping him busy.
Esqueda has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Esqueda is trying to get an arm triangle but Lamond is defending well.
Lamond struggling a bit here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda tries to advance to mount but Lamond denies him.
Esqueda trying to control the position but Lamond is working away.
Lamond tries to escape but Esqueda is in control.
Lamond parries the strikes from Esqueda easily there. Esqueda is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Lamond to escape.
Lamond is not content to let Esqueda control the position.
An elbow from Esqueda crashes against the mat.
Esqueda is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Lamond's shoulder. That is not cool.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
The ground and pound from Esqueda seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Lamond is looking for a sweep.
Check out the look on Esqueda's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!

Esqueda tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
My spies in All Elite Coach Specialist inform me that Esqueda has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Lamond trying to remain calm as Esqueda controls from the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Esqueda wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lamond keeps working.
Esqueda throws an elbow but Lamond slips to the side and avoids it well.
Esqueda tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Esqueda trying to control the action but Lamond is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gerard Esqueda dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Gerard Esqueda's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Esqueda scores with a jab to the head.
Esqueda throws a body shot but no joy.
Esqueda misses with a looping left.
Esqueda pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A slow jab from Lamond misses its intended target.
Lamond looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Gerard Esqueda seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Esqueda takes a kick to the side of the head.
Lamond wants to clinch up but Esqueda keeps it at a distance.
Esqueda lands a front kick.
Esqueda throws a head kick that misses.
Lamond lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Lamond is looking to slow Esqueda down with leg kicks.
Esqueda fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Esqueda fails to land the takedown.
Esqueda fails with a takedown attempt.
Gordon Lamond is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lamond takes a swing at Esqueda's ribcage but misses.
Lamond doesn't manage to clinch there - Esqueda circles away.
Esqueda misses with a double jab.
Good leg kick by Esqueda there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Lamond steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Esqueda. That one must have hurt.
Lamond takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Good work by Lamond as he checks the leg kick.
Esqueda lands with a nice body kick.
Lamond misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Esqueda steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Lamond.
A big right from Esqueda misses.
Lamond connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Esqueda's hands.
Esqueda ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Lamond tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Esqueda was well out of range. Poor timing from Lamond.
Lamond fails in his attempt to clinch.
Esqueda swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Horrible takedown attempt by Esqueda or perhaps it was just good defense by Lamond, which made it look bad.
Gordon Lamond has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gerard Esqueda.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Lamond scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Lamond throws a jab when Esqueda was well out of range.
Lamond chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Esqueda can pounce on him.
Esqueda throws a leg kick but Lamond sees it coming and moves out of range.
Esqueda misses with a looping left.
Lamond throws a jab but it's blocked by Esqueda.
Esqueda scores with a nice right hand.
Esqueda shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Lamond as he jumps to the side.
Esqueda circles away from the clinch attempt.
A big left from Lamond misses.
Lamond tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Lamond takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Esqueda avoids the body shot from Lamond.
Esqueda loads up on a big right hand but Lamond slips the punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Lamond. Esqueda does a little dance to reset his feet.
Lamond doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Esqueda misses with a right hand
and Lamond counters with a lovely shot to the body.

Esqueda gets tackled into the cage by Lamond. Lamond maintains the clinch.
Esqueda misses with a hook to the ribs.
A nice left hand lands by Esqueda.
Esqueda is looking to take this one to the mat.
Esqueda changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Lamond fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Lamond throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Lamond takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Esqueda cracks Lamond with a good jab.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Lamond lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Esqueda has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Esqueda and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Esqueda throws a body shot but no joy.
Lamond tests Esqueda's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Esqueda throws a good cross that connects.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lamond walks into a straight right hand from Esqueda.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lamond tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Esqueda manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Esqueda scores with a jab.
Esqueda throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Esqueda buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Esqueda has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Esqueda steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Lamond.
Esqueda misses with an attempted mid kick.
Lamond takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Esqueda throws a body shot but no joy.
Lamond is looking to clinch.
Esqueda fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Lamond listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

Lamond clinches.
Esqueda lands with a light punch inside.
Lamond creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Esqueda's defenses.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lamond throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Esqueda blocks it with crossed arms.
Esqueda lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Lamond backwards.
Esqueda lands an uppercut.
Lamond scores with a shoulder strike.
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 cut man is working on Gerard Esqueda's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Lamond is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Esqueda lands with a thumping leg kick.
Esqueda swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Esqueda throws a body kick that misses.
Esqueda throws a nice outside leg kick.
Esqueda just misses with a punch to the body.
Esqueda keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Esqueda looks for a takedown but Lamond sprawls well.
Lamond lands with a nice body punch.
Gerard Esqueda seems to be getting the better of the standup.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lamond fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Esqueda looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Esqueda connects with a leg kick. Lamond looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Lamond tries to clinch there but Esqueda circles away.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Esqueda, right into the meat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A good leg kick by Esqueda.

Lamond gets a clinch.

Esqueda's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Lamond has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Lamond there as he acknowledges the shot.
Esqueda has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Lamond is looking to clinch but Esqueda is avoiding it.
Lamond tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Esqueda was well out of range. Poor timing from Lamond.
Lamond misses with a straight right.
Esqueda looks to land a body kick but Lamond moved away.
Esqueda lands an overhand right.
Lamond avoids a kick to the body.
Esqueda takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Esqueda swats away the attempt to clinch by Lamond.
Lamond ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Esqueda moves away.
An inside leg kick lands from Esqueda.
Good exchange - Esqueda coming out on top.
Lamond is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Esqueda jabs Lamond right on the nose. Lamond blinks but takes it well.
Gordon Lamond has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two 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!
Jab, jab by Lamond - just one landing.
Lamond throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Esqueda lands a jab to Lamond's midsection.
Esqueda is looking to score with low kicks.
Lamond is looking to wear down Esqueda with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Lamond on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Lamond uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Esqueda.
Lamond lands a really nice looking cross but Esqueda seems unphased.
Lamond lands with an uppercut that bounces Esqueda off the cage and back into range.
Esqueda uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Lamond.
Lamond feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Esqueda's calf.
Esqueda works Lamond's body with a nice hook.
Lamond throws a jab but it's blocked by Esqueda.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Esqueda.
Esqueda throws a shot from downtown. Lamond moves away and avoids it.
Lamond swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Esqueda avoids the head kick by Lamond.
Gerard Esqueda is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Lamond closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lamond wants to clinch up but Esqueda keeps it at a distance.
Esqueda chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Lamond can pounce on him.
Lamond throws a lazy right hand but Esqueda sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Lamond staying out of range there.
A head kick misses from Lamond.
Esqueda fails with a takedown attempt.
Esqueda looks to land a body kick but Lamond moved away.
Esqueda avoids the body shot from Lamond.
Esqueda only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Lamond takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Lamond lands the left hand.
Esqueda uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Lamond.
Lamond tries to close the distance and clinch up but Esqueda swats him away and circles back towards the center.
It seemed like Esqueda was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Esqueda fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Lamond looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
A jab from Lamond misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Lamond.
Esqueda lands a nice leg kick that just misses Lamond's sensitive parts.
Esqueda uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Lamond.
Lamond takes a kick to the side of the head.
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!
Esqueda is looking to slow Lamond down with leg kicks.
Esqueda throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Lamond.
Lamond ducks right into an uppercut from Esqueda.
Esqueda throws a solid leg kick but Lamond takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Esqueda.
As Esqueda tries to get set, Lamond tries to push him back and clinch up but Esqueda manages to avoid the attempt.
Esqueda lands with a thumping leg kick.
Lamond displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Lamond throws a shot from downtown. Esqueda moves away and avoids it.
Esqueda thows a leg kick but Lamond checks it
and Lamond counters with a nice leg kick.
Esqueda feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Lamond's calf.
Esqueda just misses with a punch to the body.
Esqueda's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Lamond connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Esqueda scrambles back to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Esqueda throws a leg kick that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gerard Esqueda comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Esqueda winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Roger Salmon scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gerard Esqueda!
During a confident post fight interview, Gerard Esqueda thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.