PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight kickboxing rules bout between Eric Esch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and George Peterson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). George Peterson has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Esch
vs
Peterson

180 cm
20
297 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

200 cm
20
295 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

World class boxer
Granite chin

Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Voodoo Nutrition
Urban Fighter

Hellbent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Eric Esch!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, George Peterson!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Stewart Dunkirk and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Esch swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Esch clinches up against the ropes.
Peterson misses with a punch to the body.
Peterson is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Esch can't break the clinch.
Esch misses with a body punch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Esch.
Peterson has Esch pushed against the ropes.
Esch blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Peterson lands with a short head shot on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Esch can't break the clinch.
Peterson blocking some punches.
Esch misses with a punch to the body.
Esch lands a body punch.
A nice left hand lands by Esch.

It looks like George Peterson has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esch tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Peterson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Peterson struggles to land a body shot inside as Esch controls his hands.
Esch misses with the head strike.
Esch blocks an uppercut.
Esch blocks an uppercut.
Esch can't find room to land a body shot as Peterson controls the action.
I was talking to Esch's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Esch pressing his opponent against the ropes.
Peterson is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
A shot in the inside from Peterson.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Peterson.
Esch wants to stall.
Peterson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Peterson taking a breather.
Peterson misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esch blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A nice left hand lands by Peterson.

It looks like Eric Esch has been cut.
Esch throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Petersons head.
Esch lands a hook that snaps the head of Peterson backwards.
Esch misses with a hook from the clinch.
Peterson lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Peterson lands a nice uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Esch lands with a light punch inside.
Peterson misses with a body punch.
Esch stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Peterson tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Esch's elbow.
Peterson keeps control of Esch as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
A hook to the body from Peterson.
Peterson misses with a body punch.
Esch makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Peterson misses with a short punch on the inside.
Esch misses with the head strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Eric Esch will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Peterson with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Peterson misses with a shot to the body
and Esch counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Esch tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Peterson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Peterson misses with a head kick.
Esch is looking to clinch.
Esch ducks under a wild hook from Peterson.
Esch lands with a straight right. Peterson didn't see that one coming.
We've been informed that Peterson has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Esch checks a leg kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Esch looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Peterson! But no joy.
Esch tries to clinch but Peterson moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Esch darts in and clinches Peterson up against the ropes.

Esch breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Peterson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Esch moves in looking to clinch but Peterson pushes him off.
Esch connects with a right hand. Peterson shakes it off.
Esch checks the leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Peterson.
Peterson takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Peterson checks a leg kick nicely.
Peterson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Esch manages to avoid it.
Esch tries to clinch there but Peterson circles away.
Peterson thuds his right hand into Esch's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Peterson scores with a nice right hand.
Esch stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Esch looks to throw the jab but Peterson is out of range.

Peterson walks into a straight right hand and goes down! Esch rushes to a neutral corner so the count doesn't get delayed but Peterson has made it back to his feet on 5. He's OK so we're back to the action.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Esch moves out of range as Peterson strikes.
Eric Esch is winning the standup battle so far.
Peterson scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Esch doesn't seem bothered though.
The fighters circling - Esch throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

Esch cracks Peterson with a perfect right hand that drops him to the mat! Peterson is sitting up but I can't see if he's OK from my position. The referee's count has reached 5,6,7 and Peterson is still not up. Can he make it? 8,9, he's up! Wow, he cut that one a bit fine!

Peterson is rocked!
Esch just misses with a punch to the body.
Peterson is still on wobbly legs! Can Esch finish him?
Peterson's corner calls for a 1-2. Peterson obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Peterson seems to have recovered his senses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Peterson pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Esch back to the ropes. Peterson follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Esch lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Peterson connects with a solid leg kick.
Peterson throws a head kick that misses.
Esch is looking for a counter combo.

Esch closes the distance and pushes Peterson back into the ropes.
Peterson has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Peterson has a couple of punches blocked by Esch.
Esch swings wildly with an uppercut but Peterson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Esch blocking some punches.
Esch working aggressively here.
Peterson's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

That has opened up George Peterson's cut even more.

Esch breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Esch swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Esch connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Esch takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Peterson jabbing away but nothing is landing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eric Esch takes the second round thanks to the knockdowns.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Esch throws a lazy right hand but Peterson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Esch throws a lazy right hand but Peterson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Peterson has closed the distance and engaged Esch in a clinch.
Peterson misses with the head strike.
Esch softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Peterson.
Esch is trying to maintain a safe position but Peterson gets an underhook and turns Esch into the ropes.
A nice right hand lands inside from Esch.
Peterson misses with a punch on the inside.
Peterson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Peterson lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Esch is trying to break free.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Peterson gets through Esch's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Peterson has a couple of punches blocked by Esch.
Esch is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Peterson misses with the head strike.
Peterson scores with a hook to the body.
Peterson has a couple of punches blocked by Esch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Esch.
Esch has a couple of punches blocked by Peterson.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Peterson.
Peterson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Peterson lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Peterson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Nice body punch from Esch.
Esch misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nice body punch from Esch.
Esch holding his opponent close, against the ropes.
Peterson swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Esch swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Esch trying to control the position but instead, Peterson has worked for underhooks and has pushed Esch into the ropes.
Peterson works on Esch's body with a couple of short punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Peterson slows down the pace here.

Esch's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Esch swings for the body but Peterson moves out of range.
Peterson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Esch.
Peterson throws a leg kick
and Esch counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Peterson defending well as Esch loads up on a big left hand.
Esch throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Peterson throws a leg kick but Esch checks it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Peterson swats away the attempt to clinch by Esch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Esch looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but George Peterson just about did enough to take it.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Back to the action!

Peterson lands a lovely overhand right.
A looping hook to the body misses from Peterson. Esch does a little dance to reset his feet.

Esch has taken the fight to the clinch.
Esch working aggressively here.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Esch blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Peterson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Peterson misses with a hook from the clinch.
Esch wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Peterson has him pressed against the ropes.
Peterson lands with a short head shot on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Peterson lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Esch taking a breather.
Peterson blocks an uppercut.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
A nice right hand lands inside from Esch.
Peterson misses with the head strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Peterson swings wildly with an uppercut but Esch uses good head movement to avoid it.
Peterson blocks an uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Peterson.
Esch lands an uppercut.
Esch prevents a body shot from Peterson.
Esch blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Esch scores with a nice hook to the head.
Esch doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Esch is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Peterson is keeping busy.
Peterson tries to stall but Esch uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
A bit of stalling here from Esch.
Esch scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Peterson misses with a short punch on the inside.
Stalling in the clinch from Peterson.
A short right from Peterson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Peterson blocking some punches.
Peterson scores with a shoulder strike.
Peterson throws a head punch that misses.
Peterson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Peterson misses with a punch on the inside.
Peterson has a couple of punches blocked by Esch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Esch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A head punch on the inside from Peterson fails to land.
Peterson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Esch blocks an uppercut.
Esch working aggressively here.
Esch misses with a short punch on the inside.
Esch takes a shot to the head.
Peterson misses with some punches.
Peterson struggles to land a body shot inside as Esch controls his hands.
Esch lands an uppercut.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Peterson as Esch tries to tie him up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but George Peterson will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Esch lands a glancing blow to the side of Peterson's head.
Esch is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Peterson tries to clinch but Esch is having none of it.
Esch is looking for a counter combo.
Esch doesn't manage to clinch there - Peterson circles away.

Peterson gets tackled into the ropes by Esch. Esch maintains the clinch.
Esch misses with a hook to the ribs.
Esch lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Peterson or not.
Peterson misses with a punch on the inside.
Esch blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Esch creates a bit of space and cracks Peterson with an uppercut that drops him to the canvas! Peterson is wobbled and seems to be struggling to get back to his feet. 3,4,5. He's up! Phew, his manager will be relieved but they're no doubt wondering whether he'll be able to recover properly and get back in the fight!

Esch clinches up with Peterson and pushes him back against the ropes.
Esch blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Peterson tries to stall but Esch uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Esch.
Peterson tries to work over Esch's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esch scores with a shoulder strike.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Esch is trying to break the clinch but Peterson is controlling him.
Esch is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Peterson can do to turn this around?
Peterson has Esch pressed against the ropes, preventing Esch from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Esch.
Peterson holding his opponent close, against the ropes.
Peterson misses with a body punch.
Peterson tries to work over Esch's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Eric Esch has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Peterson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Esch's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Esch swings for the body but Peterson moves out of range.
Peterson fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Esch has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Peterson scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Esch tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Peterson counters with a straight right hand.
George Peterson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esch tries to clinch up but Peterson circles away and keeps his distance.
Esch tries to close the distance and clinch up but Peterson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Peterson avoids the body shot from Esch.
Peterson unleashes a big counter combination but Esch bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Esch dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Peterson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Peterson trying to stall but Esch improves his position.
Peterson scores with a shot to the side of Esch's head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The referee calls for Esch to work.
Peterson blocks an uppercut.
Peterson prevents a body shot from Esch.
Peterson lands a hook to the side of the head.
Peterson swings wildly with an uppercut but Esch uses good head movement to avoid it.
Peterson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

And that's the end of the fight!
Eric Esch showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Esch has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 48:43
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 48:43
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 48:43

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eric Esch!
Eric Esch decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.