PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Aires Esposito (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kawaki Inoshita (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Esposito
vs
Inoshita

175 cm
25
165 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

213 cm
24
166 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Aires Esposito!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kawaki Inoshita!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Jack Bonds and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Inoshita drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Esposito keeping his opponent close.
Esposito is trying to control Inoshita's posture but Inoshita avoids it.
Inoshita in the domination position with Esposito hanging on.
Inoshita works to advance to full mount. Esposito defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Esposito tries to buck Inoshita off but he can't manage it.
Esposito is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Inoshita controlling his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esposito is looking to improve his position but Inoshita isn't that keen on the idea.
Inoshita controlling from mount.
Esposito regains half guard.
Esposito might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Esposito is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Esposito trying to control but Inoshita postures up.
Esposito is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Esposito controlling the position for now.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Inoshita trying to pass the guard but Esposito defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Well, if Inoshita is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Esposito manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Inoshita on his heels. He'll look to pass Inoshita's guard now, I'm sure.
Inoshita is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Inoshita managing to control the position.
Esposito trying to control but Inoshita is working from the bottom.
Inoshita has a closed guard, preventing Esposito from standing up.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Esposito trying to control the position from guard on top but Inoshita is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Inoshita is on top in guard.

Esposito has Inoshita pulled in close to control his posture.
Esposito's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Inoshita trying to control but Esposito is working from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Inoshita is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kawaki Inoshita dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Inoshita stuffs the takedown.
Inoshita doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Esposito shoots in and drives through. Inoshita sprawls well.

Inoshita closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Esposito's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Inoshita slips nicely into half guard, despite the strikes coming from Esposito.
Inoshita content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Esposito keeps control of the position for the meantime.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Inoshita is keen to just control but Esposito is a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Inoshita prevents Esposito from improving his position.
Inoshita passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Esposito!
Inoshita controlling the pace for now.
Inoshita avoids the attempt from Esposito to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Inoshita controlling the position easily from mount.
Inoshita avoids the attempt from Esposito to control.
Esposito working to try and regain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esposito wants to control but Inoshita is having none of it.
Inoshita controlling the pace for now.
Esposito really wants to buck Inoshita off and get back to his feet.
Inoshita controlling the position easily from mount.
Esposito is trying to escape the mount.

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.
Inoshita controlling his opponent.
Esposito wants to control but Inoshita is having none of it.
Inoshita controlling the position easily from mount.
Esposito tries to hold on but Inoshita postures up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Esposito is trying desperately to improve position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kawaki Inoshita showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Esposito looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Esposito fails with a takedown attempt.
Esposito shoots and misses

and Inoshita counters with a shoot takedown. Esposito fights it but they end up in guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aires Esposito. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Esposito trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Inoshita sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Esposito trying to keep a closed guard but Inoshita is proving a slippery customer.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Esposito is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esposito is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Esposito trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Esposito is adopting a defensive guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Inoshita closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Esposito did well to prevent Inoshita getting side control.
Esposito is trying to get back to full guard.
Esposito looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esposito wants to get back to full guard.
Esposito tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Inoshita keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Esposito is trying to maintain the position but Inoshita is very close to passing his half guard.
Esposito flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Esposito misses with some strikes from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Esposito fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Esposito closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Esposito is trying to control the action in half guard but Inoshita is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Inoshita wants to improve his position but Esposito is controlling well.
Esposito missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Esposito seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Inoshita blocking the ground and pound attempt from Esposito.
Inoshita is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esposito sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Inoshita defending well though.
Esposito looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

Esposito is working for a kimura but Inoshita is defending it quite comfortably.
Inoshita preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Esposito seems to be working for a kimura but Inoshita defends the submission attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Kawaki Inoshita.
Well Inoshita 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight for Kawaki Inoshita!
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight for Kawaki Inoshita!
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight for Kawaki Inoshita!

Kawaki Inoshita wins by unanimous decision!