PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Javier Esposito (ranked 447 p4p, 69 weight class) and Katsu Laoka (ranked 460 p4p, 70 weight class). Laoka has chosen The Bell Tolls as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Esposito
vs
Laoka

186 cm
30
205 lbs
14 - 6 - 0

188 cm
37
205 lbs
28 - 14 - 5

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

KAISER Nutrition - Q160

IniTech Nutrition
Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Javier Esposito!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 14 - 5, fighting out of Las Vegas, Katsu Laoka!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Jack Bonds and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Esposito scores with a body shot.
Laoka has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Laoka fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Esposito looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Laoka wants to clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Laoka looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
The fighters circle momentarily. Esposito darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Laoka fails with an attempt to clinch.
Esposito feinted with a counter takedown.

Laoka rushes Esposito and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Esposito breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Esposito takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Esposito throws a half hearted mid kick.
Esposito takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Laoka feints and then cracks Esposito's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Esposito down.
Esposito ducks right into an uppercut from Laoka.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Esposito throws a hook to the side of Laoka's head but Laoka sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laoka tries to clinch but Esposito is having none of it.
Esposito throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Esposito throws a head kick but Laoka moves out of range.
And Laoka tries to counter it with a takedown but Esposito pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Laoka misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Esposito.
Esposito slips under a jab.
Laoka blocks a low kick nicely.
Esposito's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Laoka connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Esposito scrambles back to his feet.
Laoka misses with a looping left.
Laoka throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Esposito lands a really nice looking cross but Laoka seems unphased.
Esposito connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Esposito jabs Laoka to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Esposito defending well as Laoka loads up on a big left hand.
Esposito pivots, looking for a leg kick but Laoka is out of range and Esposito settles back down.
Laoka shapes to counter with a head kick.
Laoka throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Laoka tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Laoka takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Laoka misses with the combination.
Esposito wants to land a leg kick but Laoka is out of range.
Esposito swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Katsu Laoka seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Esposito attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Laoka slaps away a takedown attempt from Esposito, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Laoka with the counter takedown but Esposito avoids it easily.
Esposito throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Laoka's waist but Laoka gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Esposito off to one side.
Nice shot lands for Laoka.
Esposito ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Laoka moves away.
Laoka bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Esposito throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Laoka jabs Esposito right on the nose. Esposito blinks but takes it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Laoka gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Esposito blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Laoka content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Laoka content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Laoka looking to stall.
Laoka tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Esposito's elbow.
Esposito's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Laoka prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Javier Esposito. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Esposito gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.

Laoka manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Laoka wants to land a leg kick but Esposito is out of range.
Laoka misses with an uppercut. Esposito saw that one coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Laoka misses

and Esposito counters with a takedown into side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Laoka is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Esposito has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Esposito trying to control the action but Laoka is working from the bottom.
Esposito throws an elbow but Laoka slips to the side and avoids it well.
Esposito lands a decent elbow from side control.
Esposito lands a nice forearm strike.
Laoka is pushing Esposito's head away, looking to escape. Esposito manages to hold on to the position though.
Esposito working the ground and pound.
Esposito in side control, throwing shots but Laoka defends.
Esposito is looking to take a break and control but Laoka is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Katsu Laoka will probably get the nod.
That's time! Esposito's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Laoka getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Laoka misses with a straight right.
Esposito fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Laoka looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Katsu Laoka seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Laoka misses with a low kick.
Laoka looks to land a right hand but Esposito moved out of range.
Laoka ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Laoka looks to throw a body kick

and Esposito counters with a single leg into guard. Laoka didn't expect that.
Laoka is looking to stand up but Esposito isn't so interested in that idea.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Esposito postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Esposito trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Esposito won't allow Laoka to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laoka avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Esposito is in close to Laoka's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Laoka wants to get back to his feet but Esposito is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Laoka working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Esposito.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Laoka is looking to stand up but Esposito isn't so interested in that idea.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Esposito throws a big elbow that misses.
Esposito working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Laoka moves out of range as Esposito throws a body kick.
Esposito uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Laoka.
Laoka ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laoka looks to score with a jab to the body but Esposito is just out of range.

Esposito moves into the clinch successfully.
Esposito throws a head punch that misses.
Laoka looking to throw knees to the head but Esposito is blocking nicely.
Esposito is working for takedown but Laoka is calmly controlling the position for now.
Laoka has Esposito pressed against the cage.
Esposito dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Laoka misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Esposito.
Laoka lands a hook to the side of the head.
Come on Laoka - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Laoka throws a head punch that misses.
Laoka lands a nice uppercut.
Laoka lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Esposito swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esposito taking a breather.
Esposito is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Laoka lands a knee to the body.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Laoka creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A short left from Laoka.
Esposito tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A short uppercut from Esposito.
Laoka works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Esposito gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Laoka regains guard.
Laoka is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Esposito is controlling him.
Esposito wants to control from the top but Laoka keeps moving.
Laoka preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Laoka has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Esposito has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
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!

Esposito's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Esposito throws a shot from downtown. Laoka moves away and avoids it.
Esposito ducks under a wild hook from Laoka.
Esposito closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Laoka with a hook.
Laoka takes a swing at Esposito's ribcage but misses.
Laoka ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Esposito moves away.
Laoka keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Laoka throws a jab but it's blocked by Esposito.
Esposito punishes Laoka's body with a nice straight punch.
Esposito lands the left hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Katsu Laoka showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Laoka ducks under a wild hook from Esposito.
Esposito takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Esposito with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Laoka takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Laoka throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Laoka looks to score with a jab to the body but Esposito is just out of range.
Good leg kick by Laoka there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Laoka throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Laoka chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Esposito works Laoka's body with a nice hook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Esposito takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Esposito cracks a nice hook into Laoka's ribs.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Laoka throws the kick towards the body but Esposito avoids it.
Esposito half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Esposito misses with a wild body shot.
Laoka moves out of range of the body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laoka misses with a low kick.
Laoka swings for the body but Esposito moves out of range.
Esposito swings for the body but Laoka moves out of range.
Esposito throws a head kick but Laoka moves out of range.
A countering left hand to the body from Laoka misses.
Laoka scores with a hook to the body. Esposito takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Nice shot by Laoka.
Laoka scores with a crisp jab that stopped Esposito in his tracks.

Esposito is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Laoka's half guard.
Laoka is trying to stand back up but Esposito is controlling him

Laoka pushes Esposito off and gets back to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Laoka avoids the head kick by Esposito.
Laoka misses the shot to the body.
A quick step to the side and Esposito tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Javier Esposito has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esposito changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Laoka tries to avoid it but Esposito manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Laoka to the ground. Laoka escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Laoka appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Esposito fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Esposito is looking to wear down Laoka with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
A nice inside leg kick there by Laoka. That's going to slow Esposito down.
Esposito shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Laoka on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Esposito. Esposito obviously looking to wear him down.
Laoka scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Laoka staying out of range there.
Laoka cracks Esposito with a right hand to the side of the head.
Laoka wants to clinch up but Esposito keeps it at a distance.
Esposito looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Laoka defending well as Esposito loads up on a big left hand.
Laoka with the counter takedown but Esposito avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esposito buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Esposito has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Esposito there as he acknowledges the shot.
Laoka misses with a low kick as Esposito jumps back.
Esposito is looking to land body kicks.
Laoka looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Esposito half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
The fighters circling - Laoka throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Esposito on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Laoka. Laoka obviously looking to wear him down.
Esposito throws a body shot but no joy.
Laoka fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Esposito misses with a low kick.
Laoka loads up on a big right hand but Esposito slips the punch.
Esposito changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Esposito tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Esposito misses with a body shot
and Laoka counters with an outside leg kick.
Laoka thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esposito drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Laoka doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Esposito on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Esposito misses with a body shot
and Laoka makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Esposito misses with a head kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Laoka just misses with a punch to the body.
Esposito shoots in but Laoka avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Katsu Laoka is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Javier Esposito. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Laoka scores with a push kick.
A head kick misses from Laoka.
Esposito doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Laoka connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Laoka cracks Esposito with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

And that's the end of the fight!
Katsu Laoka comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Laoka 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Katsu Laoka!
Katsu Laoka bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.