PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jake Theodorou (ranked 1056 p4p, 148 weight class) and Javier Esposito (ranked 1098 p4p, 156 weight class). Javier Esposito has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Theodorou
vs
Esposito

185 cm
38
214 lbs
32 - 14 - 1

186 cm
31
205 lbs
15 - 8 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Aspire Clothing

KAISER Nutrition - Q160

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 32 - 14 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jake Theodorou!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Javier Esposito!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Don Winkell and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Theodorou's jab looks to have found its range, popping Esposito under the eye.
Theodorou with a nice cross.

It looks like Javier Esposito has been cut.

Theodorou scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Still in half guard, Theodorou seems content to control.
Theodorou throws a strike but Esposito avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Esposito wants to sweep but no luck.
Theodorou throwing strikes from guard but Esposito blocks nicely.
Theodorou is fighting to break Esposito's control of his arms but Esposito is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Esposito wants to sweep but no luck.
Theodorou is looking to work some ground and pound but Esposito has wrist control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Esposito trying to control the position.
Theodorou has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Theodorou works over Esposito with some ground and pound from guard.
Theodorou wants to control from the top but Esposito keeps moving.
Theodorou postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Esposito is on top in guard.

Theodorou has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Esposito not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Theodorou has his hands on Esposito's head, controlling the position.
Esposito controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Theodorou preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Theodorou pulls Esposito in close to prevent any damage.
Theodorou continues to stall.
Esposito trying to control but Theodorou is working from the bottom.
Theodorou looking for a sweep. Not yet Theodorou, not yet.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esposito wants to control from the top but Theodorou keeps moving.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Theodorou lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Esposito looking to land some kicks to the body here.
A solid leg kick lands there for Esposito.
Esposito fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Theodorou has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

Theodorou gets a double leg takedown into Esposito's guard.
Theodorou postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Esposito looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Esposito pulls Theodorou in close to prevent any damage.
Theodorou won't allow Esposito to sweep him here.
Theodorou chips away with some ground and pound.
Esposito wants to sweep here but Theodorou controlling him for the moment.
Theodorou throwing strikes from guard but Esposito blocks nicely.

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

Theodorou trying to control the position here.
Theodorou lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Theodorou scoring with punches to the head and body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Theodorou with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Esposito has his hands on Theodorou's head, controlling the position.
Esposito bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Theodorou's guard.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jake Theodorou dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Javier Esposito's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Esposito rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Theodorou moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Theodorou throws an overhand right that lands on Esposito's shoulder, as Esposito tries to avoid the shot.
Theodorou misses with a straight left.
Theodorou shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Esposito as he avoids it easily.
Esposito gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Theodorou.
Esposito bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Theodorou moves out of range of the strikes.
A jab from Theodorou misses.
Esposito feints a counter leg kick.
Good leg kick by Esposito there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Theodorou throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Esposito sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Esposito is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Esposito turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Esposito throws a body punch but Theodorou moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Esposito slips a jab from Theodorou.
Theodorou dives in for a single leg takedown but Esposito sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Theodorou pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Esposito tries a quick counter leg kick but Theodorou is wise to it.

Theodorou dives in and scores a takedown into Esposito's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Esposito has Theodorou pulled in close to control his posture.
Jake Theodorou overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esposito wants to sweep here but Theodorou controlling him for the moment.
Theodorou trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Theodorou throws a big right hand that misses.
Esposito looking for a sweep. Not yet Esposito, not yet.
Theodorou trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Esposito is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Esposito is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Esposito looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Theodorou throwing strikes but missing.
Theodorou throws a big right hand that misses.
Esposito preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Theodorou lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Esposito not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Esposito is controlling Theodorou's posture.
Esposito is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Esposito is on top in guard.

Esposito postures up and lands a big shot to Theodorou's brow.
Theodorou preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Theodorou wants to sweep but no luck.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Theodorou is on top in guard.

Esposito keeping moving, preventing Theodorou from controlling successfully.
Esposito avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Esposito keeping moving, preventing Theodorou from controlling successfully.
Theodorou works over Esposito with some ground and pound from guard.
Esposito looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Theodorou with a flurry of punches that miss.
Esposito utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Esposito tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Theodorou is working Esposito over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Theodorou throwing strikes from guard but Esposito blocks nicely.
Theodorou postures up in Esposito's guard and throws a big left but Esposito blocks it.
Theodorou wants to control from the top but Esposito keeps moving.
Esposito is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Theodorou is controlling him.
Theodorou trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Theodorou preventing the sweep.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Esposito trying to keep a closed guard but Theodorou is proving a slippery customer.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Theodorou is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Esposito can do to turn this around?
Esposito lands with a thumping leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jake Theodorou dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Javier Esposito's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Theodorou changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Esposito tries to avoid it but Theodorou manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Esposito to the ground. Esposito escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Theodorou has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Theodorou there as he acknowledges the shot.
Theodorou closes the distance and clinches up with Esposito, looking for a takedown. Theodorou pushes Esposito against the cage but Esposito circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Esposito was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.

Theodorou manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Esposito on his heels. He'll look to pass Esposito's guard now, I'm sure.
Theodorou lands a couple of elbows.
Theodorou pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Esposito is keeping the position for now.
Theodorou trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Esposito pulls Theodorou in to control the position.
Theodorou trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Esposito looking for a sweep. Not yet Esposito, not yet.
Esposito trying to control the position.
Esposito managing to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Theodorou throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Esposito works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Theodorou accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Theodorou throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Esposito works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Esposito keeping moving, preventing Theodorou from controlling successfully.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Esposito manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Theodorou manages to get himself to full guard.

Theodorou utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Esposito throws a big right hand that misses.
Esposito's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Theodorou wants to sweep here but Esposito controlling him for the moment.
Javier Esposito has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esposito scoring with punches to the head and body.
Esposito passes Theodorou's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Theodorou wants to control but Esposito is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Theodorou keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Esposito is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Esposito seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Theodorou gets full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esposito slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Esposito won't allow Theodorou to sweep him here.
Theodorou keeping moving, preventing Esposito from controlling successfully.
Esposito preventing the sweep.
Theodorou is working hard here to advance position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Javier Esposito seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Esposito stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Esposito wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jake Theodorou. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A leg kick checked by Theodorou.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Esposito, as that shot connected.

It looks like Jake Theodorou has been cut.
Theodorou shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Esposito sprawls well. Esposito wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Theodorou gets slowly back to his feet.
Theodorou backing away here, and Esposito unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esposito takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Esposito lands a leg kick that knocks Theodorou off balance momentarily.
Theodorou misses with a wild body shot.
Esposito connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Theodorou drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Esposito takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Jake Theodorou is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Esposito takes a swing at Theodorou's ribcage but misses.
Theodorou closes the distance and clinches up with Esposito, looking for a takedown. Theodorou pushes Esposito against the cage but Esposito circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Theodorou throws a leg kick

so Esposito counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Esposito in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Theodorou is on top in guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Javier Esposito comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Theodorou has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jake Theodorou!
A relieved looking Jake Theodorou thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.