PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Piotr Escovedo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Roland Roundtree (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Escovedo
vs
Roundtree

189 cm
25
210 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

194 cm
25
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Self confident

BJJ White Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Piotr Escovedo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Roland Roundtree!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Michael Johnstone and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A head kick misses from Escovedo.
Escovedo throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Roundtree shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Roundtree was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Roundtree tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Roundtree working away.

Roundtree is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Escovedo is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Roundtree swings around for an armbar but Escovedo sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Roundtree's guard.
Roundtree keeping full guard, as Escovedo tries to pass.
Roundtree is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Escovedo pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Roundtree is keeping the position for now.

Roundtree working for submissions but it's allowed Escovedo to get to half guard.
Roundtree wants to control but Escovedo is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Escovedo stalling away here and it's allowed Roundtree to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Escovedo slips nicely into half guard, despite the strikes coming from Roundtree.

Roundtree has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Escovedo is on him like a limpet, forcing Roundtree back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Roundtree drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Escovedo manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
A right handed body shot lands from Escovedo.
Roundtree changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Escovedo fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Escovedo scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Escovedo not doing much here.
Roundtree is looking for a sweep. Escovedo is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Roundtree actively working from the bottom here.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Roundtree keeping control of the position.

Roundtree is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Escovedo pulls his head out easily.
Roundtree is looking for a sweep. Escovedo is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Escovedo is trying to control. Roundtree wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Escovedo wants to pass the guard but Roundtree is defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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.
Escovedo performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Escovedo seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Roundtree does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Roundtree looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Piotr Escovedo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Roland Roundtree.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Roundtree enables Escovedo to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Roundtree manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Escovedo seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Piotr Escovedo dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Escovedo bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Roundtree really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Escovedo. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Roundtree looking for a sweep but Escovedo has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Roundtree tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Escovedo content just to control the position here.
Roundtree can't escape the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Escovedo throws some wild stikes that Roundtree manages to avoid easily.
Escovedo thowing shots but they're missing.
Escovedo controlling the position easily from mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roundtree tries to reverse the position but Escovedo maintains control.
Escovedo controlling from the full mount.
Escovedo tries to control but Roundtree wriggling away.
Escovedo controlling the pace for now.
Roundtree is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Escovedo controlling the pace for now.
Escovedo wants to control the pace but Roundtree is squirming around nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Roundtree chipping away with body shots but they're not going to hurt Escovedo.
Roundtree is trying desperately to improve position.
Escovedo trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Roundtree tries to hold on but Escovedo postures up.
Escovedo with a couple of short strikes.
Escovedo sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Escovedo can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Roundtree is looking to escape.
Piotr Escovedo overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Escovedo misses with a head shot.
A nice elbow there by Escovedo.
Roundtree tries to hold on but Escovedo postures up.
Roundtree keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Escovedo can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Roundtree is looking to escape.
Roundtree really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Escovedo throwing strikes here but Roundtree is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Roundtree regains half guard.

Escovedo decides to stand and escape the position.

Roundtree scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Escovedo bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Escovedo is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Roundtree can do to turn this around?
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Piotr Escovedo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
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!
Roundtree moves out of range of the body kick from Escovedo.
And Roundtree tries to counter it with a takedown but Escovedo pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Escovedo looks for the body kick but Roundtree saw that one coming.

Escovedo scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Roundtree pushes Escovedo off and gets back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Piotr Escovedo dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Roundtree is trying hard to land a takedown here. Escovedo sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Escovedo digs a good body shot into Roundtree's ribs.
Escovedo misses with a head kick.

Escovedo gets caught flat footed, as Roundtree shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Escovedo kicks Roundtree off and gets to his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Escovedo looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Roundtree is trying to escape back to his feet but Escovedo uses the scramble to pass into side control.
Roundtree wants to control but Escovedo postures up.
Roundtree is looking to reverse the position.
Roundtree takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Roundtree is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Escovedo seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Escovedo seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Roundtree for as long as he can get away with.
Escovedo seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Roundtree does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Roundtree is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Escovedo's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Escovedo's back!
Escovedo tries to escape the position.

Escovedo defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Escovedo tries to roll but Roundtree sticks to his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Roundtree is persistently looking for the submission but Escovedo is defending it well.

Escovedo defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Escovedo is trying to break free.

Roundtree is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Escovedo can't escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Escovedo is trying to get back to his feet but Roundtree has full control of the position and if anything, Escovedo has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Roundtree has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Escovedo has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!

Escovedo is looking to stand back up. He's having to work hard to escape but eventually he manages it.
Escovedo moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Escovedo enables Roundtree to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Escovedo manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Escovedo is trying to control the position but Roundtree postures up.

Roundtree is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Escovedo is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Escovedo has escaped and now he's on top!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Roundtree looking for a sweep. Not yet Roundtree, not yet.
Escovedo wants to control from the top but Roundtree keeps moving.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Roundtree can do anything to dispel that myth.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Roundtree working for a triangle but Escovedo defends it easily.
Escovedo stays in close to Roundtree's body and controls the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Piotr Escovedo.
Well Escovedo 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 30:27
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Piotr Escovedo!