PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Justin Midget (ranked 2121 p4p, 214 weight class) and Dante Esposito (ranked 1497 p4p, 158 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Midget
vs
Esposito

160 cm
32
160 lbs
16 - 8 - 0

178 cm
28
161 lbs
17 - 8 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Aspire Nutrition

Aspire Clothing
Conviction

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 16 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Justin Midget!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Dante Esposito !
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Jonathan Paton and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A slapping leg kick lands for Esposito .
Midget avoids a punch combination nicely.
Midget tries to counter with a takedown but Esposito is quick to defend against it.
Midget has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Esposito .
Esposito throws a leg kick

and Midget counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Esposito preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Midget is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at Midnight MMA that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
Midget trying to control but Esposito is working from the bottom.

Midget drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Midget jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Midget drops back looking for a leg! Esposito is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Esposito manages to kick Midget off! Midget jumps back into Esposito 's guard.
Midget trying to control but Esposito is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Midget has gone for a leg lock! Esposito slips out almost immediately though and dives into Midget's guard.

Esposito slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Midget working for a triangle but Esposito defends it easily.

Esposito got a little sloppy there for a moment and Midget has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Esposito has managed to get both his arms back between Midget's legs - danger averted.
Midget might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Esposito trying to stand up but can't free himself from Midget's guard.

Midget has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Esposito can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Midget throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Esposito stands and steps away. Midget gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Esposito throws a leg kick which misses Midget's front leg but catches the back leg as Midget tries to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esposito fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Midget manages to avoid it.
Esposito stuffs the takedown.
Esposito tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Midget is able to avoid easily.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Esposito .
Esposito fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Midget has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
A decent looking cross lands there for Esposito .
Esposito thumps Midget with a low kick.
Esposito lands a head kick!
Midget takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters circling a little - Esposito finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Esposito lands a nice looking body shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Esposito lands with a thumping leg kick.
Midget throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Esposito 's waist but Esposito gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Midget off to one side.
A cross from Esposito lands.
Midget on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Esposito . Esposito obviously looking to wear him down.
Esposito moves into range and connects with a jab.
Midget checks a low kick from Esposito .
Esposito is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Esposito throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dante Esposito dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A decent looking cross lands there for Esposito .
A looping hook to the body misses from Esposito . Midget does a little dance to reset his feet.
Midget shoots for a takedown but Esposito saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Esposito swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Midget counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Midget wants to pass the guard but Esposito is keeping the position.
Midget throws a big right hand that misses.
Midget pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Esposito is keeping the position for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

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

Esposito looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Midget looking for a guillotine here but Esposito defends easily.

Midget is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Esposito defends well.

Midget is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Esposito wants to stand but Midget is controlling his posture from full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Midget looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Midget being controlled here, momentarily.

Midget had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Esposito defends it easily.

Midget working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Esposito doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Esposito manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Midget has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Esposito can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Midget working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Esposito has passed into half guard!

Midget looking for submissions off his back.
Esposito with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Midget looking for submissions off his back.

Midget looking for submissions off his back.
Justin Midget overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Midget looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Esposito decides to return to a standing position.
Esposito throws a head kick that misses

and Midget counters with a shoot takedown. Esposito fights it but they end up in guard.

Esposito pushes Midget off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Dante Esposito seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Esposito changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Midget tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Esposito with a body punch. A glancing blow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dante Esposito showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Midget's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Esposito connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Midget scrambles back to his feet.
Esposito pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Esposito scores with a jab to the head.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Esposito .
Esposito throws a head kick that misses

and Midget counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Esposito pushes Midget off and gets back to his feet.
Esposito has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
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 scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Decent striking displayed by Esposito there.
Midget chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Esposito can pounce on him.
Midget looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Esposito throws out a counter right but Midget avoids it with no problem.
Esposito has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esposito lands with a thumping leg kick.
Esposito lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Esposito , right into the meat.
Esposito looks to score with a jab to the body but Midget is just out of range.
Midget changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Dante Esposito is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Midget shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Esposito as he avoids it easily.
Esposito lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Esposito will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esposito takes a swing at Midget's ribcage but misses.
A chopping leg kick lands by Esposito .
Esposito misses with a head kick.
Esposito cracks Midget with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Nice straight punches there by Esposito . You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Esposito .
Esposito getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Jab, jab by Esposito - just one landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esposito connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Midget on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Esposito . Esposito obviously looking to wear him down.
Esposito throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Midget takes one on the button.
Esposito throws an overhand right that lands on Midget's shoulder, as Midget tries to avoid the shot.
Midget drops down looking for a counter takedown but Esposito sprawls and moves away.
Esposito cracks Midget with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Midget looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Justin Midget. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Midget takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esposito with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Esposito throws a low kick but it's checked well by Midget.
Midget is looking to counter punch.
Esposito fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Midget on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Esposito . Esposito obviously looking to wear him down.
Esposito delivers a nice body kick.
Midget is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Good leg kick by Esposito there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Esposito slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Justin Midget has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Esposito keeps Midget at a distance using the push kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dante Esposito comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Esposito 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 Dean Styles scores the fight 26:30
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 26:30
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dante Esposito !
During a confident post fight interview, Dante Esposito thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.