PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Diego Escobar (ranked 491 p4p, 66 weight class) and Paddy Fagan (ranked 3691 p4p, 391 weight class). Diego Escobar has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Escobar
vs
Fagan

182 cm
22
160 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

180 cm
21
171 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
World class boxer
Good gas tank

BuriedAlive// Fight Gear
Urban Fighter

IniTech Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Diego Escobar!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Paddy Fagan!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Daniel Franklin and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Escobar throws a hook but Fagan avoids it easily.
Fagan lands with a good body shot.
Fagan lands a right hook to the body.
Escobar bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
No joy there for Fagan, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Fagan wants to clinch.
Escobar misses with a body kick.
Fagan lands a right hook to the body.
Fagan gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Fagan on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Escobar slips a straight right by Fagan.
Fagan looks to score with a jab to the body but Escobar is just out of range.
Escobar bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Fagan's head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Fagan scores with a jab.
Escobar ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Escobar throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fagan defending well as Escobar loads up on a big left hand.
Fagan throws a series of punches but Escobar moves out of range.
A punch combination from Fagan misses.
Escobar tried to counter with a leg kick but Fagan avoided it.
Escobar throws a poor cross that misses
and Fagan counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Paddy Fagan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Escobar keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Fagan has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Escobar.
Fagan smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Fagan misses with a right hand
and Escobar counters with a left to the body.
Escobar throws a jab when Fagan was well out of range.
Fagan gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Escobar lands with a straight right. Fagan didn't see that one coming.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Fagan takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Escobar scores with a nice right hand.
Fagan blocks a jab.
Escobar misses with a body shot.
Despite the aggression on Fagan's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Escobar looks to throw the jab but Fagan is out of range.
Fagan throws a jab but it's blocked by Escobar.
Escobar jabs at Fagan's body.
Escobar misses the jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Escobar moves out of range as Fagan strikes.

Escobar clinches with his opponent.
Escobar tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Fagan just stands there and leans against the cage.
Escobar throws a punch but it's blocked by Fagan.
Escobar works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Escobar can't find room to land a body shot as Fagan controls the action.
Fagan blocking some punches.
Fagan tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Escobar lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Escobar lands a nice shot to the body.

Escobar pulls guard effortlessly.
Fagan trying to control the position from guard on top but Escobar is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Fagan stands up and waves to Escobar to follow him.
Fagan uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Escobar.
Fagan takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fagan misses with a hook to the body
and Escobar counters with a solid body kick.
Escobar looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Fagan takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Fagan takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Escobar lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Escobar stuns Fagan with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Fagan moves out of range as Escobar strikes.
Fagan doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Fagan throws out a loose jab but Escobar uses good head movement to avoid it.
Fagan throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Fagan throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Escobar thows a left - swing and a miss!
Fagan misses with a double jab
and Escobar counters with a head kick.
Escobar stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Escobar is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
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!
A telegraphed right hand from Escobar misses the target.
A nice side step and Fagan releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
A slow jab from Escobar misses its intended target.
Fagan throws a series of punches but Escobar avoids them all with ease.

Escobar clinches up with Fagan and pushes him back against the cage.
Escobar tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Escobar misses with a hook from the clinch.
Escobar has a couple of punches blocked by Fagan.
Escobar tries to pull guard but Fagan forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Escobar works on Fagan's body with a couple of short punches.
Fagan misses with a short punch on the inside.
Fagan scores with a hook to the body.
Escobar tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Fagan's elbow.
Fagan blocking some punches.
Escobar lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Fagan backwards.
Escobar lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Escobar tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Fagan just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Diego Escobar. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Escobar misses with a hook to the ribs.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fagan blocking some punches.

Fagan breaks from the clinch.
Fagan connects with a body shot.
Escobar throws a shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Diego Escobar dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Escobar gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Fagan.
Escobar throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Fagan throws a counter combo.
Fagan lands a right hook to the body.
Fagan throws a right and a left that both miss.
Fagan will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Escobar moves into the clinch.
Fagan blocks an uppercut.
Fagan can't find room to land a body shot as Escobar controls the action.
Diego Escobar has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Escobar misses with a hook from the clinch.
Escobar tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Escobar misses with a short punch on the inside.
Escobar has a couple of punches blocked by Fagan.
A right hand to the body from Escobar.
Escobar misses with some punches.
Escobar presses Fagan against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fagan blocks a body shot from Escobar.
Escobar is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Fagan can do to turn this around?
Escobar doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A short body shot lands from Escobar as the two fighters clinch.
Escobar tries a body shot but Fagan blocks it.
A head punch on the inside from Escobar fails to land.
Escobar throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Fagans head.
Escobar can't find room to land a body shot as Fagan controls the action.
Escobar fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Escobar lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Fagan swings wildly with an uppercut but Escobar uses good head movement to avoid it.
Fagan misses with a short punch on the inside.
Escobar working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Escobar tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Fagan blocks an uppercut.
Escobar misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Escobar has a couple of punches blocked by Fagan.
Fagan tries to throw a body punch but Escobar avoids it by throwing Fagan back against the cage.
Escobar lands a shoulder strike.
Escobar jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Fagan walks away with a smile on his face. Escobar gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Fagan misses with a two punch combination.
Fagan fails to land with a series of punches.
Escobar appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fagan swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Escobar slips a jab and a cross from Fagan.
Fagan misses with a body shot.
Escobar connects with an inside leg kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Escobar. That's going to slow Fagan down.
Fagan just misses with a punch to the body.
Escobar fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Fagan manages to avoid it.
Fagan takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Fagan connects with the punch.
A jab lands there for Escobar.
Escobar lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Paddy Fagan is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fagan throws a body punch but Escobar moves out of range.
Escobar misses with a body kick.
Fagan swings for the body but Escobar moves out of range.
Escobar looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Escobar takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Escobar scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Fagan displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Escobar throws out the jab.
Escobar changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Fagan misses with a looping right.
Fagan misses with a left hand
letting Escobar counter with a right hand.
Escobar moves in looking to clinch but Fagan pushes him off.
Fagan stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Escobar uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Fagan.
Escobar is looking to slow Fagan down with leg kicks.
Fagan scores with a crisp jab that stopped Escobar in his tracks.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Fagan looks to land a left hand but Escobar moved out of range nicely.
Fagan scores with a shot to the body.
Escobar lands a nice looking body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Escobar throws a body shot but no joy.
Fagan throws a combination. Escobar tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Escobar connects with a looping right hand.
Escobar uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Fagan has time to react.
Escobar lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Escobar thumps Fagan with a low kick.
Escobar scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Fagan doesn't seem bothered though.
A solid leg kick lands there for Escobar.
Fagan uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Escobar.
A shot to the liver by Fagan. Beautiful body shot.
Fagan swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Escobar is looking to clinch.
A nice side step and Fagan releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
A big right from Fagan misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fagan throws a jab but it's blocked by Escobar.
An attempted straight right counter from Escobar misses the target.
Escobar misses with a wild body shot.
Fagan throws a lazy uppercut
and Escobar counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Escobar has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Escobar works Fagan's body with a nice hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Diego Escobar dominated that second 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.

Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Escobar.
Fagan throws a series of punches but Escobar avoids them all with ease.
Escobar tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Fagan was well out of range. Poor timing from Escobar.
Fagan takes one on the button.
Escobar throws a leg kick which misses Fagan's front leg but catches the back leg as Fagan tries to avoid it.
Escobar lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Fagan throws a body shot but no joy.
Diego Escobar is winning the standup battle so far.
Escobar bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.

Escobar gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Escobar misses with the head strike.
Escobar lands with a short shot to the head.
Fagan misses with a body punch.
Fagan can't find room to land a body shot as Escobar controls the action.
Escobar misses with the head strike.
Escobar lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Fagan's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Escobar tries to throw a body punch but Fagan avoids it by throwing Escobar back against the cage.

Escobar jumps into guard, dragging Fagan to the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Escobar has his foot on Fagan's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Fagan works his way back into a safe position though.

Escobar escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Fagan gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Fagan trying to control but Escobar is working from the bottom.
My spies in Crapollas Gym inform me that Fagan has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Fagan stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Escobar swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Fagan gets to his feet - Escobar follows without any prompting.
Fagan misses with an uppercut. Escobar saw that one coming.
Escobar scores with a hook.
Escobar takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

Fagan drives through and clinches with Escobar against the cage.
Fagan throws a head punch that misses.
Escobar lands a right hand.
Fagan misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Escobar lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Escobar has a couple of punches blocked by Fagan.
Escobar lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Fagan struggles to land a body shot inside as Escobar controls his hands.
Good body shot from Escobar.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Fagan blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Escobar tries to pull guard but Fagan won't allow it.

Fagan breaks from the clinch.
Escobar is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Fagan.
Fagan blocks the body kick.
Escobar keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Escobar moves into the clinch.
Escobar lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Fagan or not.
Escobar misses with a punch on the inside.
Escobar misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fagan lands a body punch.
Escobar scores with a hook to the body.
Escobar lands a nice uppercut.
Escobar lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Escobar swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Escobar tries to work over Fagan's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Escobar tries to throw a body punch but Fagan avoids it by throwing Escobar back against the cage.
Fagan lands a body shot.
Escobar lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Fagan takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Fagan blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Escobar presses Fagan against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Escobar throws a punch but it's blocked by Fagan.
A shot in the inside from Escobar.
Escobar fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Escobar misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Escobar swings wildly with an uppercut but Fagan uses good head movement to avoid it.
Escobar lands a hook that snaps the head of Fagan backwards.
Escobar lands on the inside with an uppercut.

Fagan is rocked!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fagan blocks an uppercut.
Fagan is still on wobbly legs! Can Escobar finish him?
Escobar cracks Fagan with a nice body shot.
Escobar is leaning against Fagan and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Escobar misses with some punches.
Fagan blocks an uppercut.
Escobar scores with a shot to the side of Fagan's head.
Escobar lands a left hand that snaps the head of Fagan backwards.
Escobar fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Fagan blocking some punches.
Fagan tries to work over Escobar's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Fagan blocking some punches.
Escobar misses with a short punch on the inside.
Fagan misses with some punches.
A short uppercut from Escobar.
Escobar misses with the head strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Diego Escobar clearly takes that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Escobar moves into the clinch successfully.
Fagan blocks an uppercut.
Fagan blocks an uppercut.
Fagan lands a body punch.
Escobar swings wildly with an uppercut but Fagan uses good head movement to avoid it.
Escobar throws a punch but it's blocked by Fagan.
Fagan seems to have recovered his senses.
Fagan lands a hook to the side of the head.
Escobar throws a punch but it's blocked by Fagan.
Fagan pushes Escobar back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Fagan.
Fagan misses with a hook to the ribs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fagan blocks a body shot from Escobar.
Escobar lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Fagan scores with a shoulder strike.
Escobar misses with a punch on the inside.
Escobar can't find room to land a body shot as Fagan controls the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Escobar swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Fagan misses with a punch to the body.
Escobar misses with the head strike.
Escobar working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Escobar doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Escobar scores with a shoulder strike.
Escobar tries to throw a body punch but Fagan avoids it by throwing Escobar back against the cage.
Escobar working aggressively here.
Escobar misses with a punch on the inside.
Fagan scores with a hook to the body.
Escobar tries to work over Fagan's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Escobar blocking some punches.
Fagan misses with a hook from the clinch.
Escobar tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Fagan just stands there and leans against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Escobar blocks an uppercut.

Fagan's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Fagan tries to clinch up but Escobar circles away and keeps his distance.
Fagan will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Escobar throws a head kick but Fagan moves out of range.
Fagan's jab looks to have found its range, popping Escobar under the eye.
A swing and a miss from Escobar.
Fagan slips under a jab from Escobar.
Fagan swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Escobar scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Fagan doesn't seem bothered though.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Escobar, right into the meat.
Escobar misses with a wild body shot.
Fagan throws a body shot but no joy.
Fagan misses with a few strikes there.
Fagan throws a hook but Escobar blocks it.
Fagan keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Escobar.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Escobar scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Escobar connects with a body shot that sends Fagan's belly button to the back.
Fagan rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Escobar counters with a thumping low kick.
Escobar misses the shot to the body.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Escobar - that will leave a mark!
Escobar lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Jab by Escobar.
Fagan is looking to clinch but Escobar is avoiding it.
Fagan ducks under a wild hook from Escobar.
Fagan has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Escobar thuds a left hand into Fagan's body.
Fagan throws a hook but Escobar blocks it.
Escobar dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Fagan. That did some damage!
Fagan smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Fagan misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Escobar.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Fagan looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Escobar throws a hook but Fagan avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Escobar lands a head shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Escobar. Fagan does a little dance to reset his feet.
Fagan swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Fagan swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Escobar cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Fagan throws an off balance right hand
and Escobar counters with a body kick that stops Fagan in his tracks momentarily.
Escobar throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Fagan on the side of the head.
Escobar tries to clinch there but Fagan circles away.
Escobar fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Fagan loads up on a big right hand but Escobar slips the punch.
A big right from Fagan misses.
Escobar tries to clinch but Fagan moves out of range.
Fagan throws a jab but it's blocked by Escobar.
Escobar thinks about countering with a body kick.
Escobar scores with a kick to the midsection.
Escobar digs a good hook to Fagan's body.
Escobar moves into range and connects with a jab.
Fagan takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Fagan misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Escobar.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Diego Escobar had his way with Paddy Fagan in that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Fagan throws a big shot that misses.
Escobar takes a swing at Fagan's ribcage but misses.
Fagan throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Escobar sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Escobar bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Fagan looks to land a right hand but Escobar moved out of range.
Escobar tries to clinch up but Fagan circles away and keeps his distance.

Escobar clinches up against the cage.
Fagan lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Fagan scores with a shoulder strike.
Escobar fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Escobar lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Fagan backwards.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Escobar throws a head punch that misses.
Escobar gets through Fagan's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Fagan swings wildly with an uppercut but Escobar uses good head movement to avoid it.

Escobar ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Escobar no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fagan slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Escobar is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Fagan is aware though and is defending well.
Fagan preventing the sweep.
Fagan trying to control but Escobar is working from the bottom.

Escobar looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Escobar is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Escobar is adopting a defensive guard.
Escobar looking to hit a scissor sweep but Fagan is one step ahead there.
Escobar keeping moving, preventing Fagan from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Fagan is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Escobar is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Fagan defends well.
Escobar looking to control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fagan is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Fagan has a momentary lapse of concentration, allowing Escobar to throw up a leg and lock on what appears to be a pretty tight triangle! Fagan is fighting it off but it's all too little too late - Escobar pulls down on the head and he's put Fagan to sleep! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:55 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Diego Escobar!
Diego Escobar retains his lightweight title!
In his post fight interview, Diego Escobar started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.