PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Javier Esposito (ranked 1143 p4p, 169 weight class) and Francisco Antonio Laureana (ranked 3540 p4p, 454 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Esposito
vs
Antonio Laureana

186 cm
32
205 lbs
17 - 10 - 0

180 cm
30
195 lbs
17 - 14 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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 17 - 10 - 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 17 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Francisco Antonio Laureana!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Laureana cracks Esposito with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Laureana shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Esposito but Esposito pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Esposito connects with a solid leg kick.
Laureana avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Esposito uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Laureana.
Esposito takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Laureana scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Laureana lands with a good body shot.
Esposito on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Laureana throws a jab but it's blocked by Esposito.
Esposito looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Esposito connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

It looks like Francisco Antonio Laureana has been cut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Esposito uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Laureana.
Esposito was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Esposito takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Esposito slips under a jab.
Laureana swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Esposito.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laureana throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Esposito throws a quick counter head kick but Laureana was just out of range.
Laureana lands with a nice body punch.
A solid leg kick lands there for Esposito.
Laureana throws a big shot that misses.
Esposito appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Esposito is looking to slow Laureana down with leg kicks.
Esposito scores with a jab to the head.
Laureana throws a hook to the side of Esposito's head but Esposito sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Esposito swings for the body but Laureana moves out of range.
Laureana swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Esposito.
Esposito has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Laureana finds it's way round the side to connect with Esposito's head.
Laureana walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Laureana fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Esposito walks into a stiff left hand from Laureana.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Laureana shoots in and bounces Esposito off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Esposito wants to sweep here but Laureana controlling him for the moment.
Laureana working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Laureana preventing the sweep.

Laureana is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Laureana scoring with punches to the head and body.
Esposito looking for a sweep. Not yet Esposito, not yet.
Laureana throwing strikes from guard but Esposito blocks nicely.
Laureana throws a strike but Esposito rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laureana looking for a sweep. Not yet Laureana, not yet.

Laureana is looking for a triangle but Esposito pushes his legs off easily.
Esposito trying to control but Laureana is working from the bottom.
Laureana is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Esposito avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Laureana is on top in guard.

Laureana postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Laureana trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Laureana is looking to work some ground and pound but Esposito has wrist control.
Esposito trying to keep a closed guard but Laureana is proving a slippery customer.
Laureana trying to control the position from guard on top but Esposito is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Laureana's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Laureana throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Laureana throwing strikes but missing.
Laureana trying to control the position from guard on top but Esposito is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Laureana throwing strikes from guard but Esposito blocks nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Francisco Antonio Laureana dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Francisco Antonio Laureana's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Esposito throws a body kick that misses.
Laureana swinging wildly here.
Laureana throws a hook to the side of Esposito's head but Esposito sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Laureana displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Esposito throws out the jab.
Francisco Antonio Laureana seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Laureana throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
The crowd cheers as Laureana lands an impressive looking overhand right. Esposito doesn't seem phased though.
Laureana throws a lazy right hand but Esposito sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Laureana swings for the body but Esposito moves out of range.
As Laureana backs away, Esposito returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Esposito scores with a leg kick.
A bone on bone clash there as Laureana blocks the leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Laureana looks to score with a jab to the body but Esposito is just out of range.
An attempted straight right counter from Esposito misses the target.
Esposito throws a hook but Laureana blocks it.
Esposito is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Laureana.
Decent striking displayed by Laureana there.
A low kick from Esposito misses
and Laureana counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laureana lands with a good body shot.
Laureana's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Laureana duly obliges.
Laureana connects with the punch.
Esposito digs a good hook to Laureana's body.
Esposito misses with an uppercut. Laureana saw that one coming.
Esposito swings for the body but Laureana moves out of range.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Laureana! But no joy.
Esposito throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Laureana.
Laureana connects with the punch.
Javier Esposito is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Laureana 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.
Laureana waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Esposito.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Esposito misses with an uppercut.
It seemed like Laureana was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Laureana catches Esposito with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Esposito moves out of range of the strikes.
Esposito misses with a kick to the body
and Laureana counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Laureana drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laureana takes a swing at Esposito's ribcage but misses.
Laureana misses with an uppercut.
Laureana looks to land a left hand but Esposito moved out of range nicely.
A swing and a miss from Laureana.
Esposito fires out a quick counter leg kick but Laureana just manages to avoid it.
Esposito misses with a head kick.
Laureana waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Esposito.
Laureana misses with an uppercut. Esposito saw that one coming.
Laureana lands with a cross.
Laureana checks a leg kick nicely.
Esposito misses with a looping right.
Laureana doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Laureana tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Esposito was well out of range. Poor timing from Laureana.
Esposito rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Laureana moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Esposito throws a leg kick
enabling Laureana to counter with a crisp jab.
Nice body punch from Esposito.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laureana lands a lovely overhand right.
Laureana looks to land a right hand but Esposito moved out of range.
Esposito quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Esposito defending well as Laureana loads up on a big left hand.
Laureana lands with an uppercut that bounces Esposito off the cage and back into range.
Laureana misses the shot to the body.
Esposito appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Esposito throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Laureana's jab looks to have found its range, popping Esposito under the eye.
Laureana throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Esposito looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Esposito misses with a body kick.
Laureana misses with a straight left.
Laureana uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Esposito.
Laureana scores with a hook to the body. Esposito takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Laureana scores with a jab to the body.
Esposito walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Laureana checks a leg kick nicely.
A leg kick checked by Laureana.
Esposito pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Esposito moves out of range of the strikes.
Esposito swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Laureana catches Esposito with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Esposito takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Laureana shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Esposito eats them both and turns towards Laureana to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Laureana lands a jab to the head.
Esposito throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Laureana is looking for the big counter here.
Esposito motions for Laureana to come forward. Esposito throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Laureana has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Esposito slips a straight right by Laureana.
Esposito misses with a straight right.
Laureana throws a big shot that misses.
Laureana throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Francisco Antonio Laureana showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Francisco Antonio Laureana's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Laureana walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Esposito throws a low kick but Laureana avoids it.
Laureana connects with a nice looking jab.
Laureana lands a body shot.
Esposito looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Laureana checks a low kick from Esposito.
Laureana lands with an overhand left.
Laureana wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Laureana slips a jab from Esposito.
Laureana looks to throw the jab but Esposito is out of range.
Laureana fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Laureana paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Laureana throws an overhand right that lands on Esposito's shoulder, as Esposito tries to avoid the shot.
Laureana checks a leg kick.
Laureana ducks under a wild hook from Esposito.
Francisco Antonio Laureana seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Good work by Laureana as he checks the leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laureana misses with a hook. Esposito ducked under it nicely.
Laureana swings for the body but Esposito moves out of range.
Laureana thuds his right hand into Esposito's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Laureana tests Esposito's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Esposito throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Esposito looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Esposito listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Esposito scores with a shot to the body.

Laureana shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Laureana not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Laureana has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Esposito tries to roll over but Laureana keeps him under control.
Javier Esposito has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esposito regains full guard. Nicely done.
Esposito managing to control the position.
Laureana scoring with some ground and pound.
Esposito preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Laureana postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Esposito keeping moving, preventing Laureana from controlling successfully.
Laureana working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Esposito can't keep his opponent in guard - Laureana advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Laureana prevents Esposito from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esposito keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Esposito moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Laureana in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Francisco Antonio Laureana is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Esposito trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Laureana throws a big right hand that misses.

Esposito is looking for a triangle but Laureana pushes his legs off easily.
Laureana with a flurry of punches that miss.
Laureana throws a big right hand that misses.

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.
Esposito trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Laureana throws an ugly left hook that misses
enabling Esposito to counter with a crisp jab.
Laureana fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Laureana throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Esposito throws a leg kick that misses.
Decent striking displayed by Laureana there.
Esposito tries to score with a low kick but Laureana moves his leg out of the way.
Esposito misses with an attempted mid kick.
Esposito misses with a low kick.
A little jabbing left from Laureana on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

Laureana darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Laureana lands strikes from half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Francisco Antonio Laureana comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Laureana 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight for Francisco Antonio Laureana!
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight for Francisco Antonio Laureana!
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight for Francisco Antonio Laureana!

Francisco Antonio Laureana wins by unanimous decision!
Francisco Antonio Laureana seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.