PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Mike McLaughlin (ranked 208 p4p, 28 weight class) and Ramon Escobar Chavez (ranked 478 p4p, 57 weight class). Escobar Chavez has chosen Buena Vista Social Club - Hasta Siempre as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Ramon Escobar Chavez acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

McLaughlin
vs
Escobar Chavez

178 cm
28
148 lbs
14 - 5 - 2

179 cm
30
150 lbs
17 - 3 - 2

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Sportivité
CAGED CROW Clothings 50$

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 5 - 2, fighting out of Amsterdam, Mike McLaughlin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 3 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ramon Escobar Chavez!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Hirohito Nitta and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Escobar Chavez pivots, looking for a leg kick but McLaughlin is out of range and Escobar Chavez settles back down.
A looping hook to the body misses from Escobar Chavez. McLaughlin does a little dance to reset his feet.
Escobar Chavez missing with a left hand there. McLaughlin was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
An attempted straight right counter from McLaughlin misses the target.
McLaughlin throws a low kick but Escobar Chavez avoids it.
McLaughlin looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Mike McLaughlin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McLaughlin misses with an uppercut. Escobar Chavez saw that one coming.
McLaughlin throws out a loose jab but Escobar Chavez uses good head movement to avoid it.
Escobar Chavez appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Escobar Chavez misses with a straight right.
Escobar Chavez throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
McLaughlin appears to be looking for a big counter.
Escobar Chavez throws a body punch but McLaughlin moves out of range.
Escobar Chavez throws the left hand but McLaughlin avoids the punch easily.
McLaughlin misses the shot to the body.
McLaughlin walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
McLaughlin throws a series of punches but Escobar Chavez avoids them all with ease.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McLaughlin misses with a looping right.
The fighters circling - Escobar Chavez throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
McLaughlin uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
McLaughlin looks to throw the jab but Escobar Chavez is out of range.
McLaughlin throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
McLaughlin throws a big shot that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McLaughlin lands a jab to Escobar Chavez's midsection.
McLaughlin misses with a low kick.
Escobar Chavez moves away from the strike by McLaughlin.
Escobar Chavez scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
McLaughlin moves out of range as Escobar Chavez throws a body kick.
A leg kick checked by Escobar Chavez.
Escobar Chavez swings widly with a right hand
and McLaughlin counters with a left to the body.
Escobar Chavez swings and misses with a hook to the body.
McLaughlin swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
McLaughlin thows a left - swing and a miss!
It seemed like Escobar Chavez was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
McLaughlin jabs Escobar Chavez right on the nose. Escobar Chavez blinks but takes it well.
A head kick by Escobar Chavez misses
and McLaughlin counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Escobar Chavez missing with a left hand there. McLaughlin was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
McLaughlin appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
McLaughlin throws a shot from downtown. Escobar Chavez moves away and avoids it.
Good shot there by Escobar Chavez.
McLaughlin ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Escobar Chavez moves away.
Escobar Chavez lands a leg kick that knocks McLaughlin off balance momentarily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Escobar Chavez looks to score with a jab to the body but McLaughlin is just out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from McLaughlin. Escobar Chavez does a little dance to reset his feet.
Escobar Chavez misses with an uppercut.
Escobar Chavez loads up on a big right hand but McLaughlin slips the punch.
McLaughlin is looking to chop away at Escobar Chavez's legs.
McLaughlin looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Escobar Chavez takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Escobar Chavez avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Escobar Chavez appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Escobar Chavez takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
McLaughlin throws a body shot but no joy.
Escobar Chavez drops his hands momentarily and McLaughlin takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
McLaughlin scores with a shot to the body.
Escobar Chavez blocks a jab.
McLaughlin misses the shot to the body.
McLaughlin is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Escobar Chavez.
Escobar Chavez is clearly trying to counter these attacks from McLaughlin with a body shot.
McLaughlin throws a jab when Escobar Chavez was well out of range.
Escobar Chavez shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Donk. McLaughlin catches Escobar Chavez right on the button with a cross.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Escobar Chavez doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
McLaughlin scoring well with a low kick there.
Nice body kick there by McLaughlin.
McLaughlin moves out of range as Escobar Chavez strikes.
McLaughlin misses with a hook. Escobar Chavez ducked under it nicely.
McLaughlin throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
McLaughlin throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
McLaughlin lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
McLaughlin throws a shot from downtown. Escobar Chavez moves away and avoids it.
Escobar Chavez displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as McLaughlin throws out the jab.
Some bone on bone action there as Escobar Chavez checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
McLaughlin throws an overhand right that lands on Escobar Chavez's shoulder, as Escobar Chavez tries to avoid the shot.
Escobar Chavez on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
McLaughlin looks to throw the jab but Escobar Chavez is out of range.
Escobar Chavez lets loose with a powerful body kick. McLaughlin will feel that in the morning.
Escobar Chavez throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
McLaughlin misses with a jab to the body
and Escobar Chavez counters with a leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Escobar Chavez misses with an uppercut.
McLaughlin is looking to counter punch.
Escobar Chavez takes a swing at McLaughlin's ribcage but misses.
McLaughlin tries a head kick but it misses.
McLaughlin tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Escobar Chavez was well out of range. Poor timing from McLaughlin.
Escobar Chavez checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Escobar Chavez wants to clinch.
Escobar Chavez slips a jab from McLaughlin.
McLaughlin just misses with a punch to the body.
McLaughlin lands a nice leg kick that just misses Escobar Chavez's sensitive parts.
Escobar Chavez throws a predictable looking body shot
and McLaughlin counters with a flying knee. Nice.
McLaughlin uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
McLaughlin throws a body shot but no joy.
Escobar Chavez staying out of range there.
Escobar Chavez only half commits to the counter leg kick.
McLaughlin throws a shot from downtown. Escobar Chavez moves away and avoids it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike McLaughlin dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Escobar Chavez throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
An attempted straight right counter from McLaughlin misses the target.
Escobar Chavez takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
McLaughlin connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Escobar Chavez connects with a body shot that sends McLaughlin's belly button to the back.
Escobar Chavez misses with an uppercut. McLaughlin saw that one coming.
McLaughlin throws a front kick aimed at Escobar Chavez's knee but Escobar Chavez avoids it well.
Escobar Chavez throws an ugly left hook that misses
and McLaughlin counters with a lovely straight right hand!
McLaughlin takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
McLaughlin scores with a kick to the body.
Escobar Chavez moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
McLaughlin checks a low kick from Escobar Chavez.
Escobar Chavez steps to the side to avoid the strikes from McLaughlin.
McLaughlin ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Escobar Chavez moves away.
McLaughlin missing with a left hand there. Escobar Chavez was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Escobar Chavez avoids the body shot from McLaughlin.
McLaughlin blocks a low kick nicely.
McLaughlin throws a body shot but no joy.
Escobar Chavez looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McLaughlin takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
An inside leg kick lands from McLaughlin.
Escobar Chavez cracks the inside of McLaughlin's front leg.
Escobar Chavez slips under a jab.
Escobar Chavez misses with a straight right.
McLaughlin misses with a jab, cross combination.
A bone on bone clash there as McLaughlin blocks the leg kick.
Escobar Chavez avoids the body shot from McLaughlin.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Escobar Chavez, right into the meat.
Escobar Chavez's corner calls for a 1-2. Escobar Chavez obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Escobar Chavez loads up on a big right hand but McLaughlin slips the punch.
McLaughlin connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
McLaughlin tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Escobar Chavez is able to avoid easily.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with eachother but Escobar Chavez might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, McLaughlin has got the better of the exchanges.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Escobar Chavez.
McLaughlin misses with a low kick as Escobar Chavez jumps back.
Escobar Chavez's corner calls for a 1-2. Escobar Chavez obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Escobar Chavez ducks down and throws a hook to the body but McLaughlin moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Escobar Chavez has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from McLaughlin.
McLaughlin ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A lazy left from Escobar Chavez finds it's target.
McLaughlin misses with a low kick as Escobar Chavez jumps back.
McLaughlin lands a nice shot that snaps Escobar Chavez's head back.
McLaughlin lands a head shot.
Mike McLaughlin is winning the standup battle so far.
Escobar Chavez thows a left - swing and a miss!
Escobar Chavez takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Escobar Chavez takes a shot to the body in his stride.

Escobar Chavez clinches with his opponent.
McLaughlin throws a punch but it's blocked by Escobar Chavez.
Escobar Chavez blocking some punches.
McLaughlin misses with some punches.
McLaughlin is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Escobar Chavez can do to turn this around?
McLaughlin lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Escobar Chavez or not.
McLaughlin prevents a body shot from Escobar Chavez.
Escobar Chavez lands with a short punch from the clinch.
McLaughlin prevents a body shot from Escobar Chavez.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Escobar Chavez lands on the inside with an uppercut.
McLaughlin stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Escobar Chavez struggles to land a body shot inside as McLaughlin controls his hands.
Escobar Chavez lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt McLaughlin or not.
McLaughlin scores with a shoulder strike.
Escobar Chavez tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A short right from Escobar Chavez.
McLaughlin lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Escobar Chavez backwards.
McLaughlin blocks a punch to the side of the head.

McLaughlin escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Escobar Chavez looks to score with a jab to the body but McLaughlin is just out of range.
McLaughlin throws a poor cross that misses
and McLaughlin takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A looping hook to the body misses from Escobar Chavez. McLaughlin does a little dance to reset his feet.
McLaughlin buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
McLaughlin stuns Escobar Chavez with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
This has been an exciting period of action!
McLaughlin 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.
McLaughlin just misses with a punch to the body.
McLaughlin throws a lazy right hand but Escobar Chavez sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Escobar Chavez only half commits to the counter leg kick.
McLaughlin misses the shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McLaughlin stuns Escobar Chavez with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Escobar Chavez misses with a hook.
McLaughlin keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Escobar Chavez.
Escobar Chavez ducks under a wild hook from McLaughlin.
McLaughlin swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A slow jab from McLaughlin misses its intended target.
McLaughlin takes one on the chin but seems OK.
McLaughlin lands with a hook. Escobar Chavez tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
McLaughlin scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
McLaughlin thows a left - swing and a miss!
McLaughlin uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Escobar Chavez.
That kick from McLaughlin tenderised Escobar Chavez's leg. Escobar Chavez is trying to keep his angry face on.
Escobar Chavez's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McLaughlin cracks Escobar Chavez with a good jab.
McLaughlin misses with a straight left.
It seemed like Escobar Chavez was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
McLaughlin 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.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Escobar Chavez, right into the meat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Mike McLaughlin will probably get the nod.
That's time! McLaughlin's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

McLaughlin throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
McLaughlin misses with a low kick.
McLaughlin takes a swing at Escobar Chavez's ribcage but misses.
McLaughlin misses with a low kick.
Escobar Chavez steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
McLaughlin takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Escobar Chavez tries a low kick but McLaughlin avoids it.
Escobar Chavez takes a swing at McLaughlin's ribcage but misses.
McLaughlin misses with an uppercut. Escobar Chavez saw that one coming.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from McLaughlin.
McLaughlin connects with a crisp jab.
McLaughlin fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Escobar Chavez has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A telegraphed right hand from McLaughlin misses the target.
McLaughlin misses the body punch
enabling Escobar Chavez to counter with a crisp jab.
McLaughlin throws a head kick that half lands.
McLaughlin cracks Escobar Chavez with a right hand to the side of the head.
McLaughlin scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Escobar Chavez doesn't seem bothered though.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Escobar Chavez throws a hook to the side of McLaughlin's head but McLaughlin sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Escobar Chavez scores with a jab to the jaw.
McLaughlin throws a hook but Escobar Chavez avoids it easily.
Escobar Chavez takes one to the chin there.
McLaughlin on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Escobar Chavez. Escobar Chavez obviously looking to wear him down.
Escobar Chavez throws a nice outside leg kick.
McLaughlin rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Escobar Chavez moves into the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Escobar Chavez.
A short right from McLaughlin.
Escobar Chavez tries to throw a body punch but McLaughlin avoids it by throwing Escobar Chavez back against the cage.
McLaughlin tries to break the clinch but Escobar Chavez is controlling the position.
McLaughlin throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Escobar Chavezs head.
Still in the clinch, McLaughlin scores with a nice short uppercut.
Escobar Chavez lands a right hand that snaps the head of McLaughlin backwards.
Escobar Chavez working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Escobar Chavez lands a nice uppercut.
McLaughlin fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from McLaughlin fails to land.
McLaughlin working some nice short punches in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Escobar Chavez misses with some punches.
Escobar Chavez struggles to land a body shot inside as McLaughlin controls his hands.
McLaughlin tries to throw a body punch but Escobar Chavez avoids it by throwing McLaughlin back against the cage.
Ramon Escobar Chavez seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
McLaughlin lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
McLaughlin blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
McLaughlin doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Escobar Chavez misses with a hook from the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Escobar Chavez.
Escobar Chavez swings wildly with an uppercut but McLaughlin uses good head movement to avoid it.
Escobar Chavez gets through McLaughlin's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A head punch on the inside from McLaughlin fails to land.
A short uppercut from McLaughlin.
A right hook to the body lands for McLaughlin.
McLaughlin blocks an uppercut.
McLaughlin blocks a body shot from Escobar Chavez.
Escobar Chavez lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of McLaughlin backwards.
McLaughlin goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
McLaughlin wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Escobar Chavez working some nice short punches in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Escobar Chavez tries a body shot but McLaughlin blocks it.
Escobar Chavez misses with a body punch.
Escobar Chavez scores with a hook to the body.
Escobar Chavez cracks McLaughlin with a nice body shot.
McLaughlin tries to work over Escobar Chavez's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

McLaughlin breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Escobar Chavez takes a jab right on the kisser.
Escobar Chavez lands a nice leg kick that just misses McLaughlin's sensitive parts.
The fighters circling - Escobar Chavez throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Escobar Chavez with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Ramon Escobar Chavez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
McLaughlin looks to score with a jab to the body but Escobar Chavez is just out of range.
McLaughlin sizes up Escobar Chavez with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Escobar Chavez misses with a hook.
Escobar Chavez tries a low kick but McLaughlin avoids it.
McLaughlin misses with a looping right.
McLaughlin 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 Chavez misses with a hook. McLaughlin ducked under it nicely.
McLaughlin lands a leg kick that knocks Escobar Chavez off balance momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Escobar Chavez looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
McLaughlin throws a hook but Escobar Chavez avoids it easily.
Escobar Chavez scores with a jab to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McLaughlin tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Escobar Chavez was well out of range. Poor timing from McLaughlin.
Escobar Chavez throws a leg kick but McLaughlin sees it coming and checks it nicely.
It looked like McLaughlin wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
McLaughlin misses with a body shot.
McLaughlin lands a nice shot to the body.
Escobar Chavez takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Escobar Chavez moves away from the strike by McLaughlin.
Escobar Chavez is looking to land body kicks.
Escobar Chavez loads up on a big right hand but McLaughlin slips the punch.
McLaughlin lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
McLaughlin throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Escobar Chavez tries to score with a low kick but McLaughlin moves his leg out of the way.
McLaughlin with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

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 Mike McLaughlin.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for McLaughlin, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Shirou Masuda scores the fight 30:27
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 30:27
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike McLaughlin!
Mike McLaughlin decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.