PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Clement Holder (ranked 7594 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nicolas Escobar (ranked 5295 p4p, 490 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Holder
vs
Escobar

224 cm
18
177 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

184 cm
18
172 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Clement Holder!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Nicolas Escobar !
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Holder shoots in but Escobar avoids the takedown attempt easily.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Holder enables Escobar to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Holder manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Holder wants to stand and escape but Escobar is having none of it.
Escobar controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Escobar landing some decent shots from guard.
Escobar wants to control from the top but Holder keeps moving.
Holder is looking to stand back up but Escobar counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Holder.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Escobar trying to pass the guard but Holder defending well.
Holder is trying to stand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
It looks like Escobar is going to stand back up.
Escobar lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Holder is controlling Escobar 's trapped leg to prevent Escobar from advancing to side control.
Escobar trying to control the action but Holder is working from the bottom.
Escobar wants to stand up but Holder has a hold of him and won't allow it.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Escobar connects with a nice short shot to Holder's temple.
Escobar takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Holder is refusing to be controlled, as Escobar sits in half guard.
Escobar tries to stand but can't do so whilst Holder controls his leg.
Holder is pressing down on Escobar 's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Escobar must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holder has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Escobar wants to pass the guard but Holder is keeping the position.
Holder wants to stand but Escobar is controlling the position.
Holder is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Escobar trying to control the position from guard on top but Holder is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Holder gets caught napping as Escobar dives in and scores a takedown. Holder manages to retain guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holder wants to stand but Escobar is controlling the position.
Holder will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Holder striking off his back but it's not causing Escobar any problems.
Escobar wanted to stand there but Holder had control of the position.
Holder wants to stand and escape but Escobar is having none of it.
Escobar tries to free his leg and advance position but Holder is retaining full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Holder is on top in guard.

Holder really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Escobar is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Holder wants to control from the top but Escobar keeps moving.

Escobar is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Holder defends well.
Holder stops Escobar from standing up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Escobar is pulling down on Holder's head. It's preventing any offense from Holder, at least for the moment.
Holder postures up.
Escobar looks winded!

Holder 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.
Holder wants to control from the top but Escobar keeps moving.

Escobar looking for a guillotine here but Holder defends easily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Escobar had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Holder defends it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Nice takedown defense from Escobar . No joy for Holder on that attempt.

Holder gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Escobar to score an easy takedown into full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Escobar prevents Holder from getting back to his feet.
Escobar controls from within his opponent's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Escobar wanted to stand there but Holder had control of the position.

Holder working for a triangle but Escobar defends it easily.
Escobar showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holder wants to stand up but Escobar is controlling him.
Escobar not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Holder gets tackled into the cage by Escobar . Escobar maintains the clinch.

Escobar breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Holder doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Escobar stuffs the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Escobar changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Holder looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Escobar wants to control but Holder is keeping him busy.
Holder is trying to control Escobar 's posture but Escobar avoids it.
Holder is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Escobar is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Escobar can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Holder is looking to escape.
Holder is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Escobar looking to control and managing it successfully.
Escobar tries to control but Holder wriggling away.
Holder tries to hold on but Escobar pushes him away.
Escobar prevents Holder from getting the reversal.
Escobar controlling from the full mount.
Holder really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Escobar goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Holder turns into him and now he's in Escobar 's guard.
Escobar keeping full guard, as Holder tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Escobar is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Holder trying to control the position from guard on top but Escobar is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Escobar is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Holder trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Escobar looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Holder landing with the ground and pound.
Escobar tries to land a sweep but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nicolas Escobar showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Holder throws a head kick that misses.
Escobar leaves Holder with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Nice takedown defense from Escobar . No joy for Holder on that attempt.

Escobar has managed to clinch.
Escobar taking a breather.
Holder tries to pull guard but Escobar forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Clement Holder. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Escobar has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Holder clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!

Escobar looking for the RNC.

Escobar is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Holder is defending well though. Escobar let's go of the attempt for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holder wants to control his opponent's hands but Escobar gets his hands free.
Holder is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Escobar is riding his opponent, not letting Holder buck him off.

Escobar is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Holder knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Holder for a finish.
Holder tries to escape but Escobar has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Escobar tries to get the hooks in deep but Holder pushed the leg off.
Escobar has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

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.
Escobar is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Escobar not allowing Holder to control his hands.

Escobar looking for the choke from the back.
Holder is trying to break free.
Holder wants to get back to his feet.
Holder trying to control but not successfully.
Escobar is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Escobar is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Holder is trying to get back to his feet but Escobar has full control of the position and if anything, Holder has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Holder fending off the submission attempt from Escobar .

Escobar is persistently looking for the submission but Holder is defending it well.
Holder is really stuck here.

That's four 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.
Holder is working hard here to advance position.
Escobar not allowing Holder to control his hands.
Escobar is hanging on to Holder's back as he tries to escape.

Holder defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Escobar 's arms.
A lull in the action here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Holder rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nicolas Escobar comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Escobar 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 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nicolas Escobar !