PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Riley Escobar (ranked 22055 p4p, 537 weight class) and Stick Kingkong (ranked 2692 p4p, 297 weight class). Escobar comes into the arena with Never Gone Get It blaring out of the sound system. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Escobar
vs
Kingkong

180 cm
25
166 lbs
2 - 7 - 0

175 cm
25
168 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Great elbows
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 2 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Riley Escobar!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Stick Kingkong!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Escobar is looking to land body kicks.
Kingkong lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

Escobar closes the distance and pushes Kingkong back into the cage.

Kingkong breaks the clinch.
Escobar shoots in but Kingkong avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Riley Escobar seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Escobar tries for a takedown but Kingkong sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Kingkong throws out a counter right but Escobar avoids it with no problem.
Escobar misses with a wild combination.
Kingkong misses with a wild combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kingkong connects with a single shot there.
Escobar moves in looking to clinch but Kingkong pushes him off.
Escobar swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Kingkong counters with a series of strikes. Escobar will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kingkong throws a lazy right hand but Escobar sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Escobar throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kingkong.
Escobar misses the jab.
Kingkong misses with a series of wild punches.
Escobar lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Escobar throws a right and a left that Kingkong avoids nicely.
Escobar gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Escobar tries to clinch but Kingkong is having none of it.
Escobar is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Escobar throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kingkong.
Escobar walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Left hook, right uppercut from Escobar.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Escobar has managed to clinch.
Kingkong working hard to break the clinch.
Kingkong is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Kingkong has had enough of the clinch but Escobar keeps him there for the moment.
Escobar has Kingkong pressed against the cage, preventing Kingkong from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Escobar pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Escobar closes the distance and clinches.
Escobar lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Escobar is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kingkong is defending well for now.
Kingkong being controlled against the cage.
Kingkong working hard to break the clinch.
Kingkong working hard to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kingkong wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Escobar tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kingkong's elbow.
Escobar definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

Escobar manages to break the clinch.
Escobar is looking to clinch but Kingkong is avoiding it.
Kingkong misses with the combination.
Kingkong staying out of range there.
Kingkong blocks a jab.
Kingkong swinging wildly here.
Kingkong throws a push kick but Escobar slaps the foot to one side.
Escobar takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Kingkong avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Escobar listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Escobar is looking to clinch but Kingkong is avoiding it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jab, jab by Escobar - just one landing.

Kingkong gets tackled into the cage by Escobar. Escobar maintains the clinch.
Kingkong working hard to break the clinch.

Escobar gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Escobar lands a couple of elbows.
Kingkong working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Escobar.
Escobar loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kingkong 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 throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kingkong works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kingkong 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 wants to pass the guard but Kingkong is keeping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Riley Escobar will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Kingkong lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Riley Escobar is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Escobar takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Escobar ducks under a wild hook from Kingkong.
Escobar changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Kingkong tries to bum rush Escobar with a series of wild strikes but Escobar uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Kingkong lands a two punch combo.

Escobar moves into the clinch.

Kingkong's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Escobar slips a jab and a cross from Kingkong.
Kingkong misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
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!

Escobar drives through with a takedown into guard.
Escobar is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Kingkong is trying to control the position but Escobar postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kingkong might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Escobar haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Escobar throwing strikes but missing.
Escobar distracts Kingkong with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Kingkong pulls Escobar in close to prevent any damage.
Kingkong keeping moving, preventing Escobar from controlling successfully.
Escobar stands up over Kingkong, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Kingkong manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Escobar manages to get himself to full guard.

Escobar pulls Kingkong in to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kingkong is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Kingkong throws a big right hand that misses.
Escobar is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Kingkong decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Escobar throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kingkong dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Escobar. That did some damage!
Escobar fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Kingkong has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Escobar is looking to land body kicks.
Escobar tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kingkong sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Escobar somewhat.
It seemed like Kingkong was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Escobar throws a nice looking combination but Kingkong bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Escobar finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Kingkong looks like he wants to counter punch here.
A right-left combo lands from Escobar.
Stick Kingkong is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Escobar dodges the punch combination from Kingkong.
Escobar tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kingkong paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kingkong is looking for the big counter here.

Escobar closes the distance and clinches.
Kingkong prevents a takedown attempt there.
Kingkong is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Escobar unloads a knee to the mid-section. Kingkong lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

Kingkong breaks the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Escobar closes the distance and pushes Kingkong back into the cage.

Kingkong breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Escobar throws a right and a left that Kingkong avoids nicely.
Escobar has his takedown stuffed
and Kingkong connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Riley Escobar. That's going to take a lot out of him.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kingkong throws an off balance right hand
letting Escobar counter with a right hand.
Kingkong misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Escobar fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Kingkong sprawls well initially but Escobar persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Kingkong has one foot on Escobar's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Kingkong lunges at Escobar with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Escobar's hand.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Escobar, as that shot connected.

Escobar fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kingkong, pushing him back against the cage.

Escobar manages to break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Stick Kingkong will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Escobar tries for a takedown but Kingkong circles away easily
and Kingkong counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kingkong defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Escobar.
Escobar looks to land a combination but Kingkong avoids it well.
Escobar throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Kingkong counters with a stiff right hand.
Escobar wants to clinch up but Kingkong keeps it at a distance.
Kingkong works Escobar's body with a nice hook.
Kingkong throws a nice looking combination but Escobar bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Escobar throws a right hand that Kingkong ducks under and follows up with a left that Kingkong also avoids with ease.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Escobar throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kingkong is looking for the big counter here.
Kingkong might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Escobar avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kingkong misses with a straight left.
Escobar throws a nice looking combination but Kingkong bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kingkong misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Escobar fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kingkong, pushing him back against the cage.
Kingkong wants to break free but Escobar has control.
Escobar tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Riley Escobar. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kingkong working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Escobar is looking for a takedown.
Escobar tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kingkong avoids it.
A body shot lands from Kingkong.
Escobar working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Escobar drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Kingkong gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Escobar is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Escobar keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Kingkong's efforts to push away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kingkong is trying to break free.

Escobar breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Escobar throws a series of punches but Kingkong moves out of range.
Escobar fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Escobar throws a nice looking combination but Kingkong bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Stick Kingkong seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Escobar showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kingkong.
A punch lands to the side of Escobar 's head but he takes it in his stride.
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!
Escobar shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Kingkong connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Escobar misses with a double jab
and Kingkong counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kingkong misses with a two punch combination.
Escobar plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
An inside leg kick lands from Kingkong.
Kingkong slaps away a takedown attempt from Escobar, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Kingkong scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Kingkong slips under a jab.

Escobar pushes Kingkong up against the cage in a clinch.
Escobar is trying to drag Kingkong to the mat but Kingkong just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Escobar breaks the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Kingkong, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Escobar is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Escobar will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kingkong lands a nice leg kick that just misses Escobar's sensitive parts.
Kingkong lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Kingkong.

Escobar is rocked!
Kingkong throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Escobar.
Oh Escobar is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

Escobar clinches up with Kingkong and pushes him back against the cage.
Escobar seems to have got his legs back now.

Kingkong escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kingkong throws a series of punches but Escobar avoids them all with ease.
As Kingkong looks to move away, Escobar throws a big counter combo but Kingkong just gets out of the way.
Escobar dodges the punch combination from Kingkong.

And that's the end of the fight!
Stick Kingkong comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kingkong has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Stick Kingkong!
A determined Stick Kingkong didn't want to dwell on this fight in his post fight interview. Instead he was more keen to state he wants a title shot. Let's see if he gets it!