PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Claudio Escorre (ranked 1973 p4p, 82 weight class) and Kamen Kamenov (ranked 3546 p4p, 121 weight class). Escorre's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Chico Science & Nação Zumbi - Da Lama Ao Caos. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Escorre
vs
Kamenov

150 cm
21
300 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

205 cm
24
300 lbs
5 - 10 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Claudio Escorre!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kamen Kamenov!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Albert Achterberg and Nard Betker.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Escorre takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Kamenov shoots in but no luck this time.
Escorre throws a right and a left that Kamenov avoids nicely.
Kamenov misses with a takedown attempt
and Escorre counters with a nice body shot.
Kamenov fails with a takedown attempt.
Claudio Escorre has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kamen Kamenov.
Kamenov on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Kamenov darts in looking for a takedown but Escorre gets double underhooks and turns Kamenov into the cage.
Escorre misses with a body shot.
Escorre misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
And Kamenov tries to counter it with a takedown but Escorre pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Kamenov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Escorre defends it nicely.
It looked like Escorre was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Kamenov with a poor takedown
and Escorre cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Escorre tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kamenov was well out of range. Poor timing from Escorre.
Kamenov looks to land a combination but Escorre avoids it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kamenov shoots in looking for a takedown. Escorre tries to sprawl out of it but Kamenov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Escorre manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Escorre displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kamenov.
It looked like Escorre was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Claudio Escorre is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Escorre will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kamenov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Escorre seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Escorre swinging wildly here.
Escorre misses with a double jab.
Kamenov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Escorre.
Kamenov with the counter takedown but Escorre avoids it easily.
Escorre misses with a few strikes there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Escorre. Those never looked like landing.
Kamenov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Escorre circles away.
Escorre swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Escorre looks to land a combination. Kamenov sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

It looks like Kamen Kamenov has been cut.
Kamenov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
No luck for Kamenov with that takedown attempt.
Kamenov looks for a takedown but Escorre sprawls well.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Escorre throws a hook but Kamenov avoids it easily.

Escorre fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kamenov, pushing him back against the cage.
Kamenov blocks a body shot from Escorre.
Kamenov is trying to pull guard but Escorre turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Kamenov can't find room to land a body shot as Escorre controls the action.

Escorre pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kamenov displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kamenov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Escorre swings for the body but Kamenov moves out of range.
Escorre lands with an uppercut that bounces Kamenov off the cage and back into range.
Good standup being displayed there by Escorre as he connects with a hook.
Escorre slips a jab and a cross from Kamenov.
Escorre digs a good body shot into Kamenov's ribs.
Kamenov closes the distance and clinches up with Escorre, looking for a takedown. Kamenov pushes Escorre against the cage but Escorre circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A counter left hand to the body from Escorre misses its target.
Escorre throws a right and a left that Kamenov avoids nicely.
Kamenov throws a shot to the body.
Escorre misses the shot to the body.
Escorre changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Sloppy strikes from Escorre. Those never looked like landing.
Escorre thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Escorre misses with the combination.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kamenov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Escorre's waist but Escorre gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kamenov off to one side.

Escorre gets a clinch.

Kamenov pulls Escorre into guard.
Kamenov wants to get back to his feet but Escorre is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Escorre stands up and waves to Kamenov to follow him.
Escorre throws out a loose jab but Kamenov uses good head movement to avoid it.
A combination from Escorre does no damage.
Escorre misses with a combination
and Kamenov counters with a series of strikes. Escorre will be more careful next time no doubt.

It looks like Claudio Escorre has been cut.
Escorre throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Claudio Escorre dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
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.

Escorre scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Escorre goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
No joy there for Kamenov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Escorre throws a nice looking combination but Kamenov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kamenov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Escorre as he jumps to the side.
Kamenov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Escorre.
Kamenov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Escorre's waist but Escorre gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kamenov off to one side.
Escorre leaves Kamenov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Escorre seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Claudio Escorre has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kamen Kamenov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kamenov shoots in for a takedown but Escorre shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Kamenov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Escorre counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Escorre looks to throw the jab but Kamenov is out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Escorre has managed to clinch.
Kamenov is breathing heavily.
Escorre stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Kamenov is trying to pull guard but Escorre has him pressed against the cage.
Escorre wants to break the clinch but can't.
Escorre is trying to break the clinch but Kamenov is controlling him.
A right handed body shot lands from Escorre.
A left hand lands to the body for Escorre.
Kamenov jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Escorre walks away with a smile on his face. Kamenov gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Kamenov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Escorre.
Kamenov takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Kamenov shoots in for a takedown but Escorre shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Escorre lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kamenov circles away quickly and effectively.
Kamenov slips under a jab from Escorre.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Escorre dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Escorre is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kamenov can do to turn this around?
Escorre connects with a nice looking jab.
Claudio Escorre is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Escorre lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kamenov circles away quickly and effectively.
Escorre cracks a nice hook into Kamenov's ribs.
Escorre throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Escorre tries to bum rush Kamenov with a series of wild strikes but Kamenov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Kamenov looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Kamenov moves to clinch but Escorre breaks away
and Escorre counters with a straight right hand.

Escorre gets a clinch.

Escorre breaks from the clinch.

Kamenov shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Kamenov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Escorre does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kamenov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Escorre defending well though.

Escorre manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Kamenov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
It looked like Escorre was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Kamenov.
Kamenov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Escorre.
Kamenov shoots in looking for a takedown but Escorre manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Kamenov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Kamenov takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Escorre scores with a jab to the body.
Escorre throws a right and a left that Kamenov avoids nicely.
Kamenov feints the counter takedown.
Escorre throws a body punch but Kamenov moves out of range.
Escorre throws a nice looking combination but Kamenov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Escorre misses with a two punch combination.
Escorre moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Escorre misses with the combination.
Kamenov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Escorre counters with a left to the body.
Decent striking displayed by Escorre there.
Escorre throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Escorre is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kamenov.
Escorre misses with the combination.
Escorre scores with a nice head shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Claudio Escorre dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Escorre thuds a left hand into Kamenov's body.
Kamenov avoids the body shot from Escorre.
Kamenov has his takedown stuffed
and Escorre counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Kamenov tries for a takedown but Escorre sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Claudio Escorre is winning the standup battle so far.
Kamenov with a lazy takedown attempt
and Escorre counters with a one-two to the body.
Claudio Escorre has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kamen Kamenov.
Kamenov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Escorre stuns Kamenov with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Escorre comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Escorre looks to land a combination but Kamenov avoids it well.
Escorre will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kamenov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A right-left combo lands from Escorre.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Escorre scores with a hook.
Escorre misses with a two punch combination.
Kamenov fails with a takedown attempt.
Nice sprawl there from Escorre as Kamenov shoots in.
Kamenov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Escorre counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Escorre throws a series of punches but Kamenov moves out of range.
Kamenov dodges the punch combination from Escorre.

Kamenov looking to score a takedown here. Escorre is defending well but Kamenov drives through and ends up in Escorre's guard.

Escorre pushes Kamenov off and scrambles back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kamenov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Escorre as he avoids it easily.
Kamenov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Escorre sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Kamenov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Escorre throws a body shot but no joy.
Escorre throws a combination. Kamenov tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
A punch combination from Escorre misses.
Kamen Kamenov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Escorre scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Kamenov takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Escorre swinging wildly here.
Kamenov with a lazy takedown attempt
and Escorre counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Escorre just misses with a punch to the body.
Escorre misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kamenov.
Escorre misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kamenov.
Kamenov tries for a takedown but Escorre circles away easily
and Escorre connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kamenov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Escorre lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Escorre cracks Kamenov with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Kamenov will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
It looked like Escorre was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Escorre throws a shot to the body.
Escorre thuds a left hand into Kamenov's body.
Escorre moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Escorre fails to land with a series of punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kamenov moves in looking to clinch but Escorre pushes him off.
Escorre punishes Kamenov's body with a nice straight punch.
Escorre digs a good body shot into Kamenov's ribs.
Escorre dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kamenov gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

Escorre has Kamenov up against the cage in a clinch.
Kamenov misses with the head strike.
Escorre tries a body shot but Kamenov blocks it.
Escorre taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Escorre wants to break free but Kamenov has control.
Claudio Escorre is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kamenov has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Escorre wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kamenov has him pressed against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Claudio Escorre showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Escorre has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Aafke Stam scores the fight 30:25
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 30:26
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Claudio Escorre!
As Claudio Escorre got his breath back, he grabbed the microphone and managed to blurt out the following: There are a lot of great fighters in Underground FC. Kamenov is no different. But he's throwing all his talent away. I've seen him in better shape and I know he can do more than that. I wish you all the best, my comrade.'.