PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Diego Escobar (ranked 130 p4p, 14 weight class) and Fiyero Lermontov (ranked 375 p4p, 47 weight class). Diego Escobar has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Escobar
vs
Lermontov

182 cm
31
160 lbs
29 - 9 - 0

180 cm
28
165 lbs
19 - 9 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Knockaround Guys Fight Gear

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 29 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Diego Escobar!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 9 - 1, fighting out of New York, Fiyero Lermontov!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Paul Tew and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lermontov throws the left hand but Escobar avoids the punch easily.
Lermontov shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Escobar eats them both and turns towards Lermontov to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Escobar throws the left hand but Lermontov avoids the punch easily.
Escobar connects with a single shot there.
Lermontov misses with a left hand
and Escobar makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Escobar throws an overhand right that lands on Lermontov's shoulder, as Lermontov tries to avoid the shot.

Lermontov moves into the clinch.
Lermontov misses with a short punch on the inside.
A shot in the inside from Escobar.
A nice right hand lands inside from Lermontov.
Escobar struggles to land a body shot inside as Lermontov controls his hands.
We've been informed that Lermontov has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.

Escobar breaks from the clinch.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Escobar throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Escobar keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Lermontov moves into range and connects with a jab.
Lermontov takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Escobar throws an overhand right that lands on Lermontov's shoulder, as Lermontov tries to avoid the shot.
Lermontov looks to land a left hand but Escobar moved out of range nicely.
And Escobar counters with a quick kick to the body but Lermontov blocks it.
Lermontov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Escobar paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Lermontov wants to clinch
and Escobar connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Escobar slips a straight right by Lermontov.
Lermontov tries to work over Escobar's front leg with a kick but Escobar checks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Escobar doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Lermontov throws a lazy right hand but Escobar sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Escobar misses with a shot to the body
and Lermontov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Escobar is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Lermontov swings for the body but Escobar moves out of range.
Lermontov misses with a wild body shot.
Lermontov changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Escobar throws a leg kick which misses Lermontov's front leg but catches the back leg as Lermontov tries to avoid it.
Lermontov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Escobar throws out the jab.
A swing and a miss from Lermontov.
Escobar misses with a straight left.
Escobar ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Lermontov moves away.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Lermontov! But no joy.
Escobar pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Lermontov tests Escobar's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Lermontov fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lermontov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Lermontov throws a leg kick that misses.
Escobar throws out a leg kick but Lermontov moves out of range and Escobar only half commits.
Lermontov takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Escobar throws the kick towards the body but Lermontov avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lermontov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Escobar sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Lermontov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Lermontov slips under a jab from Escobar.
Escobar avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Escobar throws an overhand right that lands on Lermontov's shoulder, as Lermontov tries to avoid the shot.
Lermontov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Escobar misses with a wild body shot.
A jab from Lermontov misses.
Lermontov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Escobar.
Escobar throws a body punch but Lermontov moves out of range.
Lermontov moves out of range of the strikes.
Escobar throws a big shot that misses.
Lermontov avoids a kick to the body.
Lermontov throws a lazy head kick
and Escobar counters with a stiff right hand.
Escobar uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Lermontov.
Lermontov throws a hook but Escobar blocks it.
Escobar tried to score with a low kick but Lermontov checks it.
Lermontov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Lermontov lands a jab.
Escobar throws a jab when Lermontov was well out of range.
Lermontov throws a big shot that misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Escobar. Lermontov does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lermontov looks to land a right hand but Escobar moved out of range.
Sloppy strikes from Escobar. Those never looked like landing.
Escobar misses with a two punch combination.
Escobar cracks Lermontov with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Lermontov missing with a left hand there. Escobar was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Escobar digs a good body shot into Lermontov's ribs.
Lermontov tries to clinch up.
Escobar lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Lermontov circles away quickly and effectively.
Lermontov throws the left hand but Escobar avoids the punch easily.
Escobar blocks a jab.
Escobar throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Lermontov.
Lermontov scores with a nice head shot.
Escobar takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
A looping hook to the body misses from Escobar. Lermontov does a little dance to reset his feet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lermontov connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Escobar jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Escobar throws out a leg kick but Lermontov moves out of range and Escobar only half commits.

Lermontov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Lermontov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nice shot by Escobar.
Lermontov is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Escobar had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lermontov feints and then cracks Escobar's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Escobar down.
Donk. Escobar catches Lermontov right on the button with a cross.
Escobar checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
A lazy left from Escobar finds it's target.
Lermontov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Lermontov flicks out a counter leg kick but Escobar steps away.
Lermontov goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Lermontov chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Escobar takes one to the chin there.
Escobar is looking to chop away at Lermontov's legs.
Escobar throws a leg kick that misses.
Escobar bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Lermontov misses with an uppercut. Escobar saw that one coming.
Escobar thuds a left hand into Lermontov's body.
Escobar throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Lermontov changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Escobar slips under a jab from Lermontov.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lermontov misses the shot to the body.
Escobar takes a jab right on the kisser.

Lermontov clinches with his opponent.
Escobar lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Lermontov backwards.
Lermontov tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Escobar smiles and moves away.
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 Diego Escobar will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Escobar misses with an uppercut.
A decent looking cross lands there for Escobar.
Lermontov checks the leg kick nicely there.
Escobar lands with a good body shot.
Escobar misses with an uppercut. Lermontov saw that one coming.
Lermontov looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Escobar misses with a wild body shot.
Escobar swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Lermontov throws a body shot but no joy.
Lermontov lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Lermontov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Escobar is looking to counter punch.
Lermontov scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Escobar misses with a body punch
enabling Lermontov to counter with a crisp jab.
Escobar avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Lermontov checks a leg kick.
Lermontov throws out a counter right but Escobar avoids it with no problem.
Lermontov bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Escobar's head.
Lermontov looks to throw the jab but Escobar is out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Escobar misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lermontov.
Escobar lands a nice looking kick to the body. Lermontov takes a step back to recover.
Escobar moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Donk. Escobar catches Lermontov right on the button with a cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lermontov cracks Escobar with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Lermontov scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Escobar ducks under a wild hook from Lermontov.
A jab from Lermontov misses.
Escobar looks to land a body kick but Lermontov moved away.
Lermontov connects with a looping right hand.
Lermontov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Escobar.
Escobar looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Escobar throws an overhand right that lands on Lermontov's shoulder, as Lermontov tries to avoid the shot.
Lermontov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Lermontov has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Escobar scores with a leg kick.
Escobar tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Lermontov! But no joy.
Escobar comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Escobar misses the shot to the body.
Lermontov defending well as Escobar loads up on a big left hand.
Escobar misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lermontov.
Lermontov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Escobar manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Escobar throws a jab but it's blocked by Lermontov.
Escobar tried to score with a low kick but Lermontov checks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lermontov misses with a body shot.
Escobar fires out a quick counter leg kick but Lermontov just manages to avoid it.
Escobar looks to throw the jab but Lermontov is out of range.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Lermontov! But no joy.
Lermontov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Escobar is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Escobar throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Lermontov's head.
Lermontov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Escobar throws a leg kick
and Lermontov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Escobar tries to land a front kick but Lermontov steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Lermontov throws a one two combo.
Lermontov tries to clinch there but Escobar circles away.
Lermontov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Nice defenses there by Escobar.
A jab from Escobar finds it's way through Lermontov's defenses.
Lermontov lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Escobar throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Jab from Lermontov.
Escobar gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Escobar throws a body punch but Lermontov moves out of range.
Lermontov throws out a counter right but Escobar avoids it with no problem.
Escobar is looking to chop away at Lermontov's legs.
Lermontov lands a nice looking body shot.
Diego Escobar is winning the standup battle so far.
A slow jab from Escobar misses its intended target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Escobar just misses with a punch to the body.
Lermontov misses with the combination.
Escobar fires out a quick counter leg kick but Lermontov just manages to avoid it.
Escobar avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Escobar takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Escobar looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Escobar needs to keep his hands up - Lermontov had a free shot at his head there.
A cross from Escobar lands.
An inside leg kick from Escobar misses.
Nice cross by Lermontov.
A bone on bone clash there as Lermontov blocks the leg kick.
A bone on bone clash there as Escobar blocks the leg kick.
Escobar tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lermontov was well out of range. Poor timing from Escobar.
Escobar throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Escobar misses with an uppercut. Lermontov saw that one coming.
Escobar steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Lermontov.
Lermontov lands a nice leg kick that just misses Escobar's sensitive parts.
Jab from Lermontov.
Escobar slips under a jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lermontov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Escobar.
Lermontov slips under a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A nice leg kick lands there from Lermontov.
Escobar throws a low kick but Lermontov avoids it.
Lermontov looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Lermontov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A jab from Lermontov misses.
Escobar misses the shot to the body.
That kick from Escobar tenderised Lermontov's leg. Lermontov is trying to keep his angry face on.
Lermontov swings for the body but Escobar moves out of range.
A jab from Escobar finds it's way through Lermontov's defenses.
Escobar wants to slow Lermontov down by chopping away at his legs.
Escobar staying out of range there.
Escobar defending well as Lermontov loads up on a big left hand.
Escobar uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Lermontov.
Lermontov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Lermontov tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Escobar lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lermontov fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Escobar misses with a straight right.
Lermontov scores with a jab.
Escobar throws a leg kick but Lermontov sees it coming and moves out of range.
Lermontov on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Fiyero Lermontov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Escobar's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Escobar bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A lazy left from Lermontov finds it's target.
Escobar throws out a powerful jab.
Lermontov slips a jab from Escobar.
Lermontov throws out a powerful jab.
Escobar getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Escobar scores with a leg kick.
Lermontov ducks under a wild hook from Escobar.
Lermontov let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Escobar stuns Lermontov with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Lermontov slips under a jab.
Nice defenses there by Escobar.
Nice jab there from Escobar.
Escobar keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Lermontov.
Lermontov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Escobar dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Lermontov. That did some damage!
Escobar connects with a high kick.
Escobar misses with a jab, cross combination.
Escobar throws a sloppy body shot
letting Lermontov counter with a right hand.
Lermontov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Escobar ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lermontov lands with an overhand left.
Escobar misses with a head kick.
Lermontov moves out of range of the strikes.
Escobar fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Lermontov checks it well.
Lermontov lands with a kick to the temple. Escobar shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Escobar keeps Lermontov at a distance using the push kick.
Escobar throws a leg kick that misses.
Escobar scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Lermontov's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Escobar ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Lermontov works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Sloppy strikes from Escobar. Those never looked like landing.
Escobar looks to throw the jab but Lermontov is out of range.
Nice defenses there by Lermontov.
Good standup being displayed there by Lermontov as he connects with a hook.
Escobar steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Lermontov.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Escobar lands a nice shot that snaps Lermontov's head back.
Lermontov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Escobar closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Lermontov fails to land with a series of punches.
Escobar takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Escobar throws an off balance right hand
and Lermontov counters with a nice kick to the body.
Lermontov looks to land a left hand but Escobar moved out of range nicely.
Lermontov scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Escobar doesn't seem bothered though.
Escobar will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Lermontov fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Lermontov misses with a looping right.
Escobar misses with a straight right.
Lermontov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Escobar moves away.
Lermontov misses with a straight right.
Escobar just misses with a punch to the body.
Lermontov throws out a counter right but Escobar avoids it with no problem.
Escobar finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Lermontov connects with a good right hand that stumbles Escobar. Escobar circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Lermontov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Escobar sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A jab lands there for Escobar.
Escobar misses with a straight right.
Escobar connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
A solid body kick from Lermontov.
Lermontov fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Escobar on the side of the head.
A big right from Lermontov misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Lermontov. Escobar does a little dance to reset his feet.
Escobar throws out a leg kick but Lermontov moves out of range and Escobar only half commits.
Lermontov misses with a hook.
Escobar scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Escobar tried to score with a low kick but Lermontov checks it.
Escobar throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Lermontov stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Escobar fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Lermontov checks it well.
Nice defenses there by Escobar.
A little feinted left hand from Escobar on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Lermontov clobbers Escobar with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Lermontov scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Lermontov throws a body shot but no joy.
Escobar scores with a shot to the body.
Escobar attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Escobar throws a push kick but Lermontov slaps the foot to one side.
Lermontov misses with a body shot.
Lermontov misses with a double jab.
Escobar fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Lermontov manages to avoid it.
A nice leg kick lands there from Lermontov.
Escobar lands a nice leg kick that just misses Lermontov's sensitive parts.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Escobar pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Lermontov lands a nice leg kick that just misses Escobar's sensitive parts.
Sloppy strikes from Lermontov. Those never looked like landing.
Lermontov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Escobar.
Lermontov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Escobar misses with a two punch combination.
Lermontov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Escobar looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Lermontov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Escobar sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Lermontov closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Lermontov dips to his left and cracks Escobar with an uppercut!
Escobar ducks under a wild hook from Lermontov.
Escobar throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Lermontov connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Escobar momentarily.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Escobar lands with a cross.
Lermontov avoids the body shot from Escobar.
Lermontov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Escobar tries to land a front kick but Lermontov steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Lermontov looks like he wants to counter punch here.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Fiyero Lermontov.
Well Lermontov 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 Richard Clark scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Glass scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Fiyero Lermontov!
Fiyero Lermontov seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.