PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mike Green (ranked 1258 p4p, 3884 weight class) and Juanito Escobar (ranked 172 p4p, 466 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Green
vs
Escobar

185 cm
21
191
3 - 1 - 0

190 cm
21
185
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Mike Green!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Juanito Escobar!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Alec Ball and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Green takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Escobar misses with a shot to the body
and Green counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Escobar throws a hook to the side of Green's head but Green sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Escobar loads up on a big right hand but Green slips the punch.
Escobar fails with the takedown.
An attempted straight right counter from Green misses the target.
Juanito Escobar seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Escobar fails with a takedown attempt.
Escobar throws a body shot but no joy.
Green was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Escobar connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Green's hands.
A jab from Escobar does it's job there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Escobar throws a body punch but Green moves out of range.
Escobar scores with a shot to the body.
Escobar blocks a jab.
Escobar shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Mike Green has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Juanito Escobar.
Escobar lands a nice shot that snaps Green's head back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Escobar moves into range and connects with a jab.
Nice defenses there by Escobar.
Green looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Green scores with a crisp jab that stopped Escobar in his tracks.
Green takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Escobar bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Green's head backwards.
A left lands for Escobar.
Green takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Green takes one to the chin there.
Escobar comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Escobar clobbers Green with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Nice straight punches there by Green. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Green.
Escobar with a hook.
Escobar moves out of range of the strikes.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Green, as that shot connected.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Green takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Jab by Escobar.

Green lands a big right hand that sends Escobar crashing to the mat! Green stays standing though and waves Escobar back to his feet!

Escobar is rocked!
Escobar punishes Green's body with a nice straight punch.
Escobar's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Escobar duly obliges.
Green throws a leg kick but Escobar sees it coming and moves out of range.
Green has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Essence Dive in the buildup to the fight.
Escobar scores with a nice head shot.
Green is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

Escobar feints and as Green raises his hands in defense, Escobar changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Escobar tries to free his leg and advance position but Green is retaining full guard.
Green wants to get back to his feet but Escobar is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Green looking for a sweep. Not yet Green, not yet.
Green wants to stand up but Escobar is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Escobar looking to pass the guard.
Escobar stands and throws Green's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Escobar controls the position from side control.
Green wants to control but Escobar postures up.
Escobar wants to lay and pray for a moment but Green keeps working.

Escobar is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Green knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Green regains half guard.

Escobar is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Green has managed to free his arm - good work.
Escobar prevents Green from standing back up.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Escobar in particular looking to stall.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Green wants to get back to his feet.

Escobar is working for a kimura here but Green manages to reverse the position and he's now in Escobar's guard.
Green trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Escobar trying to control the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Juanito Escobar dominated that round.
That's time! Green's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Green takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Escobar moves out of range as Green strikes.
Escobar lands a body shot.
A combination from Escobar does no damage.
Green swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

Green gets caught flat footed, as Escobar shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Green wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Escobar manages to pass to side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Green tries to push off, looking to stand up, but Escobar manages to move to mount!
Green is wriggling around trying to escape.
Escobar can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Green is looking to escape.
Escobar avoids the attempt from Green to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Green is squirming around, avoiding Escobar's attempts to control the action.
Green keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Escobar seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Green is holding on tight.
Green can't escape the position.

Escobar with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Green working to try and regain half guard.
Green has given up his back - I don’t know if this is a deliberate ploy to try and escape or if he is just struggling down there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Escobar is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Green is defending well though. Escobar let's go of the attempt for now.
Our spies down at at No Stepchild - No Entrance inform us that Escobar has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Green is trying to stand back up.

Escobar is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Green tries to escape but Escobar has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

Escobar looking for the RNC.

Escobar patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Green is trying to get back to his feet but Escobar has full control of the position and if anything, Green has just worked his way into a worse spot.
You can see the frustration on Green's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Green is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Green is really stuck here.

Escobar working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Well, with Escobar on his back, surely it's only a matter of time before Green is tapping out... Can he escape the position?

Escobar is looking for the choke from the back position but Green is controlling his hands well.
Green tries to escape but Escobar has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

Green defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Escobar's arms.
Green wants to control his opponent's hands but Escobar gets his hands free.
Green trying to get back to his feet but Escobar is in full control for now.
Escobar has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Green is really stuck here.
Green is trying to get back to his feet but Escobar has full control of the position and if anything, Green has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Escobar is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Green is defending well though. Escobar let's go of the attempt for now.
Green staying busy and making it hard for Escobar to control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Green tries to break free.
Green wants to get back to his feet.
Green manages to reverse the position and now he's in Escobar's guard. Nice work there by Green.
Green trying to stand up but can't free himself from Escobar's guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Juanito Escobar showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. This is the final round!

Escobar ducks under a wild hook from Green.
Escobar fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Green is out of range.
Escobar throws a body punch but Green moves out of range.
Escobar connects with a looping right hand.
Escobar throws a hook but Green blocks it.
Green throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Escobar.
Escobar is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Escobar just misses with a punch to the body.
Escobar fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Escobar misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Green counters with a stiff right hand.
Escobar jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Escobar slips under a jab.
Escobar lands a glancing blow to the side of Green's head.
Juanito Escobar seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Escobar throws a shot from downtown. Green moves away and avoids it.
Escobar scores with a jab to the body.
Green has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Escobar misses with a body punch
and Green counters with a straight right hand.
Green takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Green paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Escobar misses with a looping left.
Escobar fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Escobar lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Escobar loads up on a big right hand but Green slips the punch.
Green swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Green on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Escobar slips a straight right by Green.
Escobar cracks Green with a right hand to the side of the head.
Green takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

Escobar closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Green wants to stand back up but Escobar manages to pass into side control.
Mike Green has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Green wants to get back to his feet.

Escobar tries for a kimura but Green is defending well.
Green is not content to let Escobar control the position.
Green is trying to escape the position but Escobar is controlling the position.
Escobar works to advance to full mount. Green defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Escobar seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Green is holding on tight.
Green is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Escobar wants to take his opponent's back but he's not managed it.
Green has given up his back. Will we see Escobar going for some submissions?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Green is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

Escobar seems to be going for a rear naked choke. He has an arm under Green's chin but Green turns very nicely into Escobar's guard. Good BJJ skills being displayed there by Green.
Green trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Green has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Escobar is proving hard to escape from.
Escobar tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Escobar trying to control the position here.
Green has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Green trying to control the position from guard on top but Escobar is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Escobar not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Escobar looking to hit a scissor sweep but Green is one step ahead there.
Green wanted to stand there but Escobar had control of the position.
Escobar avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Escobar is trying to control the position but Green postures up.
Green trying to stand up but can't free himself from Escobar's guard.

Green drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Escobar dives on top into guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Juanito 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 27:30
Judge William Peck scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Juanito Escobar!
A very excited looking Juanito Escobar made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.