PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Martti Esko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marcos Barbosa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Esko
vs
Barbosa

190 cm
21
199 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

188 cm
20
190 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

TFP Graphics - Pit Inc

Red Light Clothing ► Amsterdam!
aKua

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Martti Esko!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Marcos Barbosa!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, William Gold and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barbosa shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Esko but Esko pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Barbosa moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

It looks like Martti Esko has been cut.
Barbosa throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Esko sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Esko fails with the takedown.
Barbosa throws a right and a left that Esko avoids nicely.
Barbosa shoots in looking for a takedown. Esko tries to sprawl out of it but Barbosa keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Esko manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Barbosa fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Esko sprawls well initially but Barbosa persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Barbosa wants to pass the guard but Esko is defending well.
Esko trying to control here.
Barbosa wants to pass to mount but Esko is defending the position.
Barbosa throwing shots but Esko is blocking nicely.
Barbosa wants to pass the guard but Esko is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barbosa passes to side control.
Esko is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Barbosa's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Barbosa looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Barbosa seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Esko does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Barbosa is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Barbosa wants to pass to mount but Esko is defending the position.
Barbosa thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Esko's head.
Barbosa looks gassed!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Barbosa is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Esko is just riding it out for now. Barbosa eventually gives up the hold.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Esko lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Barbosa at a distance.
Esko throws a sloppy head kick and Barbosa moves out of range easily.
Barbosa throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Barbosa is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Esko.
Esko throws out a powerful jab.
Barbosa has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
A jab from Esko does it's job there.
Esko cracks Barbosa with a right hand to the side of the head.
Esko throws a nice head kick!
Esko misses with a few strikes there.
Barbosa shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Martti Esko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marcos Barbosa.
Esko connects with a high kick.

Barbosa is rocked!
Barbosa drops his hands momentarily and Esko needs no second invitation. He sets himself and throws a perfect high kick, that clips Barbosa just on the top of the head. Barbosa drops like a sack of potatoes to the canvas, out cold! Oooooooh yeah! Stick a fork in Barbosa - he's done!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:03 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Head Kick). Martti Esko!
Martti Esko retains his middleweight title!