PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jin Yi (ranked 178 p4p, 183 weight class) and Vicente Escalante (ranked 26 p4p, 28 weight class). Yi comes into the arena with Wobble blaring out of the sound system. Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Yi
vs
Escalante

189 cm
27
192
13 - 5 - 1

183 cm
28
192
19 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

HELLBENT
Conquer

Brooklyn Threads
Brooklyn Apothecary

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 13 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jin Yi!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Vicente Escalante!
The judges for this bout are Darius Henderson, Francis DeMontford and Bruno Hogan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Escalante defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Yi.
Escalante drops his hands momentarily and Yi takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Yi takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Escalante lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Yi has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Yi and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Escalante closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Yi checks the leg kick.
Escalante throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Yi appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Jin Yi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Escalante defending well as Yi loads up on a big left hand.
Escalante misses with an uppercut.
Yi is looking to counter punch.
Yi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Escalante manages to avoid it.
Yi takes one on the button.
Escalante thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Yi if he has to take too many more of those.
Escalante finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Escalante throws a head kick but Yi moves out of range.
Escalante throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Escalante takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Escalante checks a leg kick nicely.
A big left from Yi misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yi throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Yi throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Escalante on the side of the head.

Yi fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Escalante sprawls well initially but Yi persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Yi prevents Escalante from improving his position.

Yi is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Escalante has managed to free his arm - good work.

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

Yi is working for a submission of some sort.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Yi is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Escalante sees it coming and defends easily.

Yi is working for a submission of some sort.
Yi with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Yi is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yi throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Yi looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Yi sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Escalante defending well though.

Escalante manages to escape and get back to his feet!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Escalante misses with a body kick.
Yi scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Good leg kick by Yi.
Yi jabs Escalante right on the nose. Escalante blinks but takes it well.
A combination from Escalante does no damage.

Yi closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Escalante's guard.

Escalante manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Escalante lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

It looks like Jin Yi has been cut.
Yi lands with a short shot to the head.
Yi looking for a takedown.
Yi tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Yi wants to take the fight to the mat but Escalante manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jin Yi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Escalante lands an elbow that stopped Yi in his tracks for a moment.
Escalante lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Yi or not.
Escalante throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Yi misses with a hook to the ribs.
Yi has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Escalante avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Vicente Escalante will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Jin Yi's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Yi tries a low kick but Escalante avoids it.
Escalante is looking to score with low kicks.
Yi lunges at Escalante with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Escalante's hand.
Yi misses with a straight right.
A shot to the body from Yi misses
and Escalante counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Yi misses with a leg kick
and Escalante counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
An inside leg kick lands from Yi.
Yi misses with an uppercut.
A countering left hand to the body from Escalante misses.
Escalante lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Yi checks a leg kick.
Escalante throws a hook but Yi blocks it.
Yi lands with a cross.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Yi looking to score a takedown here. Escalante is defending well but Yi drives through and ends up in Escalante's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Yi trying to move into half guard but instead Escalante has managed to sweep!

Yi is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yi wants to sweep here but Escalante controlling him for the moment.

Yi throws his legs up looking for a submission but Escalante uses it to pass to side control.
Yi regains half guard.
Yi is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Escalante wants to stand up but Yi has a hold of him and won't allow it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Yi is looking to improve his position.
Escalante wants to stand up but Yi is controlling the position.

Yi looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Yi looking for subs from the bottom but Escalante mounts him!
Yi can't escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yi is working hard here to advance position.
Yi wants to hold on but Escalante pushes him away.
Yi is wriggling around trying to escape.
Yi tries to lock up and control but Escalante gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

Escalante stands up from mount. Strange move.
Escalante throws a right hand that misses

and Yi counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Yi lands with a punch from half guard.

Yi looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Escalante is controlling Yi's trapped leg to prevent Yi from advancing to side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yi wants to control but Escalante is keeping him busy.
Escalante has his hands clasped together around Yi's back. He's all about the action.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Yi is trying to work for a kimura but Escalante is defending well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Vicente Escalante will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Jin Yi's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Yi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Yi throws a right hand that misses
and Escalante connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Yi fails in his attempt to clinch.
Yi is looking to clinch but Escalante is avoiding it.
Escalante swings for the body but Yi moves out of range.
Escalante throws a series of punches but Yi avoids them all with ease.
Yi is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Escalante takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

Escalante gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Yi working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Yi controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yi trying to control the position from guard on top but Escalante is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Yi is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Escalante is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yi throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Yi trying to control the position from guard on top but Escalante is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Yi working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Yi throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Escalante works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Escalante fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Yi has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

Yi changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Escalante looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Yi wants to lay and pray for a moment but Escalante keeps working.
Yi postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Yi trying to control the action but Escalante is working from the bottom.
Yi with the ground and pound but Escalante regains half guard under the barage of strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yi looks to land a strike but Escalante avoids it nicely and regains full guard.

Yi drops back, looking for a kneebar! Escalante looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Escalante looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Escalante!

Yi misses with a strike from the bottom.
Yi can't do much from the bottom here.
Yi manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Yi is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at The Rubber Guard Emporium, so we'll see if he gets out of it.

Yi looking for subs from the bottom but Escalante mounts him!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yi is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Yi wants to hold on but Escalante pushes him away.
Escalante controlling from mount.
Yi is looking to improve his position but Escalante isn't that keen on the idea.
Yi sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

Yi actively working from the bottom here.
My spies in Brooklyn Mixed Martial Arts inform me that Escalante has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Yi is looking to get back to full guard here but Escalante has managed to pass to side control instead.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Escalante blocks the strikes from Yi.
Yi tries to bench press Escalante off him but Escalante keeps the position.
Yi wants to control but Escalante postures up.

Escalante stands up and beckons Yi to his feet.
Yi lands a jab.
Vicente Escalante is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Escalante throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Yi tries to clinch up but Escalante circles away and keeps his distance.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Yi fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Escalante avoids it really well and circles away.
Escalante takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Vicente Escalante really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jin Yi's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Yi tries to score a power double leg takedown but Escalante sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Yi somewhat.
Escalante misses with an uppercut. Yi saw that one coming.
Escalante jabs at Yi's body.
Escalante scores with a decent looking hook.
A left and a right from Escalante both land. Nice combination.
Yi shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Escalante sprawls well. Escalante wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Yi gets slowly back to his feet.
A slow jab from Yi misses its intended target.
Escalante let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jab from Escalante.
Escalante throws a hook to the side of Yi's head but Yi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Escalante checks a low kick from Yi.
A countering left hand to the body from Escalante misses.
Yi misses with a right hand
and Escalante counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A looping hook to the body misses from Escalante. Yi does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yi throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Escalante throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
As Escalante backs away, Yi returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Escalante moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Jab from Escalante.
Escalante jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Yi appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Escalante tries to move into range but Yi moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Yi lands a nice shot to the body.
Yi misses with a low kick.
Yi fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Escalante avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jin Yi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Escalante dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Escalante rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Yi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yi fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Yi lands with a thumping leg kick.
Yi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Yi pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Escalante tries to land a front kick but Yi steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Escalante misses with a low kick.
Yi moves out of range of the body kick.
Escalante moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Escalante.
Yi dodges the punch combination from Escalante.
A bone on bone clash there as Escalante blocks the leg kick.
Escalante has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Yi tries to work over Escalante's front leg with a kick but Escalante checks it.
Escalante throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Escalante looking to land some kicks to the body here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Escalante flicks out a counter leg kick but Yi steps away.
Nice uppercut lands for Yi. That snapped Escalante's head back.
Yi shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Escalante pinned against the cage. Escalante gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Yi closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Escalante has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Yi is on him like a limpet, forcing Escalante back against the cage.
Yi tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Yi working aggressively here.
Yi lands with a right to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Yi working aggressively here.
Yi softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yi misses with a punch to the body.

Escalante breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Yi looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

Yi closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Escalante to the mat! Escalante manages to get full guard.
Yi wants to control from the top but Escalante keeps moving.
Yi is really struggling to control Escalante but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Vicente Escalante has got the better of the ground game so far.
Yi working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Vicente Escalante dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Jin Yi's cut.
That's time! Yi's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Escalante cracks Yi with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Yi jabs Escalante right on the nose. Escalante blinks but takes it well.
Yi throws a body shot but no joy.
Yi slips under a jab.
Yi shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Escalante sprawls well. Escalante wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Yi gets slowly back to his feet.
Escalante slips under a jab from Yi.
Escalante flicks out a counter leg kick but Yi steps away.
Yi tries to clinch up but Escalante circles away and keeps his distance.
Escalante lands a nice shot that snaps Yi's head back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yi stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Escalante.
Escalante lands with an uppercut that bounces Yi off the cage and back into range.
Escalante moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Yi wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Escalante crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Yi - the referee stops the clock and Escalante gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Yi. Escalante manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Escalante ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Escalante lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Yi.
Escalante swings for the body but Yi moves out of range.
Escalante doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Escalante misses with a low kick.
Yi tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Escalante defends well and Yi ends up having to push Escalante into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jin Yi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Escalante blocks an uppercut.
Yi doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Escalante throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Yi misses with a hook to the ribs.

Yi has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Escalante uses from the top position.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

Escalante stands up from Yi's guard - Escalante perhaps looking for a knockout.
Yi swings for the body but Escalante moves out of range.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Escalante! But no joy.
Yi takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Escalante punishes Yi's body with a nice straight punch.
Escalante with the inside leg kick.
Escalante slips under a jab.
Escalante misses with a body punch
and Yi counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Yi takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Yi misses with a straight left.
Escalante misses with a wild body shot.
Escalante on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Escalante throws a low kick but Yi moves out of range easily.
Yi shoots in and drives through. Escalante sprawls well.
Escalante on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Escalante misses with a double jab
and Yi counters with a body kick.
Jab from Yi.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yi misses with a right hand
and Escalante makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Yi shoots in but Escalante avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Yi avoids a punch combination nicely.
Escalante feints and then cracks Yi's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Yi down.
Vicente Escalante is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Yi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A shot to the liver by Escalante. Beautiful body shot.

Yi gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Escalante's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Yi wants to clinch up but Escalante keeps it at a distance.
Escalante looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Yi fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Escalante is out of range.
Yi misses with a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Escalante steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Yi.
Yi with a poor takedown
and Escalante counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Yi tries for a takedown but Escalante sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Escalante connects with a nice looking jab.
Yi shoots for a double leg takedown but Escalante sprawls well. He's pushed Yi's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Escalante fails to land with a series of punches.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Escalante uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Yi.
Nice uppercut lands for Escalante. That snapped Yi's head back.
Yi throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Escalante sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Jin Yi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Escalante throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Escalante pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Yi closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Yi misses with some punches.
Yi misses with a punch on the inside.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vicente Escalante comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Escalante winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Darius Henderson scores the fight 45:50
Judge Francis DeMontford scores the fight 45:50
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vicente Escalante!
Vicente Escalante really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Brooklyn Apothecary logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.
Jin Yi was interviewed post fight and said 'Next time, there will be no next time.'.