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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Juanito Escobar (ranked 158 p4p, 213 weight class) and Manny Tavares (ranked 23 p4p, 35 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.
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| 190 cm
28
185
14 - 4 - 0 |
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183 cm
28
185
16 - 6 - 0 |
Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine |
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Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Juanito Escobar!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Manny Tavares!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Dean Styles and Columbo Gatti.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Escobar fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Tavares avoids it really well and circles away.
Tavares throws out a counter right but Escobar avoids it with no problem.
Tavares throws a hook to the side of Escobar's head but Escobar sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Escobar half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Escobar looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Tavares is fending him off so far but Escobar persists. Nope, Tavares circles away and we're back to standing.
Tavares keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Escobar.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Tavares! But no joy.
Tavares misses with an uppercut. Escobar saw that one coming.
Escobar shoots in and bounces Tavares off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Tavares looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Escobar sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Tavares's guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Tavares is defending against the submission attempts here by Escobar.
Escobar passes to full mount!
Tavares is squirming around, avoiding Escobar's attempts to control the action.
Escobar controlling his opponent.
Escobar tries to control but Tavares wriggling away.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tavares is controlling an arm, preventing Escobar from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.
Tavares is in all sorts of trouble here.
Escobar trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Escobar has hold of Tavares's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Tavares manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavares is squirming around, avoiding Escobar's attempts to control the action.
Tavares is trying to escape the mount.
Escobar takes his opponent's back. Perhaps a chance to lock up a rear naked choke here.
Escobar seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Tavares defends a prolonged rear naked choke attempt and turns nicely into his opponent's guard.
Tavares controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tavares trying to control the position from guard on top but Escobar is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Escobar lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
Escobar forces his way into half guard.
Tavares is looking for a sweep. Escobar is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Tavares is staying active underneath Escobar, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Escobar is working for a kimura but Tavares is defending it quite comfortably.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Juanito Escobar dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
Escobar pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Tavares looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Escobar fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Tavares to the ground. Escobar is now in Tavares's guard.
Escobar looking to pass the guard.
Escobar trying to control the position from guard on top but Tavares is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tavares pulls Escobar in to control the position.
Juanito Escobar overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Escobar wants to control from the top but Tavares keeps moving.
Escobar is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Tavares is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Tavares has escaped and now he's on top!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Escobar is looking for a triangle but Tavares pushes his legs off easily.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Tavares got a little sloppy there for a moment and Escobar has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Tavares has managed to get both his arms back between Escobar's legs - danger averted.
Escobar looking to hit a scissor sweep but Tavares is one step ahead there.
Tavares passes Escobar's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Tavares is thwarting Escobar's attempts to control the position.
Escobar makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Escobar.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Escobar tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Tavares avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Escobar is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Tavares defends well.
Tavares got a little sloppy there for a moment and Escobar has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Tavares has managed to get both his arms back between Escobar's legs - danger averted.
Escobar looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Tavares slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Tavares stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Escobar swivels though and keeps the full guard.
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.
Escobar looking to hit a scissor sweep but Tavares is one step ahead there.
Tavares trying to control but Escobar is working from the bottom.
Tavares got a little sloppy there for a moment and Escobar has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Tavares has managed to get both his arms back between Escobar's legs - danger averted.
Escobar working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Tavares has passed into half guard!
Tavares perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Escobar regains full guard. Nicely done.
Escobar keeping moving, preventing Tavares from controlling successfully.
Tavares stopping the sweep attempt from Escobar.
Escobar had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Tavares defends it easily.
Escobar has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Tavares can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Escobar is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Tavares can do to turn this around?
Escobar working a defensive guard here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Juanito Escobar dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
Escobar looks for the body kick but Tavares saw that one coming.
Tavares ducks right into an uppercut from Escobar.
Tavares keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tavares looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Escobar shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Tavares defends it nicely.
Escobar lands with an overhand left.
Escobar ducks under a wild hook from Tavares.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tavares moves away from the strike by Escobar.
A nice side step and Tavares releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Escobar scores with a crisp jab that stopped Tavares in his tracks.
Escobar misses the body punch
and Tavares counters with a right hand to the body.
Escobar misses with a body shot.
Escobar swings away with a body shot that misses
and Tavares cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Tavares is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Escobar misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Tavares counters with a nice uppercut.
Escobar swings away with a body shot that misses
and Tavares counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Escobar takes a swing at Tavares's ribcage but misses.
Escobar shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Tavares defends it nicely.
Escobar throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Tavares tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Escobar is in Tavares's guard.
Escobar won't allow Tavares to sweep him here.
Tavares keeping full guard, as Escobar tries to pass.
Escobar won't allow Tavares to sweep him here.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tavares wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Escobar wants to control from the top but Tavares keeps moving.
Escobar is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Tavares keeping full guard, as Escobar tries to pass.
Tavares keeping moving, preventing Escobar from controlling successfully.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Escobar looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Tavares lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Juanito Escobar. That's going to take a lot out of him.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavares attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Escobar misses with a looping left.
Escobar looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Tavares is fending him off so far but Escobar persists. Nope, Tavares circles away and we're back to standing.
Tavares misses with a kick to the body.
Escobar getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Escobar lands with an overhand left.
Tavares displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Escobar throws out the jab.
Despite the aggression on Tavares's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Tavares ducks under a wild hook from Escobar.
Escobar closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Tavares did well to prevent Escobar getting side control.
Tavares has one foot on Escobar's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Tavares walks into a straight right hand from Escobar.
Escobar closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Tavares did well to prevent Escobar getting side control.
Tavares is looking for a sweep. Escobar is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tavares moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Escobar wants to control from the top but Tavares keeps moving.
Escobar wants to pass the guard but Tavares is keeping the position.
Tavares controls Escobar momentarily but Escobar frees himself.
Escobar pushes down on Tavares's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Escobar is trying to control. Tavares wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but Juanito Escobar did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
Escobar shoots in for a takedown but Tavares shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Escobar tries to land a leg kick but Tavares saw it coming and moves away.
A little jabbing left from Tavares on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Escobar shoots in and bounces Tavares off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Tavares looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Tavares manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Escobar manages to get himself to full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Escobar not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Escobar has Tavares pulled in close to control his posture.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Escobar escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Tavares gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Escobar looking for a guillotine here but Tavares defends easily.
Tavares is looking to stand up but Escobar won't let him.
Manny Tavares has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tavares trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Escobar looking to control.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Escobar has an active guard here but Tavares has managed to pass into half guard.
Escobar moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Tavares got a little sloppy there for a moment and Escobar has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Tavares has managed to get both his arms back between Escobar's legs - danger averted.
Escobar is looking for a triangle but Tavares pushes his legs off easily.
Escobar trying to keep a closed guard but Tavares is proving a slippery customer.
Escobar is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Escobar has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Tavares is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Escobar.
Tavares working away.
Tavares is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Tavares is looking to take a break and control but Escobar is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Tavares decides to stand back up.
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.
Escobar fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Tavares avoids it really well and circles away.
Escobar looks to throw the jab but Tavares is out of range.
Juanito Escobar seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Escobar throws a body shot but no joy.
Escobar takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Manny Tavares is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tavares checks the leg kick.
A little jabbing left from Tavares on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Escobar fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tavares manages to avoid it.
Escobar shoots in for a double leg but Tavares sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Juanito Escobar. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Escobar just misses with a punch to the body.
Escobar jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
A close fourth round but Manny Tavares will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!
Escobar throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Tavares stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Nice shot by Tavares.
Tavares lands with a nice body punch.
Tavares lunges at Escobar with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Escobar's hand.
Escobar throws a hook but Tavares avoids it easily.
Tavares appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Escobar slips under a jab.
Escobar scoring well with a low kick there.
Escobar cracks Tavares with an open hand slap.
Escobar fails with a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tavares scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
A looping hook to the body misses from Escobar. Tavares does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tavares throws a counter combo.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Escobar jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Escobar digs a good body shot into Tavares's ribs.
Tavares lands a body shot.
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.
Escobar uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tavares.
Tavares missing with a left hand there. Escobar was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Tavares dodges the punch combination from Escobar.
Tavares looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Tavares scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Escobar is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Tavares.
A nice side step and Tavares releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
A looping hook to the body misses from Escobar. Tavares does a little dance to reset his feet.
Escobar gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Tavares counters with a straight right hand.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tavares ducks under a wild hook from Escobar.
Tavares takes one to the side of the head.
Escobar throws a poor cross that misses
and Tavares counters with an outside leg kick.
Escobar fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Juanito Escobar. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Escobar fails with the takedown
and Tavares counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Escobar fails to land the takedown.
Escobar shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Tavares scores with a nice head shot.
Tavares throws a leg kick but Escobar sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Escobar appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
A shot to the liver by Tavares. Beautiful body shot.
A right-left combo lands from Escobar.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavares waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Escobar.
Escobar misses with a hook
and Tavares connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Escobar throws a body shot but no joy.
Escobar rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Tavares counters with a crisp right hand that drops Escobar! Tavares lets Escobar back up to his feet, looking for a finish!
Escobar is rocked!
A looping hook to the body misses from Escobar. Tavares does a little dance to reset his feet.
Oh Escobar is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
OH! Escobar has been rocked by a huge right hand and is in deep trouble! Tavares smells blood and charges in for the finish! Tavares unloads a vicious overhand right and connects to the jaw of Escobar sending him face first to the canvas! Unbelievable!
Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:32 of round 5, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Manny Tavares!
An out of breath Manny Tavares thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
48% |
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