PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ricardo Esponosa (ranked 3807 p4p, 4620 weight class) and Jere Luokkamaki (ranked 360 p4p, 400 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Esponosa
vs
Luokkamaki

181 cm
26
163
7 - 7 - 0

170 cm
28
145
9 - 15 - 1

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Seventh Circle Clothing

Sakura Style

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 7 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ricardo Esponosa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 15 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Jere Luokkamaki!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Dillan Fox and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Luokkamaki keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Luokkamaki connects with a crisp jab.

Esponosa moves into the clinch.
Luokkamaki lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Luokkamaki lands a left hand.
Esponosa fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Luokkamaki tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Luokkamaki misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Luokkamaki scores with a nice hook to the head.
Esponosa is looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ricardo Esponosa. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Luokkamaki breaks the clinch.
A left lands for Luokkamaki.
A big right from Esponosa misses.
Luokkamaki connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Luokkamaki.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Esponosa gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Esponosa takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Esponosa keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Esponosa moves into the clinch successfully.

Esponosa manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Esponosa looking for a guillotine here but Luokkamaki defends easily.

Esponosa looking for subs off his back but Luokkamaki has passed one foot through into half guard.

Esponosa looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Esponosa gets back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Esponosa escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Luokkamaki gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Esponosa looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Luokkamaki postures up.

Luokkamaki got a little sloppy there for a moment and Esponosa has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Luokkamaki has managed to get both his arms back between Esponosa's legs - danger averted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Esponosa looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Luokkamaki has picked Esponosa up and slammed him! Esponosa can't keep hold of the triangle and Luokkamaki manages to pass to side control!
Esponosa is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Luokkamaki working away.
Esponosa tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Luokkamaki wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Esponosa manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Luokkamaki controlling the position well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esponosa is looking to advance position but Luokkamaki won't allow it.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Esponosa missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Esponosa is looking for submissions but instead, Luokkamaki has regained full guard.
Esponosa wants to pass the guard but Luokkamaki is keeping the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Esponosa trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jere Luokkamaki dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Luokkamaki swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Esponosa feinted with a counter takedown.
Luokkamaki looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Luokkamaki. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Luokkamaki uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Esponosa is trying hard to land a takedown here. Luokkamaki sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
A chopping leg kick lands by Luokkamaki.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Esponosa is defended easily by Luokkamaki.
Esponosa shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ricardo Esponosa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Esponosa shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Luokkamaki as he avoids it easily.
Donk. Luokkamaki catches Esponosa right on the button with a cross.
Esponosa staying out of range there.
Nice jab there from Luokkamaki.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Esponosa tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Esponosa on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Luokkamaki has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Esponosa feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Esponosa trying to control but Luokkamaki is working from the bottom.
Luokkamaki is controlling Esponosa's posture.
Esponosa will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Esponosa wants to control from the top but Luokkamaki keeps moving.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Luokkamaki holds on and takes a little breather.

Esponosa drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Esponosa jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

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.
Esponosa's corner is telling him to maintain position.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Esponosa drops back looking for a leg! Luokkamaki is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Luokkamaki manages to kick Esponosa off! Esponosa jumps back into Luokkamaki's guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Esponosa cracks Luokkamaki with an open hand slap.
Esponosa sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Luokkamaki stuffs the takedown.
Luokkamaki throws the left hand but Esponosa avoids the punch easily.
Luokkamaki has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Esponosa shoots in but Luokkamaki avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Esponosa moves in looking to clinch but Luokkamaki pushes him off.
Esponosa connects with the punch.
Luokkamaki scores with a body shot.
Luokkamaki lands a jab to Esponosa's midsection.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Luokkamaki jabs Esponosa right on the nose. Esponosa blinks but takes it well.
Esponosa shoots for a takedown but Luokkamaki saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Esponosa closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Luokkamaki quickly recovers to half guard.
Luokkamaki is trying to control but can't.
Esponosa is taking a breather. Luokkamaki says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Esponosa thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Luokkamaki's head.
Esponosa wants to take a breather but Luokkamaki is having none of it.
Esponosa tries to pass to full mount but Luokkamaki defends it.
Esponosa trying to control the action but Luokkamaki is working from the bottom.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Luokkamaki is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Esponosa slips under a jab from Luokkamaki.
Esponosa goes for a double leg but Luokkamaki avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Luokkamaki continues to drive forward.
I was talking to Esponosa's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Esponosa tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Luokkamaki just stands there and leans against the cage.

Luokkamaki's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Luokkamaki goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
A big right from Esponosa misses.
Luokkamaki fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Esponosa has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
An inside leg kick lands from Luokkamaki.
Esponosa fails with a takedown attempt.
Luokkamaki lands a body shot.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jere Luokkamaki showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Luokkamaki.
No luck for Esponosa with that takedown attempt.
Esponosa shoots in but Luokkamaki avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Esponosa shoots in for a takedown but Luokkamaki shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ricardo Esponosa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Esponosa tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Luokkamaki manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Luokkamaki lands with a nice body kick.
Luokkamaki bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Luokkamaki lands with an overhand left.
Esponosa fails to land the takedown.
That kick from Luokkamaki tenderised Esponosa's leg. Esponosa is trying to keep his angry face on.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Luokkamaki throws the kick towards the body but Esponosa avoids it.
Esponosa half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Luokkamaki misses with a looping right.
Jere Luokkamaki seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Luokkamaki lands a nice shot to the body.
Luokkamaki ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Luokkamaki is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Esponosa.
A low kick lands for Luokkamaki.
A good leg kick by Luokkamaki.
Esponosa closes this distance looking for a takedown but Luokkamaki circles away.
Luokkamaki scores with a hook to the body. Esponosa takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Esponosa shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Luokkamaki as he jumps to the side.
Luokkamaki flicks out a counter leg kick but Esponosa steps away.
Esponosa moves out of range of the body kick from Luokkamaki.
Luokkamaki scores with a spinning back kick!
Luokkamaki pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Luokkamaki is looking to land body kicks.
Luokkamaki thows a body kick. Esponosa tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Esponosa tries to clinch but Luokkamaki moves out of range.
Luokkamaki doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Luokkamaki jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Luokkamaki dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Luokkamaki is looking to slow Esponosa down with leg kicks.
Luokkamaki lands a head kick!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Luokkamaki lands a jab to Esponosa's midsection.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esponosa shoots in for a takedown but Luokkamaki shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
A shot to the liver by Luokkamaki. Beautiful body shot.
Jere Luokkamaki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A jab from Luokkamaki misses.
Luokkamaki on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

Esponosa instigates a clinch.
Esponosa tries to pull guard but Luokkamaki holds him up against the cage and eventually Esponosa drops back down to his feet.
Luokkamaki scores with a nice hook to the head.

Luokkamaki's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Luokkamaki misses the shot to the body.
Esponosa sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Esponosa tries for a takedown but Luokkamaki sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Esponosa walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
A slapping leg kick lands for Luokkamaki.
Luokkamaki with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Jere Luokkamaki is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Luokkamaki throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Esponosa's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Luokkamaki scores with a jab to the body.
Esponosa avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Esponosa moves out of range as Luokkamaki throws a body kick.
Luokkamaki misses with a double jab.
Luokkamaki misses the jab.
Esponosa shoots in for a takedown but Luokkamaki shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Luokkamaki throws a nice outside leg kick.
Esponosa darts in looking for a takedown but Luokkamaki gets double underhooks and turns Esponosa into the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Esponosa jumps guard and drags Luokkamaki to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Esponosa wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

Esponosa looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Luokkamaki passes into side control.
You can see the frustration on Esponosa's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esponosa tries to bench press Luokkamaki off him but Luokkamaki keeps the position.
You can see the frustration on Esponosa's face as Luokkamaki controls the position.
Esponosa tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Luokkamaki wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Esponosa trying to control but Luokkamaki flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!
Esponosa trying to control the action but Luokkamaki just sinks the hooks in.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jere Luokkamaki comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Luokkamaki 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 26:30
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 27:30
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jere Luokkamaki!
The defeated Ricardo Esponosa had this to say: 'We’ll get it next time '.