PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Panfilo Acerbi (ranked 2027 p4p, 2020 weight class) and Ricardo Esponosa (ranked 199 p4p, 197 weight class). Acerbi's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Boom Boom Boom Boom - Venga Boys. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Acerbi
vs
Esponosa

176 cm
27
166
9 - 7 - 0

181 cm
28
163
9 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Champion Apparel
Knockaround Guys Fight Gear

Seventh Circle Clothing

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 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Panfilo Acerbi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ricardo Esponosa!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Elvis Blanc and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

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

Esponosa is working for an americana but Acerbi has been sneaky and has managed to get back to half guard, whilst Esponosa was thinking about the submission.
Esponosa trying to control the position from guard on top but Acerbi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Esponosa postures up.

Acerbi isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Esponosa stacks Acerbi on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Esponosa!
Acerbi gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Acerbi is not content to let Esponosa control the position.
Acerbi wants to control but Esponosa is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esponosa prevents Acerbi from improving his position.

Esponosa is looking for a kimura but Acerbi is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Esponosa to get the leverage.
Acerbi manages to get to full guard.
Acerbi wants to sweep here but Esponosa controlling him for the moment.

Acerbi is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Esponosa defends well.
Acerbi is trying to control the position but Esponosa postures up.
Acerbi tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Esponosa is trying to tuck his arms in to keep them safe but Acerbi has managed to isolate one of them and has got a loose triangle. Esponosa is looking to defend but Acerbi has done well to lock his legs together - this could be big trouble for Esponosa! Acerbi pulls down on the head and a little smile comes across his face - he knows he's got it. Yep, Esponosa taps out and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Panfilo Acerbi!
Ricardo Esponosa spoke after the fight, saying 'We’ll get it next time '.