PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Bob Esponja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kakashi Hatake (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hatake is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Musica tema do Kakashi. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Esponja
vs
Hatake

184 cm
20
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

177 cm
20
148 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent knees
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Bob Esponja!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Kakashi Hatake!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Leandro Rodrigues and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Esponja has a takedown stuffed.
Bob Esponja seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Esponja has closed the distance and engaged Hatake in a clinch.
Hatake misses with a knee to the head.
Hatake wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Esponja leaning against his opponent.
Esponja really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Hatake has Esponja pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Esponja manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Esponja has Hatake pressed against the cage.
Hatake jumps guard but Esponja stands there with Hatake around his waist. Hatake gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Esponja is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Hatake is defending well for now.

Esponja breaks from the clinch.
Esponja looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Esponja has taken the fight to the clinch.
Esponja is trying to pull guard but Hatake turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bob Esponja. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Esponja is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

Esponja's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esponja is looking to clinch.
Esponja goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Esponja fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Hatake avoids it really well and circles away.

Esponja takes the fight into the clinch.
Esponja has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Hatake avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Hatake breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hatake slaps away a takedown attempt from Esponja, before circling back to the center of the mat.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Hatake.
Esponja throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

Esponja drives through with a takedown into guard.
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.
Hatake is looking to stand up but Esponja isn't so interested in that idea.
Hatake throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

Hatake is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Esponja is aware though and is defending well.
Esponja slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Esponja decides to stand back up.
Esponja is breathing heavily.
Hatake throws a body kick that misses.
Esponja throws a head kick but Hatake moves out of range.
Esponja looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Hatake throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Esponja stuffs the takedown attempt from Hatake. Hatake gets slowly back to his feet.
Hatake displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Esponja.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hatake clinches up against the cage.

Esponja drags the fight down to the ground.
Hatake has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Hatake wants to stand and escape but instead Esponja has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Hatake is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Esponja is controlling him.

Esponja decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Hatake, up you get!

Hatake gets tackled into the cage by Esponja. Esponja maintains the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esponja is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.

Esponja breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hatake fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Esponja fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Hatake, pushing him back against the cage.
Esponja can't get the takedown.

Esponja manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hatake stopping the sweep attempt from Esponja.
Hatake wants to stand but Esponja has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Hatake gets to his feet. Esponja looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bob Esponja dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Esponja shoots for a double leg takedown but Hatake sprawls well. He's pushed Esponja's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Hatake shoots in but Esponja avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Esponja displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Hatake.
Hatake misses with a body kick.
Esponja pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Esponja clinches up against the cage.
Esponja tries to score a body lock takedown but Hatake shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Esponja is pushing Hatake up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Hatake.
Hatake is breathing heavily.
Hatake is working for takedown but Esponja is calmly controlling the position for now.
Bob Esponja has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kakashi Hatake.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esponja is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Esponja landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Esponja prevents a takedown attempt there.
Esponja pushes Hatake back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

Esponja breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Esponja drives through and clinches with Hatake against the cage.

Esponja jumps guard and drags Hatake to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Hatake trying to control but Esponja is working from the bottom.

Esponja pushes Hatake off and gets back to his feet.
Esponja misses with a head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esponja shoots in looking for a takedown but Hatake manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Esponja's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Hatake shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Esponja as he avoids it easily.

Esponja closes the distance and clinches.

Esponja has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Hatake uses from the top position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Hatake got a little sloppy there for a moment and Esponja has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Hatake has managed to get both his arms back between Esponja's legs - danger averted.
Hatake trying to control but Esponja is working from the bottom.
Hatake working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hatake pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Esponja is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Esponja looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Hatake preventing the sweep.
Hatake wants to stand but Esponja is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esponja has his hands on Hatake's head, controlling the position.
Hatake would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Hatake trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Esponja is pulling down on Hatake's head. It's preventing any offense from Hatake, at least for the moment.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Esponja misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hatake takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bob Esponja dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Hatake tries to score a power double leg takedown but Esponja sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Hatake somewhat.
Hatake swats away the attempt to clinch by Esponja.
Esponja lands a head kick!
Hatake swats away the attempt to clinch by Esponja.

Esponja has taken the fight to the clinch.
Hatake wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Esponja content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Esponja is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Hatake gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Hatake wants to break the clinch but can't.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hatake is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Esponja to keep the fight standing.

Esponja breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Esponja looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Hatake shoots in for a double leg but Esponja sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Bob Esponja has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kakashi Hatake.
Hatake is looking to clinch.
Hatake shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hatake leaves Esponja with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Esponja pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hatake throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Hatake shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Esponja pinned against the cage. Esponja gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Esponja looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hatake is fending him off so far but Esponja persists. Nope, Hatake circles away and we're back to standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esponja moves out of range as Hatake throws a body kick.
Esponja throws a head kick but Hatake moves out of range.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Esponja escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hatake avoids the head kick by Esponja.
Esponja tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Hatake manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Esponja clinches up against the cage.
Esponja prevents Hatake from breaking the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Esponja pulls guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esponja has a closed guard, preventing Hatake from standing up.

Esponja is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Hatake is looking to stand up but Esponja won't let him.
Hatake wants to stand and escape but instead Esponja has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esponja engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Esponja gets to his feet - Hatake follows without any prompting.
Esponja looks for a takedown but Hatake sprawls well.
Esponja moves in looking to clinch but Hatake pushes him off.
Hatake throws a half hearted mid kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Esponja fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Hatake avoids it really well and circles away.
Esponja throws a head kick that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bob Esponja showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Esponja has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Edson Gomes scores the fight 30:27
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 30:27
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bob Esponja!