PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Xavier Essien (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Emilio Stark (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Xavier Essien could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Emilio Stark's chin.

Essien
vs
Stark

175 cm
25
155 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

179 cm
25
155 lbs
9 - 9 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Knockout power

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 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Xavier Essien!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Emilio Stark!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Timothy Bukovac and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Essien fails with the takedown

and Stark counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Stark.
Essien being controlled here, momentarily.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Emilio Stark.
Essien tries for a takedown but Stark circles away easily

and Stark counters with a single leg into guard. Essien didn't expect that.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Essien looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Stark slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Stark avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Essien is looking to sweep but instead, Stark has passed into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stark performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Essien is trying to maintain the position but Stark is very close to passing his half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stark with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Stark is thwarting Essien's attempts to control the position.
Stark content to control rather than advance.
Essien wants to get back to full guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Emilio Stark.

Essien gets caught napping as Stark dives in and scores a takedown. Essien manages to retain guard.
Stark sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Essien working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Stark doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Stark manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Stark tries to free his leg and advance position but Essien is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Essien wants to hit a switch here but Stark passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Essien there!
Stark controlling from mount.
Essien tries to reverse the position but Stark maintains control.
Stark sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Essien is wriggling around trying to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Emilio Stark dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Stark gets a clinch.

Stark pulls guard.
Essien looking to pass the guard.

Stark working for a triangle but Essien defends it easily.
Stark pulls Essien in close to prevent any damage.
Essien looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Essien controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Stark seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Essien with a lazy takedown attempt

and Stark counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Stark.
Stark showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Stark thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Essien can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Stark controls the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Essien controls Stark momentarily but Stark frees himself.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Essien has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Stark can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Stark sitting in guard, not really doing much.

Essien looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stark showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Emilio Stark was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Stark gets the takedown into side control.

Stark wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Essien, who protects the arm well.

Stark tries for a kimura but Essien is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Essien tries to bench press Stark off him but Stark keeps the position.
Stark controlling the position from side mount.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Essien tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Stark presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Emilio Stark showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Stark decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Essien is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Stark pulls his head out easily.
Essien wants to improve his position but Stark is controlling well.
Stark looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Stark prevents Essien from improving his position.
Stark trying to mount his opponent but Essien defends it.
Stark stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Essien is trying to get back to full guard.
Stark stalling.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Emilio Stark hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Essien fails with the takedown

and Stark counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Still in half guard, Stark seems content to control.
Let's hope that Stark has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Stark is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Stark controlling the pace.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Emilio Stark has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Stark throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Essien tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Stark is in Essien's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stark is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Essien lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Stark!
Emilio Stark has got the better of the ground game so far.
Essien can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Stark is looking to escape.
Stark tries to hold on but Essien pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stark is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Essien is staying active.
Stark holds on to Essien around his waist, trying desperately to prevent any attacks.
Xavier Essien has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Emilio Stark has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Essien with a lazy takedown attempt

and Stark counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Stark.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Essien looking for a sweep. Not yet Essien, not yet.
Emilio Stark is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Stark slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Emilio Stark comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Stark has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Emilio Stark!