|
|
PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Derek Riggs (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gerard Esqueda (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Esqueda is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Cant del Barça. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!
 |
|
 |
| 177 cm
23
168 lbs
10 - 6 - 0 |
|
179 cm
22
168 lbs
5 - 1 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin |
|
ADCC Champion
Excellent boxer
Granite chin |
|
| |
|
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
10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Derek Riggs!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Gerard Esqueda!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Ivan Kurochkin and Illya Tyunina.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Riggs works over Esqueda's head and body with a nice combination.
It looks like Gerard Esqueda has been cut.
Riggs throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Esqueda on the side of the head.
Riggs jabs at Esqueda's body.
Esqueda takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Esqueda on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Riggs throws a jab when Esqueda was well out of range.
A jab from Esqueda misses.
Riggs misses with an uppercut.
Derek Riggs seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Esqueda looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Riggs keeping full guard, as Esqueda tries to pass.
Esqueda slips nicely into half guard.
Esqueda trying to pass the guard but Riggs defending well.
Esqueda perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Riggs wants to control but Esqueda is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Esqueda throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Esqueda throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Esqueda prevents Riggs from improving his position.
Esqueda tries to pass to full mount but Riggs defends it.
Riggs trying to control here.
Esqueda has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Riggs tries to roll over but Esqueda keeps him under control.
Esqueda throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Riggs wants to control but Esqueda is keeping busy.
Riggs knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Esqueda on the ground.
Riggs slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Esqueda advances to half guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riggs trying to control here.
Riggs is not content to let Esqueda control the position.
Esqueda with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Esqueda thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Riggs's head.
Esqueda working over Riggs with some ground and pound. Riggs looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Esqueda throwing shots but Riggs is blocking nicely.
Esqueda is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Riggs sees it coming and defends easily.
Esqueda trying to control the action but Riggs is working from the bottom.
Riggs controlling the position for now.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Riggs is trying to get back to full guard.
Riggs controlling the position well.
Riggs manages to get to full guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riggs keeping full guard, as Esqueda tries to pass.
Esqueda is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Esqueda distracts Riggs with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Esqueda throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Riggs works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Esqueda accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Riggs wants to sweep but no luck.
Esqueda sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Riggs's guard.
Esqueda working over Riggs with some ground and pound. Riggs looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Esqueda is trying to work for a kimura but Riggs is defending well.
Riggs trying to control but Esqueda postures up.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Riggs is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Riggs is looking to improve his position.
Esqueda is looking for a kimura here.
Riggs is trying to get back to full guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Riggs controlling the position for now.
Riggs is looking for a sweep. Esqueda is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Riggs gets full guard.
Esqueda scoring with some ground and pound.
Esqueda with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but Gerard Esqueda will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Gerard Esqueda's cut.
That's time! Riggs's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.
Esqueda getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Riggs connects with a good right hand that stumbles Esqueda. Esqueda circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Riggs throws an overhand right that lands on Esqueda's shoulder, as Esqueda tries to avoid the shot.
Riggs tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Esqueda paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nice shot by Riggs.
Riggs fails with an attempt to clinch.
Riggs throws a poor cross that misses
and Esqueda counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Esqueda drops his hands momentarily and Riggs takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Riggs ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Esqueda moves away.
Esqueda has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
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!
Esqueda misses with a looping right.
Esqueda lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Esqueda throws a poor cross that misses
and Riggs counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
That's one minute gone in the round.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Riggs.
Riggs swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Riggs looks to throw the jab but Esqueda is out of range.
Riggs cracks Esqueda with a right hand to the side of the head.
Riggs displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Esqueda throws out the jab.
Esqueda moves forwards but Riggs connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Esqueda just misses with a punch to the body.
Esqueda looks for a takedown but Riggs sprawls well.
Riggs lands with a hook. Esqueda tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
A cross from Riggs lands.
Riggs ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Esqueda moves away.
Esqueda dives in and grabs Riggs's left leg, looking for a takedown. Riggs pushes down on Esqueda's head and hops out.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Good standup being displayed there by Riggs as he connects with a hook.
Derek Riggs is winning the standup battle so far.
Riggs thows a left - swing and a miss!
Esqueda takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Riggs missing with a left hand there. Esqueda was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Esqueda gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Riggs digs a right hand into Esqueda's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Esqueda's gas tank.
Riggs is looking to control Esqueda's arms but Esqueda gets an underhook and turns him. Now Riggs has his back to the cage.
Riggs lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Riggs tries to work over Esqueda's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Esqueda is trying to maintain a safe position but Riggs gets an underhook and turns Esqueda into the cage.
Riggs lands a body shot.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Riggs.
Esqueda taking a breather.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Riggs's elbow.
Riggs lands a right hand.
Riggs tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Esqueda's elbow.
Esqueda wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Riggs has him pressed against the cage.
Riggs tries to throw a body punch but Esqueda avoids it by throwing Riggs back against the cage.
Esqueda pulls guard.
Esqueda keeping moving, preventing Riggs from controlling successfully.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Esqueda is on top in guard.
Esqueda won't allow Riggs to sweep him here.
Riggs is working hard here to advance position.
Riggs keeping full guard, as Esqueda tries to pass.
Riggs looking for a sweep. Not yet Riggs, not yet.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda works over Riggs with some ground and pound from guard.
Gerard Esqueda has got the better of the ground game so far.
Riggs can't keep his opponent in guard - Esqueda advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Esqueda passes the guard and advances to mount!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Esqueda cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Esqueda is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Riggs has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Esqueda punishing his opponent with strikes.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Riggs tries to reverse the position but Esqueda maintains control.
Riggs tries to hold on but Esqueda postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close second round but I would say that Derek Riggs will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Gerard Esqueda's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!
Riggs takes the fight into the clinch.
Esqueda cracks Riggs with a nice body shot.
Riggs tries to work over Esqueda's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Riggs throws a head punch that misses.
Esqueda tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Riggs smiles and moves away.
Riggs lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Riggs closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Esqueda throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Riggss head.
Riggs working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Riggs lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Esqueda gets control of Riggs's arms and successfully pulls guard. Esqueda will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Riggs trying to control the position from guard on top but Esqueda is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Esqueda bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Riggs's guard.
Esqueda won't allow Riggs to get back to his feet.
Riggs controlling the position.
Riggs not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Derek Riggs.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Esqueda.
Riggs is looking to clinch.
Riggs moves away from the strike by Esqueda.
Esqueda avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Derek Riggs is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Riggs with a nice cross.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riggs misses with a lunging right hand
and Esqueda counters with a single leg into guard. Riggs didn't expect that.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Esqueda won't allow Riggs to sweep him here.
Riggs keeping moving, preventing Esqueda from controlling successfully.
Esqueda pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Riggs is keeping the position for now.
Esqueda trying to control the position from guard on top but Riggs is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Gerard Esqueda wasn't active enough on the ground.
Esqueda takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Riggs takes a swing at Esqueda's ribcage but misses.
Riggs ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Esqueda moves away.
Esqueda avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Riggs.
Riggs lands a really nice looking cross but Esqueda seems unphased.
Riggs throws a jab when Esqueda was well out of range.
Esqueda has a takedown stuffed.
Derek Riggs has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gerard Esqueda.
Riggs doesn't manage to clinch there - Esqueda circles away.
Riggs closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Riggs leaves Esqueda with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
No luck for Esqueda with that takedown attempt.
Esqueda takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Riggs missing with a left hand there. Esqueda was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Riggs throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Riggs pushes Esqueda up against the cage in a clinch.
Riggs misses with a punch to the body.
Esqueda has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Riggs uses from the top position.
Riggs controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Esqueda is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Riggs is aware though and is defending well.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Esqueda striking off his back but it's not causing Riggs any problems.
Esqueda tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Riggs has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Esqueda controls Riggs momentarily but Riggs frees himself.
Riggs wants to control from the top but Esqueda keeps moving.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Riggs stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Esqueda swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Esqueda is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Derek Riggs.
I think Riggs has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 29:28
In favor of your winner, by split decision... Derek Riggs!
After the fight, Derek Riggs was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
|
S |
C |
G |
|
energy
A | B |
|
hype
A | B |
|
pop
A | B |
|
mgr
A | B |
|
FIGHT
RATING
100% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
