PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Gabriel Fenili (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gerard Esqueda (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Esqueda is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Cant del Barça. Gabriel Fenili has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Fenili
vs
Esqueda

168 cm
21
157 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

179 cm
21
167 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Skin-Clothes Designing

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 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Gabriel Fenili!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Gerard Esqueda!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Fenili shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Fenili looking to sit in guard and control but Esqueda gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Fenili has momentary wrist control but Esqueda slips an elbow through the middle.

Fenili is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Esqueda looking to pass the guard.
Esqueda passes Fenili's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Fenili is looking to improve his position.
Esqueda working over Fenili with some ground and pound. Fenili looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Esqueda landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
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!

Fenili looking for submissions off his back.
Fenili misses with some strikes from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esqueda controlling the pace.
Fenili might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Esqueda is keen to just control but Fenili is a slippery customer.
Esqueda might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Fenili kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Fenili is trying to maintain the position but Esqueda is very close to passing his half guard.
Fenili is staying active underneath Esqueda, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Gerard Esqueda hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Esqueda drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Esqueda stays in close to Fenili's body and controls the position.

Fenili escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Esqueda gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Esqueda wants to control from the top but Fenili keeps moving.
Esqueda is pushing down on Fenili's leg trying to pass to half guard. Fenili is fighting to maintain full guard but Esqueda has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fenili wants to control but Esqueda passes into side.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Fenili is looking to reverse the position.
Fenili manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Esqueda regains full guard. Nicely done.
Fenili trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Esqueda tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Fenili slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Fenili tries for a kimura but Esqueda is defending well.
Fenili working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Fenili missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Esqueda is refusing to be controlled, as Fenili sits in half guard.
Fenili working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Esqueda's thigh. Esqueda counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Fenili with a flurry of punches that miss.
Esqueda has control of Fenili's left arm, preventing Fenili from doing any damage.
Fenili passes Esqueda's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Esqueda slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Esqueda preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fenili trying to control but Esqueda is working from the bottom.
Esqueda keeping full guard, as Fenili tries to pass.
Fenili throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Esqueda works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Esqueda seems keen to control Fenili's posture.
Esqueda looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Fenili throws a big right hand that misses.
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!
Fenili wants to control from the top but Esqueda keeps moving.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Esqueda pulls Fenili in close to prevent any damage.
Fenili won't allow Esqueda to sweep him here.
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 referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Good standup being displayed there by Esqueda as he connects with a hook.
Esqueda pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Esqueda fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Fenili to the ground. Esqueda is now in Fenili's guard.

Fenili isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Esqueda stacks Fenili 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 Esqueda!
Fenili tries to bench press Esqueda off him but Esqueda keeps the position.
Esqueda trying to control the position but Fenili is working away.
Esqueda is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
You can see the frustration on Fenili's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Esqueda trying to control the position but Fenili is working away.
Esqueda working the ground and pound.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Esqueda lands a nice forearm strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fenili tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Esqueda wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Esqueda controls the position from side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fenili is trying to improve his position.
Esqueda is looking to take a break and control but Fenili is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Esqueda taking a breather here.
Fenili tries to get back to half guard but can't.
A lull in the action here as Esqueda stalls from top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fenili is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Esqueda's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Fenili trying to control here.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Gerard Esqueda.
A looping hook to the body misses from Fenili. Esqueda does a little dance to reset his feet.

Esqueda closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Esqueda performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Fenili is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Esqueda slips a nice elbow through Fenili's hands, connecting with Fenili's forehead.
Fenili gets full guard.
Fenili is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Fenili looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Esqueda has picked Fenili up and slammed him! Fenili can't keep hold of the triangle and Esqueda manages to pass to side control!
Fenili is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Esqueda postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Fenili to stand up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Esqueda is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Fenili's half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Esqueda connects with a nice short shot to Fenili's temple.
Esqueda slows the pace down in half guard.

Fenili looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Esqueda is taking a breather. Fenili 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.

Fenili looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Esqueda works his foot free and advances to mount.
Esqueda tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gerard Esqueda showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Esqueda shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Esqueda prevents Fenili from improving his position.
Fenili trying to hold on to Esqueda's head to control him but Esqueda postures up.
Esqueda takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Fenili is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Esqueda trying to control the action but Fenili is working from the bottom.
Esqueda controlling the action here.

Gerard Esqueda has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Sloppy strikes from Fenili. Those never looked like landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fenili misses with a low kick.
Some wild striking there from Fenili.
Esqueda thows a left - swing and a miss!

Esqueda scores with a takedown into Fenili's guard.
Esqueda trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Fenili had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Esqueda defends it easily.
Fenili looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Esqueda trying to control but Fenili is working from the bottom.
Fenili looking for a sweep. Not yet Fenili, not yet.

Fenili working for a triangle but Esqueda defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fenili wants to improve his position but instead Esqueda has moved into half guard.
Esqueda wants to take a breather but Fenili is having none of it.
Esqueda has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
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!
Fenili can't escape the position.
Esqueda punishing his opponent with strikes.
Esqueda controlling the pace for now.
Fenili tries to reverse the position but Esqueda maintains control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda content just to control the position here.
Fenili really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Fenili wants to hold on but Esqueda pushes him away.
Fenili is looking to get to half guard.
Gerard Esqueda is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Esqueda looking to control and managing it successfully.
Fenili tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fenili is working hard here to advance position.
Esqueda controlling his opponent.
Fenili is desperately trying to improve his position but Esqueda has a good base and remains in mount.
Esqueda 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.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Fenili is looking to get to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gerard Esqueda comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Esqueda 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 Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gerard Esqueda!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Gerard Esqueda made sure he mentioned Skin-Clothes Designing, along with how happy he was to win his fight.