PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Emmanuel Esquezel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Charles Raines (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Emmanuel Esquezel has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Esquezel
vs
Raines

203 cm
25
269 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

195 cm
25
269 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Good kicks
Big heart

Dangerous GnP
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Emmanuel Esquezel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Charles Raines!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Franklyn Lucas and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Raines misses with a takedown
and Esquezel counters with a slapping leg kick.
Esquezel throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

It looks like Charles Raines has been cut.
Raines throws a head kick that misses.
Raines has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Esquezel.
Raines shoots in for a takedown but Esquezel shows good takedown defense.
Esquezel defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Raines.
Emmanuel Esquezel has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Charles Raines.
Raines will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Esquezel stuffs the takedown.
Raines throws a half hearted mid kick.
Esquezel fakes the leg kick and cracks Raines in the body.
Raines looks gassed!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Esquezel shoots in and bounces Raines off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Esquezel stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Raines swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esquezel missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Esquezel chips away with some ground and pound.
Esquezel trying to control the position from guard on top but Raines is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Raines has momentary wrist control but Esquezel slips an elbow through the middle.
Raines really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Esquezel. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Esquezel passes Raines's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Esquezel passes to full mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esquezel lands a nice shot to the head.
Esquezel trying to control but Raines is having none of it.
Esquezel postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Raines looks a forlorn figure.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Esquezel working for a submission here. He's tucked his head under his opponent's arm, looking for an arm triangle. He's hopped off into side control, looking to tighten the submission... is it going to work? He's given up a good position looking for it. Raines looks OK. Oh, I spoke too soon, he's out! That must have been tighter than I thought! Excellent work there by Esquezel! Submission of the night perhaps?

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:54 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Emmanuel Esquezel!