PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Gerard Esqueda (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vladimir Kharitonov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Esqueda comes to the cage accompanied by Cant del Barça. Kharitonov has chosen BLUNT - Raggae All Day as his entrance music. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Esqueda
vs
Kharitonov

179 cm
23
168 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

170 cm
24
156 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

$10

XTREME PWNAGE: Down Under!
Brute

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 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Gerard Esqueda!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vladimir Kharitonov!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Fedor Mirinova and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kharitonov fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Esqueda is out of range.

Esqueda forces Kharitonov back against the cage and clinches.
Kharitonov throws a punch but it's blocked by Esqueda.
Kharitonov lands with a right to the head.
Kharitonov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Esqueda has a couple of punches blocked by Kharitonov.
Esqueda tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kharitonov struggles to land a body shot inside as Esqueda controls his hands.
Kharitonov tries to circle away but Esqueda has him pinned against the cage.
Kharitonov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Esqueda blocking some punches.

Esqueda pulls guard effortlessly.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Kharitonov looking to sit in guard and control but Esqueda gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Kharitonov wants to stand but Esqueda is controlling the position.
Kharitonov controls Esqueda momentarily but Esqueda frees himself.
Esqueda stands and throws Kharitonov's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kharitonov can't do much from the bottom here.

Esqueda goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Kharitonov rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Esqueda's guard! Nice work there by Kharitonov!

Esqueda throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Esqueda manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Kharitonov manages to get himself to full guard.
Esqueda is pushing down on Kharitonov's leg trying to pass to half guard. Kharitonov is fighting to maintain full guard but Esqueda has managed to sneak the leg through.
Esqueda throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Esqueda looks to land a strike but Kharitonov avoids it nicely and regains full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Esqueda seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Kharitonov wants to stand and escape but Esqueda is having none of it.
Kharitonov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Esqueda tries to free his leg and advance position but Kharitonov is retaining full guard.
Kharitonov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Esqueda. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Esqueda drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Esqueda jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Esqueda throws a big elbow that misses.
Kharitonov has momentary wrist control but Esqueda slips an elbow through the middle.
Esqueda won't allow Kharitonov to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kharitonov is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Esqueda in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kharitonov wants to stand and escape but Esqueda is having none of it.
Esqueda in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Esqueda tries to free his leg and advance position but Kharitonov is retaining full guard.
Esqueda looking to sit in guard and control but Kharitonov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Esqueda tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kharitonov is looking to stand up but Esqueda won't let him.
Esqueda keeping moving, preventing Kharitonov from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kharitonov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Esqueda works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Esqueda is working an open guard so Kharitonov takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Kharitonov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kharitonov looks to score with a jab to the body but Esqueda is just out of range.
Esqueda just misses with a punch to the body.

Kharitonov takes the fight into the clinch.
Kharitonov throws a punch but it's blocked by Esqueda.
Esqueda tries to pull guard but Kharitonov won't allow it.
Esqueda avoiding damage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Esqueda tries a body shot but Kharitonov blocks it.
Esqueda content to slow the pace in the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Esqueda works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

Esqueda pulls Kharitonov into guard.
Kharitonov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Esqueda working for a triangle but Kharitonov defends it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gerard Esqueda dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Kharitonov goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Kharitonov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kharitonov cracks Esqueda with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Kharitonov pivots, looking for a leg kick but Esqueda is out of range and Kharitonov settles back down.
Kharitonov misses with a hook to the body

and Esqueda counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Esqueda.
Kharitonov can't keep his opponent in guard - Esqueda advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Esqueda has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Esqueda seems to be working for a kimura but Kharitonov defends the submission attempt.
Esqueda throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Kharitonov to regain full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esqueda trying to move into half guard but instead Kharitonov has managed to sweep!
Kharitonov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Kharitonov is looking to work some ground and pound but Esqueda has wrist control.
Esqueda wants to sweep here but Kharitonov controlling him for the moment.
Kharitonov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Kharitonov preventing the sweep.
Kharitonov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Esqueda 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.
Kharitonov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Gerard Esqueda overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Esqueda tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Esqueda preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Esqueda working a defensive guard but Kharitonov passes into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Esqueda looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Esqueda is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kharitonov pulls his head out easily.
Esqueda keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kharitonov controlling the action here.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kharitonov is trying to control the action in half guard but Esqueda is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Kharitonov tries to pass the half guard into mount. Esqueda knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Esqueda looking for submissions off his back.
Esqueda trying to hold on to Kharitonov's head to control him but Kharitonov postures up.

Esqueda actively working from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kharitonov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Kharitonov tries to pass the half guard into mount. Esqueda knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Esqueda tries to get to full guard but Kharitonov has control of the leg.
Kharitonov thows a huge punch but Esqueda dodges it nicely.
Kharitonov is trying to control. Esqueda wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Kharitonov throwing shots but Esqueda is blocking nicely.
Esqueda is pressing down on Kharitonov's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Kharitonov throwing strikes from guard but Esqueda blocks nicely.
Esqueda wants to sweep but no luck.
Kharitonov throws a big right hand that misses.
Kharitonov working some strikes from top position.
Esqueda keeping full guard, as Kharitonov tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kharitonov lands a couple of elbows.
Kharitonov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Kharitonov got a little sloppy there for a moment and Esqueda has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kharitonov has managed to get both his arms back between Esqueda's legs - danger averted.
Kharitonov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Esqueda looking to control.

Esqueda is looking for a triangle but Kharitonov pushes his legs off easily.
Esqueda working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kharitonov.

Esqueda has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kharitonov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Kharitonov passes easily into side control. Nice work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kharitonov trying to control the position but Esqueda is working away.
Kharitonov wants to stand but Esqueda is controlling his arm.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Vladimir Kharitonov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Kharitonov throws a push kick but Esqueda slaps the foot to one side.
Kharitonov tries to land a front kick but Esqueda steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Kharitonov shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Kharitonov throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Kharitonov throws a low kick but Esqueda moves out of range easily.
Esqueda shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kharitonov as he avoids it easily.
Esqueda shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kharitonov as he avoids it easily.
Kharitonov will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Kharitonov tries to work over Esqueda's front leg with a kick but Esqueda checks it.
Kharitonov does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
A head kick misses from Kharitonov.
Kharitonov lands with a thumping leg kick.
Kharitonov throws a body punch but Esqueda moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kharitonov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gerard Esqueda. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Kharitonov forces Esqueda back against the cage and clinches.
Still in the clinch, Esqueda scores with a nice short uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kharitonov.
Esqueda working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Esqueda is looking to control Kharitonov's arms but Kharitonov gets an underhook and turns him. Now Esqueda has his back to the cage.

Esqueda pulls guard.
Kharitonov trying to control but Esqueda is working from the bottom.
Esqueda has a closed guard, preventing Kharitonov from standing up.
Kharitonov controls from within his opponent's guard.
Esqueda wants to sweep here but Kharitonov controlling him for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kharitonov trying to control the position from guard on top but Esqueda is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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

Kharitonov instigates a clinch.
Esqueda lands a right hand.
Esqueda lands with a right to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kharitonov swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Kharitonov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kharitonov tries to score with a low kick but Esqueda moves his leg out of the way.
Kharitonov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Esqueda changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kharitonov tries to avoid it but Esqueda manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kharitonov to the ground. Kharitonov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Kharitonov tries a head kick but it misses.
Kharitonov tries to land a front kick but Esqueda steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

Kharitonov moves into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kharitonov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Esqueda pulls guard.
Kharitonov throws a strike but Esqueda rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Esqueda trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Esqueda postures up in Kharitonov's guard and throws a big left but Kharitonov blocks it.
Esqueda cracks Kharitonov with a solid left hand.
Esqueda trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Esqueda throwing strikes from guard but Kharitonov blocks nicely.
Esqueda trying to control the position from guard on top but Kharitonov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kharitonov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Esqueda wants to control from the top but Kharitonov keeps moving.
Esqueda postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kharitonov keeping full guard, as Esqueda tries to pass.
Kharitonov keeping moving, preventing Esqueda from controlling successfully.
Kharitonov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kharitonov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Esqueda trying to control the position from guard on top but Kharitonov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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 Gerard Esqueda.
I think Esqueda 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 Sergei Dronov scores the fight 30:28
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Gerard Esqueda!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Gerard Esqueda made sure he mentioned $10, along with how happy he was to win his fight.