PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kofi Kingston (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bob Esponja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kofi Kingston had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 171.3lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Kingston
vs
Esponja

185 cm
26
180 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

178 cm
23
182 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Solid chin

New World Order Clothing
CEC Nutrition Q160 & Loans

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kofi Kingston!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Bob Esponja!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Esponja throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kingston's waist but Kingston gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Esponja off to one side.
Kingston throws a lazy right hand but Esponja sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Esponja tries for a takedown but Kingston sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Esponja shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kingston as he jumps to the side.
Kofi Kingston has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bob Esponja.
Esponja shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kingston sprawls well. Kingston wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Esponja gets slowly back to his feet.
Kingston bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Esponja's head backwards.

Kingston fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Esponja, pushing him back against the cage.
Kingston gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Esponja.
Esponja goes for a takedown in the clinch but Kingston prevents it.
Esponja has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Kingston avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esponja is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Kingston's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Esponja shoots in for a takedown but Kingston shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Kingston darts in and clinches Esponja up against the cage.
Esponja is looking to take this one to the mat.
Esponja is looking to take this one to the mat.
Esponja wants a takedown but no success here.
Esponja prevents the takedown attempt.
Esponja looking for a takedown.
Esponja goes for a takedown attempt but Kingston pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Kingston shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Esponja but Esponja pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esponja fails with the takedown
and Kingston counters with a nice body kick.
Esponja looks winded!
Kingston shoots in for a takedown but Esponja shows good takedown defense.
Kingston shoots in but no luck this time.

Kingston shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Kingston showed some decent athleticism there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

Esponja kicks off Kingston and gets to his feet.

Esponja is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Kingston's half guard.
Well, if Esponja is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esponja is looking to take a break and control but Kingston is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Esponja perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Esponja trying to pass the guard but Kingston defending well.
Esponja looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Kingston with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Esponja not doing much here.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Esponja winds up and cracks Kingston with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Esponja wants to free his trapped foot but Kingston is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esponja is keen to just control but Kingston is a slippery customer.
Kingston avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Esponja.
Esponja working over Kingston with some ground and pound. Kingston looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Esponja working over Kingston with some ground and pound. Kingston looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Kingston avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Esponja.
Esponja wants to control but Kingston is keeping him busy.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Nice strikes from Esponja there.
Esponja lands with a punch from half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Esponja controlling the pace.
Kingston is not content to let Esponja control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bob Esponja dominated that round.
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.

Kingston tries to clinch but Esponja is having none of it.
Kingston looks to land a combination but Esponja avoids it well.
Esponja tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kingston sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Esponja somewhat.
Esponja fails with a takedown attempt.
Kingston keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Kofi Kingston has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bob Esponja.

Esponja drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Esponja accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esponja throws a big elbow that misses.
Esponja content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Kingston utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Esponja trying to control the position from guard on top but Kingston is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Esponja postures up in Kingston's guard and throws a big left but Kingston blocks it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Esponja throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kingston works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kingston keeping moving, preventing Esponja from controlling successfully.
Esponja passes Kingston's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
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. Esponja connects with a nice short shot to Kingston's temple.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Esponja lands a nice short elbow.
Esponja scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Kingston blocking the ground and pound attempt from Esponja.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esponja content to control rather than advance.
Esponja working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Esponja lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Esponja scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Esponja seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Ground and pound from Esponja.
Kingston is looking to improve his position.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Esponja lands a nice short elbow.
Esponja working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esponja trying to pass the guard but Kingston defending well.
Esponja seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kingston does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Esponja slips a nice elbow through Kingston's hands, connecting with Kingston's forehead.
Kingston trying to control but Esponja postures up.
Esponja seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Ground and pound from Esponja.
Kingston is not content to let Esponja control the position.
Bob Esponja has got the better of the ground game so far.
Ground and pound from Esponja.
Esponja seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kingston does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Esponja working Kingston over with strikes.
Kingston on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Esponja content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esponja scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Esponja lands strikes from half guard.
Esponja trying to control the action but Kingston is working from the bottom.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Esponja looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Esponja has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Esponja lands a nice short elbow.
Esponja working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Esponja takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Esponja wants to pass to mount but Kingston is defending the position.
Esponja slips a nice elbow through Kingston's hands, connecting with Kingston's forehead.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bob Esponja showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Esponja throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kingston's waist but Kingston gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Esponja off to one side.
Kingston closes this distance looking for a takedown but Esponja circles away.
Kingston pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Kingston takes the fight into the clinch.
Esponja goes for a takedown in the clinch but Kingston prevents it.
Esponja is looking for a takedown.
Kofi Kingston has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bob Esponja.
Kingston wants to get back to striking at distance but Esponja won't allow it.
Esponja is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Kingston is defending well.
Esponja is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Kingston escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Esponja manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Kingston on his heels. He'll look to pass Kingston's guard now, I'm sure.
Esponja scoring with punches to the head and body.
Esponja stopping the sweep attempt from Kingston.
Esponja trying to control the position from guard on top but Kingston is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Esponja distracts Kingston with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Esponja's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Kingston is looking for a triangle but Esponja pushes his legs off easily.
Esponja lands a couple of elbows.
Esponja distracts Kingston with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Esponja with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esponja is in close to Kingston's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Esponja trying to control the position from guard on top but Kingston is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Esponja advances to half guard.
Esponja is controlling the pace.
Esponja working over Kingston with some ground and pound. Kingston looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Esponja seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Kingston is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Esponja scores with a couple of nice shots.
Esponja lands with a punch from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Esponja in particular looking to stall.
Esponja is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Esponja has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kingston is refusing to be controlled, as Esponja sits in half guard.
Kingston has hold of Esponja's hands but Esponja slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Esponja working Kingston over with strikes.
Esponja trying to control the action but Kingston is working from the bottom.
Esponja content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Esponja wants to take a breather but Kingston is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esponja winds up and cracks Kingston with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Esponja passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Kingston!
Kingston is bucking up trying to escape but Esponja cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Esponja postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Kingston looks a forlorn figure.
Esponja can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Kingston is looking to escape.
Esponja with shots to the head and body - Kingston looks very uncomfortable down there.
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!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Esponja raining down hammerfists from mount.
Esponja takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Kofi Kingston has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bob Esponja is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bob Esponja comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Esponja winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bob Esponja!
Bob Esponja made sure to mention his sponsor, New World Order Clothing in his post fight interview.