PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between James Howlett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gerard Esqueda (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Howlett comes to the cage accompanied by Berserker. Esqueda has chosen Cant del Barça as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Howlett
vs
Esqueda

172 cm
34
160 lbs
27 - 5 - 1

179 cm
31
169 lbs
26 - 10 - 2

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Hellbent
Conviction

EXTREME PSYCHO CLOTHING
{R.W} Four Aces Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 27 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, James Howlett!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 10 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, Gerard Esqueda!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Arvi Lind and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Howlett takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Esqueda misses with a straight right.
Esqueda ducks under a wild hook from Howlett.
Esqueda paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Howlett moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Howlett. That's going to slow Esqueda down.
James Howlett seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Esqueda pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Howlett looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Esqueda fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Howlett on the side of the head.
Howlett misses with a hook

and Esqueda counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Esqueda.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Esqueda throws a big right hand that misses.
Howlett looking to hit a scissor sweep but Esqueda is one step ahead there.
Esqueda trying to control but Howlett is working from the bottom.

Howlett is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Howlett not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Howlett is on top in guard.
Howlett throws an elbow that misses. Esqueda uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Howlett's guard. Nice move by Esqueda!
Howlett looking for a sweep. Not yet Howlett, not yet.

Howlett 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.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Esqueda accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda scoring with some ground and pound.
Esqueda pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Howlett is keeping the position for now.
Howlett looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Howlett looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Esqueda stopping the sweep attempt from Howlett.
Esqueda distracts Howlett with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Esqueda trying to control but Howlett is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howlett tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Howlett is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Esqueda stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Howlett swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Howlett looking for a sweep. Not yet Howlett, not yet.

Howlett looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Esqueda has picked Howlett up and slammed him! Howlett can't keep hold of the triangle and Esqueda manages to pass to side control!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Howlett manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Esqueda throwing shots but Howlett is blocking nicely.
Esqueda with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Howlett on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Howlett is looking to control Esqueda's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Howlett avoid being mounted?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Howlett is looking to improve his position.
Howlett blocking the ground and pound attempt from Esqueda.
Howlett taking some punishment here, with Esqueda in his half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Howlett gets full guard.
Esqueda slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Esqueda has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Esqueda lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Howlett is looking for a sweep.
Esqueda trying to control the action but Howlett is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gerard Esqueda dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Esqueda scores with a crisp jab that stopped Howlett in his tracks.
Howlett avoids the body shot from Esqueda.
A shot to the liver by Esqueda. Beautiful body shot.
Esqueda throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A chopping leg kick lands by Esqueda.
Howlett thumps Esqueda with a low kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Howlett. Esqueda does a little dance to reset his feet.
A jab lands there for Howlett.

It looks like Gerard Esqueda has been cut.
Howlett misses with a looping left.
Howlett uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Esqueda.
Howlett tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Esqueda was well out of range. Poor timing from Howlett.
Howlett throws a wild body kick that Esqueda sees coming a mile off.
Howlett takes one to the chin there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esqueda moves out of range of the body kick from Howlett.
Howlett tries to land a leg kick but Esqueda saw it coming and moves away.
Esqueda throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Howlett misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Esqueda.
Esqueda jabs at Howlett's body.
Esqueda swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Howlett tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Esqueda lands a nice shot that snaps Howlett's head back.
Esqueda throws a looping overhand right but Howlett ducks down to avoid it.
Esqueda slips a straight right by Howlett.
Howlett dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Esqueda. That did some damage!
Esqueda throws a hook but Howlett blocks it.
Howlett lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Esqueda buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Howlett pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Esqueda throws a nice inside leg kick.
Nice defenses there by Esqueda.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Esqueda takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Esqueda takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Esqueda lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Nice defenses there by Esqueda.
The fighters circling - Esqueda throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Howlett tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Esqueda was well out of range. Poor timing from Howlett.
Esqueda throws a head kick that misses.
Howlett throws a low kick but it's checked well by Esqueda.
A lazy left from Howlett finds it's target.
A big right from Esqueda misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Howlett throws out the jab.
Esqueda dips to his left and cracks Howlett with an uppercut!
Gerard Esqueda seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Esqueda is defended easily by Howlett.
Howlett looks to land a right hand but Esqueda moved out of range.
Esqueda swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Esqueda thows a left - swing and a miss!
Esqueda lands with an uppercut that bounces Howlett off the cage and back into range.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Esqueda checks a leg kick.
Howlett bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Esqueda fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Howlett manages to avoid it.
Howlett cracks a nice hook into Esqueda's ribs.

Howlett moves into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Howlett misses with a punch on the inside.
Esqueda swings wildly with an uppercut but Howlett uses good head movement to avoid it.
Howlett struggles to land a body shot inside as Esqueda controls his hands.
Esqueda lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Howlett backwards.
Howlett throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
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!
Howlett lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A short right from Howlett on the inside.
Esqueda misses with a body punch.
Howlett throws a punch but it's blocked by Esqueda.

Esqueda manages to break the clinch.
Howlett jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Howlett lands with a good body shot.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Howlett fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Esqueda, pushing him back against the cage.
Esqueda leaning his opponent against the cage.
Esqueda is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Howlett is keeping busy.
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 James Howlett will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Gerard Esqueda's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Howlett has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Howlett there as he acknowledges the shot.
Howlett wants to clinch.
Esqueda moves out of range of the body kick from Howlett.
Esqueda misses with an uppercut.
Howlett thows a left - swing and a miss!
Howlett tries to score with a low kick but Esqueda moves his leg out of the way.
Esqueda shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Howlett sprawls well. Howlett wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Esqueda gets slowly back to his feet.
Howlett is looking to slow Esqueda down with leg kicks.
Howlett just misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esqueda swings away with a leg kick that misses.
A telegraphed right hand from Howlett misses the target.
Howlett throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Esqueda throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Howlett stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

Howlett closes the distance and pushes Esqueda back into the cage.
Howlett doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Esqueda lands with a left to the head.
Howlett lands a nice uppercut.
Esqueda tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A nice left hand lands by Howlett.
Esqueda blocks a body shot from Howlett.
Howlett tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Howlett tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Esqueda throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Howlett misses with a hook to the ribs.
Esqueda blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Esqueda looking to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Esqueda.
Esqueda misses with a body punch.
Howlett softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Esqueda lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A short left from Esqueda.
Esqueda tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Howlett's elbow.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Howlett cracks Esqueda with a nice body shot.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Howlett.
Howlett misses with a short punch on the inside.
Esqueda is trying to maintain a safe position but Howlett gets an underhook and turns Esqueda into the cage.
Howlett misses with a punch to the body.
Howlett working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Esqueda blocks an uppercut.
Howlett misses with the head strike.
A head punch on the inside from Howlett fails to land.
Esqueda lands a body shot in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howlett lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Esqueda backwards.
Howlett misses with some punches.
Esqueda lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Howlett.
Howlett misses with a punch on the inside.
Howlett swings wildly with an uppercut but Esqueda uses good head movement to avoid it.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
A short body shot lands from Howlett as the two fighters clinch.
Esqueda swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Howlett lands a body punch.
Esqueda stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Esqueda blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Howlett throws a head punch that misses.
Esqueda can't find room to land a body shot as Howlett controls the action.
Esqueda is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Howlett fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Howlett tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda blocking some punches.
Nice body punch from Howlett - that landed with a thud.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Howlett has a couple of punches blocked by Esqueda.
Howlett fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Howlett is pressed up against the cage. Esqueda has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Howlett down to the mat. Howlett avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Esqueda lands a jab to the nose.
Howlett misses with a left hand

and Esqueda counters with a nice double leg into side control. Howlett won't be happy with that.
Howlett sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Howlett gets back to full guard.
Esqueda is looking to work some ground and pound but Howlett has wrist control.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Howlett keeping moving, preventing Esqueda from controlling successfully.
Esqueda is in close to Howlett's body, working some short punches and elbows.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Howlett clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Gerard Esqueda's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Esqueda scoring well with a low kick there.
Esqueda connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Howlett's hands.
Howlett lands with a cross.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Howlett lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Esqueda has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Esqueda and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Howlett swings for the body but Esqueda moves out of range.
Esqueda scores with a nice head shot.
Esqueda checks a low kick from Howlett.
Howlett has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Esqueda.
Esqueda misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Howlett.
Esqueda lands with a shot to the body.
Esqueda takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Howlett takes a swing at Esqueda's ribcage but misses.
Esqueda lands a slapping body shot.
Howlett wants to slow Esqueda down by chopping away at his legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esqueda misses with a low kick.
Howlett throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Esqueda scores with a jab. Howlett acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Howlett thuds his shin into the meat of Esqueda's side.
Howlett pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Esqueda dips to his left and cracks Howlett with an uppercut!
Howlett throws a low kick, looking for Esqueda's leg but Esqueda calmly moves out of range.
Howlett goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Esqueda lunges at Howlett with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Howlett's hand.
Esqueda tests Howlett's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Howlett uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Esqueda.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda lands a really nice looking cross but Howlett seems unphased.
Howlett chopping away at his opponent's legs.
A bone on bone clash there as Howlett blocks the leg kick.
Esqueda takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Esqueda lands with a cross.
Howlett lands a nice looking body shot.
Howlett uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Esqueda.
Howlett wants to land a leg kick but Esqueda is out of range.
Esqueda's jab looks to have found its range, popping Howlett under the eye.
Esqueda throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Howlett stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Howlett with a hook.
Esqueda is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Howlett looks to land a right hand but Esqueda moved out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Howlett.
Esqueda lands with a straight right. Howlett didn't see that one coming.
Esqueda connects with a jab.
Howlett throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Esqueda's head.
A slapping leg kick lands for Howlett.
Esqueda moves out of range as Howlett throws a body kick.
Esqueda lands a nice shot that snaps Howlett's head back.
Esqueda lands a lovely overhand right.
Howlett throws a jab but it's blocked by Esqueda.
Esqueda on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Esqueda has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Howlett throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Esqueda on the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda misses with a low kick as Howlett jumps back.
Howlett fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Howlett tries to score with a low kick but Esqueda moves his leg out of the way.
Howlett ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Esqueda moves away.
Howlett throws a half hearted mid kick.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Howlett misses with some punches.
A left hand lands to the body for Esqueda.
Howlett throws a punch but it's blocked by Esqueda.
Esqueda lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Esqueda lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Esqueda blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Howlett swings wildly with an uppercut but Esqueda uses good head movement to avoid it.
Howlett tries to work over Esqueda's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that James Howlett will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Gerard Esqueda's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Esqueda throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Some bone on bone action there as Esqueda checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Esqueda uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Howlett.
Esqueda tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Howlett was well out of range. Poor timing from Esqueda.
Howlett misses with a hook.
Esqueda checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Howlett finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Esqueda scores with a sloppy right hand. Howlett should have avoided that one.
The fighters circle momentarily. Esqueda darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Howlett throws a predictable looking body shot

and Esqueda counters with a shoot takedown. Howlett fights it but they end up in guard.

Howlett working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Esqueda doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Oh but Howlett is tightening it up a little... Esqueda has to be careful here... He's got his foot tucked under now, this looks tight! Esqueda reacted too slowly and this one could be over in a matter of seconds! YES! Esqueda taps out! Nice BJJ there by Howlett!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:57 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). James Howlett!
James Howlett made sure to give a little speech post fight, saying 'You got four belts? Really? Time to retire cuz this sport has turned into a joke.'.