PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Emunn Samvesu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Guillermo Espada (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Espada comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Greedy Fly kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Guillermo Espada will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Samvesu
vs
Espada

195 cm
31
190 lbs
8 - 18 - 0

185 cm
33
200 lbs
14 - 14 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Insanely flexible

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Fast

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Emunn Samvesu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Guillermo Espada!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fray, Josh West and Ryoma Takatsuka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Good standup being displayed there by Espada as he connects with a hook.
Espada with a hook.
Espada lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Samvesu at a distance.
Espada lands a body shot.

Samvesu drives through with a takedown into guard.

Espada pushes Samvesu off and scrambles back to his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Espada throws a one two combo.
Espada slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Espada misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Samvesu.
Samvesu attempts a counter takedown but Espada avoids it well and moves away.
Espada lands a lovely overhand right.
Guillermo Espada seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Samvesu changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Espada looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Espada tries to bench press Samvesu off him but Samvesu keeps the position.
Samvesu controlling the position from side mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Samvesu tries to advance to mount but can't.
Espada looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Samvesu looks up at the clock and then as Espada takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Samvesu smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Samvesu working away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Samvesu thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Samvesu moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Espada can't do much from the bottom here.
Samvesu creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Espada sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Espada struggling a bit here.
Samvesu tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Espada is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Samvesu asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Samvesu wants to control but Espada is keeping him busy.

Samvesu is trying to get an arm triangle but Espada is defending well.
Espada tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Samvesu wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Samvesu tries for a kimura but Espada is defending well.
Espada is looking for a sweep.
Samvesu working away.

Samvesu is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Espada has escaped the position, nice work there.

Samvesu wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Espada, who protects the arm well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Espada can't do much from the bottom here.

Samvesu is trying to get an arm triangle but Espada is defending well.
Espada is looking to regain half guard here but Samvesu keeps moving and retains side control.
Espada struggling a bit here.
Espada is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Samvesu wants to stand but Espada is controlling his arm.
Samvesu wants to control but Espada is keeping him busy.
Espada is trying to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Espada is still trying to improve position.
Espada tries to control but end up mounted... ooooh, that's bad.

Samvesu is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Espada is surviving well by controlling Samvesu's body position as best he can.
Samvesu landing punches.
The referee warns Espada that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Samvesu looking to control but Espada is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Samvesu avoids the attempt from Espada to control.
Espada is desperately trying to improve his position but Samvesu has a good base and remains in mount.
Espada bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

Samvesu working for a triangle but Espada defends it easily.
Samvesu is trying to control the position from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Guillermo Espada will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Samvesu takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Samvesu wants to clinch but Espada slips to the side
and Espada counters with a straight right hand.
Samvesu takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Samvesu doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Espada bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Samvesu's head backwards.
Espada digs a good hook to Samvesu's body.

Samvesu throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Espada tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Samvesu is in Espada's guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Samvesu accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Samvesu postures up.
Espada has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Espada might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Samvesu haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Samvesu trying to control the position from guard on top but Espada is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Espada manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Samvesu manages to get himself to full guard.

Samvesu trying to control the position here.
Espada with a nice head shot there.
Espada works over Samvesu with some ground and pound from guard.

Samvesu is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Samvesu 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.

Espada avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Espada trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Espada throws a big elbow that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Espada chips away with some ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Espada accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Espada is working Samvesu over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Samvesu is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Samvesu has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Espada can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Espada lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Espada working some strikes from top position.
Espada throwing strikes but missing.

Samvesu is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Espada postures up in Samvesu's guard and throws a big left but Samvesu blocks it.

Samvesu looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Samvesu wants to sweep here but Espada controlling him for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Espada missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Samvesu looking to hit a scissor sweep but Espada is one step ahead there.
Espada makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Espada stands up over Samvesu, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Espada with a flurry of punches that miss.
Espada working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Samvesu's head.
Espada in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Espada working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Samvesu's head.
Espada is working Samvesu over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Samvesu looking for a guillotine here but Espada defends easily.
Espada scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Samvesu is on top in guard.

Espada trying to keep a closed guard but Samvesu is proving a slippery customer.
Samvesu is fighting to break Espada's control of his arms but Espada is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Samvesu throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Espada works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Samvesu preventing the sweep.
Espada keeping moving, preventing Samvesu from controlling successfully.
Samvesu prevents Espada from getting back to his feet.
Samvesu 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.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Espada seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Samvesu has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Espada is proving hard to escape from.
Espada wants to get back to his feet but Samvesu is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Guillermo Espada showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Samvesu tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Espada defends well and Samvesu ends up having to push Espada into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Samvesu throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Espada's waist but Espada gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Samvesu off to one side.
Emunn Samvesu is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Samvesu shoots in for a takedown but Espada shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Emunn Samvesu. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Espada connects with a body shot that sends Samvesu's belly button to the back.
Espada scores with a hook to the body. Samvesu takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Espada thuds a left hand into Samvesu's body.
Samvesu moves forwards but Espada connects with a nice, crisp jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Samvesu takes a shot to the body in his stride.
A decent looking cross lands there for Espada.
Espada lands a slapping body shot.
Espada listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Samvesu misses with a takedown attempt - Espada sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Espada scores with the left hand. Samvesu knows he should have avoided that one.
Samvesu tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Espada tests Samvesu's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Samvesu has been working on his balance at The Cave Fighting Team, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Espada.
Samvesu tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Espada swivels and escapes.
Espada changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Espada shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Samvesu eats them both and turns towards Espada to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Samvesu on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Espada scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Espada ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Samvesu fails with the takedown
and Espada counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Samvesu takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Guillermo Espada is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Espada paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Espada sizes up Samvesu with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Espada scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Samvesu doesn't seem bothered though.
Espada scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

Samvesu scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Emunn Samvesu overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Samvesu seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Espada does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Espada slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Espada wants to sweep here but Samvesu controlling him for the moment.
Espada pulls Samvesu in close to his closed guard and prevents Samvesu from doing any damage or advancing position.
Samvesu trying to control the position from guard on top but Espada is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Espada wants to sweep here but Samvesu controlling him for the moment.
Samvesu trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Espada is trying to control the position but Samvesu postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Samvesu wants to pass the guard but Espada is keeping the position.
Samvesu trying to control the position from guard on top but Espada is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Samvesu looking to pass the guard.
Samvesu is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Samvesu drops back looking for a leg! Espada is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Espada manages to kick Samvesu off! Samvesu jumps back into Espada's guard.
Samvesu trying to control but Espada is working from the bottom.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Espada is trying to control the position from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Samvesu darts in looking for a takedown but Espada gets double underhooks and turns Samvesu into the cage.
Emunn Samvesu has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Good shot there by Espada.

And that's the end of the fight!
Guillermo Espada comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Espada 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 Colin Fray scores the fight 27:30
Judge Josh West scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Guillermo Espada!
A victorious Guillermo Espada thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.