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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Gerard Esqueda (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eiji Kawashima (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Esqueda comes to the cage accompanied by Cant del Barça. Eiji Kawashima told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!
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| 179 cm
35
155 lbs
33 - 17 - 2 |
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182 cm
37
162 lbs
41 - 13 - 1 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank |
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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
33 - 17 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, Gerard Esqueda!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
41 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Eiji Kawashima!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Timothy Bukovac and .
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kawashima throws a body kick that misses.
Esqueda misses with a looping right.
Esqueda connects with a crisp jab.
Esqueda tries a head kick but it misses.
Kawashima throws out a loose jab but Esqueda uses good head movement to avoid it.
Esqueda half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Esqueda cracks the inside of Kawashima's front leg.
Kawashima has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
A leg kick checked by Esqueda.
Kawashima looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Esqueda has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Kawashima.
Kawashima scores with a nice head shot.
We've been hearing reports that Esqueda has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Esqueda throws a hook but Kawashima blocks it.
Kawashima throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Esqueda changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Kawashima lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Esqueda connects with a jab.
Esqueda throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kawashima only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Kawashima misses with an uppercut.
A jab from Kawashima misses.
Esqueda feinted with a counter takedown.
Eiji Kawashima seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Esqueda swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kawashima throws a leg kick but Esqueda sees it coming and moves out of range.
Esqueda attempts a counter takedown but Kawashima avoids it well and moves away.
Esqueda scores with a leg kick.
Esqueda lands with a nice combination. Kawashima backs away looking to recover.
Esqueda digs a good hook to Kawashima's body.
The crowd cheers as Kawashima lands an impressive looking overhand right. Esqueda doesn't seem phased though.
Kawashima scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Esqueda stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Kawashima.
Esqueda drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kawashima is not content to let Esqueda control the position.
Esqueda lands a nice forearm strike.
Esqueda working the strikes but Kawashima uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Esqueda not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kawashima's head.
Esqueda prevents Kawashima from improving his position.
Esqueda thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kawashima's head.
Esqueda stalling away here and it's allowed Kawashima to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Esqueda throwing strikes but missing.
Esqueda loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Esqueda controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Esqueda is looking to work some ground and pound but Kawashima has wrist control.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda connects with a couple of short punches.
Esqueda working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Kawashima's head.
Esqueda throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Esqueda throws an elbow that misses. Kawashima uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Esqueda's guard. Nice move by Kawashima!
Esqueda wants to sweep here but Kawashima controlling him for the moment.
Esqueda is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Kawashima defends well.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Esqueda looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Kawashima has picked Esqueda up and slammed him! Esqueda can't keep hold of the triangle and Kawashima manages to pass to side control!
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.
Kawashima has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Esqueda.
Kawashima throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Esqueda on the side of the head.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kawashima. That's going to slow Esqueda down.
Esqueda waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kawashima.
Kawashima is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Esqueda lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
It looks like Eiji Kawashima has been cut.
Kawashima lands a nice leg kick that just misses Esqueda's sensitive parts.
Kawashima blocks a leg kick.
Esqueda takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Kawashima doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Kawashima misses with a low kick as Esqueda jumps back.
Esqueda slips under a jab.
A nice leg kick lands there from Kawashima.
Kawashima throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Esqueda's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Kawashima connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Esqueda scrambles back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but I would say that Gerard Esqueda will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Eiji Kawashima's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!
Kawashima throws a low kick but it's checked well by Esqueda.
Jab by Kawashima.
Esqueda ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Esqueda half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Kawashima throws a body shot but no joy.
Kawashima darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Kawashima scores with a shot to the body.
Esqueda shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kawashima avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Esqueda.
Kawashima is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Esqueda's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Esqueda's back!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Esqueda trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Esqueda really must keep his cool here. He's controlling one of Kawashima's hands and whilst he does that, he's got a chance of escaping the position.
You can see the frustration on Esqueda's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kawashima gets his hands free as Esqueda looks to control.
Kawashima is hanging on to Esqueda's back as he tries to escape.
Esqueda is working hard here to advance position.
Kawashima controlling the position well here. Esqueda rolled but Kawashima kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Esqueda tries to break free.
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.
Gerard Esqueda overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Kawashima controlling the position well here. Esqueda rolled but Kawashima kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Esqueda tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Kawashima prevents Esqueda from getting the reversal.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kawashima looking to control but Esqueda is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Esqueda tries to hold on but Kawashima pushes him away.
Esqueda is trying desperately to improve position.
Kawashima controlling from mount.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda is looking to get to half guard.
Esqueda is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kawashima controlling his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Eiji Kawashima showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Eiji Kawashima's cut.
That's time! Esqueda's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!
Esqueda with a nice cross.
Kawashima takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Esqueda throws a leg kick but Kawashima moved away.
Kawashima ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Esqueda misses the shot to the body.
Esqueda avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Kawashima pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Eiji Kawashima seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kawashima wants to land a leg kick but Esqueda is out of range.
Kawashima on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Esqueda. Esqueda obviously looking to wear him down.
Esqueda displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kawashima throws out the jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Esqueda lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kawashima circles away quickly and effectively.
Esqueda takes one on the button.
Esqueda lands with a nice body punch.
Kawashima lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Esqueda circles away quickly and effectively.
Esqueda feinted with a counter takedown.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Esqueda crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Kawashima - the referee stops the clock and Esqueda gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Kawashima. Esqueda manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Esqueda needs to keep his hands up - Kawashima had a free shot at his head there.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Esqueda shoots in but no luck this time.
Kawashima looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Esqueda scoring well with a low kick there.
Kawashima bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Esqueda's head backwards.
Kawashima thows a leg kick but Esqueda checks it
and Esqueda counters with a nice double leg into side control. Kawashima won't be happy with that.
Check out the look on Esqueda's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Esqueda throwing strikes but Kawashima manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Kawashima trying to control the action but Esqueda is working from the bottom.
Esqueda is looking for a sweep.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kawashima tries to advance to mount but Esqueda denies him.
Kawashima working away.
Kawashima is looking to take a break and control but Esqueda is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kawashima in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Kawashima tries to move to mount but Esqueda blocks the move with his legs.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esqueda can't do much from the bottom here.
Kawashima happy to just control the position for now.
Kawashima tries to move to mount but Esqueda blocks the move with his legs.
Esqueda tries to bench press Kawashima off him but Kawashima keeps the position.
Esqueda can't do much from the bottom here.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Eiji Kawashima is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Esqueda gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Kawashima.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Kawashima misses with a hook.
Esqueda shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kawashima as he avoids it easily.
Esqueda throws a push kick but Kawashima slaps the foot to one side.
Kawashima lands a glancing blow to the side of Esqueda's head.
Kawashima with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Esqueda takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Esqueda keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Esqueda on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Esqueda tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Kawashima pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Kawashima connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Esqueda momentarily.
Kawashima throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kawashima has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kawashima fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Esqueda bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kawashima looks to throw the jab but Esqueda is out of range.
Esqueda feinted with a counter takedown.
And that's the end of the fight!
Eiji Kawashima comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Kawashima has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eiji Kawashima!
Eiji Kawashima thanked the fans post fight for their support.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
47% |
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