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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Javier Esposito (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lefteris Papaioanou (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.
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| 186 cm
29
205 lbs
12 - 6 - 0 |
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190 cm
33
205 lbs
17 - 8 - 0 |
Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
12 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Javier Esposito!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
17 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Lefteris Papaioanou!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Robert Twigg and George Francis.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Papaioanou misses with a right hand
and Esposito counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Esposito showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Esposito has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Papaioanou avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Papaioanou is trying to control the position but Esposito postures up.
Esposito working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Esposito accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Esposito is stalling in the full guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Esposito wants to control from the top but Papaioanou keeps moving.
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Lefteris Papaioanou seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Donk. Papaioanou catches Esposito right on the button with a cross.
Esposito moves into range and clinches up with Papaioanou.
Esposito lands a nice uppercut.
Esposito tries to stall but Papaioanou uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Esposito misses with a body punch.
Esposito blocking some punches.
Papaioanou doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Papaioanou works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Papaioanou looking to pass the guard.
Papaioanou scoring with some ground and pound.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Papaioanou stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Esposito swivels though and keeps the full guard.
My spies in LOD: Better Alternative inform me that Papaioanou has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Esposito wants to sweep but no luck.
Papaioanou's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Papaioanou drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Esposito manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Papaioanou has Esposito in his guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Esposito is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Papaioanou is trying to control the position but Esposito postures up.
Papaioanou being controlled here, momentarily.
Papaioanou keeping moving, preventing Esposito from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Esposito 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.
Esposito trying to control the position from guard on top but Papaioanou is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
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.
Esposito throws a big right hand that misses.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Papaioanou wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Esposito on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Papaioanou throws a leg kick
and Esposito counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Esposito.
Esposito lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Papaioanou keeping moving, preventing Esposito from controlling successfully.
Papaioanou controls Esposito momentarily but Esposito frees himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Javier Esposito 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.
Papaioanou shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Esposito pinned against the cage. Esposito gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Papaioanou throws a poor cross that misses
and Esposito counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Esposito.
Papaioanou trying to keep a closed guard but Esposito is proving a slippery customer.
Esposito is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Papaioanou can't keep his opponent in guard - Esposito advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Papaioanou wants to control but Esposito is keeping busy and won't allow it.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Esposito looks to land a strike but Papaioanou avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Esposito trying to control the position from guard on top but Papaioanou is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Papaioanou is trying to keep Esposito in close.
Esposito slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Papaioanou working a defensive guard but Esposito manages to pass into side control anyway.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Papaioanou is looking to reverse the position.
Esposito tries to move into full mount but can't pass Papaioanou's legs.
Papaioanou can't do much from the bottom here.
Esposito trying to control the action but Papaioanou is working from the bottom.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Papaioanou fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Esposito throws a body kick that misses.
A countering left hand to the body from Papaioanou misses.
Papaioanou looks to score with a jab to the body but Esposito is just out of range.
Papaioanou lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Esposito at a distance.
Papaioanou fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Esposito manages to avoid it.
Papaioanou throws a solid leg kick but Esposito takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Papaioanou.
Esposito appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Esposito cracks Papaioanou with a good jab.
Papaioanou throws a left and a right that both miss
and Esposito decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Papaioanou's guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esposito looking to pass the guard.
Esposito throws a strike but Papaioanou rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Papaioanou drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Esposito manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Papaioanou has Esposito in his guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Papaioanou is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Esposito stopping the sweep attempt from Papaioanou.
Esposito with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Javier Esposito dominated that second 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.
Papaioanou takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Papaioanou tests Esposito's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Esposito drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Papaioanou is trying to keep Esposito in close.
Esposito wants to control from the top but Papaioanou keeps moving.
Papaioanou not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Esposito controlling from the top position.
Papaioanou is trying to control the position but Esposito postures up.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Esposito is stalling in the full guard.
Esposito is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Papaioanou can do to turn this around?
Papaioanou working a defensive guard here.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Esposito slips under a jab from Papaioanou.
Papaioanou lands with a shot to the body.
Papaioanou connects with a leg kick. Esposito looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Papaioanou throws a jab when Esposito was well out of range.
Esposito scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Esposito digs a good hook to Papaioanou's body.
Papaioanou misses with a low kick.
Papaioanou lands the left hand.
Papaioanou cracks Esposito with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Papaioanou closes the distance and clinches.
Papaioanou makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Esposito blocking some punches.
Papaioanou working aggressively here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Papaioanou tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Esposito lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Esposito breaks from the clinch.
Esposito connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Papaioanou's hands.
Papaioanou misses with a hook
and Esposito counters with a nice double leg into side control. Papaioanou won't be happy with that.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esposito wants to control but Papaioanou is keeping him busy.
Esposito is trying to ground and pound but Papaioanou uses the momentary lack of control by Esposito to regain half guard.
Papaioanou works his way to full guard. Good work.
Papaioanou looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Esposito wants to control from the top but Papaioanou keeps moving.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Esposito not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Papaioanou 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.
Esposito trying to control but Papaioanou is working from the bottom.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Papaioanou lands a lovely overhand right.
Esposito scores with a crisp jab that stopped Papaioanou in his tracks.
Papaioanou tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Esposito was well out of range. Poor timing from Papaioanou.
Papaioanou stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Esposito.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but Javier Esposito did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
Esposito fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Papaioanou has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Papaioanou misses with a series of wild punches.
A low kick from Papaioanou is predictable there
and Esposito counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Esposito.
Esposito drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Esposito misses with a body punch.
Esposito turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Esposito manages to end up in side control.
Esposito controlling the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Esposito wants to control but Papaioanou is keeping him busy.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Esposito remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Esposito is looking to take a break and control but Papaioanou is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Esposito tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Papaioanou misses with a hook to the body
and Esposito counters with a single leg into guard. Papaioanou didn't expect that.
Esposito postures up.
Esposito wants to control from the top but Papaioanou keeps moving.
Papaioanou looking to hit a scissor sweep but Esposito is one step ahead there.
Esposito trying to control the position from guard on top but Papaioanou is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Papaioanou trying to control the position.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Papaioanou looking to hit a scissor sweep but Esposito is one step ahead there.
Javier Esposito overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Esposito cracks Papaioanou with a solid left hand.
Esposito trying to control the position from guard on top but Papaioanou is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Esposito uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Papaioanou.
Papaioanou throws a body shot but no joy.
Papaioanou leaves Esposito with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Papaioanou tries to close the distance and clinch up but Esposito swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Esposito takes one on the button.
Papaioanou misses with a lunging right hand
and Esposito counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Esposito is fighting to break Papaioanou's control of his arms but Papaioanou is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Papaioanou looking for a guillotine here but Esposito defends easily.
Papaioanou is trying to keep Esposito in close.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Javier Esposito had his way with Lefteris Papaioanou in that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!
Papaioanou throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Esposito tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Papaioanou is in Esposito's guard.
Esposito looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Papaioanou puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Papaioanou wants to work for an arm triangle but Esposito is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Esposito is refusing to be controlled, as Papaioanou sits in half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Esposito is pressing down on Papaioanou's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Esposito lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
Esposito looking to sit in guard and control but Papaioanou gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Papaioanou drops back, looking for a kneebar! Esposito looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Esposito looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Esposito!
Papaioanou wants to control but Esposito postures up.
Esposito in side control, throwing shots but Papaioanou defends.
Esposito wants to control but Papaioanou is keeping him busy.
Papaioanou wants to control but Esposito postures up.
Lefteris Papaioanou has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esposito trying to control the position but Papaioanou is working away.
Papaioanou tries to bench press Esposito off him but Esposito keeps the position.
Papaioanou manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Esposito performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Esposito is trying to control the action in half guard but Papaioanou is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esposito takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Esposito wants to free his trapped foot but Papaioanou is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Esposito lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Papaioanou is looking to control Esposito's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Papaioanou avoid being mounted?
Esposito thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Esposito looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Papaioanou is fending him off so far but Esposito persists. Nope, Papaioanou circles away and we're back to standing.
Javier Esposito is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
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.
Esposito takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Esposito takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Papaioanou feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Espositos jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Papaioanou throws a leg kick
and Esposito counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Esposito is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Papaioanou wants to sweep here but Esposito controlling him for the moment.
Esposito content to stall in guard here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Esposito chips away with some ground and pound.
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 Javier Esposito.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Esposito, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.
Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 50:45
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 50:45
Judge George Francis scores the fight 50:46
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Javier Esposito!
Javier Esposito retains his light heavyweight title!
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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
35% |
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