Post by The Sandmen on May 4, 2020 1:43:11 GMT -5
Carla Esparza raises her fists in her corner. She seems confident.
Alexandra Albu doesn't look concerned about anything her opponent brings to the table.
This is the first time they meet inside the cage
It's hard to say who will be winning this fight. The specialized media doesn't have a favourite either.
The referee of the bout is Herb Dean.
=========================================
Round 1
=========================================
Carla Esparza and Alexandra Albu touch gloves in the center to get this fight started!
The clock says 0:10 in the 1 round
Solid shot from Alexandra Albu to the body.
Esparza didn't like that.
Tremendous strikes from Albu!
Some big punches are landing!
Carla Esparza attempts a sweep single...
Carla Esparza catches Alexandra Albu's far ankle and trips her to the mat! Slick takedown by Esparza.
Carla Esparza is in closed guard over Albu
Esparza tries to escape from the closed guard
Esparza succeeds and she's now in open guard... she takes a second to breathe
Carla Esparza is in open guard over Albu
Esparza tries to improve position.
Albu adjusts and closes her guard.
Esparza clumsily fails here and it's time for Alexandra Albu to fight back!
Albu tries to close her guard around Esparza
She succeeds!
The clock says 1:00 in the 1 round
Carla Esparza is in closed guard over Albu
Esparza tries to escape from closed guard...
Albu waits for the moment and tries to roll! Too late for Carla Esparza! She is reversed and nor Alexandra Albu is on half guard!
Alexandra Albu is in half guard over Esparza
Carla Esparza tries to close the guard.
Esparza put Alexandra Albu in closed guard.
Alexandra Albu is in closed guard over Esparza
Albu is in closed guard... Esparza tries to roll on the ground!
Nice reversal! She is now in full mount over Alexandra Albu!
The clock says 1:25 in the 1 round
Carla Esparza is in full mount over Alexandra Albu
Albu is using some of her ground skills to escape from this...
She pushes Esparza's knee away and tries to roll! Nice move to get half guard!
Alexandra Albu is in half guard over Esparza
Carla Esparza attempts to move to full guard
Alexandra Albu keeps good control and remains in half guard.
Alexandra Albu is in half guard over Esparza
Esparza looks to be in very good shape.
Carla Esparza attempts to move to full guard
Alexandra Albu keeps good control and remains in half guard.
Alexandra Albu is in half guard over Esparza
Alexandra Albu tries to pass Carla Esparza's guard...
Alexandra Albu passes momentarily but Carla Esparza regains half guard.
Alexandra Albu is in half guard over Esparza
Carla Esparza attempts to move to full guard
Alexandra Albu keeps good control and remains in half guard.
The referee decides to stand up the fighters since there was not much action on the ground.
Both fighters have climbed to their feet and they continue the fight standing. The people who are watching this in Halifax Metro Centre (Halifax, Nova Scotia) are cheering for the fighters.
Esparza is holding Alexandra Albu's left leg... She's trying to take her down.
Alexandra Albu loses balance and goes to the ground.
Carla Esparza is in side mount over Alexandra Albu
Esparza tries to move to full mount!
Nice move. She is in full mount now.
Carla Esparza is in full mount over Alexandra Albu
Esparza tries to keep hs position while looking to maybe begin a pounding session...
Carla Esparza controls the situation despite Alexandra Albu efforts for escaping from the full mount.
Carla Esparza is in full mount over Alexandra Albu
Esparza fakes a few punches and after a brief struggle she catches Alexandra Albu's arm and tries an armbar!
Albu holds her own hand and with pure strength she breaks Albu's lock. She rolls over herself and launches over Carla Esparza.
Alexandra Albu is in side mount over Carla Esparza
Carla Esparza attempts to trap Alexandra Albu in her guard.
Alexandra Albu keeps control and remains in side mount.
Alexandra Albu is in side mount over Carla Esparza
Carla Esparza attempts to trap Alexandra Albu in her guard.
Alexandra Albu keeps control and remains in side mount.
Alexandra Albu is in side mount over Carla Esparza
Alexandra Albu looks to mount Carla Esparza...
Carla Esparza sees an opening and locks her opponent in half guard.
The clock says 3:35 in the 1 round
Alexandra Albu is in half guard over Esparza
Carla Esparza attempts to move to full guard
Alexandra Albu keeps good control and remains in half guard.
Alexandra Albu is in half guard over Esparza
Carla Esparza tries to close the guard.
Esparza put Alexandra Albu in closed guard.
Alexandra Albu is in closed guard over Esparza
Albu is in closed guard... Esparza tries to roll on the ground!
Alexandra Albu uses her leg to keep her position on the ground
Alexandra Albu is in closed guard over Esparza
Albu is in closed guard... Esparza tries to roll on the ground!
Alexandra Albu uses her leg to keep her position on the ground
Carla Esparza gets sloppy and Alexandra Albu tries to take advantage...
Alexandra Albu tries to better her position on the ground...
Esparza holds Alexandra Albu's head against her chin in the closed guard.
Herb Dean has seen enough passivity on the ground and stands up the fighters.
Both fighters continue the fight on their feet. You can hear how the people agree with that decision.
Albu moves backwards and Carla Esparza is asking her if she came today for fighting or running.
Esparza fakes a punch and shoots a takedown!
Albu sprawls and remains on her feet.
Albu and Esparza circle around the center of the cage.
The clock says 4:50 in the 1 round
Carla Esparza tries to bring the fight to the ground
Albu goes down.
Albu ribs are getting hammered, they look bad!
Carla Esparza is in open guard over Albu
Carla Esparza tries to pass to half guard...
Alexandra Albu's closes her guard to prevent the pass.
The buzzer sounds, marking the end of the round. The ref tells the fighters to go to their corner.
I would be surprised if the judges didn't see that round for Esparza.
=========================================
Round 2
=========================================
Carla Esparza tries to bring the fight to the ground
Albu won't budge, forcing Esparza to pull guard.
Alexandra Albu is in closed guard over Esparza
Albu struggles on the ground and tries to break Carla Esparza's guard...
Esparza doesn't want to free her opponent and Albu continues in closed guard
Poorly executed technique. Carla Esparza looks to counter!
Esparza attempts a triangle from bottom! Alexandra Albu slips out. Esparza quickly turns her hips over and switches to the armbar! She's throwing everything at her.
Alexandra Albu slips out and backs away to avoid danger.
Herb Dean halts the fight to stand up Alexandra Albu. The fight resumes with both fighters standing.
Both fighters have climbed to their feet and they continue the fight standing. The people who are watching this in Halifax Metro Centre (Halifax, Nova Scotia) are cheering for the fighters.
Albu launches a furious low kick!
Esparza blocks.
Albu clumsily fails here and it's time for Carla Esparza to fight back!
Esparza wants to take the fight to her advantage and tries to clinch.
Esparza moves forward and holds Albu
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Carla Esparza tries to shrug her way out of the clinch.
Esparza circles out and slips free of Alexandra Albu's grip. Nice job of getting out of that position.
The clock says 0:55 in the 2 round
Both fighters circle around the center of the cage.
Carla Esparza circles around Albu
Carla Esparza tries to bring the fight to the ground
Albu goes down.
The clock says 1:15 in the 2 round
Carla Esparza is in open guard over Albu
Esparza tries to move to full mount
Esparza succeeds
Carla Esparza is in full mount over Alexandra Albu
Esparza catch Alexandra Albu's left arm and tries a kimura
Alexandra Albu holds her own arm and struggles until she gets free
Carla Esparza is in full mount over Alexandra Albu
Albu tries to move on the ground and escape from the full mount!
She successfully moves to half guard!
Carla Esparza is in half guard over Albu
Esparza launches a few fake punches and tries to escape!
Alexandra Albu rolls over herself and stands up while Carla Esparza rolls on her back.
Herb Dean halts the fight to stand up Carla Esparza. The fight resumes with both fighters standing.
Both fighters continue the fight on their feet. You can hear how the people agree with that decision.
Esparza fakes a punch and shoots a takedown!
Alexandra Albu didn't see it coming and has been put on the ground!
Carla Esparza is in open guard over Albu
Albu tries to close her guard around Esparza
She succeeds!
Carla Esparza is in closed guard over Albu
Esparza is in closed guard... Albu tries to roll on the ground!
Carla Esparza uses her leg to keep her position on the ground
Albu misses a step and Carla Esparza sees an opportunity to counter her!
Carla Esparza tries to better her position on the ground...
Esparza breaks the closed guard of Alexandra Albu and moves to half guard
Carla Esparza is in side mount over Alexandra Albu
Esparza tries to move to full mount!
Nice move. She is in full mount now.
Carla Esparza is in full mount over Alexandra Albu
Albu tries to escape from the full mount...
Carla Esparza is not caught off guard and moves to side mount to keep her superior position.
Carla Esparza is in side mount over Alexandra Albu
Carla Esparza looks to mount Alexandra Albu...
Alexandra Albu takes advantage of her opponent's over commitment and traps her in full guard.
The clock says 2:50 in the 2 round
Carla Esparza is in closed guard over Albu
Esparza struggles on the ground and tries to break Alexandra Albu's guard...
Albu doesn't want to free her opponent and Esparza continues in closed guard
Carla Esparza is in closed guard over Albu
Esparza is in closed guard... Albu tries to roll on the ground!
Nice reversal! She is now in full mount over Carla Esparza!
The clock says 3:05 in the 2 round
Alexandra Albu is in full mount over Carla Esparza
Carla Esparza tries to roll to her side and trap Alexandra Albu in her guard...
Alexandra Albu keeps good control and remains in full mount.
Alexandra Albu is in full mount over Carla Esparza
Carla Esparza tries to roll to her side and trap Alexandra Albu in her guard...
Alexandra Albu keeps good control and remains in full mount.
Alexandra Albu is in full mount over Carla Esparza
Carla Esparza tries to roll on the ground...
Albu knows how to keep her advantage on the ground.
The referee decides to stand up the fighters since there was not much action on the ground.
Both fighters continue the fight on their feet. You can hear how the people agree with that decision.
Esparza grabs her opponent by the waist and tries to take the fight to the ground
Great takedown by Carla Esparza
Crushing shot to Albu's body! She's holding her side
Carla Esparza is in open guard over Albu
Esparza moves on the ground
Esparza cannot take advantage in the ground
Carla Esparza is in open guard over Albu
Albu tries to close her guard around Esparza
She is not able to do it
The clock says 4:10 in the 2 round
Carla Esparza is in open guard over Albu
Carla Esparza tries to pass to half guard...
Alexandra Albu can't prevent her opponent from passing. Esparza looks to work from half guard.
Carla Esparza is in half guard over Albu
Alexandra Albu tries to close the guard.
Albu put Carla Esparza in closed guard.
Carla Esparza is in closed guard over Albu
Esparza tries to escape from the closed guard
Carla Esparza any adventage in the ground.
Carla Esparza is in closed guard over Albu
Esparza tries to escape from the closed guard
Carla Esparza any adventage in the ground.
Carla Esparza is in closed guard over Albu
Esparza use some of her wrestling skills to escape from the closed guard!
Alexandra Albu holds Carla Esparza and prevents her from moving to a better position!
Carla Esparza gets sloppy and Alexandra Albu tries to take advantage...
Esparza is in closed guard... Albu tries to roll on the ground!
Nice reversal! She is now in full mount over Carla Esparza!
Alexandra Albu is in full mount over Carla Esparza
Carla Esparza tries to roll to her side and trap Alexandra Albu in her guard...
Alexandra Albu keeps good control and remains in full mount.
The referee decides to stand up the fighters since there was not much action on the ground.
Both fighters have climbed to their feet and they continue the fight standing. The people who are watching this in Halifax Metro Centre (Halifax, Nova Scotia) are cheering for the fighters.
The referee separates the fighters as the buzzer sounds.
I would be surprised if the judges didn't see that round for Albu.
=========================================
Round 3
=========================================
Carla Esparza was tooling Alexandra Albu for the whole fight. I don't know if it's because Alexandra Albu lack of fighting spirit or just of skill.
Alexandra Albu swings...
hard impact to Esparza's face!
Esparza is holding Alexandra Albu's left leg... She's trying to take her down.
Alexandra Albu loses balance and goes to the ground.
The clock says 0:30 in the 3 round
Carla Esparza is in side mount over Alexandra Albu
Esparza tries to move to full mount!
Nice move. She is in full mount now.
Carla Esparza is in full mount over Alexandra Albu
Esparza goes for an armbar!
Alexandra Albu breaks the lock and pushes away Carla Esparza, who rolls over her back and gets to standing position.
Back to the beginning! Carla Esparza is standing now.
Esparza is standing while Albu is on the ground on her back
Esparza opts to jump inside Albu's guard.
Albu didn't see that coming. Carla Esparza is in open guard over Albu now.
Carla Esparza is in open guard over Albu
Albu tries to close her guard around Esparza
She succeeds!
Carla Esparza is in closed guard over Albu
Esparza is in closed guard... Albu tries to roll on the ground!
Nice reversal! She is now in full mount over Carla Esparza!
Alexandra Albu is in full mount over Carla Esparza
Esparza is using some of her ground skills to escape from this...
She pushes Albu's knee away and tries to roll! Nice move to get half guard!
Carla Esparza is in half guard over Albu
Carla Esparza pushes Albu's leg and tries to move to full mount.
Nice move by Esparza who is in full mount! Albu is in trouble now!
Carla Esparza is in full mount over Alexandra Albu
Alexandra Albu tries to roll to her side and trap Carla Esparza in her guard...
Alexandra Albu moves to half guard.
Carla Esparza is in half guard over Albu
Alexandra Albu attempts to move to full guard
Alexandra Albu manages to switch to full guard.
Carla Esparza is in closed guard over Albu
Esparza is in closed guard... Albu tries to roll on the ground!
Nice reversal! She is now in full mount over Carla Esparza!
Alexandra Albu is in full mount over Carla Esparza
Albu works on the ground with her fingers over Esparza's face
She seems to have encountered the eye! What a classless move!
Herb Dean didn't see the foul!
Alexandra Albu is in full mount over Carla Esparza
Carla Esparza tries to roll to her side and trap Alexandra Albu in her guard...
Alexandra Albu keeps good control and remains in full mount.
Alexandra Albu is in full mount over Carla Esparza
Carla Esparza tries to roll to her side and trap Alexandra Albu in her guard...
Carla Esparza gets her hip out and moves to full guard.
Alexandra Albu is in open guard over Esparza
Esparza tries to close her guard around Albu
She is not able to do it
Alexandra Albu is in open guard over Esparza
Esparza tries to close her guard around Albu
She is not able to do it
The clock says 3:00 in the 3 round
Alexandra Albu is in open guard over Esparza
Albu moves on the ground...
She remains in open guard.
Alexandra Albu is in open guard over Esparza
Esparza tries to close her guard around Albu
She is not able to do it
The clock says 3:20 in the 3 round
Alexandra Albu is in open guard over Esparza
Esparza tries to close her guard around Albu
She succeeds!
The clock says 3:30 in the 3 round
Alexandra Albu is in closed guard over Esparza
Albu is in closed guard... Esparza tries to roll on the ground!
Nice reversal! She is now in full mount over Alexandra Albu!
The clock says 3:40 in the 3 round
Carla Esparza is in full mount over Alexandra Albu
Albu is using some of her ground skills to escape from this...
Carla Esparza pushes Alexandra Albu down and prevents her attempts to escape
Alexandra Albu gets sloppy and Carla Esparza tries to take advantage...
Carla Esparza throws the leg over and rolls it over into an armbar!
Albu breaks the lock showing some skills...
Herb Dean has seen enough passivity on the ground and stands up the fighters.
Both fighters continue the fight on their feet. You can hear how the people agree with that decision.
Carla Esparza was tooling Alexandra Albu for the whole fight. I don't know if it's because Alexandra Albu lack of fighting spirit or just of skill.
Esparza grabs her opponent by the waist and tries to take the fight to the ground
Albu struggles... Carla Esparza is unable to take her down
The clock says 4:00 in the 3 round
Esparza looks for angles as she throws a few jabs that are countered by Alexandra Albu's punches
Albu is on the receiving end of a great combo by Esparza.
Carla Esparza is slowing the pace of the fight a bit and circles around her opponent.
Esparza steps backwards away from Alexandra Albu. She seems to be cooling down the fight a bit.
Carla Esparza tries to take the fight to the ground with a one leg takedown...
Albu is unable to remain on her feet and falls to the ground
Carla Esparza is in open guard over Albu
Carla Esparza pushes Alexandra Albu against the fence and then tries to improve her position.
Alexandra Albu struggles not allowing Carla Esparza improve her position.
Carla Esparza is in open guard over Albu
Albu tries to close her guard around Esparza
She is not able to do it
Carla Esparza is in open guard over Albu
Esparza tries to jump to side mount.
Alexandra Albu closed her guard around Carla Esparza.
Herb Dean tells the fighters to go to their corners as the round is over.
You have to give that round to Carla Esparza.
=========================================
Round 4
=========================================
The clock says 0:10 in the 4 round
Carla Esparza was tooling Alexandra Albu for the whole fight. I don't know if it's because Alexandra Albu lack of fighting spirit or just of skill.
Esparza grabs her opponent by the waist and tries to take the fight to the ground
Great takedown by Carla Esparza
Carla Esparza is in open guard over Albu
Esparza moves on the ground..
She gets half guard.
Carla Esparza is in half guard over Albu
Carla Esparza tries to pass Alexandra Albu's guard...
Carla Esparza passes momentarily but Alexandra Albu sees and opening and traps her in full guard.
Carla Esparza is in open guard over Albu
Carla Esparza pushes Alexandra Albu against the fence and then tries to improve her position.
Alexandra Albu struggles not allowing Carla Esparza improve her position.
Carla Esparza is in open guard over Albu
Esparza tries to move to full mount
Esparza succeeds
The clock says 0:55 in the 4 round
Carla Esparza is in full mount over Alexandra Albu
Esparza fakes a few punches and after a brief struggle she catches Alexandra Albu's arm and tries an armbar!
That Armbar looks tight...
That Armbar from Carla Esparza appears to be unbreakable
Esparza is locking that Armbar...
Albu holds her own hand and with pure strength she breaks Albu's lock. She rolls over herself and launches over Carla Esparza.
The clock says 1:05 in the 4 round
Alexandra Albu is in side mount over Carla Esparza
Albu tries to move to full mount!
Esparza won't allow her to take this position easily.
Alexandra Albu is in side mount over Carla Esparza
Carla Esparza tries to turn in and scramble out. Alexandra Albu timed her perfectly and locks up a guillotine!
Carla Esparza slips her head out and manages to gain top control.
Esparza is trying to counter now!
Deep breaths from Carla Esparza who tries a hammer punch to Albu's ribs.
Albu blocks those punches
Alexandra Albu is in side mount over Carla Esparza
Esparza tries to show some ground skills
Albu uses her strength to keep Albu at a disadvantage
Alexandra Albu is in side mount over Carla Esparza
Esparza sure knows how to turn you into a pretzel. She can finish the fight anytime while on the ground.
Carla Esparza attempts to trap Alexandra Albu in her guard.
Alexandra Albu keeps control and remains in side mount.
Herb Dean stands the fighters up due to a lack of activity.
Both fighters have climbed to their feet and they continue the fight standing. The people who are watching this in Halifax Metro Centre (Halifax, Nova Scotia) are cheering for the fighters.
As the fight continues it seems that Alexandra Albu is taking the best of the fight.
Alexandra Albu shoots for a double leg takedown!
Carla Esparza sprawls and manages to stay on her feet.
Alexandra Albu gets sloppy and Carla Esparza tries to take advantage...
Carla Esparza attempts to trap Alexandra Albu in her guard.
Alexandra Albu keeps control and remains in side mount.
Esparza is holding Alexandra Albu's right leg... She's trying to take her down.
Alexandra Albu loses balance and goes to the ground.
Carla Esparza is in side mount over Alexandra Albu
Albu tries to show some ground skills
Alexandra Albu put Esparza in half guard.
Carla Esparza is in half guard over Albu
Esparza tries to get a side mount...
Albu wraps her leg around Carla Esparza leg and prevents her from moving.
Carla Esparza is in half guard over Albu
Carla Esparza tries to free her leg
Alexandra Albu moves fast and both fighters exchange some weak punches while climbing to their feet.
Both fighters have climbed to their feet and they continue the fight standing. The people who are watching this in Halifax Metro Centre (Halifax, Nova Scotia) are cheering for the fighters.
Alexandra Albu tries to take the fight to the ground with a one leg takedown...
Carla Esparza jumps backwards and frees her leg.
Albu decides to launch some tentative punches
Nothing from this exchange. Albu moves back and takes a deep breath.
Carla Esparza and Albu engage in a wild exchange of punches!
Both fighters are missing terribly.
The clock says 3:15 in the 4 round
Carla Esparza was tooling Alexandra Albu for the whole fight. I don't know if it's because Alexandra Albu lack of fighting spirit or just of skill.
Carla Esparza tries to bring the fight to the ground
Albu goes down.
Carla Esparza is in open guard over Albu
Esparza tries to move to full mount
Esparza succeeds
Carla Esparza is in full mount over Alexandra Albu
Albu is using some of her ground skills to escape from this...
She pushes Esparza's knee away and tries to roll! Nice move to get half guard!
Alexandra Albu is in half guard over Esparza
Carla Esparza attempts to move to full guard
Carla Esparza manages to switch to full guard.
Alexandra Albu is in closed guard over Esparza
Albu is in closed guard... Esparza tries to roll on the ground!
Nice reversal! She is now in full mount over Alexandra Albu!
Carla Esparza is in full mount over Alexandra Albu
Esparza tries to keep hs position while looking to maybe begin a pounding session...
Carla Esparza controls the situation despite Alexandra Albu efforts for escaping from the full mount.
Carla Esparza is in full mount over Alexandra Albu
Alexandra Albu tries to roll to her side and trap Carla Esparza in her guard...
Carla Esparza rolls her over and takes her back!
Esparza is in rear mount over Albu
Albu has given her back to Carla Esparza who is trying to get one hook in!
Carla Esparza has one hook in!
Esparza is in rear mount over Albu with one hook in
Albu is trying to escape from the rear mount.
Albu holds Carla Esparza's arm over her shoulder and then rolls on the ground. Incredible move to get a half mount!
Alexandra Albu is in side mount over Carla Esparza
Esparza works on the ground with her fingers over Albu's face
She seems to have encountered the eye! What a classless move!
Herb Dean didn't see that!
Herb Dean separates the fighters as the round concludes. The fighters shake hands as they head back to their corners.
The round is for Esparza, who walks calmly to her corner.
=========================================
Round 5
=========================================
Carla Esparza tries to bring the fight to the ground
Albu goes down.
Carla Esparza is in open guard over Albu
Albu tries to close her guard around Esparza
She succeeds!
The clock says 0:35 in the 5 round
Carla Esparza is in closed guard over Albu
Carla Esparza tries to better her position on the ground...
Esparza breaks the closed guard of Alexandra Albu and moves to half guard
Carla Esparza is in side mount over Alexandra Albu
Alexandra Albu attempts to trap Carla Esparza in her guard.
Carla Esparza keeps control and remains in side mount.
Carla Esparza is in side mount over Alexandra Albu
Alexandra Albu attempts to trap Carla Esparza in her guard.
Carla Esparza keeps control and remains in side mount.
The clock says 1:15 in the 5 round
Carla Esparza is in side mount over Alexandra Albu
Carla Esparza looks to mount Alexandra Albu...
Carla Esparza slides her knee across and gets to mount.
The clock says 1:25 in the 5 round
Carla Esparza is in full mount over Alexandra Albu
Esparza tries to keep hs position while looking to maybe begin a pounding session...
Albu struggles and frees her leg!
Carla Esparza is in half guard over Albu
Esparza tries to get a side mount...
Albu wraps her leg around Carla Esparza leg and prevents her from moving.
Carla Esparza is in half guard over Albu
Carla Esparza tries to free her leg
Carla Esparza uses some of her skill by jumping out of Albu's guard. She moves quickly to side mount!
Carla Esparza is in side mount over Alexandra Albu
Alexandra Albu attempts to trap Carla Esparza in her guard.
Carla Esparza keeps control and remains in side mount.
Carla Esparza is in side mount over Alexandra Albu
Alexandra Albu attempts to trap Carla Esparza in her guard.
Carla Esparza keeps control and remains in side mount.
The referee decides to stand up the fighters since there was not much action on the ground.
Both fighters have climbed to their feet and they continue the fight standing. The people who are watching this in Halifax Metro Centre (Halifax, Nova Scotia) are cheering for the fighters.
Carla Esparza tries a nice one-two combination
She scores!
Carla Esparza attempts a sweep single...
Alexandra Albu was ready and shrugs off the takedown attempt.
Esparza clumsily fails here and it's time for Alexandra Albu to fight back!
Solid kick to the leg from Alexandra Albu
Esparza checks it.
Carla Esparza and Albu engage in a wild exchange of punches!
Both fighters are connecting and this could be ending soon if either lands a lucky punch.
The two exchange wildly
Both fighters are missing terribly.
The clock says 2:50 in the 5 round
Esparza grabs her opponent by the waist and tries to take the fight to the ground
Albu struggles... Carla Esparza is unable to take her down
Carla Esparza goes with a looping right hand while Alexandra Albu jumps back and jabs
That one hits but Albu seems unaffected, countering with a few punches of her own. Great exchange here.
Alexandra Albu just won't stop and continues to rain punches
Esparza may be in trouble!
Esparza fakes a punch and shoots a takedown!
Alexandra Albu didn't see it coming and has been put on the ground!
Carla Esparza is in open guard over Albu
Carla Esparza tries to pass to half guard...
Alexandra Albu's closes her guard to prevent the pass.
Carla Esparza is in closed guard over Albu
Albu measures the resilience of Esparza's ribs with a couple of big punches from guard.
Esparza blocks the hits as she works on the ground.
Carla Esparza is in closed guard over Albu
Esparza use some of her wrestling skills to escape from the closed guard!
After a few tentative moves, she jumps to side mount! The crowd in Halifax Metro Centre (Halifax, Nova Scotia) is cheering her!
The clock says 4:00 in the 5 round
Carla Esparza is in side mount over Alexandra Albu
Alexandra Albu attempts to trap Carla Esparza in her guard.
Alexandra Albu manages to switch to half guard.
Carla Esparza is in half guard over Albu
Carla Esparza tries to pass Alexandra Albu's guard...
Carla Esparza passes momentarily but Alexandra Albu sees and opening and traps her in full guard.
Carla Esparza is in open guard over Albu
Carla Esparza tries to pass to half guard...
Alexandra Albu can't prevent her opponent from passing. Esparza looks to work from half guard.
Carla Esparza is in half guard over Albu
Carla Esparza tries to pass Alexandra Albu's guard...
Carla Esparza manages to get her leg free and moves to side mount.
Carla Esparza is in side mount over Alexandra Albu
Alexandra Albu attempts to trap Carla Esparza in her guard.
Alexandra Albu manages to switch to full guard.
The clock says 4:55 in the 5 round
Carla Esparza is in open guard over Albu
Albu tries to close her guard around Esparza
She is not able to do it
Herb Dean separates the fighters as the round concludes. The fighters shake hands as they head back to their corners.
Esparza is the winner of this round.
Winner is Carla Esparza by Unanimous decision
Statistics: Carla Esparza
Punches 13/22 (59%)
Kicks 0/0 (0%)
Clinch strikes 1/1 (100%)
Takedowns 13/18 (72%)
GnP strikes 0/1 (0%)
Submissions 6/6 (100%)
Clinch Attempts 1/1 (100%)
Time on the ground 1071 s
Statistics: Alexandra Albu
Punches 19/25 (76%)
Kicks 0/2 (0%)
Clinch strikes 1/1 (100%)
Takedowns 0/2 (0%)
GnP strikes 0/2 (0%)
Submissions 1/1 (100%)
Clinch Attempts 0/0 (0%)
Time on the ground 1079 s
Has Esparza been fine-tuned since she was upgraded specifically to beat JJ years back? I don’t remember.
Alexandra Albu doesn't look concerned about anything her opponent brings to the table.
This is the first time they meet inside the cage
It's hard to say who will be winning this fight. The specialized media doesn't have a favourite either.
The referee of the bout is Herb Dean.
=========================================
Round 1
=========================================
Carla Esparza and Alexandra Albu touch gloves in the center to get this fight started!
The clock says 0:10 in the 1 round
Solid shot from Alexandra Albu to the body.
Esparza didn't like that.
Tremendous strikes from Albu!
Some big punches are landing!
Carla Esparza attempts a sweep single...
Carla Esparza catches Alexandra Albu's far ankle and trips her to the mat! Slick takedown by Esparza.
Carla Esparza is in closed guard over Albu
Esparza tries to escape from the closed guard
Esparza succeeds and she's now in open guard... she takes a second to breathe
Carla Esparza is in open guard over Albu
Esparza tries to improve position.
Albu adjusts and closes her guard.
Esparza clumsily fails here and it's time for Alexandra Albu to fight back!
Albu tries to close her guard around Esparza
She succeeds!
The clock says 1:00 in the 1 round
Carla Esparza is in closed guard over Albu
Esparza tries to escape from closed guard...
Albu waits for the moment and tries to roll! Too late for Carla Esparza! She is reversed and nor Alexandra Albu is on half guard!
Alexandra Albu is in half guard over Esparza
Carla Esparza tries to close the guard.
Esparza put Alexandra Albu in closed guard.
Alexandra Albu is in closed guard over Esparza
Albu is in closed guard... Esparza tries to roll on the ground!
Nice reversal! She is now in full mount over Alexandra Albu!
The clock says 1:25 in the 1 round
Carla Esparza is in full mount over Alexandra Albu
Albu is using some of her ground skills to escape from this...
She pushes Esparza's knee away and tries to roll! Nice move to get half guard!
Alexandra Albu is in half guard over Esparza
Carla Esparza attempts to move to full guard
Alexandra Albu keeps good control and remains in half guard.
Alexandra Albu is in half guard over Esparza
Esparza looks to be in very good shape.
Carla Esparza attempts to move to full guard
Alexandra Albu keeps good control and remains in half guard.
Alexandra Albu is in half guard over Esparza
Alexandra Albu tries to pass Carla Esparza's guard...
Alexandra Albu passes momentarily but Carla Esparza regains half guard.
Alexandra Albu is in half guard over Esparza
Carla Esparza attempts to move to full guard
Alexandra Albu keeps good control and remains in half guard.
The referee decides to stand up the fighters since there was not much action on the ground.
Both fighters have climbed to their feet and they continue the fight standing. The people who are watching this in Halifax Metro Centre (Halifax, Nova Scotia) are cheering for the fighters.
Esparza is holding Alexandra Albu's left leg... She's trying to take her down.
Alexandra Albu loses balance and goes to the ground.
Carla Esparza is in side mount over Alexandra Albu
Esparza tries to move to full mount!
Nice move. She is in full mount now.
Carla Esparza is in full mount over Alexandra Albu
Esparza tries to keep hs position while looking to maybe begin a pounding session...
Carla Esparza controls the situation despite Alexandra Albu efforts for escaping from the full mount.
Carla Esparza is in full mount over Alexandra Albu
Esparza fakes a few punches and after a brief struggle she catches Alexandra Albu's arm and tries an armbar!
Albu holds her own hand and with pure strength she breaks Albu's lock. She rolls over herself and launches over Carla Esparza.
Alexandra Albu is in side mount over Carla Esparza
Carla Esparza attempts to trap Alexandra Albu in her guard.
Alexandra Albu keeps control and remains in side mount.
Alexandra Albu is in side mount over Carla Esparza
Carla Esparza attempts to trap Alexandra Albu in her guard.
Alexandra Albu keeps control and remains in side mount.
Alexandra Albu is in side mount over Carla Esparza
Alexandra Albu looks to mount Carla Esparza...
Carla Esparza sees an opening and locks her opponent in half guard.
The clock says 3:35 in the 1 round
Alexandra Albu is in half guard over Esparza
Carla Esparza attempts to move to full guard
Alexandra Albu keeps good control and remains in half guard.
Alexandra Albu is in half guard over Esparza
Carla Esparza tries to close the guard.
Esparza put Alexandra Albu in closed guard.
Alexandra Albu is in closed guard over Esparza
Albu is in closed guard... Esparza tries to roll on the ground!
Alexandra Albu uses her leg to keep her position on the ground
Alexandra Albu is in closed guard over Esparza
Albu is in closed guard... Esparza tries to roll on the ground!
Alexandra Albu uses her leg to keep her position on the ground
Carla Esparza gets sloppy and Alexandra Albu tries to take advantage...
Alexandra Albu tries to better her position on the ground...
Esparza holds Alexandra Albu's head against her chin in the closed guard.
Herb Dean has seen enough passivity on the ground and stands up the fighters.
Both fighters continue the fight on their feet. You can hear how the people agree with that decision.
Albu moves backwards and Carla Esparza is asking her if she came today for fighting or running.
Esparza fakes a punch and shoots a takedown!
Albu sprawls and remains on her feet.
Albu and Esparza circle around the center of the cage.
The clock says 4:50 in the 1 round
Carla Esparza tries to bring the fight to the ground
Albu goes down.
Albu ribs are getting hammered, they look bad!
Carla Esparza is in open guard over Albu
Carla Esparza tries to pass to half guard...
Alexandra Albu's closes her guard to prevent the pass.
The buzzer sounds, marking the end of the round. The ref tells the fighters to go to their corner.
I would be surprised if the judges didn't see that round for Esparza.
=========================================
Round 2
=========================================
Carla Esparza tries to bring the fight to the ground
Albu won't budge, forcing Esparza to pull guard.
Alexandra Albu is in closed guard over Esparza
Albu struggles on the ground and tries to break Carla Esparza's guard...
Esparza doesn't want to free her opponent and Albu continues in closed guard
Poorly executed technique. Carla Esparza looks to counter!
Esparza attempts a triangle from bottom! Alexandra Albu slips out. Esparza quickly turns her hips over and switches to the armbar! She's throwing everything at her.
Alexandra Albu slips out and backs away to avoid danger.
Herb Dean halts the fight to stand up Alexandra Albu. The fight resumes with both fighters standing.
Both fighters have climbed to their feet and they continue the fight standing. The people who are watching this in Halifax Metro Centre (Halifax, Nova Scotia) are cheering for the fighters.
Albu launches a furious low kick!
Esparza blocks.
Albu clumsily fails here and it's time for Carla Esparza to fight back!
Esparza wants to take the fight to her advantage and tries to clinch.
Esparza moves forward and holds Albu
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Carla Esparza tries to shrug her way out of the clinch.
Esparza circles out and slips free of Alexandra Albu's grip. Nice job of getting out of that position.
The clock says 0:55 in the 2 round
Both fighters circle around the center of the cage.
Carla Esparza circles around Albu
Carla Esparza tries to bring the fight to the ground
Albu goes down.
The clock says 1:15 in the 2 round
Carla Esparza is in open guard over Albu
Esparza tries to move to full mount
Esparza succeeds
Carla Esparza is in full mount over Alexandra Albu
Esparza catch Alexandra Albu's left arm and tries a kimura
Alexandra Albu holds her own arm and struggles until she gets free
Carla Esparza is in full mount over Alexandra Albu
Albu tries to move on the ground and escape from the full mount!
She successfully moves to half guard!
Carla Esparza is in half guard over Albu
Esparza launches a few fake punches and tries to escape!
Alexandra Albu rolls over herself and stands up while Carla Esparza rolls on her back.
Herb Dean halts the fight to stand up Carla Esparza. The fight resumes with both fighters standing.
Both fighters continue the fight on their feet. You can hear how the people agree with that decision.
Esparza fakes a punch and shoots a takedown!
Alexandra Albu didn't see it coming and has been put on the ground!
Carla Esparza is in open guard over Albu
Albu tries to close her guard around Esparza
She succeeds!
Carla Esparza is in closed guard over Albu
Esparza is in closed guard... Albu tries to roll on the ground!
Carla Esparza uses her leg to keep her position on the ground
Albu misses a step and Carla Esparza sees an opportunity to counter her!
Carla Esparza tries to better her position on the ground...
Esparza breaks the closed guard of Alexandra Albu and moves to half guard
Carla Esparza is in side mount over Alexandra Albu
Esparza tries to move to full mount!
Nice move. She is in full mount now.
Carla Esparza is in full mount over Alexandra Albu
Albu tries to escape from the full mount...
Carla Esparza is not caught off guard and moves to side mount to keep her superior position.
Carla Esparza is in side mount over Alexandra Albu
Carla Esparza looks to mount Alexandra Albu...
Alexandra Albu takes advantage of her opponent's over commitment and traps her in full guard.
The clock says 2:50 in the 2 round
Carla Esparza is in closed guard over Albu
Esparza struggles on the ground and tries to break Alexandra Albu's guard...
Albu doesn't want to free her opponent and Esparza continues in closed guard
Carla Esparza is in closed guard over Albu
Esparza is in closed guard... Albu tries to roll on the ground!
Nice reversal! She is now in full mount over Carla Esparza!
The clock says 3:05 in the 2 round
Alexandra Albu is in full mount over Carla Esparza
Carla Esparza tries to roll to her side and trap Alexandra Albu in her guard...
Alexandra Albu keeps good control and remains in full mount.
Alexandra Albu is in full mount over Carla Esparza
Carla Esparza tries to roll to her side and trap Alexandra Albu in her guard...
Alexandra Albu keeps good control and remains in full mount.
Alexandra Albu is in full mount over Carla Esparza
Carla Esparza tries to roll on the ground...
Albu knows how to keep her advantage on the ground.
The referee decides to stand up the fighters since there was not much action on the ground.
Both fighters continue the fight on their feet. You can hear how the people agree with that decision.
Esparza grabs her opponent by the waist and tries to take the fight to the ground
Great takedown by Carla Esparza
Crushing shot to Albu's body! She's holding her side
Carla Esparza is in open guard over Albu
Esparza moves on the ground
Esparza cannot take advantage in the ground
Carla Esparza is in open guard over Albu
Albu tries to close her guard around Esparza
She is not able to do it
The clock says 4:10 in the 2 round
Carla Esparza is in open guard over Albu
Carla Esparza tries to pass to half guard...
Alexandra Albu can't prevent her opponent from passing. Esparza looks to work from half guard.
Carla Esparza is in half guard over Albu
Alexandra Albu tries to close the guard.
Albu put Carla Esparza in closed guard.
Carla Esparza is in closed guard over Albu
Esparza tries to escape from the closed guard
Carla Esparza any adventage in the ground.
Carla Esparza is in closed guard over Albu
Esparza tries to escape from the closed guard
Carla Esparza any adventage in the ground.
Carla Esparza is in closed guard over Albu
Esparza use some of her wrestling skills to escape from the closed guard!
Alexandra Albu holds Carla Esparza and prevents her from moving to a better position!
Carla Esparza gets sloppy and Alexandra Albu tries to take advantage...
Esparza is in closed guard... Albu tries to roll on the ground!
Nice reversal! She is now in full mount over Carla Esparza!
Alexandra Albu is in full mount over Carla Esparza
Carla Esparza tries to roll to her side and trap Alexandra Albu in her guard...
Alexandra Albu keeps good control and remains in full mount.
The referee decides to stand up the fighters since there was not much action on the ground.
Both fighters have climbed to their feet and they continue the fight standing. The people who are watching this in Halifax Metro Centre (Halifax, Nova Scotia) are cheering for the fighters.
The referee separates the fighters as the buzzer sounds.
I would be surprised if the judges didn't see that round for Albu.
=========================================
Round 3
=========================================
Carla Esparza was tooling Alexandra Albu for the whole fight. I don't know if it's because Alexandra Albu lack of fighting spirit or just of skill.
Alexandra Albu swings...
hard impact to Esparza's face!
Esparza is holding Alexandra Albu's left leg... She's trying to take her down.
Alexandra Albu loses balance and goes to the ground.
The clock says 0:30 in the 3 round
Carla Esparza is in side mount over Alexandra Albu
Esparza tries to move to full mount!
Nice move. She is in full mount now.
Carla Esparza is in full mount over Alexandra Albu
Esparza goes for an armbar!
Alexandra Albu breaks the lock and pushes away Carla Esparza, who rolls over her back and gets to standing position.
Back to the beginning! Carla Esparza is standing now.
Esparza is standing while Albu is on the ground on her back
Esparza opts to jump inside Albu's guard.
Albu didn't see that coming. Carla Esparza is in open guard over Albu now.
Carla Esparza is in open guard over Albu
Albu tries to close her guard around Esparza
She succeeds!
Carla Esparza is in closed guard over Albu
Esparza is in closed guard... Albu tries to roll on the ground!
Nice reversal! She is now in full mount over Carla Esparza!
Alexandra Albu is in full mount over Carla Esparza
Esparza is using some of her ground skills to escape from this...
She pushes Albu's knee away and tries to roll! Nice move to get half guard!
Carla Esparza is in half guard over Albu
Carla Esparza pushes Albu's leg and tries to move to full mount.
Nice move by Esparza who is in full mount! Albu is in trouble now!
Carla Esparza is in full mount over Alexandra Albu
Alexandra Albu tries to roll to her side and trap Carla Esparza in her guard...
Alexandra Albu moves to half guard.
Carla Esparza is in half guard over Albu
Alexandra Albu attempts to move to full guard
Alexandra Albu manages to switch to full guard.
Carla Esparza is in closed guard over Albu
Esparza is in closed guard... Albu tries to roll on the ground!
Nice reversal! She is now in full mount over Carla Esparza!
Alexandra Albu is in full mount over Carla Esparza
Albu works on the ground with her fingers over Esparza's face
She seems to have encountered the eye! What a classless move!
Herb Dean didn't see the foul!
Alexandra Albu is in full mount over Carla Esparza
Carla Esparza tries to roll to her side and trap Alexandra Albu in her guard...
Alexandra Albu keeps good control and remains in full mount.
Alexandra Albu is in full mount over Carla Esparza
Carla Esparza tries to roll to her side and trap Alexandra Albu in her guard...
Carla Esparza gets her hip out and moves to full guard.
Alexandra Albu is in open guard over Esparza
Esparza tries to close her guard around Albu
She is not able to do it
Alexandra Albu is in open guard over Esparza
Esparza tries to close her guard around Albu
She is not able to do it
The clock says 3:00 in the 3 round
Alexandra Albu is in open guard over Esparza
Albu moves on the ground...
She remains in open guard.
Alexandra Albu is in open guard over Esparza
Esparza tries to close her guard around Albu
She is not able to do it
The clock says 3:20 in the 3 round
Alexandra Albu is in open guard over Esparza
Esparza tries to close her guard around Albu
She succeeds!
The clock says 3:30 in the 3 round
Alexandra Albu is in closed guard over Esparza
Albu is in closed guard... Esparza tries to roll on the ground!
Nice reversal! She is now in full mount over Alexandra Albu!
The clock says 3:40 in the 3 round
Carla Esparza is in full mount over Alexandra Albu
Albu is using some of her ground skills to escape from this...
Carla Esparza pushes Alexandra Albu down and prevents her attempts to escape
Alexandra Albu gets sloppy and Carla Esparza tries to take advantage...
Carla Esparza throws the leg over and rolls it over into an armbar!
Albu breaks the lock showing some skills...
Herb Dean has seen enough passivity on the ground and stands up the fighters.
Both fighters continue the fight on their feet. You can hear how the people agree with that decision.
Carla Esparza was tooling Alexandra Albu for the whole fight. I don't know if it's because Alexandra Albu lack of fighting spirit or just of skill.
Esparza grabs her opponent by the waist and tries to take the fight to the ground
Albu struggles... Carla Esparza is unable to take her down
The clock says 4:00 in the 3 round
Esparza looks for angles as she throws a few jabs that are countered by Alexandra Albu's punches
Albu is on the receiving end of a great combo by Esparza.
Carla Esparza is slowing the pace of the fight a bit and circles around her opponent.
Esparza steps backwards away from Alexandra Albu. She seems to be cooling down the fight a bit.
Carla Esparza tries to take the fight to the ground with a one leg takedown...
Albu is unable to remain on her feet and falls to the ground
Carla Esparza is in open guard over Albu
Carla Esparza pushes Alexandra Albu against the fence and then tries to improve her position.
Alexandra Albu struggles not allowing Carla Esparza improve her position.
Carla Esparza is in open guard over Albu
Albu tries to close her guard around Esparza
She is not able to do it
Carla Esparza is in open guard over Albu
Esparza tries to jump to side mount.
Alexandra Albu closed her guard around Carla Esparza.
Herb Dean tells the fighters to go to their corners as the round is over.
You have to give that round to Carla Esparza.
=========================================
Round 4
=========================================
The clock says 0:10 in the 4 round
Carla Esparza was tooling Alexandra Albu for the whole fight. I don't know if it's because Alexandra Albu lack of fighting spirit or just of skill.
Esparza grabs her opponent by the waist and tries to take the fight to the ground
Great takedown by Carla Esparza
Carla Esparza is in open guard over Albu
Esparza moves on the ground..
She gets half guard.
Carla Esparza is in half guard over Albu
Carla Esparza tries to pass Alexandra Albu's guard...
Carla Esparza passes momentarily but Alexandra Albu sees and opening and traps her in full guard.
Carla Esparza is in open guard over Albu
Carla Esparza pushes Alexandra Albu against the fence and then tries to improve her position.
Alexandra Albu struggles not allowing Carla Esparza improve her position.
Carla Esparza is in open guard over Albu
Esparza tries to move to full mount
Esparza succeeds
The clock says 0:55 in the 4 round
Carla Esparza is in full mount over Alexandra Albu
Esparza fakes a few punches and after a brief struggle she catches Alexandra Albu's arm and tries an armbar!
That Armbar looks tight...
That Armbar from Carla Esparza appears to be unbreakable
Esparza is locking that Armbar...
Albu holds her own hand and with pure strength she breaks Albu's lock. She rolls over herself and launches over Carla Esparza.
The clock says 1:05 in the 4 round
Alexandra Albu is in side mount over Carla Esparza
Albu tries to move to full mount!
Esparza won't allow her to take this position easily.
Alexandra Albu is in side mount over Carla Esparza
Carla Esparza tries to turn in and scramble out. Alexandra Albu timed her perfectly and locks up a guillotine!
Carla Esparza slips her head out and manages to gain top control.
Esparza is trying to counter now!
Deep breaths from Carla Esparza who tries a hammer punch to Albu's ribs.
Albu blocks those punches
Alexandra Albu is in side mount over Carla Esparza
Esparza tries to show some ground skills
Albu uses her strength to keep Albu at a disadvantage
Alexandra Albu is in side mount over Carla Esparza
Esparza sure knows how to turn you into a pretzel. She can finish the fight anytime while on the ground.
Carla Esparza attempts to trap Alexandra Albu in her guard.
Alexandra Albu keeps control and remains in side mount.
Herb Dean stands the fighters up due to a lack of activity.
Both fighters have climbed to their feet and they continue the fight standing. The people who are watching this in Halifax Metro Centre (Halifax, Nova Scotia) are cheering for the fighters.
As the fight continues it seems that Alexandra Albu is taking the best of the fight.
Alexandra Albu shoots for a double leg takedown!
Carla Esparza sprawls and manages to stay on her feet.
Alexandra Albu gets sloppy and Carla Esparza tries to take advantage...
Carla Esparza attempts to trap Alexandra Albu in her guard.
Alexandra Albu keeps control and remains in side mount.
Esparza is holding Alexandra Albu's right leg... She's trying to take her down.
Alexandra Albu loses balance and goes to the ground.
Carla Esparza is in side mount over Alexandra Albu
Albu tries to show some ground skills
Alexandra Albu put Esparza in half guard.
Carla Esparza is in half guard over Albu
Esparza tries to get a side mount...
Albu wraps her leg around Carla Esparza leg and prevents her from moving.
Carla Esparza is in half guard over Albu
Carla Esparza tries to free her leg
Alexandra Albu moves fast and both fighters exchange some weak punches while climbing to their feet.
Both fighters have climbed to their feet and they continue the fight standing. The people who are watching this in Halifax Metro Centre (Halifax, Nova Scotia) are cheering for the fighters.
Alexandra Albu tries to take the fight to the ground with a one leg takedown...
Carla Esparza jumps backwards and frees her leg.
Albu decides to launch some tentative punches
Nothing from this exchange. Albu moves back and takes a deep breath.
Carla Esparza and Albu engage in a wild exchange of punches!
Both fighters are missing terribly.
The clock says 3:15 in the 4 round
Carla Esparza was tooling Alexandra Albu for the whole fight. I don't know if it's because Alexandra Albu lack of fighting spirit or just of skill.
Carla Esparza tries to bring the fight to the ground
Albu goes down.
Carla Esparza is in open guard over Albu
Esparza tries to move to full mount
Esparza succeeds
Carla Esparza is in full mount over Alexandra Albu
Albu is using some of her ground skills to escape from this...
She pushes Esparza's knee away and tries to roll! Nice move to get half guard!
Alexandra Albu is in half guard over Esparza
Carla Esparza attempts to move to full guard
Carla Esparza manages to switch to full guard.
Alexandra Albu is in closed guard over Esparza
Albu is in closed guard... Esparza tries to roll on the ground!
Nice reversal! She is now in full mount over Alexandra Albu!
Carla Esparza is in full mount over Alexandra Albu
Esparza tries to keep hs position while looking to maybe begin a pounding session...
Carla Esparza controls the situation despite Alexandra Albu efforts for escaping from the full mount.
Carla Esparza is in full mount over Alexandra Albu
Alexandra Albu tries to roll to her side and trap Carla Esparza in her guard...
Carla Esparza rolls her over and takes her back!
Esparza is in rear mount over Albu
Albu has given her back to Carla Esparza who is trying to get one hook in!
Carla Esparza has one hook in!
Esparza is in rear mount over Albu with one hook in
Albu is trying to escape from the rear mount.
Albu holds Carla Esparza's arm over her shoulder and then rolls on the ground. Incredible move to get a half mount!
Alexandra Albu is in side mount over Carla Esparza
Esparza works on the ground with her fingers over Albu's face
She seems to have encountered the eye! What a classless move!
Herb Dean didn't see that!
Herb Dean separates the fighters as the round concludes. The fighters shake hands as they head back to their corners.
The round is for Esparza, who walks calmly to her corner.
=========================================
Round 5
=========================================
Carla Esparza tries to bring the fight to the ground
Albu goes down.
Carla Esparza is in open guard over Albu
Albu tries to close her guard around Esparza
She succeeds!
The clock says 0:35 in the 5 round
Carla Esparza is in closed guard over Albu
Carla Esparza tries to better her position on the ground...
Esparza breaks the closed guard of Alexandra Albu and moves to half guard
Carla Esparza is in side mount over Alexandra Albu
Alexandra Albu attempts to trap Carla Esparza in her guard.
Carla Esparza keeps control and remains in side mount.
Carla Esparza is in side mount over Alexandra Albu
Alexandra Albu attempts to trap Carla Esparza in her guard.
Carla Esparza keeps control and remains in side mount.
The clock says 1:15 in the 5 round
Carla Esparza is in side mount over Alexandra Albu
Carla Esparza looks to mount Alexandra Albu...
Carla Esparza slides her knee across and gets to mount.
The clock says 1:25 in the 5 round
Carla Esparza is in full mount over Alexandra Albu
Esparza tries to keep hs position while looking to maybe begin a pounding session...
Albu struggles and frees her leg!
Carla Esparza is in half guard over Albu
Esparza tries to get a side mount...
Albu wraps her leg around Carla Esparza leg and prevents her from moving.
Carla Esparza is in half guard over Albu
Carla Esparza tries to free her leg
Carla Esparza uses some of her skill by jumping out of Albu's guard. She moves quickly to side mount!
Carla Esparza is in side mount over Alexandra Albu
Alexandra Albu attempts to trap Carla Esparza in her guard.
Carla Esparza keeps control and remains in side mount.
Carla Esparza is in side mount over Alexandra Albu
Alexandra Albu attempts to trap Carla Esparza in her guard.
Carla Esparza keeps control and remains in side mount.
The referee decides to stand up the fighters since there was not much action on the ground.
Both fighters have climbed to their feet and they continue the fight standing. The people who are watching this in Halifax Metro Centre (Halifax, Nova Scotia) are cheering for the fighters.
Carla Esparza tries a nice one-two combination
She scores!
Carla Esparza attempts a sweep single...
Alexandra Albu was ready and shrugs off the takedown attempt.
Esparza clumsily fails here and it's time for Alexandra Albu to fight back!
Solid kick to the leg from Alexandra Albu
Esparza checks it.
Carla Esparza and Albu engage in a wild exchange of punches!
Both fighters are connecting and this could be ending soon if either lands a lucky punch.
The two exchange wildly
Both fighters are missing terribly.
The clock says 2:50 in the 5 round
Esparza grabs her opponent by the waist and tries to take the fight to the ground
Albu struggles... Carla Esparza is unable to take her down
Carla Esparza goes with a looping right hand while Alexandra Albu jumps back and jabs
That one hits but Albu seems unaffected, countering with a few punches of her own. Great exchange here.
Alexandra Albu just won't stop and continues to rain punches
Esparza may be in trouble!
Esparza fakes a punch and shoots a takedown!
Alexandra Albu didn't see it coming and has been put on the ground!
Carla Esparza is in open guard over Albu
Carla Esparza tries to pass to half guard...
Alexandra Albu's closes her guard to prevent the pass.
Carla Esparza is in closed guard over Albu
Albu measures the resilience of Esparza's ribs with a couple of big punches from guard.
Esparza blocks the hits as she works on the ground.
Carla Esparza is in closed guard over Albu
Esparza use some of her wrestling skills to escape from the closed guard!
After a few tentative moves, she jumps to side mount! The crowd in Halifax Metro Centre (Halifax, Nova Scotia) is cheering her!
The clock says 4:00 in the 5 round
Carla Esparza is in side mount over Alexandra Albu
Alexandra Albu attempts to trap Carla Esparza in her guard.
Alexandra Albu manages to switch to half guard.
Carla Esparza is in half guard over Albu
Carla Esparza tries to pass Alexandra Albu's guard...
Carla Esparza passes momentarily but Alexandra Albu sees and opening and traps her in full guard.
Carla Esparza is in open guard over Albu
Carla Esparza tries to pass to half guard...
Alexandra Albu can't prevent her opponent from passing. Esparza looks to work from half guard.
Carla Esparza is in half guard over Albu
Carla Esparza tries to pass Alexandra Albu's guard...
Carla Esparza manages to get her leg free and moves to side mount.
Carla Esparza is in side mount over Alexandra Albu
Alexandra Albu attempts to trap Carla Esparza in her guard.
Alexandra Albu manages to switch to full guard.
The clock says 4:55 in the 5 round
Carla Esparza is in open guard over Albu
Albu tries to close her guard around Esparza
She is not able to do it
Herb Dean separates the fighters as the round concludes. The fighters shake hands as they head back to their corners.
Esparza is the winner of this round.
Winner is Carla Esparza by Unanimous decision
Statistics: Carla Esparza
Punches 13/22 (59%)
Kicks 0/0 (0%)
Clinch strikes 1/1 (100%)
Takedowns 13/18 (72%)
GnP strikes 0/1 (0%)
Submissions 6/6 (100%)
Clinch Attempts 1/1 (100%)
Time on the ground 1071 s
Statistics: Alexandra Albu
Punches 19/25 (76%)
Kicks 0/2 (0%)
Clinch strikes 1/1 (100%)
Takedowns 0/2 (0%)
GnP strikes 0/2 (0%)
Submissions 1/1 (100%)
Clinch Attempts 0/0 (0%)
Time on the ground 1079 s
Has Esparza been fine-tuned since she was upgraded specifically to beat JJ years back? I don’t remember.