Post by The Sandmen on Jun 7, 2015 13:49:24 GMT -5
Carla Esparza shifts back and forth nervously.
Katja Kankaanpää looks a bit uneasy. Hopefully this doesn't affect her performance.
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.
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Round 1
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The bell announces the first round!
Carla Esparza fakes a move and launches a nice uppercut
Kankaanpää blocks that. She made it look easy!
The clock says 0:25 in the 1 round
Bone shattering straight right hand from Katja Kankaanpää!
Esparza is going to have a big headache after that blow!
Middle kick from Kankaanpää.
The kick just misses.
Katja Kankaanpää gets sloppy and Carla Esparza tries to take advantage...
Bone shattering straight right hand from Carla Esparza!
Kankaanpää ducks under...
Kankaanpää studies her opponent looking for a hole in her defense.
Katja Kankaanpää attempts a sweep single...
Carla Esparza was ready and shrugs off the takedown attempt.
Kankaanpää misses a step and Carla Esparza sees an opportunity to counter her!
A high kick from Carla Esparza
falls short of the mark.
Esparza grabs her opponent by the waist and tries to take the fight to the ground
Great takedown by Carla Esparza
The clock says 1:10 in the 1 round
Carla Esparza is in open guard over Kankaanpää
Esparza tries to move to full mount
Esparza succeeds
Carla Esparza is in full mount over Katja Kankaanpää
Kankaanpää tries to move on the ground and shows Carla Esparza a crack in her guard which she uses for a big elbow!
Kankaanpää uses her forearms to block the impact!
Esparza misses a step and Katja Kankaanpää sees an opportunity to counter her!
Kankaanpää 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!
Katja Kankaanpää is in half guard over Esparza
Katja Kankaanpää is cooling the fight on the ground
Katja Kankaanpää is in half guard over Esparza
Kankaanpää is taking this opportunity to rest.
Katja Kankaanpää is in half guard over Esparza
Carla Esparza tries to turn away and scramble out. Katja Kankaanpää takes her back and locks up a rear naked choke!
She can't lock it up. Carla Esparza spins out and gets back to her feet.
Both fighters have climbed to their feet and they continue the fight standing. The people who are watching this in Romexpo (Bucharest, Romania) are cheering for the fighters.
Kankaanpää steps backwards away from Carla Esparza. She seems to be cooling down the fight a bit.
Kankaanpää leads with a punch
Carla Esparza avoids it and lands flush with a counter uppercut!
Kankaanpää fakes a punch and shoots a takedown!
Carla Esparza didn't see it coming and has been put on the ground!
The clock says 2:30 in the 1 round
Katja Kankaanpää is in open guard over Esparza
Katja Kankaanpää pushes Carla Esparza against the fence and then tries to improve her position.
Kankaanpää jumps and tries to free her leg! Esparza doesn't allow this but Katja Kankaanpää is able to get half guard here.
Katja Kankaanpää is in half guard over Esparza
Katja Kankaanpää isolates Carla Esparza's right arm looking for an armbar...
Carla Esparza manages to sit up and pull her arm out of danger! Katja Kankaanpää lost her dominant position.
Kankaanpää misses a step and Carla Esparza sees an opportunity to counter her!
Carla Esparza launches a few punches to Kankaanpää's cheek from the guard.
Katja Kankaanpää uses her head to cover the punches and presses her skull forward.
Katja Kankaanpää is in half guard over Esparza
Kankaanpää sits over her knees and pushes away Esparza's leg!
Katja Kankaanpää is able to put away her leg and then jumps to side mount.
Katja Kankaanpää is in side mount over Carla Esparza
Katja Kankaanpää goes for an americana!
Esparza breaks free.
Esparza is trying to counter now!
Esparza tries to show some ground skills
Kankaanpää uses her strength to keep Kankaanpää at a disadvantage
Katja Kankaanpää is in side mount over Carla Esparza
Katja Kankaanpää looks to mount Carla Esparza...
Katja Kankaanpää slides her knee across and gets to mount.
Katja Kankaanpää is in full mount over Carla Esparza
Kankaanpää catch Carla Esparza's right arm and tries a kimura
Carla Esparza holds her own arm and struggles until she gets free
Katja Kankaanpää is in full mount over Carla Esparza
Esparza measures the resilience of Kankaanpää's ribs with a couple of big punches from guard.
Those hits are leaving hitches in Kankaanpää's side.
Katja Kankaanpää is in full mount over Carla Esparza
Carla Esparza launches a few punches to Kankaanpää's cheek from the guard.
Those punches sure are annoying because Kankaanpää tries to cover her face,
Katja Kankaanpää is in full mount over Carla Esparza
Kankaanpää goes for an armbar!
Carla Esparza breaks the lock and pushes away Katja Kankaanpää, who rolls over her back and gets to standing position.
Herb Dean halts the fight to stand up Katja Kankaanpää. 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!
Katja Kankaanpää didn't see it coming and has been put on the ground!
Carla Esparza is in open guard over Kankaanpää
Kankaanpää throws her legs up in a triangle attempt!
Carla Esparza realizes the danger and stands up to avoid the attack.
Katja Kankaanpää gets sloppy and Carla Esparza tries to take advantage...
Carla Esparza decides to jump inside Kankaanpää's guard.
Kankaanpää fights back with her feet, forcing Esparza to try something else.
Carla Esparza is in open guard over Kankaanpää
Kankaanpää tries to close her guard around Esparza
She succeeds!
Carla Esparza is in closed guard over Kankaanpää
Esparza is in closed guard... Kankaanpää tries to roll on the ground!
Nice reversal! She is now in full mount over Carla Esparza!
Katja Kankaanpää is in full mount over Carla Esparza
Carla Esparza tries to roll on the ground...
Kankaanpää knows how to keep her advantage on the ground.
Katja Kankaanpää is in full mount over Carla Esparza
Carla Esparza launches a few punches to Kankaanpää's cheek from the guard.
Katja Kankaanpää uses her head to cover the punches and presses her skull forward.
Esparza misses a step and Katja Kankaanpää sees an opportunity to counter her!
Esparza tries to escape from the full mount...
Katja Kankaanpää is not caught off guard and moves to side mount to keep her superior position.
The referee separates the fighters as the buzzer sounds.
This round is clearly for Carla Esparza.
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Round 2
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Esparza is holding Katja Kankaanpää's left leg... She's trying to take her down.
Katja Kankaanpää loses balance and goes to the ground.
Carla Esparza is in side mount over Katja Kankaanpää
Esparza tries to move to full mount!
Nice move. She is in full mount now.
Carla Esparza is in full mount over Katja Kankaanpää
Stand up! This is what Esparza's cornermen are shouting. Katja Kankaanpää is a submission master and she can finish the fight if you mess with her on the ground.
Katja Kankaanpää tries to roll to her side and trap Carla Esparza in her guard...
Katja Kankaanpää gets her hip out and moves to full guard.
The clock says 0:50 in the 2 round
Carla Esparza is in full mount over Katja Kankaanpää
Katja Kankaanpää tries to roll to her side and trap Carla Esparza in her guard...
Carla Esparza keeps good control and remains in full mount.
The clock says 1:00 in the 2 round
Carla Esparza is in full mount over Katja Kankaanpää
Katja Kankaanpää 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 Kankaanpää
Esparza tries to get a hook in!
Kankaanpää rolls on the ground and manages to get a half guard!
Carla Esparza gets sloppy and Katja Kankaanpää tries to take advantage...
Kankaanpää has Esparza controlling her back while on the ground. She tries to roll and find an escape...
Showing some ground skills she transitions to a side mount.
The clock says 1:20 in the 2 round
Carla Esparza is in side mount over Katja Kankaanpää
Esparza gets a good position on the ground. ..
Kankaanpää holds Carla Esparza arms and counters her opponent punches.
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.
Kankaanpää is holding Carla Esparza's right leg... She's trying to take her down.
Carla Esparza loses balance and goes to the ground.
Katja Kankaanpää is in side mount over Carla Esparza
Kankaanpää tries to move to full mount!
Nice move. She is in full mount now.
Katja Kankaanpää is in full mount over Carla Esparza
Katja Kankaanpää sits high on Carla Esparza's chest and pulls her leg underneath Esparza's head. There's the triangle attempt!
Esparza tries to roll out. She's too quick for Katja Kankaanpää and manages to slip out! That was a risky move by Kankaanpää and it cost her top position.
Carla Esparza is in closed guard over Kankaanpää
Kankaanpää breaths deeply while on the ground
Carla Esparza is in closed guard over Kankaanpää
Carla Esparza fakes some punches
Kankaanpää ties her up.
Kankaanpää tries to get some advantage after her opponent miss move...
Kankaanpää throws her legs up in a triangle attempt!
Carla Esparza realizes the danger and stands up to avoid the attack.
Herb Dean halts the fight to stand up Carla Esparza. 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 Romexpo (Bucharest, Romania) are cheering for the fighters.
Kankaanpää and Esparza circle around the center of the cage.
The clock says 2:30 in the 2 round
Kankaanpää fires low kicks
punishing Esparza's legs repeatedly.
Esparza grabs her opponent by the waist and tries to take the fight to the ground
Kankaanpää struggles... Carla Esparza is unable to take her down
Poorly executed technique. Katja Kankaanpää looks to counter!
Kankaanpää avoids a dangerous strike from Esparza
and counters with a solid straight!
Katja Kankaanpää tries to bring the fight to the ground
Esparza goes down.
Katja Kankaanpää is in open guard over Esparza
Esparza tries to close her guard around Kankaanpää
She is not able to do it
Katja Kankaanpää is in open guard over Esparza
Esparza tries to close her guard around Kankaanpää
She is not able to do it
Katja Kankaanpää is in open guard over Esparza
Esparza is taking this opportunity to rest.
Katja Kankaanpää is in open guard over Esparza
Kankaanpää tries to jump to side mount.
Carla Esparza closed her guard around Katja Kankaanpää.
Katja Kankaanpää is in side mount over Carla Esparza
Kankaanpää tries to move to full mount!
Nice move. She is in full mount now.
Katja Kankaanpää is in full mount over Carla Esparza
Kankaanpää doesn't like the idea of just stalling on the ground
Carla Esparza gets sloppy and Katja Kankaanpää tries to take advantage...
Kankaanpää tries to keep hs position while looking to maybe begin a pounding session...
Katja Kankaanpää controls the situation despite Carla Esparza efforts for escaping from the full mount.
Katja Kankaanpää is in full mount over Carla Esparza
Katja Kankaanpää tries to better her position on the ground...
Kankaanpää is in a great position to begin a nice round of pounding!
Katja Kankaanpää is in full mount over Carla Esparza
Esparza tries to move on the ground and shows Katja Kankaanpää a crack in her guard which she uses for a big elbow!
Bang! Esparza's forehead receives a strong elbow that rocks her head against the mat! Herb Dean knows she may be calling off the fight soon!
Katja Kankaanpää is in full mount over Carla Esparza
Kankaanpää tries to open up Esparza with a few strikes with her right elbow...
Some nice shots are landing and Esparza is trying to block them with her hands...
Esparza's Mouth is bruised after the punishement she's received!
Katja Kankaanpää is in full mount over Carla Esparza
Kankaanpää goes for an armbar!
Carla Esparza breaks the lock and pushes away Katja Kankaanpää, who rolls over her back and gets to standing position.
Herb Dean halts the fight to stand up Katja Kankaanpää. 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.
The clock says 4:45 in the 2 round
Esparza seems hesitant as if she would give the initiative to her opponent.
Nice punches from Carla Esparza.
Even nicer blocks from Kankaanpää.
Carla Esparza gets sloppy and Katja Kankaanpää tries to take advantage...
Kankaanpää fakes a punch and shoots a takedown!
Carla Esparza didn't see it coming and has been put on the ground!
Katja Kankaanpää is in open guard over Esparza
Kankaanpää moves on the ground..
She gets half guard.
The referee separates the fighters as the buzzer sounds.
That was an even round for the most part.
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Round 3
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Kankaanpää throws a low kick
She switches targets and lands a superb body kick!
Crushing shot to Esparza's body! She's holding her side
That punishment by Katja Kankaanpää has left Esparza staggered! Katja Kankaanpää should try push forward now and finish this!
The clock says 0:20 in the 3 round
As the fight continues it seems that Katja Kankaanpää is taking the best of the fight.
Katja Kankaanpää shoots for a double leg takedown!
She hits it! Carla Esparza is taken off her feet, but she manages to pull Kankaanpää into her guard.
That punishment by Katja Kankaanpää has left Esparza staggered! Katja Kankaanpää should try push forward now and finish this!
Katja Kankaanpää is in closed guard over Esparza
Kankaanpää tries to escape from the closed guard
Kankaanpää succeeds and she's now in open guard... she takes a second to breathe
Katja Kankaanpää is in open guard over Esparza
0:36 Round 3 and Kankaanpää is still in good shape. She sure has trained hard for this fight.
Kankaanpää moves on the ground
Katja Kankaanpää moves to side mount
The clock says 0:45 in the 3 round
Katja Kankaanpää is in side mount over Carla Esparza
Carla Esparza launches a few punches to Kankaanpää's cheek from the guard.
Katja Kankaanpää uses her head to cover the punches and presses her skull forward.
Katja Kankaanpää is in side mount over Carla Esparza
Esparza measures the resilience of Kankaanpää's ribs with a couple of big punches from guard.
Kankaanpää blocks the hits as she works on the ground.
Esparza clumsily fails here and it's time for Katja Kankaanpää to fight back!
Katja Kankaanpää looks to mount Carla Esparza...
Carla Esparza sees an opening and locks her opponent in half guard.
Katja Kankaanpää is in half guard over Esparza
Carla Esparza attempts to move to full guard
Katja Kankaanpää keeps good control and remains in half guard.
Katja Kankaanpää is in half guard over Esparza
Esparza measures the resilience of Kankaanpää's ribs with a couple of big punches from guard.
Those hits are leaving hitches in Kankaanpää's side.
Katja Kankaanpää is in half guard over Esparza
Katja Kankaanpää tries to free her leg
Katja Kankaanpää uses some of her skill by jumping out of Esparza's guard. She moves quickly to side mount!
Katja Kankaanpää is in side mount over Carla Esparza
Katja Kankaanpää hooks Esparza's right leg and sits back for a kneebar!
Carla Esparza manages to kick Kankaanpää away and scrambles on top!
Carla Esparza is in open guard over Kankaanpää
Kankaanpää tries to close her guard around Esparza
She succeeds!
Carla Esparza is in closed guard over Kankaanpää
Esparza tries to escape from closed guard...
Kankaanpää waits for the moment and tries to roll! Too late for Carla Esparza! She is reversed and nor Katja Kankaanpää is on half guard!
The clock says 2:00 in the 3 round
Katja Kankaanpää is in half guard over Esparza
Kankaanpää breaths deeply while on the ground
The clock says 2:10 in the 3 round
Katja Kankaanpää is in half guard over Esparza
Carla Esparza tries to turn in and scramble out. Katja Kankaanpää 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!
Esparza measures the resilience of Kankaanpää's ribs with a couple of big punches from guard.
Kankaanpää blocks the hits as she works 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.
The clock says 2:20 in the 3 round
Katja Kankaanpää shoots for a double leg takedown!
She hits it! Carla Esparza is taken off her feet, but she manages to pull Kankaanpää into her guard.
Katja Kankaanpää is in closed guard over Esparza
Kankaanpää is in closed guard... Esparza tries to roll on the ground!
Katja Kankaanpää uses her leg to keep her position on the ground
Katja Kankaanpää is in closed guard over Esparza
Katja Kankaanpää positions herself and launches a barrage of punches.
Katja Kankaanpää is in full mount and her punches are hitting hard Esparza's ribs
Katja Kankaanpää is in full mount over Carla Esparza
Carla Esparza tries to roll to her side and trap Katja Kankaanpää in her guard...
Katja Kankaanpää keeps good control and remains in full mount.
Katja Kankaanpää is in full mount over Carla Esparza
Esparza tries to move on the ground and escape from the full mount!
Katja Kankaanpää doesn't want to lose her adventageous position and she struggles to mantain the full mount.
Katja Kankaanpää is in full mount over Carla Esparza
Carla Esparza tries to roll on the ground...
She makes a reversal!
Carla Esparza is in closed guard over Kankaanpää
Body shots by Carla Esparza
Kankaanpää covers up.
Carla Esparza gets sloppy and Katja Kankaanpää tries to take advantage...
Katja Kankaanpää gets an arm and tries to apply an armbar. Esparza spins out, but Katja Kankaanpää was ready for that and quickly switches to a triangle choke!
Esparza is too good and managed to back out of danger.
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.
Katja Kankaanpää and Esparza engage in a wild exchange of punches!
Katja Kankaanpää is getting the best of the exchange as she lands a few blows.
Kankaanpää grabs her opponent by the waist and tries to take the fight to the ground
Great takedown by Katja Kankaanpää
The clock says 3:50 in the 3 round
Katja Kankaanpää is in open guard over Esparza
Esparza measures the resilience of Kankaanpää's ribs with a couple of big punches from guard.
Kankaanpää blocks the hits as she works on the ground.
Katja Kankaanpää is in open guard over Esparza
Esparza breaths deeply while on the ground
Katja Kankaanpää is in open guard over Esparza
Esparza tries to close her guard around Kankaanpää
She is not able to do it
Katja Kankaanpää is in open guard over Esparza
Esparza measures the resilience of Kankaanpää's ribs with a couple of big punches from guard.
Kankaanpää blocks the hits as she works on the ground.
Katja Kankaanpää is in open guard over Esparza
Kankaanpää moves on the ground..
She gets half guard.
Katja Kankaanpää is in half guard over Esparza
Kankaanpää is a savvy submission specialist. It's an honor just to watch her work on the ground.
Kankaanpää sits over her knees and pushes away Esparza's leg!
Katja Kankaanpää is able to put away her leg and then jumps to side mount.
Katja Kankaanpää is in side mount over Carla Esparza
Katja Kankaanpää goes for an americana!
Esparza breaks free.
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 Romexpo (Bucharest, Romania) are cheering for the fighters.
Kankaanpää steps backwards away from Carla Esparza. She seems to be cooling down the fight a bit.
The ref stops the action. The round is over.
That round was a toss up.
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Round 4
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Katja Kankaanpää attempts a sweep single...
Katja Kankaanpää catches Carla Esparza's far ankle and trips her to the mat! Slick takedown by Kankaanpää.
The clock says 0:25 in the 4 round
Katja Kankaanpää is in closed guard over Esparza
Stand up! This is what Esparza's cornermen are shouting. Katja Kankaanpää is a submission master and she can finish the fight if you mess with her on the ground.
Kankaanpää 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 Romexpo (Bucharest, Romania) is cheering her!
Katja Kankaanpää is in side mount over Carla Esparza
Katja Kankaanpää isolates Carla Esparza's arm and neck looking for an arm triangle
That Arm Triangle from Katja Kankaanpää appears to be unbreakable
Carla Esparza is able to relieve the pressure on her neck and slip out of the hold.
The clock says 0:50 in the 4 round
Katja Kankaanpää is in side mount over Carla Esparza
Esparza is gassing out... Too bad. Her performance may be going down from here.
Esparza breaths deeply while on the ground
Katja Kankaanpää is in side mount over Carla Esparza
Katja Kankaanpää goes for an americana!
Esparza's left arm is getting wrenched, it appears to be injured
Crippling lock!
Punishing hold!
Punishing hold!
That Americana looks tight...
That Americana from Katja Kankaanpää appears to be unbreakable
You can see the pain reflected in Esparza's eyes...
Esparza breaks free.
The clock says 1:10 in the 4 round
Katja Kankaanpää is in side mount over Carla Esparza
Esparza measures the resilience of Kankaanpää's ribs with a couple of big punches from guard.
Those hits are leaving hitches in Kankaanpää's side.
The clock says 1:20 in the 4 round
Katja Kankaanpää is in side mount over Carla Esparza
Esparza measures the resilience of Kankaanpää's ribs with a couple of big punches from guard.
Kankaanpää blocks the hits as she works on the ground.
Kankaanpää is trying to counter now!
Kankaanpää tries to move to full mount!
Nice move. She is in full mount now.
The clock says 1:30 in the 4 round
Katja Kankaanpää is in full mount over Carla Esparza
Esparza works on the ground with her fingers over Kankaanpää's face
Kankaanpää shakes her head and continues fighting on the ground.
Katja Kankaanpää is in full mount over Carla Esparza
Katja Kankaanpää tries to better her position on the ground...
Kankaanpää is in a great position to begin a nice round of pounding!
Katja Kankaanpää is in full mount over Carla Esparza
Carla Esparza tries to roll to her side and get to half guard...
Katja Kankaanpää rolls Carla Esparza to her stomach and takes her back!
The clock says 2:00 in the 4 round
Kankaanpää is in rear mount over Esparza
Katja Kankaanpää throws her leg over Carla Esparza's arm leaving her with only one arm to defend herself from Katja Kankaanpää's rear naked choke attempt!
Carla Esparza frees her arm and defends the choke. She manages to turn into Katja Kankaanpää and ends up on top!
Esparza tries to get some advantage after her opponent miss move...
Esparza has Kankaanpää controlling her back while on the ground. She tries to roll and find an escape...
Kankaanpää is unable to move under Esparza control.
Katja Kankaanpää is in closed guard over Esparza
Kankaanpää is in closed guard... Esparza tries to roll on the ground!
Katja Kankaanpää uses her leg to keep her position on the ground
Esparza misses a step and Katja Kankaanpää sees an opportunity to counter her!
Katja Kankaanpää is looking to pass Carla Esparza's guard...
Katja Kankaanpää gets her hips free and moves to half guard.
Katja Kankaanpää is in half guard over Esparza
Katja Kankaanpää goes for an americana!
Esparza breaks free.
Katja Kankaanpää is in half guard over Esparza
Katja Kankaanpää isolates Carla Esparza's left arm looking for an armbar...
Carla Esparza manages to sit up and pull her arm out of danger! Katja Kankaanpää lost her dominant position.
Esparza tries to get some advantage after her opponent miss move...
Carla Esparza launches a few punches to Kankaanpää's cheek from the guard.
Those punches sure are annoying because Kankaanpää tries to cover her face,
Katja Kankaanpää is in half guard over Esparza
Carla Esparza tries to turn away and scramble out. Katja Kankaanpää takes her back and locks up a rear naked choke!
She can't lock it up. Carla Esparza spins out and gets back to her feet.
Both fighters have climbed to their feet and they continue the fight standing. The people who are watching this in Romexpo (Bucharest, Romania) are cheering for the fighters.
Carla Esparza shoots for a double leg takedown!
She hits it! Katja Kankaanpää is taken off her feet, but she manages to pull Esparza into her guard.
Carla Esparza is in closed guard over Kankaanpää
Carla Esparza tries to better her position on the ground...
Esparza breaks the closed guard of Katja Kankaanpää and moves to half guard
Carla Esparza is in side mount over Katja Kankaanpää
Katja Kankaanpää attempts to trap Carla Esparza in her guard.
Katja Kankaanpää manages to switch to half guard.
Carla Esparza is in half guard over Kankaanpää
Kankaanpää breaths deeply while on the ground
Carla Esparza is in half guard over Kankaanpää
Katja Kankaanpää attempts to move to full guard
Katja Kankaanpää manages to switch to full guard.
Carla Esparza is in open guard over Kankaanpää
Carla Esparza tries to pass to half guard...
Katja Kankaanpää's closes her guard to prevent the pass.
Carla Esparza is in closed guard over Kankaanpää
Katja Kankaanpää sits up and gets an arm around Esparza's neck!
Esparza pushes Katja Kankaanpää back to the ground.
Katja Kankaanpää gets sloppy and Carla Esparza tries to take advantage...
Good looking punches from Carla Esparza on the ground
deflected by Kankaanpää.
Carla Esparza is in closed guard over Kankaanpää
Kankaanpää reaches under and rolls for a kneebar!
Esparza blocks the attempt and uses the opportunity to seize half guard.
Kankaanpää clumsily fails here and it's time for Carla Esparza to fight back!
Esparza gets a good position on the ground. ..
Kankaanpää holds Carla Esparza arms and counters her opponent punches.
Herb Dean has seen enough passivity on the ground and stands up the fighters.
Both fighters have climbed to their feet and they continue the fight standing. The people who are watching this in Romexpo (Bucharest, Romania) are cheering for the fighters.
Esparza launches a flurry of punches
Kankaanpää slips out of danger.
Kankaanpää is trying to counter now!
Katja Kankaanpää tries a hook to the body
and hits Esparza ribs hard
Every time Katja Kankaanpää attempts to get inside
Esparza misses with a low kick.
The clock says 4:35 in the 4 round
A high kick from Carla Esparza
misses badly. Esparza slips and falls!
Kankaanpää is standing while Esparza is on the ground on her back
Carla Esparza doesn't want to continue the fight in this position and tries to get back on her feet
She can't do it because of Kankaanpää's moves.
Kankaanpää is standing while Esparza is on the ground on her back
Katja Kankaanpää creates space and allows Carla Esparza to stand up.
Back to the beginning! Carla Esparza is standing now.
The ref stops the action. The round is over.
That round was a toss up.
=========================================
Round 5
=========================================
The clock says 0:10 in the 5 round
Kankaanpää goes to the body...
She punishes Esparza's ribs with a couple of hooks.
The clock says 0:20 in the 5 round
Kankaanpää is hurt... She should be looking to avoid more damage or she will lose this fight.
Shovel hook by Katja Kankaanpää
tags Esparza.
The clock says 0:30 in the 5 round
Esparza decides to launch some tentative punches
Nothing from this exchange. Esparza moves back and takes a deep breath.
Carla Esparza and Kankaanpää engage in a wild exchange of punches!
Both fighters are connecting and this could be ending soon if either lands a lucky punch.
Esparza moves forward looking for some action
Carla Esparza shows some wrestling skills as she put her opponent in a double overhook!
Katja Kankaanpää pushes away Esparza trying to keep the fight at striking range
Esparza doesn't want to break the clinch as she still is grappling with Katja Kankaanpää
The fighters are clinching.
Katja Kankaanpää tries to shrug her way out of the clinch.
Esparza is determined to work from the clinch. She pummeled through and managed to retain her position.
Esparza tries to get some advantage after her opponent miss move...
Carla Esparza locks up a guillotine and tries to pull guard...
Katja Kankaanpää slips her head out and ends up in Carla Esparza's guard.
Katja Kankaanpää is in closed guard over Esparza
Esparza measures the resilience of Kankaanpää's ribs with a couple of big punches from guard.
Kankaanpää blocks the hits as she works on the ground.
Katja Kankaanpää is in closed guard over Esparza
Kankaanpää is in closed guard... Esparza tries to roll on the ground!
Nice reversal! She is now in full mount over Katja Kankaanpää!
Carla Esparza is in full mount over Katja Kankaanpää
Katja Kankaanpää tries to roll on the ground...
Esparza knows how to keep her advantage on the ground.
Esparza is trying to counter now!
Esparza gets a good position on the ground. ..
and what an incredible flurry! She's just wailing away at Katja Kankaanpää! The referee is saying she's going to stop it if Katja Kankaanpää doesn't defend herself!
Carla Esparza is in full mount over Katja Kankaanpää
Katja Kankaanpää tries to roll to her side and get to half guard...
Katja Kankaanpää creates enough space to control Carla Esparza's leg.
Carla Esparza is in half guard over Kankaanpää
Esparza gets a good position on the ground. ..
and what an incredible flurry! She's just wailing away at Katja Kankaanpää! The referee is saying she's going to stop it if Katja Kankaanpää doesn't defend herself!
Carla Esparza is in half guard over Kankaanpää
Carla Esparza tries to pass Katja Kankaanpää's guard...
Carla Esparza passes momentarily but Katja Kankaanpää regains half guard.
The clock says 2:10 in the 5 round
Carla Esparza is in half guard over Kankaanpää
Esparza launches a few fake punches and tries to escape!
Katja Kankaanpää is not able to stop Kankaanpää ground skills and Carla Esparza moves to side mount!
Carla Esparza is in side mount over Katja Kankaanpää
Katja Kankaanpää attempts to trap Carla Esparza in her guard.
Katja Kankaanpää manages to switch to full guard.
Carla Esparza is in closed guard over Kankaanpää
Kankaanpää 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 Kankaanpää
Katja Kankaanpää overhooks an arm and starts cranking! Interesting meneuver.
Esparza pulls her arm out of danger.
Kankaanpää misses a step and Carla Esparza sees an opportunity to counter her!
Carla Esparza hovers above Kankaanpää
Katja Kankaanpää stops her from throwing strikes.
Carla Esparza is in closed guard over Kankaanpää
Carla Esparza tries to better her position on the ground...
Esparza breaks the closed guard of Katja Kankaanpää and moves to half guard
Carla Esparza is in side mount over Katja Kankaanpää
Good looking punches from Carla Esparza on the ground
They could take their toll on Kankaanpää.
The clock says 3:15 in the 5 round
Carla Esparza is in side mount over Katja Kankaanpää
Carla Esparza looks to pass to mount...
Kankaanpää creates space and scrambles back to her feet.
Both fighters have climbed to their feet and they continue the fight standing. The people who are watching this in Romexpo (Bucharest, Romania) are cheering for the fighters.
Kankaanpää pushes Carla Esparza and moves away from her. She seems to be recovering her breath.
The clock says 3:30 in the 5 round
A high kick from Carla Esparza
glances off Kankaanpää.
Hard blow to Kankaanpää's mid-section, she seems hurt
Carla Esparza takes a few seconds to recover her breath...
Katja Kankaanpää takes a few seconds to recover her breath...
Kankaanpää decides to launch some tentative punches
Esparza launches a couple of jabs that are answered by Kankaanpää with a stiff cross! Solid exchange!
The clock says 4:10 in the 5 round
Kankaanpää moves aside and launches a furious low kick!
Hard blow to Esparza's thigh!
Kankaanpää looks for angles as she throws a few jabs that are countered by Carla Esparza's punches
Esparza is on the receiving end of a great combo by Kankaanpää.
Carla Esparza and Kankaanpää engage in a wild exchange of punches!
Katja Kankaanpää is getting the best of the exchange as she lands a few blows.
The clock says 4:40 in the 5 round
These two fighters are showing each other a ton of respect.
The fighters size each other up in the center of the cage.
The buzzer sounds, marking the end of the round. The ref tells the fighters to go to their corner.
I don't think either fighter did more than the other that round.
Winner is Carla Esparza by Split decision
Statistics: Carla Esparza
Punches 5/24 (21%)
Kicks 1/5 (20%)
Clinch strikes 0/1 (0%)
Takedowns 4/5 (80%)
GnP strikes 23/66 (35%)
Submissions 1/1 (100%)
Clinch Attempts 0/0 (0%)
Damage caused 350,28
Clinch Damage 0
Ground Damage 173,4
Time on the ground 1027 s
Statistics: Katja Kankaanpää
Punches 23/26 (88%)
Kicks 5/6 (83%)
Clinch strikes 0/0 (0%)
Takedowns 8/9 (89%)
GnP strikes 5/11 (45%)
Submissions 22/22 (100%)
Clinch Attempts 0/0 (0%)
Damage caused 1520,83
Clinch Damage 0
Ground Damage 532,58
Time on the ground 1009 s
Well, now that’s an interesting decision right there...
Katja Kankaanpää looks a bit uneasy. Hopefully this doesn't affect her performance.
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
=========================================
The bell announces the first round!
Carla Esparza fakes a move and launches a nice uppercut
Kankaanpää blocks that. She made it look easy!
The clock says 0:25 in the 1 round
Bone shattering straight right hand from Katja Kankaanpää!
Esparza is going to have a big headache after that blow!
Middle kick from Kankaanpää.
The kick just misses.
Katja Kankaanpää gets sloppy and Carla Esparza tries to take advantage...
Bone shattering straight right hand from Carla Esparza!
Kankaanpää ducks under...
Kankaanpää studies her opponent looking for a hole in her defense.
Katja Kankaanpää attempts a sweep single...
Carla Esparza was ready and shrugs off the takedown attempt.
Kankaanpää misses a step and Carla Esparza sees an opportunity to counter her!
A high kick from Carla Esparza
falls short of the mark.
Esparza grabs her opponent by the waist and tries to take the fight to the ground
Great takedown by Carla Esparza
The clock says 1:10 in the 1 round
Carla Esparza is in open guard over Kankaanpää
Esparza tries to move to full mount
Esparza succeeds
Carla Esparza is in full mount over Katja Kankaanpää
Kankaanpää tries to move on the ground and shows Carla Esparza a crack in her guard which she uses for a big elbow!
Kankaanpää uses her forearms to block the impact!
Esparza misses a step and Katja Kankaanpää sees an opportunity to counter her!
Kankaanpää 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!
Katja Kankaanpää is in half guard over Esparza
Katja Kankaanpää is cooling the fight on the ground
Katja Kankaanpää is in half guard over Esparza
Kankaanpää is taking this opportunity to rest.
Katja Kankaanpää is in half guard over Esparza
Carla Esparza tries to turn away and scramble out. Katja Kankaanpää takes her back and locks up a rear naked choke!
She can't lock it up. Carla Esparza spins out and gets back to her feet.
Both fighters have climbed to their feet and they continue the fight standing. The people who are watching this in Romexpo (Bucharest, Romania) are cheering for the fighters.
Kankaanpää steps backwards away from Carla Esparza. She seems to be cooling down the fight a bit.
Kankaanpää leads with a punch
Carla Esparza avoids it and lands flush with a counter uppercut!
Kankaanpää fakes a punch and shoots a takedown!
Carla Esparza didn't see it coming and has been put on the ground!
The clock says 2:30 in the 1 round
Katja Kankaanpää is in open guard over Esparza
Katja Kankaanpää pushes Carla Esparza against the fence and then tries to improve her position.
Kankaanpää jumps and tries to free her leg! Esparza doesn't allow this but Katja Kankaanpää is able to get half guard here.
Katja Kankaanpää is in half guard over Esparza
Katja Kankaanpää isolates Carla Esparza's right arm looking for an armbar...
Carla Esparza manages to sit up and pull her arm out of danger! Katja Kankaanpää lost her dominant position.
Kankaanpää misses a step and Carla Esparza sees an opportunity to counter her!
Carla Esparza launches a few punches to Kankaanpää's cheek from the guard.
Katja Kankaanpää uses her head to cover the punches and presses her skull forward.
Katja Kankaanpää is in half guard over Esparza
Kankaanpää sits over her knees and pushes away Esparza's leg!
Katja Kankaanpää is able to put away her leg and then jumps to side mount.
Katja Kankaanpää is in side mount over Carla Esparza
Katja Kankaanpää goes for an americana!
Esparza breaks free.
Esparza is trying to counter now!
Esparza tries to show some ground skills
Kankaanpää uses her strength to keep Kankaanpää at a disadvantage
Katja Kankaanpää is in side mount over Carla Esparza
Katja Kankaanpää looks to mount Carla Esparza...
Katja Kankaanpää slides her knee across and gets to mount.
Katja Kankaanpää is in full mount over Carla Esparza
Kankaanpää catch Carla Esparza's right arm and tries a kimura
Carla Esparza holds her own arm and struggles until she gets free
Katja Kankaanpää is in full mount over Carla Esparza
Esparza measures the resilience of Kankaanpää's ribs with a couple of big punches from guard.
Those hits are leaving hitches in Kankaanpää's side.
Katja Kankaanpää is in full mount over Carla Esparza
Carla Esparza launches a few punches to Kankaanpää's cheek from the guard.
Those punches sure are annoying because Kankaanpää tries to cover her face,
Katja Kankaanpää is in full mount over Carla Esparza
Kankaanpää goes for an armbar!
Carla Esparza breaks the lock and pushes away Katja Kankaanpää, who rolls over her back and gets to standing position.
Herb Dean halts the fight to stand up Katja Kankaanpää. 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!
Katja Kankaanpää didn't see it coming and has been put on the ground!
Carla Esparza is in open guard over Kankaanpää
Kankaanpää throws her legs up in a triangle attempt!
Carla Esparza realizes the danger and stands up to avoid the attack.
Katja Kankaanpää gets sloppy and Carla Esparza tries to take advantage...
Carla Esparza decides to jump inside Kankaanpää's guard.
Kankaanpää fights back with her feet, forcing Esparza to try something else.
Carla Esparza is in open guard over Kankaanpää
Kankaanpää tries to close her guard around Esparza
She succeeds!
Carla Esparza is in closed guard over Kankaanpää
Esparza is in closed guard... Kankaanpää tries to roll on the ground!
Nice reversal! She is now in full mount over Carla Esparza!
Katja Kankaanpää is in full mount over Carla Esparza
Carla Esparza tries to roll on the ground...
Kankaanpää knows how to keep her advantage on the ground.
Katja Kankaanpää is in full mount over Carla Esparza
Carla Esparza launches a few punches to Kankaanpää's cheek from the guard.
Katja Kankaanpää uses her head to cover the punches and presses her skull forward.
Esparza misses a step and Katja Kankaanpää sees an opportunity to counter her!
Esparza tries to escape from the full mount...
Katja Kankaanpää is not caught off guard and moves to side mount to keep her superior position.
The referee separates the fighters as the buzzer sounds.
This round is clearly for Carla Esparza.
=========================================
Round 2
=========================================
Esparza is holding Katja Kankaanpää's left leg... She's trying to take her down.
Katja Kankaanpää loses balance and goes to the ground.
Carla Esparza is in side mount over Katja Kankaanpää
Esparza tries to move to full mount!
Nice move. She is in full mount now.
Carla Esparza is in full mount over Katja Kankaanpää
Stand up! This is what Esparza's cornermen are shouting. Katja Kankaanpää is a submission master and she can finish the fight if you mess with her on the ground.
Katja Kankaanpää tries to roll to her side and trap Carla Esparza in her guard...
Katja Kankaanpää gets her hip out and moves to full guard.
The clock says 0:50 in the 2 round
Carla Esparza is in full mount over Katja Kankaanpää
Katja Kankaanpää tries to roll to her side and trap Carla Esparza in her guard...
Carla Esparza keeps good control and remains in full mount.
The clock says 1:00 in the 2 round
Carla Esparza is in full mount over Katja Kankaanpää
Katja Kankaanpää 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 Kankaanpää
Esparza tries to get a hook in!
Kankaanpää rolls on the ground and manages to get a half guard!
Carla Esparza gets sloppy and Katja Kankaanpää tries to take advantage...
Kankaanpää has Esparza controlling her back while on the ground. She tries to roll and find an escape...
Showing some ground skills she transitions to a side mount.
The clock says 1:20 in the 2 round
Carla Esparza is in side mount over Katja Kankaanpää
Esparza gets a good position on the ground. ..
Kankaanpää holds Carla Esparza arms and counters her opponent punches.
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.
Kankaanpää is holding Carla Esparza's right leg... She's trying to take her down.
Carla Esparza loses balance and goes to the ground.
Katja Kankaanpää is in side mount over Carla Esparza
Kankaanpää tries to move to full mount!
Nice move. She is in full mount now.
Katja Kankaanpää is in full mount over Carla Esparza
Katja Kankaanpää sits high on Carla Esparza's chest and pulls her leg underneath Esparza's head. There's the triangle attempt!
Esparza tries to roll out. She's too quick for Katja Kankaanpää and manages to slip out! That was a risky move by Kankaanpää and it cost her top position.
Carla Esparza is in closed guard over Kankaanpää
Kankaanpää breaths deeply while on the ground
Carla Esparza is in closed guard over Kankaanpää
Carla Esparza fakes some punches
Kankaanpää ties her up.
Kankaanpää tries to get some advantage after her opponent miss move...
Kankaanpää throws her legs up in a triangle attempt!
Carla Esparza realizes the danger and stands up to avoid the attack.
Herb Dean halts the fight to stand up Carla Esparza. 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 Romexpo (Bucharest, Romania) are cheering for the fighters.
Kankaanpää and Esparza circle around the center of the cage.
The clock says 2:30 in the 2 round
Kankaanpää fires low kicks
punishing Esparza's legs repeatedly.
Esparza grabs her opponent by the waist and tries to take the fight to the ground
Kankaanpää struggles... Carla Esparza is unable to take her down
Poorly executed technique. Katja Kankaanpää looks to counter!
Kankaanpää avoids a dangerous strike from Esparza
and counters with a solid straight!
Katja Kankaanpää tries to bring the fight to the ground
Esparza goes down.
Katja Kankaanpää is in open guard over Esparza
Esparza tries to close her guard around Kankaanpää
She is not able to do it
Katja Kankaanpää is in open guard over Esparza
Esparza tries to close her guard around Kankaanpää
She is not able to do it
Katja Kankaanpää is in open guard over Esparza
Esparza is taking this opportunity to rest.
Katja Kankaanpää is in open guard over Esparza
Kankaanpää tries to jump to side mount.
Carla Esparza closed her guard around Katja Kankaanpää.
Katja Kankaanpää is in side mount over Carla Esparza
Kankaanpää tries to move to full mount!
Nice move. She is in full mount now.
Katja Kankaanpää is in full mount over Carla Esparza
Kankaanpää doesn't like the idea of just stalling on the ground
Carla Esparza gets sloppy and Katja Kankaanpää tries to take advantage...
Kankaanpää tries to keep hs position while looking to maybe begin a pounding session...
Katja Kankaanpää controls the situation despite Carla Esparza efforts for escaping from the full mount.
Katja Kankaanpää is in full mount over Carla Esparza
Katja Kankaanpää tries to better her position on the ground...
Kankaanpää is in a great position to begin a nice round of pounding!
Katja Kankaanpää is in full mount over Carla Esparza
Esparza tries to move on the ground and shows Katja Kankaanpää a crack in her guard which she uses for a big elbow!
Bang! Esparza's forehead receives a strong elbow that rocks her head against the mat! Herb Dean knows she may be calling off the fight soon!
Katja Kankaanpää is in full mount over Carla Esparza
Kankaanpää tries to open up Esparza with a few strikes with her right elbow...
Some nice shots are landing and Esparza is trying to block them with her hands...
Esparza's Mouth is bruised after the punishement she's received!
Katja Kankaanpää is in full mount over Carla Esparza
Kankaanpää goes for an armbar!
Carla Esparza breaks the lock and pushes away Katja Kankaanpää, who rolls over her back and gets to standing position.
Herb Dean halts the fight to stand up Katja Kankaanpää. 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.
The clock says 4:45 in the 2 round
Esparza seems hesitant as if she would give the initiative to her opponent.
Nice punches from Carla Esparza.
Even nicer blocks from Kankaanpää.
Carla Esparza gets sloppy and Katja Kankaanpää tries to take advantage...
Kankaanpää fakes a punch and shoots a takedown!
Carla Esparza didn't see it coming and has been put on the ground!
Katja Kankaanpää is in open guard over Esparza
Kankaanpää moves on the ground..
She gets half guard.
The referee separates the fighters as the buzzer sounds.
That was an even round for the most part.
=========================================
Round 3
=========================================
Kankaanpää throws a low kick
She switches targets and lands a superb body kick!
Crushing shot to Esparza's body! She's holding her side
That punishment by Katja Kankaanpää has left Esparza staggered! Katja Kankaanpää should try push forward now and finish this!
The clock says 0:20 in the 3 round
As the fight continues it seems that Katja Kankaanpää is taking the best of the fight.
Katja Kankaanpää shoots for a double leg takedown!
She hits it! Carla Esparza is taken off her feet, but she manages to pull Kankaanpää into her guard.
That punishment by Katja Kankaanpää has left Esparza staggered! Katja Kankaanpää should try push forward now and finish this!
Katja Kankaanpää is in closed guard over Esparza
Kankaanpää tries to escape from the closed guard
Kankaanpää succeeds and she's now in open guard... she takes a second to breathe
Katja Kankaanpää is in open guard over Esparza
0:36 Round 3 and Kankaanpää is still in good shape. She sure has trained hard for this fight.
Kankaanpää moves on the ground
Katja Kankaanpää moves to side mount
The clock says 0:45 in the 3 round
Katja Kankaanpää is in side mount over Carla Esparza
Carla Esparza launches a few punches to Kankaanpää's cheek from the guard.
Katja Kankaanpää uses her head to cover the punches and presses her skull forward.
Katja Kankaanpää is in side mount over Carla Esparza
Esparza measures the resilience of Kankaanpää's ribs with a couple of big punches from guard.
Kankaanpää blocks the hits as she works on the ground.
Esparza clumsily fails here and it's time for Katja Kankaanpää to fight back!
Katja Kankaanpää looks to mount Carla Esparza...
Carla Esparza sees an opening and locks her opponent in half guard.
Katja Kankaanpää is in half guard over Esparza
Carla Esparza attempts to move to full guard
Katja Kankaanpää keeps good control and remains in half guard.
Katja Kankaanpää is in half guard over Esparza
Esparza measures the resilience of Kankaanpää's ribs with a couple of big punches from guard.
Those hits are leaving hitches in Kankaanpää's side.
Katja Kankaanpää is in half guard over Esparza
Katja Kankaanpää tries to free her leg
Katja Kankaanpää uses some of her skill by jumping out of Esparza's guard. She moves quickly to side mount!
Katja Kankaanpää is in side mount over Carla Esparza
Katja Kankaanpää hooks Esparza's right leg and sits back for a kneebar!
Carla Esparza manages to kick Kankaanpää away and scrambles on top!
Carla Esparza is in open guard over Kankaanpää
Kankaanpää tries to close her guard around Esparza
She succeeds!
Carla Esparza is in closed guard over Kankaanpää
Esparza tries to escape from closed guard...
Kankaanpää waits for the moment and tries to roll! Too late for Carla Esparza! She is reversed and nor Katja Kankaanpää is on half guard!
The clock says 2:00 in the 3 round
Katja Kankaanpää is in half guard over Esparza
Kankaanpää breaths deeply while on the ground
The clock says 2:10 in the 3 round
Katja Kankaanpää is in half guard over Esparza
Carla Esparza tries to turn in and scramble out. Katja Kankaanpää 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!
Esparza measures the resilience of Kankaanpää's ribs with a couple of big punches from guard.
Kankaanpää blocks the hits as she works 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.
The clock says 2:20 in the 3 round
Katja Kankaanpää shoots for a double leg takedown!
She hits it! Carla Esparza is taken off her feet, but she manages to pull Kankaanpää into her guard.
Katja Kankaanpää is in closed guard over Esparza
Kankaanpää is in closed guard... Esparza tries to roll on the ground!
Katja Kankaanpää uses her leg to keep her position on the ground
Katja Kankaanpää is in closed guard over Esparza
Katja Kankaanpää positions herself and launches a barrage of punches.
Katja Kankaanpää is in full mount and her punches are hitting hard Esparza's ribs
Katja Kankaanpää is in full mount over Carla Esparza
Carla Esparza tries to roll to her side and trap Katja Kankaanpää in her guard...
Katja Kankaanpää keeps good control and remains in full mount.
Katja Kankaanpää is in full mount over Carla Esparza
Esparza tries to move on the ground and escape from the full mount!
Katja Kankaanpää doesn't want to lose her adventageous position and she struggles to mantain the full mount.
Katja Kankaanpää is in full mount over Carla Esparza
Carla Esparza tries to roll on the ground...
She makes a reversal!
Carla Esparza is in closed guard over Kankaanpää
Body shots by Carla Esparza
Kankaanpää covers up.
Carla Esparza gets sloppy and Katja Kankaanpää tries to take advantage...
Katja Kankaanpää gets an arm and tries to apply an armbar. Esparza spins out, but Katja Kankaanpää was ready for that and quickly switches to a triangle choke!
Esparza is too good and managed to back out of danger.
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.
Katja Kankaanpää and Esparza engage in a wild exchange of punches!
Katja Kankaanpää is getting the best of the exchange as she lands a few blows.
Kankaanpää grabs her opponent by the waist and tries to take the fight to the ground
Great takedown by Katja Kankaanpää
The clock says 3:50 in the 3 round
Katja Kankaanpää is in open guard over Esparza
Esparza measures the resilience of Kankaanpää's ribs with a couple of big punches from guard.
Kankaanpää blocks the hits as she works on the ground.
Katja Kankaanpää is in open guard over Esparza
Esparza breaths deeply while on the ground
Katja Kankaanpää is in open guard over Esparza
Esparza tries to close her guard around Kankaanpää
She is not able to do it
Katja Kankaanpää is in open guard over Esparza
Esparza measures the resilience of Kankaanpää's ribs with a couple of big punches from guard.
Kankaanpää blocks the hits as she works on the ground.
Katja Kankaanpää is in open guard over Esparza
Kankaanpää moves on the ground..
She gets half guard.
Katja Kankaanpää is in half guard over Esparza
Kankaanpää is a savvy submission specialist. It's an honor just to watch her work on the ground.
Kankaanpää sits over her knees and pushes away Esparza's leg!
Katja Kankaanpää is able to put away her leg and then jumps to side mount.
Katja Kankaanpää is in side mount over Carla Esparza
Katja Kankaanpää goes for an americana!
Esparza breaks free.
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 Romexpo (Bucharest, Romania) are cheering for the fighters.
Kankaanpää steps backwards away from Carla Esparza. She seems to be cooling down the fight a bit.
The ref stops the action. The round is over.
That round was a toss up.
=========================================
Round 4
=========================================
Katja Kankaanpää attempts a sweep single...
Katja Kankaanpää catches Carla Esparza's far ankle and trips her to the mat! Slick takedown by Kankaanpää.
The clock says 0:25 in the 4 round
Katja Kankaanpää is in closed guard over Esparza
Stand up! This is what Esparza's cornermen are shouting. Katja Kankaanpää is a submission master and she can finish the fight if you mess with her on the ground.
Kankaanpää 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 Romexpo (Bucharest, Romania) is cheering her!
Katja Kankaanpää is in side mount over Carla Esparza
Katja Kankaanpää isolates Carla Esparza's arm and neck looking for an arm triangle
That Arm Triangle from Katja Kankaanpää appears to be unbreakable
Carla Esparza is able to relieve the pressure on her neck and slip out of the hold.
The clock says 0:50 in the 4 round
Katja Kankaanpää is in side mount over Carla Esparza
Esparza is gassing out... Too bad. Her performance may be going down from here.
Esparza breaths deeply while on the ground
Katja Kankaanpää is in side mount over Carla Esparza
Katja Kankaanpää goes for an americana!
Esparza's left arm is getting wrenched, it appears to be injured
Crippling lock!
Punishing hold!
Punishing hold!
That Americana looks tight...
That Americana from Katja Kankaanpää appears to be unbreakable
You can see the pain reflected in Esparza's eyes...
Esparza breaks free.
The clock says 1:10 in the 4 round
Katja Kankaanpää is in side mount over Carla Esparza
Esparza measures the resilience of Kankaanpää's ribs with a couple of big punches from guard.
Those hits are leaving hitches in Kankaanpää's side.
The clock says 1:20 in the 4 round
Katja Kankaanpää is in side mount over Carla Esparza
Esparza measures the resilience of Kankaanpää's ribs with a couple of big punches from guard.
Kankaanpää blocks the hits as she works on the ground.
Kankaanpää is trying to counter now!
Kankaanpää tries to move to full mount!
Nice move. She is in full mount now.
The clock says 1:30 in the 4 round
Katja Kankaanpää is in full mount over Carla Esparza
Esparza works on the ground with her fingers over Kankaanpää's face
Kankaanpää shakes her head and continues fighting on the ground.
Katja Kankaanpää is in full mount over Carla Esparza
Katja Kankaanpää tries to better her position on the ground...
Kankaanpää is in a great position to begin a nice round of pounding!
Katja Kankaanpää is in full mount over Carla Esparza
Carla Esparza tries to roll to her side and get to half guard...
Katja Kankaanpää rolls Carla Esparza to her stomach and takes her back!
The clock says 2:00 in the 4 round
Kankaanpää is in rear mount over Esparza
Katja Kankaanpää throws her leg over Carla Esparza's arm leaving her with only one arm to defend herself from Katja Kankaanpää's rear naked choke attempt!
Carla Esparza frees her arm and defends the choke. She manages to turn into Katja Kankaanpää and ends up on top!
Esparza tries to get some advantage after her opponent miss move...
Esparza has Kankaanpää controlling her back while on the ground. She tries to roll and find an escape...
Kankaanpää is unable to move under Esparza control.
Katja Kankaanpää is in closed guard over Esparza
Kankaanpää is in closed guard... Esparza tries to roll on the ground!
Katja Kankaanpää uses her leg to keep her position on the ground
Esparza misses a step and Katja Kankaanpää sees an opportunity to counter her!
Katja Kankaanpää is looking to pass Carla Esparza's guard...
Katja Kankaanpää gets her hips free and moves to half guard.
Katja Kankaanpää is in half guard over Esparza
Katja Kankaanpää goes for an americana!
Esparza breaks free.
Katja Kankaanpää is in half guard over Esparza
Katja Kankaanpää isolates Carla Esparza's left arm looking for an armbar...
Carla Esparza manages to sit up and pull her arm out of danger! Katja Kankaanpää lost her dominant position.
Esparza tries to get some advantage after her opponent miss move...
Carla Esparza launches a few punches to Kankaanpää's cheek from the guard.
Those punches sure are annoying because Kankaanpää tries to cover her face,
Katja Kankaanpää is in half guard over Esparza
Carla Esparza tries to turn away and scramble out. Katja Kankaanpää takes her back and locks up a rear naked choke!
She can't lock it up. Carla Esparza spins out and gets back to her feet.
Both fighters have climbed to their feet and they continue the fight standing. The people who are watching this in Romexpo (Bucharest, Romania) are cheering for the fighters.
Carla Esparza shoots for a double leg takedown!
She hits it! Katja Kankaanpää is taken off her feet, but she manages to pull Esparza into her guard.
Carla Esparza is in closed guard over Kankaanpää
Carla Esparza tries to better her position on the ground...
Esparza breaks the closed guard of Katja Kankaanpää and moves to half guard
Carla Esparza is in side mount over Katja Kankaanpää
Katja Kankaanpää attempts to trap Carla Esparza in her guard.
Katja Kankaanpää manages to switch to half guard.
Carla Esparza is in half guard over Kankaanpää
Kankaanpää breaths deeply while on the ground
Carla Esparza is in half guard over Kankaanpää
Katja Kankaanpää attempts to move to full guard
Katja Kankaanpää manages to switch to full guard.
Carla Esparza is in open guard over Kankaanpää
Carla Esparza tries to pass to half guard...
Katja Kankaanpää's closes her guard to prevent the pass.
Carla Esparza is in closed guard over Kankaanpää
Katja Kankaanpää sits up and gets an arm around Esparza's neck!
Esparza pushes Katja Kankaanpää back to the ground.
Katja Kankaanpää gets sloppy and Carla Esparza tries to take advantage...
Good looking punches from Carla Esparza on the ground
deflected by Kankaanpää.
Carla Esparza is in closed guard over Kankaanpää
Kankaanpää reaches under and rolls for a kneebar!
Esparza blocks the attempt and uses the opportunity to seize half guard.
Kankaanpää clumsily fails here and it's time for Carla Esparza to fight back!
Esparza gets a good position on the ground. ..
Kankaanpää holds Carla Esparza arms and counters her opponent punches.
Herb Dean has seen enough passivity on the ground and stands up the fighters.
Both fighters have climbed to their feet and they continue the fight standing. The people who are watching this in Romexpo (Bucharest, Romania) are cheering for the fighters.
Esparza launches a flurry of punches
Kankaanpää slips out of danger.
Kankaanpää is trying to counter now!
Katja Kankaanpää tries a hook to the body
and hits Esparza ribs hard
Every time Katja Kankaanpää attempts to get inside
Esparza misses with a low kick.
The clock says 4:35 in the 4 round
A high kick from Carla Esparza
misses badly. Esparza slips and falls!
Kankaanpää is standing while Esparza is on the ground on her back
Carla Esparza doesn't want to continue the fight in this position and tries to get back on her feet
She can't do it because of Kankaanpää's moves.
Kankaanpää is standing while Esparza is on the ground on her back
Katja Kankaanpää creates space and allows Carla Esparza to stand up.
Back to the beginning! Carla Esparza is standing now.
The ref stops the action. The round is over.
That round was a toss up.
=========================================
Round 5
=========================================
The clock says 0:10 in the 5 round
Kankaanpää goes to the body...
She punishes Esparza's ribs with a couple of hooks.
The clock says 0:20 in the 5 round
Kankaanpää is hurt... She should be looking to avoid more damage or she will lose this fight.
Shovel hook by Katja Kankaanpää
tags Esparza.
The clock says 0:30 in the 5 round
Esparza decides to launch some tentative punches
Nothing from this exchange. Esparza moves back and takes a deep breath.
Carla Esparza and Kankaanpää engage in a wild exchange of punches!
Both fighters are connecting and this could be ending soon if either lands a lucky punch.
Esparza moves forward looking for some action
Carla Esparza shows some wrestling skills as she put her opponent in a double overhook!
Katja Kankaanpää pushes away Esparza trying to keep the fight at striking range
Esparza doesn't want to break the clinch as she still is grappling with Katja Kankaanpää
The fighters are clinching.
Katja Kankaanpää tries to shrug her way out of the clinch.
Esparza is determined to work from the clinch. She pummeled through and managed to retain her position.
Esparza tries to get some advantage after her opponent miss move...
Carla Esparza locks up a guillotine and tries to pull guard...
Katja Kankaanpää slips her head out and ends up in Carla Esparza's guard.
Katja Kankaanpää is in closed guard over Esparza
Esparza measures the resilience of Kankaanpää's ribs with a couple of big punches from guard.
Kankaanpää blocks the hits as she works on the ground.
Katja Kankaanpää is in closed guard over Esparza
Kankaanpää is in closed guard... Esparza tries to roll on the ground!
Nice reversal! She is now in full mount over Katja Kankaanpää!
Carla Esparza is in full mount over Katja Kankaanpää
Katja Kankaanpää tries to roll on the ground...
Esparza knows how to keep her advantage on the ground.
Esparza is trying to counter now!
Esparza gets a good position on the ground. ..
and what an incredible flurry! She's just wailing away at Katja Kankaanpää! The referee is saying she's going to stop it if Katja Kankaanpää doesn't defend herself!
Carla Esparza is in full mount over Katja Kankaanpää
Katja Kankaanpää tries to roll to her side and get to half guard...
Katja Kankaanpää creates enough space to control Carla Esparza's leg.
Carla Esparza is in half guard over Kankaanpää
Esparza gets a good position on the ground. ..
and what an incredible flurry! She's just wailing away at Katja Kankaanpää! The referee is saying she's going to stop it if Katja Kankaanpää doesn't defend herself!
Carla Esparza is in half guard over Kankaanpää
Carla Esparza tries to pass Katja Kankaanpää's guard...
Carla Esparza passes momentarily but Katja Kankaanpää regains half guard.
The clock says 2:10 in the 5 round
Carla Esparza is in half guard over Kankaanpää
Esparza launches a few fake punches and tries to escape!
Katja Kankaanpää is not able to stop Kankaanpää ground skills and Carla Esparza moves to side mount!
Carla Esparza is in side mount over Katja Kankaanpää
Katja Kankaanpää attempts to trap Carla Esparza in her guard.
Katja Kankaanpää manages to switch to full guard.
Carla Esparza is in closed guard over Kankaanpää
Kankaanpää 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 Kankaanpää
Katja Kankaanpää overhooks an arm and starts cranking! Interesting meneuver.
Esparza pulls her arm out of danger.
Kankaanpää misses a step and Carla Esparza sees an opportunity to counter her!
Carla Esparza hovers above Kankaanpää
Katja Kankaanpää stops her from throwing strikes.
Carla Esparza is in closed guard over Kankaanpää
Carla Esparza tries to better her position on the ground...
Esparza breaks the closed guard of Katja Kankaanpää and moves to half guard
Carla Esparza is in side mount over Katja Kankaanpää
Good looking punches from Carla Esparza on the ground
They could take their toll on Kankaanpää.
The clock says 3:15 in the 5 round
Carla Esparza is in side mount over Katja Kankaanpää
Carla Esparza looks to pass to mount...
Kankaanpää creates space and scrambles back to her feet.
Both fighters have climbed to their feet and they continue the fight standing. The people who are watching this in Romexpo (Bucharest, Romania) are cheering for the fighters.
Kankaanpää pushes Carla Esparza and moves away from her. She seems to be recovering her breath.
The clock says 3:30 in the 5 round
A high kick from Carla Esparza
glances off Kankaanpää.
Hard blow to Kankaanpää's mid-section, she seems hurt
Carla Esparza takes a few seconds to recover her breath...
Katja Kankaanpää takes a few seconds to recover her breath...
Kankaanpää decides to launch some tentative punches
Esparza launches a couple of jabs that are answered by Kankaanpää with a stiff cross! Solid exchange!
The clock says 4:10 in the 5 round
Kankaanpää moves aside and launches a furious low kick!
Hard blow to Esparza's thigh!
Kankaanpää looks for angles as she throws a few jabs that are countered by Carla Esparza's punches
Esparza is on the receiving end of a great combo by Kankaanpää.
Carla Esparza and Kankaanpää engage in a wild exchange of punches!
Katja Kankaanpää is getting the best of the exchange as she lands a few blows.
The clock says 4:40 in the 5 round
These two fighters are showing each other a ton of respect.
The fighters size each other up in the center of the cage.
The buzzer sounds, marking the end of the round. The ref tells the fighters to go to their corner.
I don't think either fighter did more than the other that round.
Winner is Carla Esparza by Split decision
Statistics: Carla Esparza
Punches 5/24 (21%)
Kicks 1/5 (20%)
Clinch strikes 0/1 (0%)
Takedowns 4/5 (80%)
GnP strikes 23/66 (35%)
Submissions 1/1 (100%)
Clinch Attempts 0/0 (0%)
Damage caused 350,28
Clinch Damage 0
Ground Damage 173,4
Time on the ground 1027 s
Statistics: Katja Kankaanpää
Punches 23/26 (88%)
Kicks 5/6 (83%)
Clinch strikes 0/0 (0%)
Takedowns 8/9 (89%)
GnP strikes 5/11 (45%)
Submissions 22/22 (100%)
Clinch Attempts 0/0 (0%)
Damage caused 1520,83
Clinch Damage 0
Ground Damage 532,58
Time on the ground 1009 s
Well, now that’s an interesting decision right there...
lol That was CLEARLY all Katja... 
F-U judges! 
Have 9 points in celebration of this monumental achievement!