Invicta FC 4 LIVE results and play-by-play

Twenty-six of the world’s toughest women will gather tonight at Memorial Hall in Kansas City for Invicta FC 4. The popular all-women’s professional mixed martial arts league will be holding their fourth event as they make their foray into online pay-per-view for the first time.

Headlining the card will be a strawweight (115-pound) title bout between 25-year-old Carla Esparza (8-2) of California and 23-year-old “Rowdy” Bec Hyatt (4-1) of Australia. Veterans Shayna Baszler (15-7) and Alexis Davis (12-5) will square off in a bantamweight (135-pound) co-main event.

The entire Invicta FC 4 fight card will stream live starting at 7 p.m. ET (3 p.m. PT) on the Invicta FC homepage at www.InvictaFC.com for the very low cost of $7.95. ProMMAnow.com (www.prommanow.com) will provide blow-by-blow, round-by-round commentary during the event.

Join in the fun by sharing your thoughts on the fights in the comments section below.

If you’re waiting for the fights to start, be sure to check out our interviews with Invicta FC President Shannon Knapp and Invicta FC 4 headliner “Rowdy” Bec Hyatt on Thursday’s episode of Pro MMA Now Radio (you can also download the episode on iTunes).

Invicta FC 4 quick results:

MAIN CARD

• Title Fight: Carla Esparza def. Bec Hyatt by unanimous decision (50-45 x 3)
• Alexis Davis def. Shayna Baszler by technical submission (Rear-Naked Choke) Rd 3 (:58)
• Leslie Smith def. Raquel Pennington by unanimous decision (29-28 x 3)
• Sarah D’Alelio def. Amanda Nunes by unanimous decision (30-26 x 3)
• Ediane Gomes def. Hiroko Yamanaka by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x 2)
• Joanne Calderwood def. Livia Von Plettenberg by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)

PRELIMINARY CARD

• Cassie Rodish def. Stephanie Frausto by TKO (strikes) Rd 3 (1:04)
• Tamikka Brents def. Amanda Bell by unanimous decision (29-28 x 3)
• Jodie Esquibel def. Liz McCarthy by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
• Rose Namajunas def. Emily Kagan by submission (rear-naked choke) Rd 3
• Tecia Torres def. Paige VanZant by unanimous decision (30-27 x 3)
• Veronica Rothenhausler def. Katalina Malungahu by knockout (punch) Rd 1 (1:12)
• Laura Marcusse-Sanko def. Cassie Robb by submission (Rear-Naked Choke) Rd 2 (1:07)

By the way… Invicta FC 4 was trending number one on Twitter as the main event was about to begin!

Invicta FC 4 play-by-play:

105 lbs.: Laura Marcusse-Sanko vs. Cassie Robb

Round 1 – Touch gloves. Robb stalking, shoots, takes a knee to the body and Sanko locks on a guillotine and pushes Robb to the cage. Robb is free and they square up, body kick, clinch, Robb drops levels and puts Sanko on her back. Robb inside full guard as Sanko fights from the bottom, closed guard now, open guard, gets to her knees and feet. Clinched, knees from both girls as Robb drops levels and puts Sanko back down. Elbows off her back from Sanko. Robb in half guard on top. Sanko tries to sweep, gets mounted and pounded. Sanko gives up her back. Big elbows from Robb from the top as she regains mount. Now inside full guard. Sanko gets to her feet and Robb presses her to the cage. Sanko spins her around, throws a kick but gets taken down. Sanko goes for an armbar, Robb defends and unloads some punches. Robb on top in half guard. Now inside full guard. PMN scores it 10-9 Robb.

Round 2 – Clinched up, Robb goes for the takedown but Sanko reverses it on the way down and ends up on top. Robb gives up her back as Sanko sinks in the rear naked choke. Robb taps out. This was the pro debut for Kansas City’s own Laura Marcusse-Sanko.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Laura Marcusse-Sanko def. Cassie Robb by submission (Rear-Naked Choke) Rd 2 (1:07)

145 lbs.: Katalina Malungahu (@KatalinaMMA) vs. Veronica Rothenhausler (@veronicafights)

Round 1 – No touch of gloves. They come out swinging. Veronica head hunting. Overhand rights from Katalina, throwing heat. Veronica firing back. Veronica sets her up and drops Katalina with a straight right and this fight is over folks. Veronica Rothenhausler continues her knockout spree! Beautiful straight right. Keep an eye on this girl. She’s only 23. It’s her first pro fight but her fourth straight first round KO.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Veronica Rothenhausler def. Katalina Malungahu by knockout (punch) Rd 1 (1:12)

115 lbs.: Tecia Torres (@TeciaTorres) vs. Paige VanZant (PaigeVanZant)

Round 1 – Touch gloves. Leg kick from Torres, front kick to the body. Van Zant clinches, pushes her to the cage. Torres turns her around, VanZant turns her around, she backs out. Keeping her head up high. Eats a big right, then a combo from Torres. VanZant pushes Torres to the cage. They trade knees as they jockey for position. Torres gives her a punch as she backs out. Leg kick from Torres, then lights her up with a couple elbows while holding her head with the other hand. Leg kick from Torres, again. Nice right from Torres. More punches from Torres and a body kick. Clinched, knee from VanZant, again. Torres looks for the trip, clinched up until the bell. PMN scores it 10-9 Torres.

Round 2 – Leg kick from Torres, again, again. Leg kick from VanZant but pays for it with a nice combo from Torres. Clinched and VanZant gets her to the ground but Torres takes her back and looks for the choke. both hooks in, goes for the choke, under the chin. VanZant squirming and doing everything to fight it, punching Torres and finally gets free. Torres transitions to an armbar. VanZant staying composed and gets free. Upkick from Torres, again. VanZant in top position, lands a couple body shots. Torres gets up and lands some big punches before the bell. PMN scores it 10-9 Torres.

Round 3 – Touch gloves. High kick from VanZant. Knee from Torres as they clinch up. VanZant pushes her to the cage. They exchange knees and gives her a head toss to the ground. Torres lands a big right from the bottom and gets to her feet. VanZant is right on her with the clinch. Torres lands a shot and backs out. They square up. VanZant shoots, stuffed. Eats a one two. Torres lands a couple nice rights, now trying to set her up. VanZant is tough. Throws a high kick. Eats a right. Leg kick from VanZant. Side kick to the thigh from Torres, again. Clinch, VanZant tosses her to the ground but ends up on bottom. Torres lets her up. Side kick to the thigh from Torres. Body kick from Torres. Big right from Torres. Leg kick. One two, right hand. Another right before the bell. PMN scores it 10-9 and 30-27 for Torres.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Tecia Torres def. Paige VanZant by unanimous decision (30-27 x 3)

115 lbs.: Emily Kagan (@EmilyPKagan) vs. Rose Namajunas (@rosenamajunas)

Round 1 – Rose is Pat Barry’s woman. Emily comes out like a devil, clinches up and pushes Rose to the cage. Rose turns her around and gets the trip takedown, takes her back, they fall back but Emily gets top position. Rose throws up the triangle, locks it up, readjusts, goes for an armbar and Emily slams her but Rose tightens the triangle. Gives her some elbows. Goes for the armbar and a kimura. Elbows from Rose as Emily is trapped. Rose tries to roll for a mounted triangle. Rose goes for the arm again but Emily gets free and gets side control, now looking for Rose’s back as she gets to her feet. Emily pushing her to the cage. She knows Rose is dangerous on her feet. Emily ends up going down and Rose takes her back unleashing punches. Emily is up, trips Rose and stacks her with punches. Rose reverses and is on top inside full guard now. Amazing fight! PMN scores the round 10-9 for Rose Namajunas.

Round 2 – High kick from Rose. Clinch, Emily pushes her to the cage, gets her down but Rose gets right up but Emily scoops her right back down. Rose sinks in an armbar but Emily is able to get free for a second. Rose still going for it, Emily gets out and they are back to the feet. Clinched against the cage. Emily goes for a trip but ends up on bottom. Emily gets to her feet, pushes Rose to the cage. Grabs a single and goes for the takedown but ends up on bottom as Rose transitions to her back. Emily tries to roll over but Rose stays on her. Emily stands up but Rose is hanging on. Emily pushes her to the cage, drops levels for a single. She puts Rose down before the bell. PMN scores the round 10-9 for Emily.

Round 3 – Right from Rose, Emily fires back with a combo. Right from Rose, nice overhand right, front kick to the face, inside leg kick. Nice head kick from Rose. Leg kick. Emily clinches her up against the cage. Body lock from behind by Rose, knees to the body as Emily lands some short punches to the face. Rose trying to drag her down. Rose backs out. Emily with some punches, clinches against the cage. Rose jumps on her back with a standing rear naked, both hooks in, they fall back and Emily taps out. Beautiful win for Rose’s pro debut.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Rose Namajunas def. Emily Kagan by submission (rear-naked choke) Rd 3 (3:44)

105 lbs.: Liz McCarthy (@Lightning_Liz) vs. Jodie Esquibel (@JodieEsquibel)

Round 1 – Right from Liz, leg kick. Leg kick from Jodie, then a nice right over the top. Both girls throwing heat. Nice left from Jodie. Right from Liz. Right from Jodie. Superwoman punch. One two from Liz. Liz catches a body kick, lets it go. Nice leg kick from LIz. Jodie with a one two, head kick that just misses. All stand up so far. Liz clinches, lets go. Jodie lands a couple nice punches. Liz times a perfect takedown, lands in side control. Softens Jodie up with some short punches to the body and face. Traps Jodie’s right arm with her knee, goes for mount but Jodie explodes to her feet and lands a coupe punches before the bell. Close round. PMN scores the round 10-9 for Jodie Esquibel.

Round 2 – Left from Jodie. Again. Liz clinches, Jodie pushes out of it. Spinning backfist from Liz. Jodie fires off a one two. Overhand right from Jodie. Both girls throwing but not a lot landing at this point. Liz chases her with punches but Jodie avoids it. Nice hook from Liz scores. Front kick from Jodie. Uppercut. Again. Liz looks for the takedown but no dice. PMN scores it 10-9 for Jodie.

Round 3 – Stream going in and out so missed the first minute. Jodie knocks Liz down with a front kick. Stream out and comes back on with under 2:00 to go. Liz jumps on Jodie’s back with both hooks in looking for the choke, they go to the ground as Jodie fights off the choke. Jodie survives. PMN scores the round 10-9 for Liz McCarthy and the fight 29-28 for Jodie Esquibel.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Jodie Esquibel def. Liz McCarthy by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)

145 lbs.: Tamikka Brents (@BoomBoomBrents1) vs. Amanda Bell (@TheLadyKiller00)

Round 1 – Touch gloves. Bell immediately pulls guard, Brents inside full guard. Elbow from Brents, postures up with right hands. Bell grabs an ankle and looks for a footlock, Bell does same and ends back up on top inside guard. Nice ground n pound from Brents. Bell trying to setup a submission from the bottom. Brents in half guard. Brents controlling from top but doing little more at this point. Brents traps Bell’s right arm and drops elbows and punches. PMN scores it 10-9 Brents.

Round 2 – Bell throws a kick and gets put on her back right away. Brents inside full guard. Elbows from Brents, punches as she stacks her. Nice left hands from Brents. Body shots. Bell with full guard. Nice punches from Brents. Referee Big John stands them up. Leg kick from Bell, she pays for it by eating a one two. Side kick from Bell and Brents picks her up for a big slam, lands in side control. Brents working from side control but Bell escapes to top control, takes Brents’ back, both hooks in before the bell. PMN scores it 10-9 Brents.

Round 3 – They come out swinging. Bell lands her best shots of the fight and backs Brents to the cage, clinches her up. Dirty boxing from Bell. Knee from Brents. Bell with some right hands. Brents fires back with punches. They trade knees. Nice knee to the gut from Brents. Ref separates them. Touch gloves. Leg kick Brents. Jab from Bell, backs her to the cage with punches and Brents lands a big one. Elbow from Brents. Clinched against the cage, it’s a hockey fight. Knee from Brents, knee from Bell, another from Brents. Very grueling fight. Stream goes out rest of fight.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Tamikka Brents def. Amanda Bell by unanimous decision (29-28 x 3)

Invicta FC President Shannon Knapp came on during the bout and announced that anyone who paid for the stream would be refunded their money and they are making it free. That’s very cool of them cause it is having quite a few issues.

105 lbs.: Stephanie Frausto (@StephMacaquinha) vs. Cassie Rodish (@crodish1)

Round 1 – Front kick from Frausto. Right from Rodish. High kick. Clinch. Beautiful judo throw from Frausto, tosses her completely upside down, lands in side control. Now on top in half guard. Frausto stands up, lands some punches. Rodish goes for a heel hook, Frausto spins out, gets top control. Rodish goes for the heel again but Frausto spins out. Frausto stacks her with punches. Rodish gets up. Frausto kicks her, Rodish catches it and trips her hard. Frausto goes for an arm, scramble. Rodish rides her back, one hook in.  Rodish goes for an armbar but ends up on bottom. PMN scores it 10-9 Frausto.

Round 2 – High kick from Rodish. Jab from Frausto. Head kick from Rodish, blocked, low kick. Right counter from Rodish. Thai plum and a knee from Rodish, throws Frausto against the cage but Rodish slips to the ground. Nice counter punching from Rodish, touching her up with punches. Clinched, she turns Frausto to the cage. Frausto ends up on bottom with full guard, throws up an armbar. Rodish is free and drops some elbows to the back. She takes Frausto’s back and locks on a choke, no hooks in though. Frausto rolls, eats a couple elbows and punches. Rodish stacks her, takes side control, goes for the mount, now in side control. Frausto scrambles to her knees, eats punches from the turtle position and it’s all Rodish as the round ends. PMN scores it 10-9 Rodish.

Round 3 – Frausto comes out quick. They trade strikes as Frausto goes for an arm and it goes to the ground. Rodish looking for an arm, she sweeps and ends up in full mount and unloads a barrage of punches until Big John is forced to stop it. Big win for Cassie Rodish.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Cassie Rodish def. Stephanie Frausto by TKO (strikes) Rd 3 (1:04)

115 lbs.: Joanne Calderwood (@badmofo_jojo) vs. Livia Von Plettenberg

Round 1 – Clinched, knee from Joanne. She’s fighting in a Scottish school girl skirt. Left counter punch. Thai plum and a knee from Calderwood. Clinch, Livia backs out. Front kick from Calderwood. Nice Thai plum and knees from Calderwood. Livia grabs a single. Lets it go, clinch battle. Knees and elbows from Calderwood. Nice knee to the body from Calderwood, she drops levels and puts Livia on her back. PMN scores the rond 10-9 for Joanne as she stands over Livia with a couple body kicks.

Round 2 – Leg kick from Livia, again. Right hook. Calderwood with an inside trip attempt, Livia ducks down and gets caught with a nice knee to the face from Calderwood. Clinched up against the cage, couple of elbows from Calderwood. Livia lands a couple punches inside before clinching up again. Elbow from Calderwood. Calderwood backs up to create space. Lands an overhand, jab, uppercut. Calderwood looking great in her striking. Livia shoots, pushes Calderwood to the cage. Clinch and knee exchanges. They square up, elbows and punches from Calderwood slicing and dicing. Nice hook. Leg kick from Livia. Big knees from Calderwood, Livia is hurt and Calderwood is tearing her apart with punches but Livia survives. PMN scores it 10-9 Calderwood.

Round 3 – Front kick from Calderwood snaps Livia’s head back. Thai plum and knees, front kick to the face again. Front kick to the body. Calderwood is a technician. Beautiful head kick from Calderwood. Livia is tired. They trade leg kicks. Leg kick Livia. Calderwood knocks her down with a push kick. Right from Livia. Leg kick Calderwood. Left hook. Jump knee. Leg kick. Knee to the face, again while holding the back of her head. Leg kick. Step in elbow, head kick. Leg kick. Leg sweep from Calderwood knocks Livia on her butt. Knee to the body. Head kick. Front kick. Knee to the body, again. Right to the face. Livia just trying to survive at this point. Leg kick, big right. Livia took this fight on one week’s notice. Big props to her but Joanne Calderwood is a technician of destruction. PMN scores it 10-8 and 30-26.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Joanne Calderwood def. Livia Von Plettenberg by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)

145 lbs.: Ediane Gomes (@IndiaGomesMMA) vs. Hiroko Yamanaka

Round 1 – Huge height advantage for Yamanaka. Big slam from Gomes, lands in side control and unleashes punches, takes Yamanaka’s back, hammerfists as Yamanaka turtles up. Takes her back and looking for the choke, both hooks in now. Yamanaka defending well at the moment. She spins and ends up on top. Gomes goes for an armbar but Yamanaka gets free, now inside full guard. Gomes fighting off her back staying busy with elbows and punches. Yamanaka throwing punches but nothing too significant and the ref stands them up. Nice counter left from Gomes snaps Yamanaka’s head back. Nice head movement from Gomes. Counter right from Yamanaka catches Gomes coming in. Gomes is a powerhouse. Yamanaka circles the outside until the bell. PMN scores it 10-9 Gomes.

Round 2 – Leg kick Gomes. Again. Stalking the taller Yamanaka, who is being very tentative for such a large woman. Nice left jab from Yamanaka. Her arms look twice as long as Gomes. Leg kick from Gomes. Jab from Yamanaka. Leg kick Gomes. Nice leg kick Yamanaka. Again. Gomes comes in throwing heat. Left hook Yamanaka. Gomes backs her to the cage with big punches. She backs out and the reset in the center. Gomes trying to set her up. Nice jab, jab from Yamanaka. Gomes has her backing up. Right counter from Yamanaka. PMN scores the round 10-9 for Gomes.

Round 3 – Leg kick from Gomes, two back from Yamanaka. Right from Yamanaka. Gomes trying to find her way inside. Right hand. Leg kick inside from Yamanaka. Jab. Leg kick Gomes. Nice left hook. One two from Yamanaka and Gomes double legs her, putting her on her back. Gomes now inside her full guard with 1:30 left in the round and fight. Gomes postures up which allows Yamanaka to get to her knees and then feet. Gomes pressing her to the cage, dirty boxing. She backs up and touches up Gomes, backing her up with punches, one two, one. Forces Gomes to shoot and gets Yamanaka down. Gomes rides it out on top and takes the round 10-9 and fight 30-27 as I see it.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Ediane Gomes def. Hiroko Yamanaka by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27 x 2)

135 lbs.: Amanda Nunes (@Amanda_Leoa) vs. Sarah D’Alelio (@sarahdalelio)

Round 1 – Leg kick Nunes. Right from Nunes. D’Alelio shoots for a double and gets Nunes to her butt. She’s fighting to get up, D’Alelio helps her by picking her up for a huge slam. D’Alelio on top in half guard now, dropping elbows to the rather nice thighs of Ms. Nunes. More elbows, point of the elbow right into the meat of the thigh. Nunes looking for the leg of D’Alelio. D’Alelio moves to side control, traps an arm with a knee. Nunes throws her legs up, goes for a footlock. They scramble before the bell. PMN scores it 10-9 D’Alelio.

Round 2 – Nunes looks tentative now, probably not wanting to get taken down again. One two from Nunes. D’Alelio shoots under for a big slam. Inside full guard. Nunes lands an illegal upkick to the face as D’Alelio looks to posture up. Referee big John calls time to check D’Alelio out. They take a point from Nunes. Nunes shoots, stuffed, D’Alelio reverses it and lands on top. D’Alelio in side control. Nunes looks for a leg/foot. D’Alelio all over her, now in half guard, finishes in complete control. PMN scores the round 10-9 (plus the one point deduction makes it 10-8)

Round 3 – Yet another takedown by Ms. D’Alelio; now in side control dropping punches to the face and elbows to the thighs of Nunes. Now in half guard dropping more punches and staying busy with ground and pound. Nunes fights her way to her feet, goes for a single, then a double. D’Alelio defends it, gets a body lock takedown of her own, landing on top in half guard. Not much damage done in this round but a very grueling grappling war.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Sarah D’Alelio def. Amanda Nunes by unanimous decision (30-26 x 3)

135 lbs.: Leslie Smith (@LeslieSmith_GF) vs. Raquel Pennington (@Rpenington020)

Round 1 – Leg kick from Pennington. Clinches up against the cage. Smith with the long pants (spats) on. Pennington gets Smith to the ground, on top in side control. Smith uses her feet on the cage to roll, goes for a foot, looking for a toe hold or foot lock. Pennington gets free, stands over her, then lays down on her as Smith gives up her back. Pennington jumps on her back looking for the choke. Smith gets to her knees and feet. Clinched up, they separate. Right hand from Pennington. Smith with a left jab, clinched against the cage. Knees from both gals, body shots from Smith. More knees from Pennington, she holds Smith’s neck for a moment. OMG Smith’s boob popped out of her very small sports bra during the clinch. They fought for awhile like this, then got it popped back in after the bell. PMN scores the round 10-9 for Pennington. +1 for the boob.

Round 2 – Clinched in the corner. Dirty boxing. Smith pouring on the heat as they separate. Leg kick from Smith as she stalks Pennington. Head kick. Brief clinch. Smith backs her to the cage with punch combos, big knee to the gut, clinched, backs up, body kick. Uppercut from Pennington. Left from Smith. Side kick from Pennington. Knee from Smith to the body. Front kick from Pennington. they move to the center. Smith taunts her ala Diaz bros. — she is from the Cesar Gracie camp after all. Smith puts her down before the round ends. PMN scores it 10-9 Smith.

Round 3 – Clinched, foot stomps from Smith. Pennington grabs a guillotine while standing, big knee to the gut as Smith pops her head out. Now Smith grabs a guillotine. Lets it go. Body lock from Pennington. Smith taunts her to come on, just like Diaz bros. Leg kick exchanges. She may be the sister of the Diaz bros. She’s actually built a lot like Nate. Leg kicks from both gals. Smith backs her into the corner with punches. Leg kick from Smith, counter right from Pennington. Smith touches her up with punches, Pennington’s head snaps back. They slug it out with 10 seconds to go. Great fight. This fight really did have everything and I’m sure everyone will be waiting for the pictures of the wardrobe malfunction. My thoughts on this are, it’s bound to happen when you wear a sports bra so small. But credit to Smith it didn’t seem to bother her at all, she never missed a beat. It was like a shoelace was untied or she dropped her mouthpiece. All part of the game. PMN scores it 10-9 and 29-28 for Smith

OFFICIAL RESULT: Leslie Smith def. Raquel Pennington by unanimous decision (29-28 x 3)

135 lbs.: Shayna Baszler (@QoSBaszler) vs. Alexis Davis (@AlexisDavisMMA)

Round 1 – Leg kick Davis. Knee to body from Baszler. Leg kick. Again. Left hook from Baszler, clinch. Right hook from Davis on the break. Nice punch exchange and Davis puts her on her back. Davis on top in half guard. Moves to side mount. Baszler able to gain top control, inside full guard. She stacks her as Davis goes for a leg. Davis rolls with the leg with 10 seconds left. Baszler survives until the bell but gotta give the round to Davis. PMN scores it 10-9 Davis.

Round 2 – Leg kick Davis, counter left from Baszler. Inside leg kick from Davis. Outside leg kick. Baszler misses a big right and overshoots it spinning around. Baszler puts Davis down, inside her full closed guard. Davis staying very active off her back, high guard, goes for an armbar. Baszler escapes momentarily but Davis is still working for stuff. Baszler postures up lands a big punch coming in and Davis gets her back inside full guard. Baszler not able to do anything but maintain top position at this point. Baszler stands over Davis, takes some kicks to the legs and finally lets Davis up. Leg kick Davis. Again. Smith catches a leg kick, lands a punch and Baszler goes down before the bell. It appears something may be wrong with Baszler’s leg. PMN scores the round 10-9 for Davis.

Round 3 – Left straight from Davis. Big leg kick from Davis. Baszler looks tired. She wings a couple big punches that miss. Davis with a right. Left from Baszler. Big leg kick from Davis. Left from Baszler. Leg kick Davis, right from Baszler. Inside leg kick Davis. Baszler throws a leg kick and falls down. She gets to her knees as Davis jumps on her, knees to her body. Davis jumps on her back, locks in the choke and Baszler goes out forcing the ref to stop it.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Alexis Davis def. Shayna Baszler by technical submission (Rear-Naked Choke) Rd 3 (:58)

115 lbs.: Title Fight: Carla Esparza (@CarlaEsparza1) vs. Bec Hyatt (@RowdyBec)

Round 1 – Leg kick Esparza. Bec comes out swinging, lands a nice right, again. Esparza puts her down with a double leg. Moves into half guard, working ground and pound, stacks her with big punches. Hyatt holding on with full guard, Esparza slams her, moves to side control, then north south. Esparza wearing a singlet. No wardrobe malfunctions or thongs hanging out for her. Esparza takes Hyatt’s back, both hooks in and landing punches. Hyatt gets to her knees, they roll. Back to her knees, then feet. Esparza drags her down again and looks for the neck as she continues to soften her up. Hyatt looking for the RNC with both hooks in now. Not much high level wrestling going on in Australia. Hyatt gets to her knees and recovers full guard. PMN scores it 10-9 Esparza.

Round 2 – Hyatt lets the punches fly but gets put on her back pretty quickly. Esparza passes easily to side control. Then north south. Hyatt throws up an armbar attempt. Esparza defending but Hyatt has her in big danger right now. Esparza gets out and stands up. Hyatt trips her to her butt with a kick. Hyatt gets up and goes at her with a knee but Esparza gets a takedown and is right back on her with ground and pound from half guard. Esparza moves to side control, then north-south. Hyatt throws up mission control, lands an elbow or two. Esparza stands over her, jumps inside her full guard. PMN scores it 10-9 Esparza.

Round 3 – They exchange a few punches before, guess what, you already know… Esparza puts her down and goes to work inside her full guard with ground and pound. Esparza stands up and dives in with a punch that misses. Hyatt with full guard and wrist control, trying to hold on. Big John stands them up. Bec Hyatt tees off on Esparza with some big punches. Esparza goes for the takedown, gets a body lock and muscles her to the ground. Now inside full guard she stands up, kicks her thighs and wildly rushes in and is back inside her guard. Hyatt gets up. PMN scores the round 10-9 Esparza.  Well — I would almost score this round for Hyatt. She did ALOT more damage and Esparza wanted none of her on the feet.

Round 4 – Esparza is breathing very hard as the round starts. Hyatt is not. Hyatt surprises her by landing some big punches very quickly. Esparza shoots and puts her back down. If Hyatt can get some improvement on her wrestling she could be a real force. Scramble, Esparza takes her back with both hooks in. Esparza hanging on her but not able to do anything as Hyatt has wrist control. Knee to the back from Esparza. Hyatt gets to her knees. Esparza goes for an armbar, loses position. Hyatt now on top, they stand up. Hyatt with a Superman punch, head kick, one two and knocks Esparza back. Esparza shoots, stuffed. Esparza with a headlock and toss to the ground. PMN scores it 10-9 Esparza.

Round 5 – Final round of this title fight. Hyatt needs a KO. Left from Hyatt. Front kick Esparza. One two Hyatt. Esparza with a takedown, inside full guard landing body shots. Esparza postures up trying to land shots. Hyatt recovers full guard. Esparza trying to work the ground and pound and Big John has seen enough and stands them up. Two minutes to go. One two from Hyatt backs Esparza up. Leg kick from Esparza, eats a one two, and she double legs Hyatt once again. Esparza postures up with punches. Hyatt with full guard. Upkick from Hyatt as Esparza stands over her. Hyatt gets up. Esparza lands a punch or two and Hyatt swarms her with punches before the bell and Esparza falls down but too little too late. PMN scores the round 10-9 for Esparza and the fight 50-45 for Esparza.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Carla Esparza def. Bec Hyatt by unanimous decision (50-45 x 3) to become the inaugural IFC strawweight champion