Let’s talk about first impressions, shall we? A first impression, whether it’s on the job, with a team of people, what have you, is everything. If you mess up on your first impression, that’s it.
It’s gone and it’s not coming back. Therefore, one must do everything in their power to ensure that the first impression proves successful. When it happens, a person knows it right from the moment that success is achieved.
In the sport of MMA, you get to see promotional debuts on multiple cards a year, and thus, the opportunity to see a young fighter make good on his or her first impression. One such debut occurred on Friday night. During the showcase bouts of PFL 9 in Washington, DC at The Anthem Theater, a promising prospect entered the SmartCage for the first time.
Shido Boris Esperanca Proves Impressive in PFL Promotional Debut
Enter Shido Boris Esperanca (9-1 MMA, 1-0 PFL), who will appear in the PFL Africa season in 2025. For his debut, Esperanca drew Tyler Hill (12-9 MMA, 0-2 PFL). The latter made his first walk to the PFL SmartCage since 2021, when he suffered a first-round knockout (punches) from Brett Cooper (28-17 MMA, 1-2 PFL) during that season’s PFL 7.
Hill had a quick turnaround between fights. Prior to his appearance versus Esperanca on Friday night’s telecast, he fought just two weeks prior, scoring a first-round knockout of Clay Witt (3-1 MMA) in just 28 seconds.
As we’ve mentioned in the past in articles on this site, having a tight window in-between fights is a dangerous thing. Esperanca clearly took advantage of this over the weekend.
Total Dominance in Under a Round
To say that Shido Boris Esperanca was locked in ahead of his showcase bout against Tyler Hill is an understatement. This is a man who was on a mission from the word “go”: Show the MMA fans watching around America and across the world what you have and do so in convincing fashion.
Esperanca danced to his walk-out music as he made his way down to the cage, giving high fives to the spectators in the crowd. He was clearly ready for action on Friday night, something that showed itself right from the clang of the opening bell.
He quickly found an opening to tee off with a barrage of damaging strikes. Even though Hill tried his best to cover up as a means of blocking his opponent’s offensive blitz, it proved to be inconsequential in the long run, with Esperanca just taking him down to the cage mat to dole out more punishment. At this very early point in the contest, it was evident to everyone watching on ESPN+ that this would turn out to be a prime example of one-way traffic.
Ground Game Gets the Job Done
There are times in the sport where the end of a fight plays out like a football game and the contest will be won on the ground. Upon Esperanca dropping Hill, he took top mount and would never relinquish his control. scoring with relentless right-handed shots.
Even though Hill made an effort to free himself, Esperanca continued to apply the pressure, nearly stopping him by rear-naked choke. Another flurry of punches spelled an end to the contest.
In the aftermath of Esperanca’s convincing win over Hill this weekend, there is but one certainty: When the PFL Africa season starts next year, any potential opponent of his needs to lock himself in the film room and watch the video of this fight multiple times to figure out ways to stop him.
Shido Boris Esperança is head hunting early!!!!
[🇺🇸 LIVE NOW | ESPN+ | #PFLPlayoffs | #PFLDC | https://t.co/jPNvomCxHI] pic.twitter.com/oRCioy2cxH
— PFL (@PFLMMA) August 23, 2024
Plays Called to Perfection
After the fight, Esperanca was interviewed by Dan Hardy about his successful debut.
“This was absolutely the gameplan from the start,” Esperanca began, through his translator. “I came here to waste no time, and I want to show people that I am at this level. I’m at a level to represent Angola and Africa in the PFL.”
He certainly proved that he’s a next-level talent with his win in the nation’s capital on Friday night. Anytime that a fighter can come into the cage and pummel his opponent inside the opening round of the contest, he’s done everything right.
Final Thoughts
While it’s still a mystery as to who Shido Boris Esperanca could fight next in the PFL SmartCage, it’s only the beginning of what may be a successful tenure for him in the promotion. They should give him another showcase fight on the championship show in November if Esperanca wants to take on an opponent that quickly.
No matter who his upcoming opponent happens to be, no matter when he steps into the cage next, it’s obvious that the PFL has a star in the making.
