PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Cm Askren (ranked 4068 p4p, 4578 weight class) and Neesov Assid (ranked 430 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Askren
vs
Assid

180 cm
25
155
1 - 0 - 0

184 cm
18
155
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Hates pizza

BJJ White Belt
Decent knees
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Cm Askren!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Neesov Assid!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Stewart Dunkirk and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Askren fails to land the takedown.
Assid tries to close the distance and clinch up but Askren swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Assid is looking to clinch.
Horrible takedown attempt by Askren or perhaps it was just good defense by Assid, which made it look bad.
Assid wants to clinch.
Askren appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Assid throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Assid tries to clinch up.
Assid closes the distance but Askren moves to the side
and Askren counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Assid wants to clinch up but Askren keeps it at a distance.
Assid tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Askren manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Assid tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Askren manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Assid misses with a body kick.
Askren swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Assid gets a clinch.
Askren tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Assid smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cm Askren. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Assid tries to clinch there but Askren circles away.
Assid tries to clinch up
letting Askren counter with a right hand.
Assid is looking to clinch but Askren is avoiding it.
Assid tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Askren manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Assid tries to close the distance and clinch but Askren swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Askren appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Assid tries to clinch but Askren is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Askren circles away from the clinch attempt.
Askren tries to counter with a takedown but Assid is quick to defend against it.
Assid showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Askren.
Assid was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Assid is looking to clinch but Askren is avoiding it.

Askren feints and as Assid raises his hands in defense, Askren changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Askren throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Assid works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Askren thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Askren is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Askren has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Askren throwing strikes from guard but Assid blocks nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Assid is looking to stand up but Askren isn't so interested in that idea.
Askren stands and throws Assid's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Askren is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Assid has escaped the position, nice work there.
Assid is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

Askren is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Assid knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Assid managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Askren.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Askren wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Assid, who protects the arm well.

Askren is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Assid has escaped the position, nice work there.

Askren has an Americana. Assid didn't react quickly enough there and he's in big trouble now! He tries to squirm out but is forced to tap! Askren is delighted and gyrates in front of the ring girls. They seem to like the attention - it'll be interesting to see if Askren hooks up with any of them at the after show party.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Cm Askren!