PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Trent Astrom (ranked 3032 p4p, 4448 weight class) and Rory Athol (ranked 368 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Astrom
vs
Athol

185 cm
22
170
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
175
0 - 0 - 0

Dangerous GnP
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Solid chin

Next Gen Sports

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Trent Astrom!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Rory Athol!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Paul Gruel and Jeff Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Astrom takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Astrom fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Athol looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Astrom tries to clinch up but Athol circles away and keeps his distance.

Astrom looking to score a takedown here. Athol is defending well but Astrom drives through and ends up in Athol's guard.
Astrom trying to control the position from guard on top but Athol is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Astrom controls from within his opponent's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Athol tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Astrom stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Athol swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Astrom wants to control from the top but Athol keeps moving.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Athol can do anything to dispel that myth.
Athol seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Athol is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Astrom scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Athol tries to kick Astrom off in order to stand up. Astrom Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.
The ground and pound from Astrom seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Astrom throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Astrom swings around for an armbar but Athol sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Astrom's guard.
Astrom 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.
Astrom working a defensive guard here.
Astrom throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Astrom manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Athol manages to get himself to full guard.

Astrom missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Astrom stopping the sweep attempt from Athol.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Astrom wants to control from the top but Athol keeps moving.
Astrom pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Athol is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Astrom throwing strikes but missing.
Astrom throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Astrom landing some decent shots from guard.
Astrom throwing strikes but missing.
Astrom stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Athol swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Athol keeping moving, preventing Astrom from controlling successfully.
Astrom postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Astrom missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Astrom throws a big elbow that misses.
Astrom working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Astrom postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Athol avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Astrom throwing strikes but missing.
Astrom lands a couple of decent looking shots.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Astrom throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Astrom being controlled here momentarily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Trent Astrom dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

No luck for Astrom with that takedown attempt.
Athol ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Astrom takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Athol cracks Astrom with a good jab.
Athol lunges at Astrom with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Astrom's hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Athol stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Athol wants it to stay on the feet.
Nice body punch from Athol.
Nice body punch from Athol.
Athol scores with a decent looking hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Athol scores with a one two! Astrom had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

It looks like Trent Astrom has been cut.
Athol stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Athol wants it to stay on the feet.
Athol looks like he wants to counter punch here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Trent Astrom. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Athol dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Astrom needs to keep his hands up - Athol had a free shot at his head there.
Athol connects with a jab.
Athol lands a lovely overhand right.
Athol scores with a hook to the body. Astrom takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Astrom takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Athol has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Athol connects with a right hand. Astrom shakes it off.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Astrom looks for a takedown but Athol sprawls well.
Athol appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Astrom dives in and scores a takedown into Athol's guard.
Astrom wants to control from the top but Athol keeps moving.
Athol looking for a sweep. Not yet Athol, not yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Astrom working some strikes from top position.
Astrom trying to control the position from guard on top but Athol is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Astrom postures up in Athol's guard and throws a big left but Athol blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Astrom looking to sit in guard and control but Athol gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Astrom controls Athol momentarily but Athol frees himself.

Astrom looking for subs off his back but Athol has passed one foot through into half guard.
Astrom trying to control here.
Astrom throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Astrom tries to get to full guard but Athol has control of the leg.
Athol looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Astrom wants to stand back up but Athol manages to pass into side control.
Astrom is trying to control Athol's posture but Athol avoids it.
Astrom gets back to half guard.
Athol stalling.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Rory Athol showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Trent Astrom's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Nice sprawl there from Athol as Astrom shoots in.
Astrom shoots in but no luck this time.
Astrom shoots in for a takedown but Athol shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Trent Astrom. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Athol lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Trent Astrom is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Astrom throws a nice looking combination but Athol bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Athol lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Astrom takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Astrom shoots in for a double leg but Athol sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Athol scores with a nice right hand.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Athol scores with a sloppy right hand. Astrom should have avoided that one.
Astrom looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Athol is fending him off so far but Astrom persists. Nope, Athol circles away and we're back to standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Athol scores with a jab.
Astrom takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

Athol drops Astrom with a beautiful combination! Astrom stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Athol is looking for the KO!

Astrom is rocked!
Athol lands a head shot.
Oh Astrom is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Astrom doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Athol counters with a crisp right that sends Astrom to the canvas! Athol follows up with punches from the mount and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:34 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Rory Athol!