PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rick Astley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Frank Dux (ranked 0 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.

Astley
vs
Dux

175 cm
22
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

179 cm
22
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Self confident

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Juggernaut Fuel

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 Rio de Janeiro, Rick Astley!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Frank Dux!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Paulo Santos and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dux lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Dux fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Astley pulls guard effortlessly.

Astley working for submissions but it's allowed Dux to get to half guard.
Dux is looking to take a break and control but Astley is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Astley is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Dux pulls his head out easily.
Dux prevents Astley from standing back up.
Dux seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Astley does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Astley actively working from the bottom here.
Astley won't allow Dux to pass to mount.

Astley looking for submissions off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Astley scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Astley is breathing heavily.
Dux can't do much from the bottom here.
Astley tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Dux can't do much from the bottom here.
The strikes coming from Astley are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Astley working away.

Astley thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Dux struggling a bit here.
Dux is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Astley is staying active.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Astley is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Dux doesn't succeed with the takedown

so Astley counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Dux looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Dux has a closed guard, preventing Astley from standing up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dux is trying to keep Astley in close.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Astley trying to control but Dux is working from the bottom.
Astley stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Dux swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dux is trying to keep Astley in close.

Dux looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Astley would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Dux 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.

Dux had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Astley is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Dux Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Astley's back instead.
Astley tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Dux looking to secure an arm triangle but Astley defends it well.
Astley is looking to get to half guard.

Dux jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Astley manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Astley gets back to half guard.
Dux wants to control but Astley is keeping him busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Rick Astley will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Dux throws a right and a left that Astley avoids nicely.
Dux misses with a takedown attempt

and Astley counters by moving into the clinch.

Astley breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Dux shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Astley counters with a shoot takedown. Dux fights it but they end up in guard.
Astley has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Astley is looking to work some ground and pound but Dux has wrist control.
Dux tries to strike from the bottom.

Astley 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.
Astley trying to control but Dux is working from the bottom.
Astley passes into half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Dux gets full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dux is trying to keep Astley in close.
Astley looking to sit in guard and control but Dux gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Astley working for a triangle but Dux defends it easily.

Dux 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.
Astley managing to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Astley trying to control the position.
Dux stays in close to Astley's body and controls the position.

Astley looking for a guillotine here but Dux defends easily.

Dux 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Astley throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Dux sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Astley's guard.
Astley trying to control here.
Dux trying to control the action but Astley is working from the bottom.
Astley manages to get to full guard.

Astley is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Dux is pushing down on Astley's leg trying to pass to half guard. Astley is fighting to maintain full guard but Dux has managed to sneak the leg through.
Dux not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Astley has his hands clasped together around Dux's back. He's all about the action.

Astley actively working from the bottom here.
Dux throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Dux prevents Astley from improving his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rick Astley dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Dux has his takedown stuffed

and Astley counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Astley.

Astley pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Dux tries to keep at a distance but Astley has taken the fight into the clinch.
Dux tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Astley smiles and moves away.

Astley gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Astley lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Dux is trying to break free.
Dux tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Rick Astley has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Frank Dux.
Dux tries to pull guard but Astley holds him up against the cage and eventually Dux drops back down to his feet.
Dux is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Astley pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Astley breaks the clinch.

Astley gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Astley escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Astley blocks a head kick by Dux.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Astley fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Dux, pushing him back against the cage.
Astley landing knees to the head.

Astley has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Dux uses from the top position.
Astley tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Dux trying to control the position from guard on top but Astley is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Astley looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Astley working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Dux doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Dux manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Astley keeping moving, preventing Dux from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Astley is trying to control the position but Dux postures up.
Dux working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Rick Astley overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Astley has taken the fight to the clinch.
Astley is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Dux gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Dux drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Dux changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Astley fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Dux closes the distance but Astley moves to the side

and Astley counters by clinching up.
Astley connects with a nasty looking knee right to Dux's face.
Dux drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Astley throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Dux blocks it with crossed arms.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Astley taking a breather.
Astley fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Dux has had enough of the clinch but Astley keeps him there for the moment.

Astley jumps guard.
Astley wants to stand up but Dux is controlling him.
Astley keeping moving, preventing Dux from controlling successfully.
Frank Dux has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dux throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Dux thows a big elbow that misses.

Dux has gone for a leg lock! Astley slips out almost immediately though and dives into Dux's guard.

Astley gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Astley looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Dux!

Astley takes the fight into the clinch.
Dux has Astley pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Astley manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Astley landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

Astley jumps guard.
Rick Astley is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Astley keeping moving, preventing Dux from controlling successfully.
Astley not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Astley had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Dux is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Astley Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Dux's back instead.

Astley tightening his grip on Dux, looking for the choke.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rick Astley showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Astley, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 30:27
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rick Astley!