PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rick Astley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rodrigo Turtchin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Astley
vs
Turtchin

175 cm
22
175 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

180 cm
22
170 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Self confident

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Determined

GC 4 LIFE ITUMS CLOTHING $15 OR LESS
Juggernaut Fuel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rick Astley!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rodrigo Turtchin!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Seu Braga and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Turtchin misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Astley is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Astley leaves Turtchin with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Rodrigo Turtchin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Astley slips under a jab from Turtchin.

Astley rushes Turtchin and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Turtchin drops down looking for an ankle pick but Astley pulls his leg out and moves away.
Rick Astley has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rodrigo Turtchin.
Turtchin looks to throw the jab but Astley is out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Turtchin throws a head kick but Astley moves out of range.
Nice defenses there by Astley.
A swing and a miss from Turtchin.
Astley throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Turtchin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Turtchin ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Astley moves away.

Astley clinches up with Turtchin and pushes him back against the cage.
Astley using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Turtchin has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Astley gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Turtchin.
Nice body punch from Turtchin.
Turtchin jumps guard but Astley stands there with Turtchin around his waist. Turtchin gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Turtchin is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Astley gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Turtchin working hard to break the clinch.
Turtchin drops down looking for an ankle pick but Astley pulls his leg out and moves away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Astley looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Astley takes the fight into the clinch.
Astley prevents a takedown attempt there.
Turtchin can't get the takedown.

Turtchin works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Turtchin stops Astley from standing up.
Astley is controlling Turtchin's posture.

Astley is looking for a triangle but Turtchin pushes his legs off easily.

Astley looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Turtchin trying to control the position from guard on top but Astley is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Astley looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Turtchin trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

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

Astley looking for a guillotine here but Turtchin defends easily.
Astley working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Turtchin.
Turtchin controlling from the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Astley throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Turtchin throws a nice looking combination but Astley bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Turtchin throws a lazy head kick
and Astley counters with a big head kick but Turtchin shrugs it off.
Turtchin misses with a hook to the body
and Astley counters with a head kick. That will keep Turtchin thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Turtchin shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Astley as he avoids it easily.
Turtchin misses with a body shot.
Astley takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

Turtchin fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Astley sprawls well initially but Turtchin persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Turtchin wants to pass to mount but Astley is defending the position.
Turtchin is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Astley!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Rodrigo Turtchin will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Turtchin fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Astley manages to avoid it.

Turtchin clinches with his opponent.
Astley tries a knee to the head but Turtchin blocks it.
Astley misses with a knee strike.
Astley tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Turtchin jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Astley walks away with a smile on his face. Turtchin gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Astley gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Turtchin stays in close to Astley's body and controls the position.
Turtchin trying to control but Astley is working from the bottom.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Turtchin's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Astley keeping full guard, as Turtchin tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Astley keeping moving, preventing Turtchin from controlling successfully.
Turtchin connects with a couple of short punches.
Astley keeping moving, preventing Turtchin from controlling successfully.

Astley is looking for a triangle but Turtchin pushes his legs off easily.
Astley being controlled here, momentarily.

Turtchin stands up and waves to Astley to follow him.
Astley keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Astley uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Turtchin.
Turtchin misses with a takedown attempt
and Astley counters with a thumping low kick.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Astley is pressed up against the cage. Turtchin has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Astley down to the mat. Astley avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Rick Astley has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rodrigo Turtchin.
Turtchin shoots in for a takedown but Astley shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
A head kick from Astley lands but Turtchin takes it in his stride.
Astley closes the distance looking to clinch

and Turtchin counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Astley!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Astley keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Turtchin putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Turtchin with shots to the head and body - Astley looks very uncomfortable down there.
Turtchin controlling from the full mount.
Turtchin lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Astley hang on?
Turtchin tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Astley is bucking up trying to escape but Turtchin cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Turtchin looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Turtchin has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Astley's face.
Turtchin has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Turtchin avoids the attempt from Astley to control.
Turtchin working the ground and pound effectively.
Turtchin controlling from mount.
Rodrigo Turtchin has got the better of the ground game so far.
Turtchin landing strikes from the mount and Astley is in trouble!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rodrigo Turtchin showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Turtchin shoots for a double leg takedown but Astley sprawls well. He's pushed Turtchin's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Turtchin dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Turtchin clinches up against the cage.
Turtchin goes for a takedown attempt but Astley pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Astley throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Turtchin's head.
Turtchin is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Astley rather than just go for the knockout.
Turtchin lands a nice looking body shot.
A lazy body kick from Turtchin
and Astley counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Turtchin thinking.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Turtchin fails with a takedown attempt.
Rick Astley has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rodrigo Turtchin.
Astley looks to clinch
and Turtchin counters with a nice uppercut.
Turtchin is looking to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Turtchin swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Astley displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Turtchin.

Turtchin drives through and clinches with Astley against the cage.

Turtchin gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Turtchin postures up.
Turtchin not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Turtchin's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

Astley has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Turtchin can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Turtchin stopping the sweep attempt from Astley.

Astley looking for a guillotine here but Turtchin defends easily.

Turtchin stands up and waves to Astley to follow him.
Turtchin fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Astley drops his hands momentarily and Turtchin takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Turtchin scores with a three punch combo!
Turtchin fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Turtchin tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Astley counters with a big head kick but Turtchin shrugs it off.
Astley displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Turtchin.
Turtchin connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Turtchin shoots for a takedown but Astley saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Turtchin stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Astley stuffs the takedown.

Turtchin shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Astley is trying to defend but Turtchin finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Astley is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Turtchin trying to control the pace.

Astley is defending against the submission attempts here by Turtchin.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Astley wants to control but Turtchin is keeping busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rodrigo Turtchin really dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Turtchin dives in and grabs Astley's left leg, looking for a takedown. Astley pushes down on Turtchin's head and hops out.
Astley tries to clinch but Turtchin moves out of range.
Turtchin misses with a looping right.
Turtchin throws a jab but it's blocked by Astley.
Turtchin tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Astley was well out of range. Poor timing from Turtchin.
Astley wants to clinch
and Turtchin counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
No luck for Turtchin with that takedown attempt.
Astley tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Turtchin avoids the head kick by Astley.
Astley stuffs the takedown.
Rick Astley has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rodrigo Turtchin.
Turtchin thows a body shot but no joy.

Turtchin shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Astley is looking to sinch up a triangle. Turtchin throws the leg off to one side though and gets in tight to Astley's body to avoid the submission. Astley has instead reached around Turtchin's neck and now has a guillotine! Oh, this is biiiig trouble! Astley arches his back and squeezes and forces the tap from his hapless opponent.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:42 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Rick Astley!
Rick Astley is the new welterweight champion!