PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ben Askren (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bruce Legend (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Legend has chosen Edit Mix as his entrance music. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Askren
vs
Legend

190 cm
18
260 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

196 cm
18
275 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Solid chin

Amber Swan CBK
Koffin Inc.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Ben Askren!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Bruce Legend!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Sam Margolis and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Legend will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Legend fails with the takedown.

Askren closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Askren lands in his opponent's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Legend looking to hit a scissor sweep but Askren is one step ahead there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Askren would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Legend pushes Askren off and scrambles back to his feet.

Askren shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
You get the feeling that Legend really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Askren looking to ground and pound but Legend is blocking nicely.
Legend tries to lock up and control but Askren gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Askren throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Legend has given up his back here. Will Askren look for the submission or keep pounding away?

Askren looking for the RNC.
Legend trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Askren looking to hold on to the position here but Legend rolls and ends up regaining guard.
Legend keeping full guard, as Askren tries to pass.
Askren has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Askren trying to control but Legend is working from the bottom.

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.
Askren postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Legend is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Askren wants to control from the top but Legend keeps moving.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Askren closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Askren lands in his opponent's guard.
Legend keeping moving, preventing Askren from controlling successfully.

Legend is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Askren stops a takedown attempt from Legend.
Askren lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Legend or not.

Askren gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Askren is breathing heavily.
Askren wanted to stand there but Legend had control of the position.
Askren trying to control but Legend is working from the bottom.
Legend is trying to control the position from the bottom.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Legend holds on and takes a little breather.
Askren trying to stand up but can't free himself from Legend's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Legend tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Legend controlling the position.
Askren looking to sit in guard and control but Legend gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Legend pushing down on Askren's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Legend is trying to control. Askren wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Legend keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Legend trying to control the action but Askren is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ben Askren dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Askren is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Askren shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

so Legend counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Legend trying to control the position from guard on top but Askren is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Despite being in the dominant position, Bruce Legend just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Legend misses the shot to the body.
Legend tries to clinch but Askren moves out of range.

Askren rushes Legend and presses him up against the cage.
Askren gets underhooks to prevent Legend's takedown attempt.

Askren escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Legend drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Legend should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Legend has control of an arm but Askren manages to advance to Legend's back!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Legend wants to escape the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Legend just trying to survive but Askren is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Legend rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Legend is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Legend is looking to control Askren's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Legend avoid being mounted?

Askren seems to be looking for submissions.
Legend tries to roll over but Askren keeps him under control.

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

and Askren holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Askren tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Legend has Askren pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Askren manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Ben Askren has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bruce Legend.
Legend wants a takedown.
Legend goes for a takedown attempt but Askren pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Askren pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Legend misses with a takedown attempt

and Askren holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Askren jumps into guard, dragging Legend to the mat.
Askren is trying to keep Legend in close.
Legend trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Askren keeping moving, preventing Legend from controlling successfully.
Legend pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Askren is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Askren keeping moving, preventing Legend from controlling successfully.

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

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Legend with a poor takedown

and Askren counters with a nice double leg into side control. Legend won't be happy with that.
Legend is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Legend can't do much from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ben Askren overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Askren is trying to get an arm triangle but Legend is defending well.
Legend regains half guard.
Legend is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Askren's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Askren's back!

Legend is working for the choke. It looks like he might have got it... has he...? Yes! Askren is tapping out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Bruce Legend!