PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Nikola Asanovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Randal Coutour (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Asanovic's entrance music is Rokeri S Moravi - Daj Ribu. A fine choice. Randal Coutour has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Asanovic
vs
Coutour

185 cm
24
201 lbs
6 - 5 - 1

190 cm
25
200 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Great elbows
Very strong

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nikola Asanovic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Randal Coutour!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Stewart Dunkirk and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Coutour throws a body punch but Asanovic moves out of range.
Coutour looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Asanovic misses with a double jab.
Asanovic fails with an attempt to clinch.
Coutour circles away from the clinch attempt.
Coutour misses with a series of wild punches.
Coutour dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Coutour chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Asanovic can pounce on him.

Asanovic takes the fight into the clinch.
Asanovic tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Coutour avoids it.
Asanovic avoiding damage.
Coutour looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Asanovic crunches a lovely knee into Coutour's ribcage.
Coutour wants to get back to striking at distance but Asanovic won't allow it.

Asanovic escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Coutour throws a series of punches but Asanovic moves out of range.
Coutour looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Asanovic fails with a takedown attempt.
Asanovic is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Coutour gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Coutour has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Asanovic throws an elbow but it's blocked.

Coutour gets control of Asanovic's arms and successfully pulls guard. Coutour will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Asanovic prevents Coutour from getting back to his feet.
Coutour wants to sweep but no luck.
Asanovic showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Coutour controlling the position.
Asanovic pushes down on Coutour's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Asanovic wants to stand up but Coutour is controlling the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Asanovic decides to return to a standing position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A right-left combo lands from Coutour.
Coutour uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Asanovic.
Nikola Asanovic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice shot by Asanovic.
Asanovic shoots in and drives through. Coutour sprawls well.
Asanovic is breathing heavily.
Coutour takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Coutour takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Nice uppercut there from Coutour.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Coutour throws a right and a left that Asanovic avoids nicely.
A left and a right from Coutour both land. Nice combination.
Coutour chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Asanovic can pounce on him.
A punch combination from Coutour misses.
Asanovic tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Coutour paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Coutour takes the fight into the clinch.

Coutour's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Coutour misses with a wild combination.
Asanovic throws a left and a right that both miss
and Coutour counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Asanovic is looking to clinch.
Coutour moves out of range as Asanovic throws a body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Coutour misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Asanovic looks to clinch

and Coutour counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Coutour is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Asanovic manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Coutour manages to get himself to full guard.
Coutour wants to stand up but Asanovic is controlling him.

Asanovic gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Coutour moves forwards but Asanovic connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Asanovic misses with an uppercut. Coutour saw that one coming.
Asanovic throws a wild body kick that Coutour sees coming a mile off.
Coutour scores with a nice head shot.
Asanovic throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Asanovic is looking to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Asanovic misses with a low kick.
Coutour misses with a wild combination.

Coutour clinches.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Asanovic misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Coutour.

Asanovic breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Asanovic misses with an attempted mid kick.
Good exchange - Coutour coming out on top.
Coutour connects with a body shot.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Coutour lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

It looks like Nikola Asanovic has been cut.
Coutour throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Asanovic on the side of the head.
Asanovic misses with a double jab

and Coutour counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
With the fighters up against the cage, Asanovic throws an elbow but misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Coutour tries to break free but Asanovic pushes him back against the cage.
Coutour working hard to break the clinch.
Asanovic prevents Coutour from breaking the clinch.
Asanovic pushes off an throws an elbow but Coutour leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Coutour wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Asanovic is working for takedown but Coutour is calmly controlling the position for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Randal Coutour dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Nikola Asanovic's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Coutour digs a good hook to Asanovic's body.
Coutour scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Good standup being displayed there by Coutour as he connects with a hook.
Asanovic avoids a punch combination nicely.

Coutour clinches up against the cage.
Coutour wants to break free but Asanovic has control.
Coutour trying to control the position but instead, Asanovic has worked for underhooks and has pushed Coutour into the cage.
Coutour is looking to break free of the clinch but Asanovic has double underhooks.
Asanovic working hard to break the clinch.
Asanovic tries to circle away but Coutour has him pinned against the cage.
Asanovic looking to throw knees to the head but Coutour is blocking nicely.
Coutour scores with a hook to the body.
Asanovic is trying to push Coutour away but Coutour has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Asanovic is trying to push Coutour away but Coutour has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
A short body shot lands from Coutour as the two fighters clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Coutour is trying to break the clinch but Asanovic has him pressed against the cage.
Coutour is trying to force a seperation but Asanovic has the dominant position.
Coutour tries to break free but Asanovic pushes him back against the cage.
Asanovic lands a nice knee to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Coutour tries to break free but Asanovic pushes him back against the cage.
Asanovic is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Coutour is keeping busy.
Coutour blocks an elbow strike.
Asanovic with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Coutour has had enough of the clinch but Asanovic keeps him there for the moment.
Coutour takes a knee right on the jaw!
Coutour is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Asanovic tries to throw a body punch but Coutour avoids it by throwing Asanovic back against the cage.

Coutour breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A nice combination there by Coutour.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Coutour, as that shot connected.
Coutour scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
A punch combination from Coutour misses.
Coutour connects with a right hand. Asanovic shakes it off.
Coutour throws a right and a left that both miss.
Asanovic fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Randal Coutour seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A big right from Asanovic misses.
Asanovic throws a one two combo.
Coutour closes the distance and clinches up with Asanovic, looking for a takedown. Coutour pushes Asanovic against the cage but Asanovic circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Nikola Asanovic is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Asanovic pivots, looking for a leg kick but Coutour is out of range and Asanovic settles back down.
A punch combination from Coutour misses.
Asanovic throws a sloppy head kick and Coutour moves out of range easily.

Coutour gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Coutour blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Coutour working hard to break the clinch.
Coutour tries to break free but Asanovic pushes him back against the cage.
Coutour prevents the takedown attempt.
Coutour tries to circle away but Asanovic has him pinned against the cage.
Asanovic is looking to break free of the clinch but Coutour has double underhooks.
Coutour wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Asanovic has him pressed against the cage.
Asanovic putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Coutour in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Asanovic misses with an elbow strike.
The referee is keeping an eye on Coutour - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

Coutour breaks the clinch.
Coutour slips a jab and a cross from Asanovic.
Coutour scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Coutour throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Coutour blocks a head kick by Asanovic.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circle momentarily. Coutour darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Coutour shoots in for a takedown but Asanovic shows good takedown defense.
Nikola Asanovic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Randal Coutour.
Coutour bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Coutour fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Asanovic keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Coutour.
Asanovic misses with a takedown
and Coutour counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Asanovic looks to land a combination but Coutour avoids it well.

Coutour closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Coutour on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Coutour working hard to break the clinch.
Asanovic looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Coutour lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Coutour looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Coutour lands with a right to the head.

Asanovic breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Asanovic misses with a jab, cross combination.
Coutour lands with an overhand left.
Asanovic throws a head kick but Coutour moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Coutour looks for a takedown but Asanovic sprawls well.
Coutour scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Asanovic takes one to the chin there.
Asanovic misses with a combination
and Coutour counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Coutour lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
A jab from Asanovic does it's job there.
Some wild striking there from Asanovic.

Coutour rushes Asanovic and presses him up against the cage.
Coutour wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Coutour wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Asanovic has him pressed against the cage.
Coutour wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Asanovic has him pressed against the cage.
Asanovic tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Coutour can't break the clinch.
Asanovic keeps control of Coutour as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Coutour is trying to break the clinch but Asanovic has him pressed against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Randal Coutour showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Nikola Asanovic's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Asanovic, as that shot connected.
Asanovic rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Coutour moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Asanovic throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Coutour blocks a head kick by Asanovic.
Coutour throws a series of strikes that have Asanovic backpedaling.

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

Asanovic's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Coutour dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Coutour instigates a clinch.
Coutour can't break the clinch.
Asanovic can't break the clinch.
Coutour blocks an elbow strike.
Asanovic taking a breather.

Coutour breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Coutour lands a jab to the head.
Nice shot by Coutour.
Asanovic tries to clinch

and Coutour counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Coutour stands up and beckons Asanovic to join him on the feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Coutour feints and as Asanovic raises his hands in defense, Coutour changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Asanovic keeping full guard, as Coutour tries to pass.
Asanovic has a closed guard, preventing Coutour from standing up.
Asanovic wants to sweep here but Coutour controlling him for the moment.
Coutour prevents Asanovic from getting back to his feet.

Coutour stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Coutour feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Asanovic is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Coutour wants to control from the top but Asanovic keeps moving.
Asanovic is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Coutour trying to control but Asanovic is working from the bottom.

Randal Coutour has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Coutour drives through and clinches with Asanovic against the cage.
Asanovic has Coutour pressed against the cage, preventing Coutour from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Asanovic breaks the clinch.
Asanovic looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Coutour uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Asanovic.
Coutour throws a body punch but Asanovic moves out of range.
Asanovic walks into a left hand.
Both fighters circling a little - Asanovic finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Asanovic misses with a body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Coutour misses with a jab, cross combination.
Asanovic wants to clinch

and Coutour counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Asanovic pushes Coutour off and gets back to his feet.
Coutour lands a jab-cross combination.
Asanovic falls off balance throwing a combination
and Coutour counters with a right hand to the body.
Coutour misses with a hook. Asanovic ducked under it nicely.
Nikola Asanovic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Asanovic fails to land with a series of punches.
Coutour lands with a good body shot.
Coutour moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Coutour tries to clinch but Asanovic moves out of range.

Asanovic gets a clinch.
Asanovic tries to land knees in the clinch but Coutour avoids the damage to the body.
Randal Coutour is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Coutour wants to break free but Asanovic has control.
Asanovic pressing his opponent against the cage.
Coutour has had enough of the clinch but Asanovic keeps him there for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Coutour's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Asanovic misses with a double jab
and Coutour counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Coutour rushes Asanovic and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Asanovic scores with a shot to the side of Coutour's head.
Coutour wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Asanovic has him pressed against the cage.
Asanovic has Coutour pressed against the cage, preventing Coutour from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Asanovic lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Coutour backwards.
Asanovic throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Coutour blocks it with crossed arms.
Asanovic tries to land a knee to the head but Coutour blocks with his arms.

Coutour breaks the clinch.
Asanovic throws a wild body kick that Coutour sees coming a mile off.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Coutour forces Asanovic back against the cage and clinches.
Coutour stalls.
Asanovic with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

And that's the end of the fight!
Randal Coutour comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Coutour has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Randal Coutour!