PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Alan Ashcroft (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and George StClaire (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Alan Ashcroft has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Ashcroft
vs
StClaire

186 cm
28
160 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

170 cm
26
164 lbs
8 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alan Ashcroft!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, George StClaire!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Gwen Towbar and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
StClaire fails with a takedown attempt.
Horrible takedown by StClaire or perhaps it was just good defense by Ashcroft which made him look bad.
George StClaire seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Ashcroft shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Ashcroft showed some decent athleticism there.
StClaire pushes Ashcroft off looking to stand but Ashcroft dives back in and keeps control.
Ashcroft will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Ashcroft wants to stand but StClaire has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
StClaire moves into full guard.

StClaire had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Ashcroft defends it easily.
Ashcroft wants to pass the guard but StClaire is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ashcroft trying to control but StClaire is working from the bottom.
Ashcroft is really struggling to control StClaire but he's trying to hold on to the position.

We're going to have a standup here because Alan Ashcroft wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
StClaire shoots in but Ashcroft avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Alan Ashcroft has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of George StClaire.
StClaire looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ashcroft is fending him off so far but StClaire persists. Nope, Ashcroft circles away and we're back to standing.
StClaire closes this distance looking for a takedown but Ashcroft circles away.
StClaire closes the distance but Ashcroft moves to the side

and Ashcroft counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Ashcroft controls from within his opponent's guard.
StClaire wants to sweep here but Ashcroft controlling him for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ashcroft stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. StClaire swivels though and keeps the full guard.

StClaire is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ashcroft trying to control but StClaire is working from the bottom.

StClaire is looking for a triangle but Ashcroft pushes his legs off easily.

StClaire is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
StClaire has his foot on Ashcroft's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Ashcroft works his way back into a safe position though.
StClaire looks gassed!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

StClaire escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Ashcroft gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Ashcroft has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Ashcroft trying to control but StClaire is working from the bottom.
StClaire keeping full guard, as Ashcroft tries to pass.
Ashcroft slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
StClaire tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Ashcroft wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
StClaire sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Ashcroft is figuring out what he wants to do next.
StClaire regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
StClaire keeping full guard, as Ashcroft tries to pass.
Ashcroft is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Ashcroft wants to control from the top but StClaire keeps moving.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
StClaire looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ashcroft is one step ahead there.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Alan Ashcroft wasn't doing enough on the ground.
StClaire tries to clinch

so Ashcroft counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ashcroft trying to control the position from guard on top but StClaire is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
StClaire is trying to keep Ashcroft in close.

StClaire has his foot on Ashcroft's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Ashcroft works his way back into a safe position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alan Ashcroft dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

StClaire has his takedown stuffed

and Ashcroft counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Ashcroft.

StClaire has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Ashcroft is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for StClaire.
Ashcroft just content to control the position.
Ashcroft tries to advance to mount but StClaire denies him.
StClaire tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Ashcroft wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
StClaire throws a few strikes from the bottom but Ashcroft takes advantage and mounts!
Ashcroft tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
StClaire is squirming around, avoiding Ashcroft's attempts to control the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
StClaire tries to get back to half guard but can't.
StClaire is trying to get back to his feet but can't.

Ashcroft jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… StClaire is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by StClaire and Ashcroft has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Ashcroft working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

Ashcroft tries for a kimura but StClaire is defending well.
StClaire manages to get back to half guard.
Ashcroft prevents StClaire from improving his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ashcroft is keen to just control but StClaire is a slippery customer.
Ashcroft perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Ashcroft is trying to control the action in half guard but StClaire is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
StClaire is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Ashcroft jumps into side control!
Ashcroft trying to control the position but StClaire is working away.
StClaire tries to improve position but can't.
You can see the frustration on StClaire's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
StClaire is looking for a sweep.

Ashcroft tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Ashcroft has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Ashcroft trying to control the position but StClaire is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
StClaire is looking to regain half guard here but Ashcroft keeps moving and retains side control.
Ashcroft is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt StClaire will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
StClaire is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Ashcroft is figuring out what he wants to do next.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Alan Ashcroft.
Ashcroft leaves StClaire with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
StClaire tries for a takedown but Ashcroft circles away easily

and Ashcroft counters with a takedown into side control.
Alan Ashcroft has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of George StClaire.
StClaire is breathing heavily.
Ashcroft trying to control the action but StClaire is working from the bottom.
StClaire is looking for a sweep.
Alan Ashcroft overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ashcroft slows the pace down.
Ashcroft has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Ashcroft tries to advance to mount but StClaire denies him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alan Ashcroft dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

StClaire has his takedown stuffed

and Ashcroft counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for StClaire!
Ashcroft dominating with strikes here.

Ashcroft wants to finish this one by submission but StClaire is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Ashcroft.

StClaire defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Ashcroft.
Ashcroft lands with some strikes.

Ashcroft looking for a guillotine from mount but StClaire is having none of it.
StClaire is desperately trying to improve his position but Ashcroft has a good base and remains in mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ashcroft can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as StClaire is looking to escape.
StClaire sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
StClaire gets back to full guard.

StClaire had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Ashcroft defends it easily.

StClaire working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Ashcroft doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Ashcroft manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
StClaire takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ashcroft trying to control the position from guard on top but StClaire is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Alan Ashcroft is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
StClaire keeping full guard, as Ashcroft tries to pass.

StClaire is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
StClaire being controlled here, momentarily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ashcroft's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
StClaire trying to keep a closed guard but Ashcroft is proving a slippery customer.

StClaire working for a triangle but Ashcroft defends it easily.
StClaire pulls Ashcroft in close to his closed guard and prevents Ashcroft from doing any damage or advancing position.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Alan Ashcroft just wasn't active enough.

Excellent takedown into side control there by StClaire.
George StClaire has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ashcroft tries to buck StClaire off but StClaire is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

StClaire wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Ashcroft, who protects the arm well.
StClaire throwing shots but missing, from side control.
StClaire in side control lands a decent elbow.

StClaire tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no StClaire has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
StClaire working the ground and pound but Ashcroft is defending the strikes.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ashcroft is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on StClaire's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to George StClaire.
I think Ashcroft has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 29:28
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alan Ashcroft!