PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ben Askren (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gracie has chosen Holdin on to Black Metal as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Matt Gracie acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the ring.

Askren
vs
Gracie

184 cm
25
178 lbs
6 - 5 - 1

181 cm
30
174 lbs
14 - 21 - 1

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Powerful

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 6 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ben Askren!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 21 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Matt Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Paulsen Ambrosius and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Askren.
Gracie tries to clinch but Askren is having none of it.
Ben Askren seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Gracie fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Askren sprawls well initially but Gracie persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Gracie is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Askren has managed to free his arm - good work.
Askren is looking for a sweep. Gracie is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Gracie is trying to control. Askren wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Gracie might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Askren haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Gracie stops Askren from getting back to his feet.
Askren is refusing to be controlled, as Gracie sits in half guard.

Gracie is working for a kimura but Askren is defending it quite comfortably.
The fighters are battling for position here. Askren manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie trying to control but Askren is working from the bottom.
Gracie throwing strikes but missing.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Gracie accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but Askren is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gracie postures up in Askren's guard and throws a big left but Askren blocks it.
Askren trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Askren wants to stand up but Gracie is controlling him.

Askren had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Gracie defends it easily.

Gracie drops back looking for a leg! Askren is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Askren manages to kick Gracie off! Gracie jumps back into Askren's guard.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gracie drops back looking for a leg! Askren is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Askren manages to kick Gracie off! Gracie jumps back into Askren's guard.
Gracie lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Gracie preventing the sweep.
Gracie has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Askren is proving hard to escape from.
Askren wants to stand and escape but Gracie is having none of it.
Askren on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Askren tries to get out of the position.
Askren keeping moving, preventing Gracie from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gracie drops back looking for a submission - "I'm sorry sir, but I'm gunna break your leg" says Gracie as he cranks on the unfortunate limb! Askren screams and taps out before any major damage is done! Don't mess with Gracie! Nice submission victory there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:19 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kneebar). Matt Gracie!
During a confident post fight interview, Matt Gracie thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.