PBP Commentary

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

Ashnault
vs
Skull

180 cm
20
170 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

180 cm
20
180 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Solid chin

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Anthony Ashnault!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Anthony Skull!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, John Kavanagh and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ashnault changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Skull looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Check out the look on Ashnault's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Ashnault lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Skull down.
Skull tries to bench press Ashnault off him but Ashnault keeps the position.
Ashnault moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Skull can do anything to dispel that myth.
Ashnault cracks Skull with a big right hand but Skull just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Ashnault working away.
Ashnault creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Skull is letting Ashnault control him for a moment.
Ashnault has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Ashnault seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Skull for as long as he can get away with.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ashnault scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Skull to see if he's OK.
Skull can't do much from the bottom here.
Ashnault controls the position from side control.
Skull is looking for a sweep.
Skull is trying to control Ashnault's posture but Ashnault avoids it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ashnault working the head with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Ashnault in side control lands a decent elbow.
Skull is trying to control Ashnault's posture but Ashnault avoids it.
Ashnault content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ashnault working away.
Ashnault lands a decent elbow from side control.
Skull tries to buck Ashnault off but Ashnault is having none of it.
Ashnault is working Skull over with some ground and pound from side control.
Skull is trying to get back to half guard.
Ashnault lands a few punches from side control.
Ashnault controlling the position.
Skull is working to avoid the ground and pound but Ashnault connects with a decent elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ashnault is putting a hurting on Skull here, landing some big shots from side control.
Skull struggling a bit here.
Ashnault cracks Skull with an elbow. That is naaassty.
You can see the frustration on Skull's face as Ashnault controls the position.
Skull takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Skull is looking to reverse the position.
Ashnault content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Skull sneaks back into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Skull is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Ashnault has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Skull wants to control but Ashnault is keeping busy.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nice strikes from Ashnault there.
Ashnault keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Skull tries to roll over but Ashnault keeps him under control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anthony Ashnault dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Skull pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Skull throws a right and a left that both miss.
Skull avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
That kick from Skull tenderised Ashnault's leg. Ashnault is trying to keep his angry face on.
Ashnault moves out of range of the body kick from Skull.
Skull ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ashnault throws the left hand but Skull avoids the punch easily.
Skull defending well as Ashnault loads up on a big left hand.
Ashnault fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Skull manages to avoid it.
Ashnault takes a swing at Skull's ribcage but misses.
Skull pivots, looking for a leg kick but Ashnault is out of range and Skull settles back down.
Skull shoots in and drives through. Ashnault sprawls well.

Ashnault scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Skull being controlled for a moment.
Skull is trying to get back to half guard.
Ashnault taking a breather here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Skull can't do much from the bottom here.
Ashnault scoring with punches from side control.
Ashnault working the ground and pound from side control.
Skull wants to control but Ashnault postures up.
Skull tries to buck Ashnault off but Ashnault is having none of it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A lull in the action here as Ashnault stalls from top position.
Skull manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Skull wants to pass the guard but Ashnault is defending well.
Skull looks to land a strike but Ashnault avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Skull trying to control the position from guard on top but Ashnault is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ashnault is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Ashnault wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Skull won't allow Ashnault to sweep him here.
Skull trying to control the position from guard on top but Ashnault is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ashnault manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Skull manages to get himself to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ashnault is pushing down on Skull's leg trying to pass to half guard. Skull is fighting to maintain full guard but Ashnault has managed to sneak the leg through.
Ashnault with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Ashnault trying to mount his opponent but Skull defends it.
Ashnault perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Skull is trying to maintain the position but Ashnault is very close to passing his half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Ashnault lands a nice short elbow.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Skull is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Ashnault scores with a couple of nice shots.
Ashnault seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Skull is looking for a sweep. Ashnault is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anthony Ashnault dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Skull throws a jab when Ashnault was well out of range.
Ashnault cracks Skull with a right hand to the side of the head.
A lazy left from Ashnault finds it's target.
Ashnault connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Skull fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Skull gets caught napping as Ashnault dives in and scores a takedown. Skull manages to retain guard.
Ashnault is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Ashnault postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ashnault slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Anthony Ashnault has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Ashnault throws a right hand that misses
and Skull counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Anthony Ashnault seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Skull tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ashnault getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Skull with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Ashnault to score with a decent uppercut.
Ashnault misses with a looping right.
Ashnault tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Skull was well out of range. Poor timing from Ashnault.
Skull is looking to score with low kicks.
Ashnault jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Ashnault throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A big left from Ashnault misses.

Skull gets caught flat footed, as Ashnault shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Skull is trying to control the position but Ashnault postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Skull wants to sweep but no luck.
Ashnault looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Anthony Ashnault has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Ashnault throws a body punch but Skull moves out of range.
A slapping leg kick lands for Skull.
A slow jab from Skull misses its intended target.
Ashnault throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

Ashnault dives in and scores a takedown into Skull's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ashnault stands up over Skull, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Ashnault controls from within his opponent's guard.
Ashnault distracts Skull with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Ashnault showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Skull throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Skull controls Ashnault momentarily but Ashnault frees himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Skull looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Ashnault puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Ashnault is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Ashnault looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Skull with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Ashnault with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Skull is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Ashnault is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Skull can do to turn this around?
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Skull wants to control the action here but instead Ashnault manages to pass to full mount!
Anthony Skull has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Anthony Ashnault is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ashnault with good strikes from the mount here!

And that's the end of the fight!
Anthony Ashnault showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Ashnault has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Reed Andrews scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anthony Ashnault!