PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Dante Ascanio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aslanbek Basayev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ascanio's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Otis Taylor / Ten Million Slaves. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Ascanio
vs
Basayev

185 cm
19
181 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

176 cm
19
177 lbs
2 - 6 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

Perkele!

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Dante Ascanio!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Aslanbek Basayev!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Tarja Halkonen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ascanio on the wrong end of a nice hook.

It looks like Dante Ascanio has been cut.
Basayev swings widly with a right hand
and Ascanio counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Ascanio slips a straight right by Basayev.
Ascanio walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Basayev is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Ascanio.

It looks like Aslanbek Basayev has been cut.
Aslanbek Basayev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Basayev throws a jab but it's blocked by Ascanio.
Ascanio avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Ascanio clinches.
Ascanio stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Ascanio lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Basayev throws a head punch that misses.
Basayev is looking to break free of the clinch but Ascanio has double underhooks.
Ascanio prevents a body shot from Basayev.
Ascanio makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Ascanio lands an uppercut.
Ascanio lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Basayev or not.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Basayev misses with some punches.
Ascanio lands a right hand.
Basayev working hard to break the clinch.
Ascanio lands a left hand that snaps the head of Basayev backwards.
Basayev doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A short right from Ascanio on the inside.
A shot in the inside from Ascanio.
Ascanio blocking some punches.
Ascanio stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Ascanio stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Ascanio works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Ascanio lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Basayev.
Basayev tries a body shot but Ascanio blocks it.
Ascanio lands with a light punch inside.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ascanio lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Basayev misses with a punch on the inside.
Ascanio has Basayev pushed against the cage.
Basayev has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Ascanio after a bit of a struggle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ascanio gets through Basayev's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Ascanio makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Basayev is rocked!
Ascanio presses Basayev against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Basayev is still on wobbly legs! Can Ascanio finish him?
Ascanio throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Basayev looks winded!
Basayev's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Basayev working aggressively here.
Basayev misses with the head strike.
A nice right hand lands inside from Ascanio.
Basayev swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ascanio dips a shoulder and cracks Basayev with a mighty uppercut! Basayev falls back against the cage and Ascanio unloads with a barrage of strikes! Basayev is completely out with his eyes open, only supported by the cage! Save him ref! Eventually the ref decides to do his job and jumps in - Ascanio screams abuse at the incompetent official before going over to celebrate with his corner. Brutal stuff!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:29 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Dante Ascanio!
Dante Ascanio seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.