PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ben Askren (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nich DiMag (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nich DiMag told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Askren
vs
DiMag

180 cm
25
180 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

175 cm
25
170 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Inexperienced

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ben Askren!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Nich DiMag!
The judges for this bout are David Hoff, Dirk Anderson and Winston Alpacca.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Askren shoots in but DiMag avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Askren tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but DiMag defends well and Askren ends up having to push DiMag into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Askren drops to a knee looking for a takedown but DiMag gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ben Askren. That's going to take a lot out of him.
DiMag landing knees to the head.
Askren drops down looking for an ankle pick but DiMag pulls his leg out and moves away.
DiMag tries to clinch there but Askren circles away.

Askren dives in and scores a takedown into DiMag's guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Askren seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Askren throwing strikes from guard but DiMag blocks nicely.
Askren stays in close to DiMag's body and controls the position.
Askren stands up over DiMag, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
DiMag wants to get back to his feet but Askren is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Askren controlling from the top position.
Askren content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Askren won't allow DiMag to get back to his feet.
Askren postures up in DiMag's guard and throws a big left but DiMag blocks it.
Askren with a flurry of punches that miss.
Askren lands a couple of digs.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Askren working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Askren seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
DiMag really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Askren. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Ben Askren.

Askren throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. DiMag tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Askren is in DiMag's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Askren sitting in guard here, content to control.
Askren scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Askren keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of DiMag's head.
Askren stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. DiMag swivels though and keeps the full guard.
DiMag is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Askren trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
We've been hearing good reports from Askren's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Askren throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as DiMag works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Askren content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Askren connects with a couple of short punches.
Askren 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.
Askren with a flurry of punches that miss.
Askren is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Askren lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Askren scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Askren seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
DiMag has momentary wrist control but Askren slips an elbow through the middle.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if DiMag can do anything to dispel that myth.
Askren postures up and lands a big shot to DiMag's brow.
DiMag wants to stand up but Askren is controlling him.
DiMag looks winded!
Askren scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Askren throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as DiMag works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Askren content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Askren working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Askren throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around DiMag's waist but DiMag gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Askren off to one side.
Askren looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? DiMag is fending him off so far but Askren persists. Nope, DiMag circles away and we're back to standing.
DiMag throws a low kick but it's checked well by Askren.
Askren closes the distance and clinches up with DiMag, looking for a takedown. Askren pushes DiMag against the cage but DiMag circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ben Askren. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Askren gets a double leg takedown into DiMag's guard.
Askren connects with a couple of short punches.
Askren controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Askren throwing strikes from guard but DiMag blocks nicely.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Askren accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
DiMag wants to stand up but Askren is controlling him.
Askren sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Askren trying to control but DiMag is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Askren sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed DiMag's guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Askren in particular looking to stall.
Askren prevents DiMag from standing back up.
DiMag is breathing heavily.
Ground and pound from Askren.
DiMag taking some punishment here, with Askren in his half guard.
Askren performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Askren lands with a punch from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Askren is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Askren working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Askren is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

DiMag is rocked!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Askren takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
DiMag is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Askren scores with a couple of nice shots.
Askren lands strikes from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Askren is controlling the pace.
Askren is nestled in close to DiMag, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
DiMag is still in real trouble! Can Askren finish him?
Askren takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Askren is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Askren is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Askren scores with a big shot! DiMag's head bounced off the canvas with a huge thud! More strikes land and the referee has jumped in to save DiMag! He was hurt real bad - good stoppage!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:53 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Ben Askren!
Our winner, Ben Askren, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.