PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Steve Fox (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ben Askren (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Askren has chosen Kanye West-Stronger as his entrance music. Steve Fox could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Ben Askren's chin.

Fox
vs
Askren

177 cm
25
168 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

170 cm
25
178 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Dangerous GnP
Excellent boxer
Prefers standup

Good takedowns
Brawler
Determined

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Steve Fox!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ben Askren!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Bart Greer and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Askren fails with the takedown.
Fox fails to land with a series of punches.
Fox has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.

Askren closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Fox's guard.
Fox can't keep his opponent in guard - Askren advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Fox looks like he's trying to stand up.
Askren not doing much here.
Askren prevents Fox from standing back up.

Askren wants to work for an arm triangle but Fox is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Askren slows the pace down in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fox wants to get back to his feet.
Askren is taking a breather. Fox says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Fox tries to kick Askren off but Askren keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Askren with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Ben Askren has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Askren shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Fox as he avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Askren with a poor takedown

and Fox counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Fox.
Steve Fox has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ben Askren.
Askren has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Fox avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Askren gets control of Fox's arms and successfully pulls guard. Askren will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Askren looking to control.
Fox has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Fox wants to stand but Askren is controlling his posture from full guard.
Fox wants to stand and escape but instead Askren has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Askren throwing strikes from guard but Fox blocks nicely.
Fox wants to stand but Askren is controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fox can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Askren controls the pace.
Askren postures up in Fox's guard and throws a big left but Fox blocks it.
Askren slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Askren throws a big elbow that misses.
Askren controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Fox knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Askren on the ground.

Ben Askren has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Askren fails with the takedown.
Fox digs a good body shot into Askren's ribs.
Askren takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Askren looks winded!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Fox!
Fox moves into range and connects with a jab.
Askren fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Askren takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Askren shoots in but Fox avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Askren takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Fox!

Askren is rocked!
Askren moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Askren is still on wobbly legs! Can Fox finish him?

Askren feints and as Fox raises his hands in defense, Askren changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Askren accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Askren pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Fox is keeping the position for now.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Fox is looking to stand up but Askren isn't so interested in that idea.
Askren seems to have recovered his senses.
Askren is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ben Askren will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Askren goes for a double leg but Fox avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Fox continues to drive forward.

Fox has hold of one of Askren's legs. Askren is fighting the takedown attempt but Fox gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Fox is looking to stand up but Askren won't let him.

Askren is working actively from the bottom, looking for submissions. He's escaped his hips to the side and he's going for an armbar! Fox has his hands clasped together but Askren extends and breaks Fox's desperate grasp, forcing a tap out due to armbar! Nice BJJ displayed there by Askren.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:40 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Ben Askren!
During a confident post fight interview, Ben Askren thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.