PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tahto Astuja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eli Doom (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tahto Astuja has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Astuja
vs
Doom

173 cm
23
176 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

178 cm
22
180 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Very confident

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 London, Tahto Astuja!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Eli Doom!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Donald Grub and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Doom slips under a jab from Astuja.
Doom shoots for a double leg takedown but Astuja sprawls well. He's pushed Doom's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Doom slips under a jab from Astuja.
Astuja throws a right and a left that both miss.
Tahto Astuja seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Doom shoots in but Astuja avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Astuja throws a right and a left that Doom avoids nicely.
A left and a right from Astuja both land. Nice combination.
Astuja throws a combination. Doom tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Doom takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Astuja connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Doom's hands.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A jab from Astuja finds it's way through Doom's defenses.

Doom is rocked!
A combination from Astuja does no damage.
Astuja tries to clinch up but Doom circles away and keeps his distance.
A punch combination from Astuja misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A combination from Astuja does no damage.
Astuja is breathing heavily.

Doom has taken the fight to the clinch.
Doom is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Astuja pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Tahto Astuja has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eli Doom.
Doom goes for a takedown attempt but Astuja pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Doom tries to clinch but Astuja is having none of it.

Doom scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Doom misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Astuja explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Astuja has his takedown stuffed

and Doom moves into the clinch.

Astuja breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Doom fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Astuja has his takedown stuffed

and Doom counters with a nice double leg into side control. Astuja won't be happy with that.

Doom is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Astuja knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Doom trying to control the action but Astuja is working from the bottom.

Doom is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Astuja knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Doom tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Doom has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Astuja is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Doom asserts his dominance and retains side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Doom has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Astuja is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Doom postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Astuja looks a forlorn figure.

Doom looking for a guillotine from mount but Astuja is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Doom goes for an armbar but Astuja turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Astuja.
Astuja stopping the sweep attempt from Doom.

Astuja stands up from Doom's guard - Astuja perhaps looking for a knockout.
Astuja wants to clinch

and Doom counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Doom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Doom drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Doom jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Astuja wants to stand but Doom is controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Tahto Astuja will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Astuja falls off balance throwing a combination
and Doom counters with a low kick, right behind Astuja 's knee.
Doom throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Astuja's waist but Astuja gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Doom off to one side.
Tahto Astuja is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Horrible takedown by Doom or perhaps it was just good defense by Astuja which made him look bad.

Doom fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Astuja, pushing him back against the cage.
Doom is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Tahto Astuja has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eli Doom.

Doom jumps guard and drags Astuja to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Astuja controlling from the top position.
Doom looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Astuja is working Doom over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Astuja postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Astuja 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.

Doom is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Doom has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Astuja can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Astuja stands up and waves to Doom to follow him.
Doom shoots for a takedown but Astuja saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Astuja thows a left - swing and a miss!
Astuja misses with a double jab

and Doom decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Astuja's guard.

Doom is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Astuja trying to control the position here.
Doom won't allow Astuja to get back to his feet.
Doom stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Astuja swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Doom throws a strike but Astuja rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Astuja decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Astuja throws a combination that misses
and Doom counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Doom tries for a takedown but Astuja sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Doom fails in his attempt to clinch.
Astuja throws a combination that misses

and Doom counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Doom.

Doom drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Doom jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Doom drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Astuja manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Doom has Astuja in his guard.
Astuja trying to control the position from guard on top but Doom is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Astuja avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Doom is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Astuja has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Astuja is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Astuja throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Astuja wants to stand but Doom has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Doom is looking for a triangle but Astuja pushes his legs off easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eli Doom showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Astuja stuffs the takedown attempt from Doom. Doom gets slowly back to his feet.
Astuja swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Doom holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Doom is pressed up against the cage. Astuja has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Doom down to the mat. Doom avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Doom steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Astuja.
Doom shoots in and drives through. Astuja sprawls well.
Astuja throws a combination that misses
and Doom counters with a nice leg kick.
Astuja looks to land a combination but Doom avoids it well.
Doom has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Astuja keeps the fight on the outside.
Astuja throws a left and a right that both miss

and Doom counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Astuja's guard now.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Astuja keeping full guard, as Doom tries to pass.
Doom trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Astuja manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Astuja stands up from Doom's guard - Astuja perhaps looking for a knockout.
Astuja catches Doom with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Astuja throws an overhand right that lands on Doom's shoulder, as Doom tries to avoid the shot.
Doom will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Astuja has his takedown stuffed

and Doom counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Astuja's guard now.
Doom postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Doom tries to free his leg and advance position but Astuja is retaining full guard.

Astuja pushes Doom off and gets back to his feet.
Doom shoots in but Astuja avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Tahto Astuja has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eli Doom.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Doom.
Doom creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Astuja sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Doom looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Astuja is avoiding damage well.

Doom wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Astuja, who protects the arm well.
Doom taking a break here but Astuja is having none of it and regains half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Doom tries to pass to full mount but Astuja defends it.
Astuja is trying to stand.
Doom thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Astuja to regain full guard.
Doom trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Danga de danga de dang - Astuja scores with a four punch combination!
Astuja changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Doom tries to avoid it but Astuja manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Doom to the ground. Doom escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Doom takes the fight into the clinch.
Doom drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Astuja wants to break free but Doom has control.
Doom tries for a takedown but Astuja manages to get underhooks.
Astuja has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Doom avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Doom fails to pull guard.

Doom pulls guard effortlessly.

Doom looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Astuja has picked Doom up and slammed him! Doom can't keep hold of the triangle and Astuja manages to pass to side control!
Doom is looking for a sweep.
Doom is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Doom gets back to full guard.
Astuja wants to control from the top but Doom keeps moving.

Doom working for submissions but it's allowed Astuja to get to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Eli Doom comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Doom has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 James Glass scores the fight 28:29
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 28:29
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eli Doom!