PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jon Askren (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jonathan Harding (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Harding has chosen Bitch School as his entrance music. Jon Askren is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Askren
vs
Harding

177 cm
33
185 lbs
22 - 5 - 0

182 cm
30
172 lbs
13 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Voodoo Nutrition
Highland Clothing

MayheM sportswear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Jon Askren!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jonathan Harding!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, James Glass and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Harding throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Askren stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Askren tries to clinch up.
Askren tries to clinch up
and Harding counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Askren slips a straight right by Harding.
Harding comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Askren pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Harding takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Harding takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Harding scores with the left hand. Askren knows he should have avoided that one.

Askren closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Harding quickly recovers to half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Harding trying to control but Askren postures up.
Askren tries to pass to full mount but Harding defends it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Askren is working hard here to advance position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Askren thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Askren content to control rather than advance.
Askren is trying to control the action in half guard but Harding is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Askren trying to mount his opponent but Harding defends it.
Askren controlling the action here.

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.
Harding is looking to improve his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Askren missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Harding 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.
Askren looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Askren perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Askren misses the shot to the body.
Askren ducks under a wild hook from Harding.
Askren fails to land with a series of punches.
Jonathan Harding is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harding slips under a jab.
Askren jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Askren gets a clinch.
Askren misses with a short punch on the inside.
Askren has Harding pressed against the cage, preventing Harding from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Askren misses with a hook to the ribs.
Askren blocks a body shot from Harding.
Askren swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Askren stalling against the cage.
Harding's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Askren gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Harding regains guard.
Askren won't allow Harding to sweep him here.
Harding is still trying to improve position.
Askren working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Harding's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Askren controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Harding is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Askren trying to control but Harding is working from the bottom.
Askren is in close to Harding's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Harding preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Harding utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Harding utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Askren working some strikes from top position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
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.

Jon Askren dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A looping hook to the body misses from Harding. Askren does a little dance to reset his feet.
Harding throws the left hand but Askren avoids the punch easily.
Harding uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Askren.
Askren throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Askren wants to clinch up but Harding keeps it at a distance.
The crowd cheers as Askren lands an impressive looking overhand right. Harding doesn't seem phased though.
Harding connects with a body shot that sends Askren's belly button to the back.
Askren keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Harding.
Harding misses with a hook.
Askren misses with a series of wild punches.
Askren looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Harding misses with an uppercut.
Harding looks to land a right hand but Askren moved out of range.

Askren bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harding takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Askren misses with the ground and pound.
Askren in side control lands a decent elbow.
Askren is looking to take a break and control but Harding is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Askren in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Askren slows the pace down.
Askren trying to control the action but Harding is working from the bottom.
Askren is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Harding can do to turn this around?
The ground and pound from Askren seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Askren trying to control the position but Harding is working away.
Askren postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Askren working the ground and pound from side control.
Harding parries the strikes from Askren easily there. Askren is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Harding to escape.
Askren lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Harding down.
Askren postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Harding is not content to let Askren control the position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Harding can do anything to dispel that myth.
Askren tries to move into full mount but can't pass Harding's legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Askren wants to lay and pray for a moment but Harding keeps working.
Askren tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Askren tries to advance to mount but can't.
Askren tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Askren 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.

That's four 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.
Askren has control of an arm but Harding manages to advance to Askren's back!
Askren is really stuck here.
Askren trying to control the position but Harding manages to sink in the hooks.
Harding keeps control of the position as Askren tries to break free.
Askren trying to control the hands but Harding won't let him.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Harding controlling the positon.
Jon Askren overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jon Askren dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Askren takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Askren shoots in for a takedown but Harding shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Askren throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Harding counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Harding misses with a left hand

and Askren counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Askren.
Askren trying to control the position but instead, Harding has worked for underhooks and has pushed Askren into the cage.
Askren tries to work over Harding's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Harding blocking some punches.
Askren controlling the action here for a moment.
Askren lands a hook that snaps the head of Harding backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Askren creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Askren struggles to land a body shot inside as Harding controls his hands.
Harding lands a body shot in the clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Harding.
Askren just leaning against Harding, taking a breather.
Harding goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Askren is looking to take this one to the mat.
Harding lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Harding gets underhooks to prevent Askren's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jon Askren. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Askren's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Harding swings for the body but Askren moves out of range.
Askren looks to score with a jab to the body but Harding is just out of range.
Askren swings widly with a right hand
and Harding counters with a right hand to the body.
Harding displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Askren throws out the jab.
Harding lands a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Harding.
Harding misses with a body shot.
Harding scores with a body shot.
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!
Harding just misses with a punch to the body.
Askren slips a jab from Harding.
Harding throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Askren sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Harding scores with a jab to the body.
Harding cracks a nice hook into Askren's ribs.
Askren throws a looping overhand right but Harding ducks down to avoid it.
Harding throws a body shot but no joy.
Askren uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Harding.
Askren slips a straight right by Harding.
Askren drops down looking for a counter takedown but Harding sprawls and moves away.
Harding keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harding thuds his right hand into Askren's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Askren is looking to clinch.
Jonathan Harding seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Harding throws a body punch but Askren moves out of range.
Harding slips under a jab.
Askren defending well as Harding loads up on a big left hand.
Askren half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Askren uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Harding.
Harding misses with a looping left.
Askren keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Askren closes the distance and clinches.
Askren lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Askren lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Harding backwards.
Askren will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Harding up against the cage.
Askren drops down looking for an ankle pick but Harding pulls his leg out and moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harding swats away the attempt to clinch by Askren.
Askren moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Harding looks to land a combination but Askren avoids it well.
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!
Askren slips a jab and a cross from Harding.
A jab from Askren does it's job there.
Askren tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Harding throws a body punch but Askren moves out of range.
Askren tries to counter with a takedown but Harding is quick to defend against it.
Harding's corner calls for a 1-2. Harding obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Harding looks to score with a jab to the body but Askren is just out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jonathan Harding really dominated that round.
That's time! Askren's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Nice straight punches there by Harding. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Harding.
Askren swings away with a body shot that misses
and Harding counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Harding dodges the punch combination from Askren.
A big right from Harding misses.
Askren throws a lazy uppercut
and Harding connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Harding enables Askren to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Harding manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Askren throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Askren throwing strikes from guard but Harding blocks nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Askren wants to control from the top but Harding keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Askren trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Askren throws a big right hand that misses.
Askren wants to pass the guard but Harding is keeping the position.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Askren working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Harding misses with a body shot.
Askren gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Harding.
No luck for Askren with that takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Askren misses with a double jab.
Askren misses with a looping right.
Askren uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Harding.
Askren tries to counter by clinching up but Harding breaks away and moves out of range.
Askren scores with a sloppy right hand. Harding should have avoided that one.
Harding throws a hook but Askren avoids it easily.
Askren avoids the body shot from Harding.
Askren on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
A big right from Askren misses.
Harding cracks Askren with a right hand to the side of the head.
Askren throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Harding scores with a crisp jab that stopped Askren in his tracks.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Harding throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harding throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Askren.
Askren tries to counter with a takedown but Harding is quick to defend against it.
Harding throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Askren changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Harding tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Askren was well out of range. Poor timing from Harding.
Askren displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Harding throws out the jab.
Askren closes the distance but Harding moves to the side
and Harding counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Askren feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Askren content to stall in guard here.
Harding 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Askren trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Askren wants to pass the guard but Harding is keeping the position.
Askren controls from within his opponent's guard.
Askren wants to control from the top but Harding keeps moving.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jonathan Harding dominated that fourth round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Askren scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Harding doesn't seem bothered though.
Harding lands a nice shot that snaps Askren's head back.
Harding throws a shot to the body.
Harding misses with a body punch

and Askren counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Askren.
Askren throws a punch but it's blocked by Harding.
Askren is leaning against Harding and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A shot in the inside from Harding.

Askren's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Askren manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Harding on his heels. He'll look to pass Harding's guard now, I'm sure.
Askren landing with the ground and pound.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Askren looking to sit in guard and control but Harding gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Askren looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Harding wants to control from the top but Askren keeps moving.
Harding stopping the sweep attempt from Askren.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Askren is on top in guard.

Askren wants to control from the top but Harding keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Harding trying to control the position.
Askren keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Harding's head.
Harding working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Askren.
Askren trying to control the position from guard on top but Harding is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Askren pushes down on Harding's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Harding is looking to control Askren's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Harding avoid being mounted?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Askren missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Harding is trying to maintain the position but Askren is very close to passing his half guard.
Askren is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Harding throws a hook but Askren blocks it.
Askren changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Askren ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Harding throws a hook but Askren avoids it easily.
Harding misses with a hook. Askren ducked under it nicely.
Askren uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Harding.
Askren slips a straight right by Harding.
Askren is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Harding.

Askren darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Askren looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Harding tries to roll over but Askren keeps him under control.
Askren thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Harding's head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jon Askren showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Askren has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 48:47
Judge James Glass scores the fight 48:47
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jon Askren!
Jon Askren thanked the fans post fight for their support.