PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Dale Ashley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yuriorkis Gamboa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Yuriorkis Gamboa enters the cage!

Ashley
vs
Gamboa

224 cm
18
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

169 cm
19
145 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dale Ashley!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Yuriorkis Gamboa!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Alan Glass and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ashley looks for a takedown but Gamboa sprawls well.
Nice takedown defense from Gamboa. No joy for Ashley on that attempt.
A head kick misses from Gamboa.

Gamboa moves into the clinch.

Gamboa breaks from the clinch.

Gamboa rushes Ashley and presses him up against the cage.
Gamboa letting Ashley take a breather here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A frustrated look appears on Ashley's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Gamboa pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Gamboa fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ashley manages to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gamboa fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Gamboa dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Ashley. That did some damage!
Ashley misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gamboa dives in and grabs Ashley's left leg, looking for a takedown. Ashley pushes down on Gamboa's head and hops out.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ashley.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dale Ashley. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A head kick misses from Ashley.
Gamboa fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Ashley avoids it really well and circles away.
Ashley really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gamboa.
Ashley appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Gamboa tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ashley sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Gamboa somewhat.
Ashley tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Gamboa defends well and Ashley ends up having to push Gamboa into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Gamboa feints the counter takedown.

Ashley clinches up against the cage.
Ashley just leaning against Gamboa, taking a breather.
Gamboa letting Ashley take a breather here.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Ashley for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gamboa is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Ashley pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Ashley wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Gamboa has him pressed against the cage.
Ashley just leaning against Gamboa, taking a breather.
Ashley is trying to break the clinch but Gamboa is controlling him.

Gamboa breaks the clinch.
Gamboa shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ashley as he avoids it easily.

Gamboa clinches with his opponent.
Ashley stalling the fight.

Gamboa breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Gamboa will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Ashley throws a quick counter head kick but Gamboa was just out of range.
Gamboa looks winded!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gamboa shoots in but no luck this time.
Ashley lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.

Gamboa gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ashley sitting in guard here, content to control.
Gamboa is trying to control the position but Ashley postures up.
Ashley content to stall in guard here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
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 Dale Ashley will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Gamboa tries to bum rush Ashley with a series of wild strikes but Ashley uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Gamboa will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Gamboa looks for a takedown but Ashley sprawls well.
Ashley tries to counter by clinching up but Gamboa breaks away and moves out of range.
Yuriorkis Gamboa seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Gamboa fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Dale Ashley has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yuriorkis Gamboa.
Ashley throws the left hand but Gamboa avoids the punch easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Gamboa closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Ashley is looking to break free of the clinch but Gamboa has double underhooks.
Ashley stalling in the clinch.
Gamboa will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Ashley up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ashley displaying some good clinch control by pressing Gamboa up against the cage.
Ashley wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Gamboa looking to stall.
A bit of stalling here from Ashley.
Gamboa tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Ashley just stands there and leans against the cage.
Ashley pressing his opponent against the cage.
Gamboa has Ashley pushed against the cage.

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.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Gamboa tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Gamboa jumps guard but Ashley stands there with Gamboa around his waist. Gamboa gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Gamboa has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Ashley avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Gamboa is breathing heavily.
Ashley has Gamboa pushed against the cage.
Ashley is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

Gamboa decides to pull guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ashley won't allow Gamboa to get back to his feet.

Gamboa pushes Ashley off and scrambles back to his feet.
Ashley wants to clinch up but Gamboa keeps it at a distance.
Gamboa fails with a takedown attempt.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Ashley is trying to break free.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gamboa is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Ashley gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
A frustrated look appears on Gamboa's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Gamboa fails to pull guard.
Gamboa tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Ashley smiles and moves away.

Ashley shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Gamboa kicks Ashley off and gets back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Yuriorkis Gamboa will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Gamboa fails with a takedown attempt.
Gamboa throws a head kick that misses.
Gamboa tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Ashley manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Gamboa throws a series of punches but Ashley moves out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ashley looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ashley goes for a double leg but Gamboa avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Gamboa continues to drive forward.
Yuriorkis Gamboa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Gamboa.
Gamboa fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ashley chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Gamboa shoots for a double leg takedown but Ashley sprawls well. He's pushed Gamboa's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Gamboa takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Ashley has managed to clinch.
Stalling in the clinch from Ashley.
Ashley tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Gamboa smiles and moves away.
Gamboa moves in looking to clinch but Ashley pushes him off.

Ashley pushes Gamboa up against the cage in a clinch.
Ashley letting Gamboa take a breather here.

Gamboa escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gamboa is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ashley sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Ashley is looking to counter with head kicks.
Dale Ashley has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yuriorkis Gamboa.
A big left from Gamboa misses.

Ashley closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Gamboa to the mat! Gamboa manages to get full guard.

Gamboa scrambles and gets back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gamboa swings for the body but Ashley moves out of range.

Ashley moves into the clinch successfully.
Gamboa lands a nice knee to the body.
Gamboa tries to pull guard but Ashley forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Gamboa gets underhooks to prevent Ashley's takedown attempt.
Ashley is trying to maintain a safe position but Gamboa gets an underhook and turns Ashley into the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gamboa gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Ashley.
Ashley misses with a short punch on the inside.
Gamboa tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Ashley smiles and moves away.
Gamboa shoots in looking for a takedown but Ashley manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Gamboa's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Ashley feinted there with a counter leg kick.

Ashley bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Ashley controls the position.
Ashley seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Gamboa for as long as he can get away with.

Ashley decides to stand back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ashley looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Ashley scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Gamboa trying to keep a closed guard but Ashley is proving a slippery customer.
Ashley not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Dale Ashley.
I think Ashley 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:30
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Yuriorkis Gamboa!