PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Zech LaPlante (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yen Askren (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Askren has chosen Hello from the Askren Side as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. The key to victory for Zech LaPlante has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

LaPlante
vs
Askren

176 cm
20
195 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

178 cm
18
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Likes musicals

Freebok (85% Laundry)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Zech LaPlante!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Yen Askren!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Chris Saunders and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A shot to the body from LaPlante misses
and Askren cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A combination from LaPlante does no damage.
LaPlante misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Askren.
Askren misses with a body shot.
It looked like LaPlante wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
LaPlante throws a combination that misses

and Askren counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
LaPlante is wriggling around but Askren manages to pass to half guard.
Askren stops LaPlante from getting back to his feet.
We've been hearing good reports from LaPlante'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 looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
LaPlante on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Askren connects with a nice short shot to LaPlante's temple.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
LaPlante blocking the ground and pound attempt from Askren.
Askren lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Askren not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Askren stops LaPlante from getting back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Askren lands with a punch from half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
LaPlante has hold of Askren's hands but Askren slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Askren scoring with strikes to the body and head.
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 stalling.
LaPlante is trying to stand.
Askren lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
LaPlante is trying to stand back up but Askren is controlling him
Askren scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
LaPlante is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Askren scores with a couple of nice shots.
Nice strikes from Askren there.
Askren working the head and body with strikes.

LaPlante is rocked!
Askren is nestled in close to LaPlante, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Oh LaPlante is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Askren winds up and cracks LaPlante with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Askren working LaPlante over with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Askren lands a big elbow - LaPlante is out of it! He's waving his arms around but his eyes are closed and he's not intelligently defending himself - the ref has no choice but to jump in and stop the fight! This one is in the books! A TKO win for Askren!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:20 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Yen Askren!
Yen Askren managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Freebok (85% Laundry), into his post fight interview.