PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ash Catchum (ranked 960 p4p, 129 weight class) and Sven Svensson (ranked 1206 p4p, 153 weight class). Ash Catchum has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Catchum
vs
Svensson

185 cm
26
190 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

175 cm
26
202 lbs
16 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Good low kicks
Good gas tank

Bullet Proof System
Urban Fighter

Urban Fighter
RAGS of a RONIN

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 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ash Catchum!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sven Svensson!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Taro Takaoka and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Svensson just misses with a punch to the body.
Catchum scores with a jab to the body.
Catchum throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Catchum misses with a shot to the body
and Svensson counters with a straight right hand.
Catchum throws a lazy uppercut
and Svensson counters with a nice leg kick.
Svensson wants to clinch up but Catchum keeps it at a distance.
A cross from Catchum lands.
Catchum throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Svensson counters with an outside leg kick.
Catchum takes a swing at Svensson's ribcage but misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Catchum tries to bum rush Svensson with a series of wild strikes but Svensson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Catchum fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Svensson on the side of the head.
Catchum connects with a crisp jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Catchum misses with a lunging right hand
and Svensson counters with a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Catchum misses with an uppercut
and Svensson counters with a stiff right hand.
Catchum throws a lazy right hand but Svensson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Svensson looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Catchum swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Catchum checks the leg kick nicely there.
Catchum swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Svensson.
Catchum thows a left - swing and a miss!
A shot to the body from Catchum misses
and Svensson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Svensson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Catchum.
Catchum connects with a good right hand that stumbles Svensson. Svensson circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Catchum works the jab nicely.
Catchum fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Svensson uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Catchum.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Svensson has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Catchum misses with a two punch combination.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Catchum throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Svensson counters by clinching up.
Catchum lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Catchum breaks from the clinch.
Catchum lands a nice looking body shot.
Catchum jabs Svensson to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Svensson lands a leg kick that knocks Catchum off balance momentarily.
We've been told by Catchum's head coaches at Ryōzanpaku Dojo that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Svensson takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Catchum with a nice cross.
Svensson throws a hook to the side of Catchum's head but Catchum sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Catchum misses with a few strikes there.
Catchum throws a shot from downtown. Svensson moves away and avoids it.
Catchum connects with a right hand. Svensson shakes it off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Svensson doesn't manage to clinch there - Catchum circles away.
It looked like Catchum was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Svensson.
Catchum swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ash Catchum seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Svensson moves out of range of the strikes.
Good shot there by Catchum.
Svensson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Catchum.
It seemed like Svensson was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Catchum looks to land a left hand but Svensson moved out of range nicely.
Catchum throws a lazy right hand but Svensson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Decent striking displayed by Catchum there.
Catchum fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Svensson manages to avoid it.
Catchum keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Svensson.
It looked like Catchum wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Catchum connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Svensson turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Svensson digs a good hook to Catchum's body.
Svensson defending well as Catchum loads up on a big left hand.
Svensson throws out a counter right but Catchum avoids it with no problem.
Svensson lands a leg kick that knocks Catchum off balance momentarily.
Svensson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Catchum scores with a nice strike.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Svensson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Catchum misses with a wild combination.
Catchum connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ash Catchum dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Catchum lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Svensson at a distance.
Svensson is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Svensson misses with a low kick.
A shot to the liver by Catchum. Beautiful body shot.
No joy there for Svensson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Catchum throws a body shot but no joy.
Catchum is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Catchum swings for the body but Svensson moves out of range.
Catchum throws a left and a right that both miss
enabling Svensson to counter with a crisp jab.
Svensson walks into a stiff left hand from Catchum.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Catchum lands a jab.
Svensson throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Catchum is looking for a counter combo.
Svensson keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Catchum.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice shot by Catchum.
Catchum tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Svensson was well out of range. Poor timing from Catchum.
Catchum sets himself, and Svensson steps forward looking for the clinch! Catchum avoids it this time.
Catchum slips under a jab.
A looping hook to the body misses from Catchum. Svensson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ash Catchum is winning the standup battle so far.
Svensson throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Svensson takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Catchum bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Svensson throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Catchum misses with a wild body shot.
Catchum misses with a hook. Svensson ducked under it nicely.
Catchum throws a jab but it's blocked by Svensson.
Catchum with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Catchum jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Catchum moves out of range as Svensson strikes.
Svensson moves out of range of the strikes.
Svensson now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Catchum takes a swing at Svensson's ribcage but misses.
Svensson is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Catchum misses with a hook. Svensson ducked under it nicely.
Catchum throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Svensson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Catchum swinging wildly here.
Svensson only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Svensson throws a hook but Catchum avoids it easily.
Catchum scores with a jab to the body.
Svensson throws out a loose jab but Catchum uses good head movement to avoid it.
Svensson lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

Svensson closes the distance and pushes Catchum back into the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Svensson pulls guard effortlessly.

Catchum got a little sloppy there for a moment and Svensson has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Catchum has managed to get both his arms back between Svensson's legs - danger averted.
Svensson trying to control the position.
Catchum is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Svensson looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

Svensson had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Catchum defends it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Svensson controlling the position.
Catchum knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Svensson on the ground.
Svensson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ash Catchum dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Svensson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Svensson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Catchum throws a body shot but no joy.
A telegraphed right hand from Catchum misses the target.
Catchum misses the body punch
enabling Svensson to counter with a crisp jab.
Catchum just misses with a punch to the body.
Svensson thows a left - swing and a miss!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Catchum falls off balance throwing a combination
and Svensson counters with a straight right hand.
Catchum takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
A jab from Catchum misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Catchum misses with a straight right.
Catchum thuds a left hand into Svensson's body.
Catchum throws an overhand right that lands on Svensson's shoulder, as Svensson tries to avoid the shot.
Catchum misses the body punch
and Svensson counters with a thumping low kick.
Catchum throws a right hand that misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Catchum lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Svensson circles away quickly and effectively.
Catchum misses with a straight right.
Catchum keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Svensson.
Catchum scores with a punch to the head.
Svensson has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Svensson tries to close the distance and clinch but Catchum swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Catchum uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Svensson closes the distance looking to clinch
and Catchum counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Catchum misses with a hook. Svensson ducked under it nicely.
Svensson clobbers Catchum with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Svensson takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
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!

Svensson clinches with his opponent.
A nice right hand lands inside from Svensson.
Svensson throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Catchum blocking some punches.
Svensson misses with the head strike.
Catchum tries a body shot but Svensson blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Catchum lands a nice shot to the body.
Catchum tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Svensson blocks a body shot from Catchum.

Svensson manages to pull guard.
Svensson wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Svensson trying to keep a closed guard but Catchum is proving a slippery customer.
Catchum stays in close to Svensson's body and controls the position.
Svensson looking to control.
Ash Catchum is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Svensson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Svensson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Catchum rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Svensson counters with an inside leg kick.

Svensson darts in and clinches Catchum up against the cage.
Sven Svensson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Svensson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Sven Svensson.
I think Catchum 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 29:28
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ash Catchum!
An out of breath Ash Catchum thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.