PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Apollo Reid (ranked 978 p4p, 130 weight class) and Big Asznee (ranked 1668 p4p, 223 weight class). Reid kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Living in America by James Brown. Asznee has chosen The Game as his entrance music. This should be a great matchup!

Reid
vs
Asznee

189 cm
27
200 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

150 cm
26
185 lbs
9 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very strong

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

Forge Clothing Co.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Apollo Reid!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Big Asznee!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Steve Erwin and Bruno Hogan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Asznee avoids a punch combination nicely.
Asznee shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Reid counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Asznee tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Reid leaves Asznee with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
A counter left hand to the body from Reid misses its target.
Asznee fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Reid avoids it really well and circles away.
Apollo Reid has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Big Asznee.
Asznee blocks a head kick by Reid.
Asznee dodges the punch combination from Reid.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Reid rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Asznee moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Reid has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Reid fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Reid lands a nice looking body shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nice takedown defense from Reid. No joy for Asznee on that attempt.
Reid falls off balance throwing a combination

and Asznee counters with a nice double leg into side control. Reid won't be happy with that.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Asznee thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reid is looking to get back to his feet here but Asznee is keeping cool and he's managed to take Reid's back.

Asznee working for the choke.
Reid tries to escape but Asznee has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Asznee has Reid flattened out and is raining down punches.
Asznee trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Reid defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Asznee's arms.
Reid is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Asznee.
Asznee thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.
Asznee tries to get the hooks in deep but Reid pushed the leg off.

Asznee is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Reid knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Reid for a finish.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Asznee looking for the choke from the back.
Asznee is riding his opponent, not letting Reid buck him off.

Asznee looking to break Reid's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Reid remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Asznee will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Asznee is looking to control Reid but Reid is wriggling around and keeping busy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Reid fending off the submission attempt from Asznee.
Asznee tries to get the hooks in deep but Reid pushed the leg off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Asznee is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

Reid fending off the submission attempt from Asznee.

Asznee has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Reid has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Reid trying to control the hands but Asznee breaks the grip.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Big Asznee dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Asznee.
Asznee will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Asznee is trying hard to land a takedown here. Reid sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Apollo Reid has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Big Asznee.
Reid throws a leg kick which misses Asznee's front leg but catches the back leg as Asznee tries to avoid it.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Reid, as that shot connected.
Reid throws a push kick but Asznee slaps the foot to one side.
Asznee drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Reid defends it well.
Reid throws a body punch but Asznee moves out of range.
Reid scores with a one two! Asznee had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

Asznee changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Reid looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
My spies in London MMA Club inform me that Asznee has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Asznee is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Reid has escaped the position, nice work there.
Reid gets back to half guard.
Asznee is keen to just control but Reid is a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Asznee frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Asznee is looking to work his way around to Reid's back. He needs to be careful though, as he's in danger of losing this dominant position.

Asznee goes for an armbar but Reid turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Reid.

Reid has a momentary lapse of concentration, allowing Asznee to throw up a leg and lock on what appears to be a pretty tight triangle! Reid is fighting it off but it's all too little too late - Asznee pulls down on the head and he's put Reid to sleep! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:45 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Big Asznee!
Big Asznee is the new middleweight champion!
A very excited looking Big Asznee made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.
Apollo Reid was interviewed post fight and said 'Good luck.'.