PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Big Asznee (ranked 834 p4p, 105 weight class) and Joey Hatton (ranked 1036 p4p, 130 weight class). Asznee comes into the arena with The Game blaring out of the sound system. The crowd seem to be enjoying Hatton's choice of entrance music: deadman. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Asznee
vs
Hatton

150 cm
26
185 lbs
10 - 1 - 0

190 cm
27
190 lbs
11 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Powerful

Forge Clothing Co.

Bullet Proof System
IniTech Nutrition

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 10 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Big Asznee!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Joey Hatton!
The judges for this bout are Summer Carpenter, Ron Honeybunn and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Asznee shoots in for a double leg but Hatton sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Asznee.

Asznee wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Hatton, who protects the arm well.
Asznee scores with punches from side control.
Hatton wants to control but Asznee postures up.
Asznee trying to control the position but Hatton is working away.
Asznee tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Asznee working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
You can see the frustration on Hatton's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hatton is looking to reverse the position.
Asznee lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Hatton down.
Asznee wants to control but Hatton is keeping him busy.

Asznee tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Asznee has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Hatton is trying to control Asznee's posture but Asznee avoids it.

Asznee tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

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.
Hatton tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Asznee wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
We've been hearing good reports from Asznee'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.

Asznee is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Hatton has escaped the position, nice work there.
Asznee slows the pace down.
Asznee tries to move into full mount but can't pass Hatton's legs.

Asznee wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Hatton, who protects the arm well.
Hatton is trying to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Asznee wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hatton keeps working.
Asznee working away.
Hatton tries to get back to half guard but can't.
You can see the frustration on Hatton's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Asznee tries for a kimura but Hatton is defending well.
Hatton struggling a bit here.

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.
Hatton manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Asznee is trying to control. Hatton wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Hatton is controlling Asznee's position as best he can from this difficult position.

Hatton actively working from the bottom here.
Asznee is looking to stall here but Hatton recovers full guard.
Asznee wants to pass the guard but Hatton is keeping the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Big Asznee dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

A telegraphed takedown attempt from Asznee is defended easily by Hatton.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Hatton! But no joy.
Asznee shoots in for a takedown but Hatton shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Asznee gets a double leg takedown into Hatton's guard.

Hatton has his foot on Asznee's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Asznee works his way back into a safe position though.
Asznee might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Hatton preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Asznee trying to control but Hatton is working from the bottom.
Asznee throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hatton works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Hatton is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hatton has his foot on Asznee's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Asznee works his way back into a safe position though.

Asznee has gone for a leg lock! Hatton slips out almost immediately though and dives into Asznee's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Asznee has his foot on Hatton's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Hatton works his way back into a safe position though.
Asznee bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Hatton's guard.

Asznee trying to control but Hatton is working from the bottom.
Asznee stands and throws Hatton's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Big Asznee overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hatton wants to control but Asznee postures up.
Asznee tries to move to mount but Hatton blocks the move with his legs.
Asznee is looking to take a break and control but Hatton is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Asznee working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Asznee is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hatton can do to turn this around?
Asznee wants to control but Hatton is keeping him busy.
Hatton sneaks back into half guard.

Asznee is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hatton wants to control but Asznee is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Hatton is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Asznee is staying active.
Hatton tries to roll over but Asznee keeps him under control.
Hatton has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.

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.
Asznee lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Asznee is trying to control. Hatton wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Asznee stalling away here and it's allowed Hatton to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Asznee advances to half guard.
Hatton wants to improve his position but Asznee is controlling well.
Asznee scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Asznee is thwarting Hatton's attempts to control the position.

Hatton actively working from the bottom here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Big Asznee dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Hatton gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Asznee to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Hatton preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Asznee trying to control but Hatton is working from the bottom.

Hatton working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Asznee doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Asznee manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Asznee wants to control from the top but Hatton keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Asznee slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Hatton pulls Asznee in close to prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hatton is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Hatton looking for a guillotine here but Asznee defends easily.
Asznee wants to control from the top but Hatton keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Asznee avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Hatton is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Asznee is aware though and is defending well.

Asznee drops back, looking for a kneebar! Hatton looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Hatton looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Hatton!

Asznee tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Hatton wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Hatton remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Hatton gets to mount! Asznee was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Asznee really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Asznee is working hard here to advance position.
Hatton looking to control but Asznee is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Asznee is wriggling around trying to escape.
Hatton wants to control the pace but Asznee is squirming around nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Asznee really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Asznee is squirming around, avoiding Hatton's attempts to control the action.
Hatton controlling the pace for now.
Asznee keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Asznee tries to lock up and control but Hatton gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joey Hatton really dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Hatton connects with a good right hand that stumbles Asznee. Asznee circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Hatton scores with a three punch combo!

Asznee shoots in and gets a takedown into Hatton's guard.
Asznee trying to control the position from guard on top but Hatton is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Asznee postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Hatton keeping full guard, as Asznee tries to pass.
Asznee trying to control the position from guard on top but Hatton is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hatton working for a triangle but Asznee defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Asznee pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hatton is keeping the position for now.

Hatton working for a triangle but Asznee defends it easily.
Asznee wants to pass the guard but Hatton is keeping the position.
Hatton keeping moving, preventing Asznee from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Hatton working for submissions but it's allowed Asznee to get to half guard.

Asznee is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Hatton sees it coming and defends easily.
Asznee tries to pass the half guard into mount. Hatton knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Asznee is nestled in close to Hatton, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

Hatton is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Asznee pulls his head out easily.

Asznee is working for a kimura but Hatton is defending it quite comfortably.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Asznee is nestled in close to Hatton, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Hatton wants to get back to full guard.
Hatton trying to control here.
Asznee content to control rather than advance.
Asznee lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Asznee moves into full mount! Hatton won't be happy about that!
Hatton is looking to improve his position but Asznee isn't that keen on the idea.

Asznee is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Hatton has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Hatton is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Asznee trying to control but he's not successful this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Big Asznee had his way with Joey Hatton in that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Asznee misses with a takedown attempt
and Hatton counters with a straight right hand.
Hatton moves into range and connects with a jab.
Hatton connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Hatton keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Hatton is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Hatton getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Hatton getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Hatton slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Asznee has a takedown stuffed.
Asznee takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

Asznee shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Hatton's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Asznee postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Hatton is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Asznee, into his guard.

Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Hatton pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Asznee is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Asznee is trying to keep Hatton in close.
Hatton preventing the sweep.

Asznee working for a triangle but Hatton defends it easily.
Hatton trying to control but Asznee is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Asznee looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hatton wants to control from the top but Asznee keeps moving.
Hatton controls from within his opponent's guard.
Asznee looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Asznee is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Big Asznee is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hatton pushes down on Asznee's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Hatton slows the pace down in half guard.
Hatton is pressing down on Asznee's thigh, looking to free his foot. Asznee is holding on for now.
Asznee has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Hatton is working away from the top position though.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Asznee takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Asznee drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Hatton is looking to regain half guard here but Asznee keeps moving and retains side control.
Asznee is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Hatton will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Hatton can't do much from the bottom here.
Hatton is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hatton seems a little lost for a moment, as Asznee dominates the positioning.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joey Hatton comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Asznee 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 Summer Carpenter scores the fight 48:47
Judge Ron Honeybunn scores the fight 48:47
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Big Asznee!
Big Asznee retains his middleweight title!
Our winner, Big Asznee, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.