PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Eric Ashton (ranked 651 p4p, 84 weight class) and Ravi Shankoli (ranked 137 p4p, 21 weight class). Ashton comes to the cage accompanied by Zombie Nation. Shankoli has chosen Ravi Shankar - Om Shiva as his entrance music. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Ashton
vs
Shankoli

182 cm
31
189 lbs
21 - 21 - 0

187 cm
36
191 lbs
47 - 15 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Sully's Bar & Grill

Zenith Nutrition (160q/$200)

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 21 - 21 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Eric Ashton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 47 - 15 - 0, fighting out of London, Ravi Shankoli!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Bruno Lombardi and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shankoli walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Ashton looks to score with a jab to the body but Shankoli is just out of range.
Ashton misses with a takedown attempt - Shankoli sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Shankoli swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Shankoli gets cracked there but stands up to it.
We've been told by Ashton's head coaches at Fit-Out that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Ashton tries a head kick but it misses.
Ashton blocks the body kick.
Shankoli misses with a two punch combination.
Shankoli tries a head kick but it misses.
Shankoli takes one to the chin there.
Shankoli keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ashton.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ashton throws a shot from downtown. Shankoli moves away and avoids it.
Shankoli throws a body punch but Ashton moves out of range.
Ashton cracks Shankoli with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Ashton connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Shankoli momentarily.
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!
Shankoli misses with a wild body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shankoli misses with a kick to the body.
Ashton misses with a left hand
and Shankoli counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Shankoli looks to score with a jab to the body but Ashton is just out of range.
Ravi Shankoli is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Shankoli misses with a hook. Ashton ducked under it nicely.
Ashton avoids a punch combination nicely.
A punch combination from Shankoli misses.

Ashton shoots in and gets a takedown into Shankoli's guard.

Shankoli is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Ashton presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
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!
Ashton goes for a takedown attempt but Shankoli pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Ashton connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Shankoli's hands.
Ashton fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Shankoli manages to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ashton closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Shankoli quickly recovers to half guard.

Shankoli manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Ashton keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.

Shankoli breaks from the clinch.

Ashton shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Ashton showed some decent athleticism there.
Ashton is keen to just control but Shankoli is a slippery customer.
Shankoli trying to control but Ashton postures up.
Shankoli is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Ashton is staying active.
Ashton wants to control but Shankoli is keeping him busy.

Ashton is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Shankoli defends it well.
Ashton wants to pass the guard but Shankoli is defending well.

Ashton is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Shankoli doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Ashton.
Shankoli is looking for a sweep. Ashton is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ashton is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Shankoli doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Ashton.
Shankoli moves into full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shankoli wants to stand but Ashton is controlling the position.
Shankoli is pulling down on Ashton's head. It's preventing any offense from Ashton, at least for the moment.
Ashton trying to control but Shankoli is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Shankoli is adopting a defensive guard.
Ashton wants to control from the top but Shankoli keeps moving.
Shankoli not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Shankoli keeping moving, preventing Ashton from controlling successfully.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Ashton lands a right hook to the body.
Shankoli punishes Ashton's body with a nice straight punch.
Ashton scores with a jab to the jaw.
Ashton throws an overhand right that lands on Shankoli's shoulder, as Shankoli tries to avoid the shot.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Shankoli! But no joy.
Ashton throws the left hand but Shankoli avoids the punch easily.
Ashton cracks Shankoli with a right hand to the side of the head.

Ashton shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
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 Eric Ashton will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Ashton works Shankoli's body with a nice hook.
Eric Ashton seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ashton throws a leg kick which misses Shankoli's front leg but catches the back leg as Shankoli tries to avoid it.
Ashton misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Shankoli.
Ashton misses with an uppercut.
Ashton throws a shot to the body.
Ashton lands an overhand right.
Ashton slips a jab and a cross from Shankoli.
Shankoli circles away from the clinch attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ashton closes the distance looking to clinch
and Shankoli counters with a stiff right hand.
Ashton thuds his shin into the meat of Shankoli's side.
Shankoli uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ashton.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ashton gets a takedown into half guard.

Shankoli manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Jab, jab by Ashton - just one landing.
Ashton feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Shankolis jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Ashton shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Shankoli but Shankoli pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A nice inside leg kick there by Ashton. That's going to slow Shankoli down.
Ravi Shankoli is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ashton throws a hook to the side of Shankoli's head but Shankoli sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Shankoli defending well as Ashton loads up on a big left hand.
Ashton lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Ashton misses with a wild body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ashton connects with a nice looking jab.
Shankoli tries a head kick but it misses.
Ashton attempts a counter takedown but Shankoli avoids it well and moves away.
Ashton lands a nice shot to the body.
Ashton slips a jab from Shankoli.
Shankoli takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Ashton showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Shankoli.
Shankoli throws a half hearted mid kick.
Ashton bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Shankoli's head backwards.
Shankoli misses with an attempted mid kick.
Ashton attempts a counter takedown but Shankoli avoids it well and moves away.
Shankoli keeps the fight on the outside.
Ashton throws out a loose jab but Shankoli uses good head movement to avoid it.
Left hook, right uppercut from Shankoli.

It looks like Eric Ashton has been cut.
Shankoli misses with a wild body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ashton throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Shankoli was covering up waiting for the punch and Ashton finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Shankoli has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Ashton trying to control but Shankoli is working from the bottom.
Shankoli managing to control the position.
Ashton trying to control the position from guard on top but Shankoli is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ashton tries to free his leg and advance position but Shankoli is retaining full guard.
Shankoli keeping moving, preventing Ashton from controlling successfully.

Shankoli manages to escape and get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ashton shoots in looking for a takedown but Shankoli manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ashton's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Ashton looks to throw the jab but Shankoli is out of range.
Shankoli connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Shankoli is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Ashton fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Shankoli looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
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!
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Ashton, as that shot connected.
Ashton scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Shankoli keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ashton.
Shankoli let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.

Ashton feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Shankoli is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Ashton presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Shankoli working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shankoli gets through Ashton's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Ashton blocks an uppercut.
Shankoli lands a nice uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Eric Ashton will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Eric Ashton's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Shankoli ducks under a wild hook from Ashton.
Ashton blocks a head kick by Shankoli.
Shankoli throws a jab but it's blocked by Ashton.
Ashton tries to counter with a takedown but Shankoli is quick to defend against it.
Ashton scores with a shot to the body.
Ashton lands a lovely overhand right.
Shankoli circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ashton tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Shankoli manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A low kick from Shankoli is predictable there

and Ashton counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Shankoli seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ashton's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Shankoli pulls Ashton in close to prevent any damage.
Shankoli keeping full guard, as Ashton tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shankoli has Ashton pulled in close to control his posture.
Ashton wants to control from the top but Shankoli keeps moving.
Shankoli is trying to control the position but Ashton postures up.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Shankoli keeping moving, preventing Ashton from controlling successfully.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Ashton staying out of range there.
Ashton tries to counter with a takedown but Shankoli is quick to defend against it.
Ashton misses with a shot to the body
and Shankoli counters with a one-two to the body.
Ashton bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Shankoli's head.
Ashton lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Shankoli at a distance.
Ashton showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Shankoli.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shankoli on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Ashton throws out a powerful jab.
Ravi Shankoli has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Shankoli closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Shankoli tries to bum rush Ashton with a series of wild strikes but Ashton uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Eric Ashton is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Shankoli throws a leg kick

and Ashton counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Ashton seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Shankoli is trying to keep Ashton in close.
Shankoli is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Ashton showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shankoli wants to get back to his feet but Ashton is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Ashton controls from within his opponent's guard.
Shankoli seems keen to control Ashton's posture.
Shankoli keeping full guard, as Ashton tries to pass.
Ashton prevents Shankoli from getting back to his feet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Ashton swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Eric Ashton is winning the standup battle so far.
Ashton throws a body shot but no joy.
Shankoli throws out a counter right but Ashton avoids it with no problem.

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.
Ashton tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Shankoli paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Shankoli avoids the body shot from Ashton.

Ashton closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Ashton is leaning against Shankoli and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Ashton wants a takedown.
Ashton struggles to land a body shot inside as Shankoli controls his hands.
Shankoli lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Shankoli misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ashton misses with a punch to the body.
Shankoli lands with a left to the head.
Shankoli scores with a hook to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Shankoli swings away with an uppercut that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Eric Ashton showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Ashton, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Reed Andrews scores the fight 30:27
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 28:29
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 30:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Eric Ashton!
A very excited looking Eric Ashton 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.
Ravi Shankoli was interviewed post fight and said 'I believe he forgotten shower for a week or something, I gagged on my own vomit and never could get it back together again. Take a shower you filthy bastard!'.