PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Eric Ashton (ranked 184 p4p, 25 weight class) and Andre Haack (ranked 1074 p4p, 140 weight class). Ashton's entrance music is Zombie Nation. A fine choice. Eric Ashton has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Ashton
vs
Haack

182 cm
32
189 lbs
23 - 21 - 1

183 cm
35
183 lbs
28 - 14 - 3

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Hell's Balls Recovery (160)

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 23 - 21 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Eric Ashton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 14 - 3, fighting out of New York, Andre Haack!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Kenichi Hosakawa and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ashton misses with a looping right.
Haack thows a body kick. Ashton tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Haack misses with a body kick.
Ashton lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Haack at a distance.

Ashton shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Ashton was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Haack is not content to let Ashton control the position.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
We've been hearing good reports from Ashton'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.
Ashton trying to control the position but Haack is working away.

Ashton tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Haack is looking for a sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ashton is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Haack knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Haack is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Ashton's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Haack is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Ashton's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Ashton's back!
Haack just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
Haack not allowing Ashton to control his hands.
Ashton manages to reverse the position and now he's in Haack's guard. Nice work there by Ashton.
Haack keeping moving, preventing Ashton from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haack is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Ashton is trying to get back to full guard.
Haack controlling the action here.
Haack prevents Ashton from improving his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ashton has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Haack is working away from the top position though.
Haack tries to pass the half guard into mount. Ashton knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Ashton is looking for a sweep. Haack is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ashton trying to hold on to Haack's head to control him but Haack postures up.
Haack prevents Ashton from improving his position.
Ashton controlling the position well.
Haack wants to pass to mount but Ashton is defending the position.
Ashton regains full guard. Nicely done.
Ashton has his hands on Haack's head, controlling the position.
Haack preventing the sweep.

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 has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Ashton continues to stall.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
A jab from Ashton finds it's way through Haack's defenses.
Ashton tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Haack was well out of range. Poor timing from Ashton.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ashton shoots in for a takedown but Haack shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Haack on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Ashton. Ashton obviously looking to wear him down.
Ashton swings for the body but Haack moves out of range.
Haack only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Ashton tries to clinch up.
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.
That's time! Back to the action!

Ashton swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ashton with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Haack to score with a decent uppercut.
Ashton checks a leg kick.
A jab from Haack does it's job there.
Ashton fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Haack avoids it really well and circles away.
Haack cracks Ashton with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Ashton throws a head kick that misses.
Ashton lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Andre Haack seems to be getting the better of the standup.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ashton digs a good body shot into Haack's ribs.
Ashton is looking to wear down Haack with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Ashton has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Haack.
Ashton tries to close the distance and clinch up but Haack swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Haack lands a front kick.
Haack slips a straight right by Ashton.
Andre Haack is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haack throws a hook to the side of Ashton's head but Ashton sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ashton feinted with a counter takedown.
Ashton takes one to the chin there.
Ashton slips under a jab from Haack.
Ashton blocks a jab.
Ashton half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Haack fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Ashton fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Haack takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Haack thuds a left hand into Ashton's body.
Ashton with a lazy takedown attempt
and Haack counters with a nice leg kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eric Ashton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Haack throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ashton fails with an attempt to clinch.
Haack throws a sloppy head kick and Ashton moves out of range easily.
Haack connects with an inside leg kick.
Nice takedown defense from Haack. No joy for Ashton on that attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ashton takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
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 ducks under a wild hook from Haack.

Ashton shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Haack's guard.
Haack looking for a sweep. Not yet Haack, not yet.

Ashton thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Ashton won't allow Haack to sweep him here.
Haack trying to control the position here.
Ashton trying to control the position from guard on top but Haack is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Andre Haack has got the better of the ground game so far.
Ashton pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Haack is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ashton trying to control but Haack is working from the bottom.
Haack has control of Ashton's left arm, preventing Ashton from doing any damage.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Ashton stopping the sweep attempt from Haack.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Ashton misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Haack.
Haack lets loose with a powerful body kick. Ashton will feel that in the morning.

Ashton fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Haack sprawls well initially but Ashton persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Ashton is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Haack defends it well.

Ashton is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Haack has managed to free his arm - good work.
Haack keeps control of the position for the meantime.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ashton is working for a kimura but Haack is defending it quite comfortably.
Ashton slows the pace down in half guard.
Ashton seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Haack does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Ashton is working for a kimura but Haack is defending it quite comfortably.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Ashton in particular looking to stall.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andre Haack showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Ashton misses with a takedown attempt - Haack sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Haack with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Ashton to score with a decent uppercut.
Haack scores with a head kick.
Ashton displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Haack throws out the jab.
Haack throws a looping overhand right but Ashton ducks down to avoid it.
Haack tries to land a front kick but Ashton steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Ashton attempts a counter takedown but Haack avoids it well and moves away.

Ashton shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Haack is trying to defend but Ashton finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Ashton trying to control from half guard but Haack is working away.
Haack trying to hold on to Ashton's head to control him but Ashton postures up.
Ashton is keen to just control but Haack is a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haack is looking to improve his position.
Ashton is pressing down on Haack's thigh, looking to free his foot. Haack is holding on for now.
Haack tries to roll over but Ashton keeps him under control.
Ashton wants to control but Haack is keeping him busy.
Haack has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Haack trying to control here.
Haack is not content to let Ashton control the position.
Ashton trying to control from Haack's half guard. Haack has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

Ashton drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Haack manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Ashton has Haack in his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haack postures up.
Ashton lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Haack wants to get back to his feet but Ashton is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Ashton trying to move into half guard but instead Haack has managed to sweep!

There's a bit of a scramble here and now Ashton is on top in guard.

Haack is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haack bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Ashton's guard.

Haack stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ashton swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ashton throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Haack engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Ashton is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Ashton has control of Haack's left arm, preventing Haack from doing any damage.
Ashton looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

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.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Ashton holds on and takes a little breather.
Ashton trying to control the position.
Ashton controlling the position.
Ashton tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ashton keeping moving, preventing Haack from controlling successfully.
Ashton bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Haack's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Andre Haack.
I think Haack has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 28:30
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andre Haack!
After winning the bout, Andre Haack thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.