PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Eric Ashton (ranked 607 p4p, 87 weight class) and Tarkhan Naranbaatar (ranked 1198 p4p, 165 weight class). Ashton comes to the cage accompanied by Zombie Nation. Naranbaatar has chosen Batzorig Vaanchig as his entrance music. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Ashton
vs
Naranbaatar

182 cm
33
189 lbs
24 - 23 - 1

178 cm
31
176 lbs
17 - 14 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

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 24 - 23 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Eric Ashton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tarkhan Naranbaatar!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, John Kavanagh and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jab by Naranbaatar.
Ashton uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Naranbaatar.
Naranbaatar lands with a cross.
Naranbaatar takes a swing at Ashton's ribcage but misses.
Naranbaatar cracks Ashton with a good jab.
Naranbaatar has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Ashton ducks under a wild hook from Naranbaatar.
Naranbaatar throws a hook to the side of Ashton's head but Ashton sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ashton just misses with a punch to the body.
Naranbaatar bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Ashton's head.
Ashton misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ashton on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Ashton needs to keep his hands up - Naranbaatar had a free shot at his head there.
Ashton scoring well with a low kick there.
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!
Naranbaatar getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Ashton takes a jab right on the kisser.
Ashton throws a body punch but Naranbaatar moves out of range.
Naranbaatar with a jab.
Naranbaatar blocks a low kick nicely.
A chopping leg kick lands by Naranbaatar.
Ashton lands with a good body shot.
Ashton 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ashton cracks a nice hook into Naranbaatar's ribs.
Naranbaatar throws an overhand right that lands on Ashton's shoulder, as Ashton tries to avoid the shot.
Ashton throws a shot from downtown. Naranbaatar moves away and avoids it.
Naranbaatar digs a good hook to Ashton's body.
Ashton is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Naranbaatar.
Naranbaatar throws a sloppy head kick and Ashton moves out of range easily.
Ashton throws a lazy head kick
and Naranbaatar counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Naranbaatar misses with an uppercut.
Ashton uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Naranbaatar.
Ashton defending well as Naranbaatar loads up on a big left hand.

Naranbaatar scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Naranbaatar content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Ashton keeping hold of Naranbaatar's head, controlling as best he can.

Naranbaatar is trying to work for a kimura but Ashton is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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 trying to control but Naranbaatar postures up.
Ashton is refusing to be controlled, as Naranbaatar sits in half guard.
Ashton is looking to improve his position.
Ashton tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Ashton wants to improve his position but Naranbaatar is controlling well.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Naranbaatar is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Ashton sees it coming and defends easily.

Ashton is defending against the submission attempts here by Naranbaatar.
Naranbaatar is keen to just control but Ashton is a slippery customer.
Ashton tries to get to full guard but Naranbaatar has control of the leg.
Ashton wants to control but Naranbaatar is keeping busy.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

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.
Ashton just misses with a punch to the body.
Good standup being displayed there by Naranbaatar as he connects with a hook.
Naranbaatar stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Ashton.

Ashton gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Naranbaatar to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Naranbaatar wants to control from the top but Ashton keeps moving.
Ashton pulls Naranbaatar in to control the position.
Ashton continues to stall.
Naranbaatar stopping the sweep attempt from Ashton.
Ashton keeping full guard, as Naranbaatar tries to pass.
Naranbaatar pushing down on Ashton's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Ashton tries to clinch
and Naranbaatar counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Naranbaatar slips under a jab.
Ashton throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Naranbaatar misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Naranbaatar throws a jab when Ashton was well out of range.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Naranbaatar. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Ashton misses with a body shot.
Ashton connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

It looks like Tarkhan Naranbaatar has been cut.
Naranbaatar uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Ashton has time to react.
Ashton has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Naranbaatar finds it's way round the side to connect with Ashton's head.
Ashton throws a lazy right hand but Naranbaatar sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Ashton lands a leg kick that knocks Naranbaatar off balance momentarily.
Ashton takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Naranbaatar throws a leg kick which misses Ashton's front leg but catches the back leg as Ashton tries to avoid it.
Ashton dives in for a single leg takedown but Naranbaatar sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ashton tries to clinch but Naranbaatar is having none of it.
Naranbaatar feints the counter takedown.
Ashton throws an off balance right hand
and Ashton takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ashton has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Ashton there as he acknowledges the shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ashton slips under a jab from Naranbaatar.
Naranbaatar throws a jab when Ashton was well out of range.
Ashton ducks right into an uppercut from Naranbaatar.
Naranbaatar dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Naranbaatar throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ashton throws a poor cross that misses
and Naranbaatar cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Naranbaatar lands with a cross.
Ashton throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Naranbaatar dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Ashton. That did some damage!
Ashton tries to clinch but Naranbaatar moves away

and Naranbaatar counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Naranbaatar seems to be working for a kimura but Ashton defends the submission attempt.
Naranbaatar is pressing down on Ashton's thigh, looking to free his foot. Ashton is holding on for now.
Ashton wants to improve his position but Naranbaatar is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

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

Naranbaatar is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Ashton flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Naranbaatar has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Naranbaatar controlling the action here.
Ashton wants to improve his position but Naranbaatar is controlling well.

Naranbaatar looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Naranbaatar is looking for a kimura but Ashton is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Naranbaatar to get the leverage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Naranbaatar tries to pass to full mount but Ashton defends it.

Naranbaatar is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Ashton defends it well.
Naranbaatar seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Ashton does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Ashton trying to hold on to Naranbaatar's head to control him but Naranbaatar postures up.
Tarkhan Naranbaatar has got the better of the ground game so far.
Ashton tries to get to full guard but Naranbaatar has control of the leg.
Ashton is working hard here to advance position.

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.
Naranbaatar tries to pass to full mount but Ashton defends it.
Naranbaatar wants to take a breather but Ashton is having none of it.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Ashton is looking to control Naranbaatar's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Ashton avoid being mounted?

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Naranbaatar comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Ashton fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Naranbaatar misses with a body shot.
Eric Ashton seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ashton uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Naranbaatar.
Naranbaatar fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Ashton looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Naranbaatar lands a right hook to the body.

Ashton closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Ashton lands in his opponent's guard.
Ashton trying to control but Naranbaatar is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tarkhan Naranbaatar showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Tarkhan Naranbaatar's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Ashton tries to clinch there but Naranbaatar circles away.
Naranbaatar swings for the body but Ashton moves out of range.
Ashton appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Ashton takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Naranbaatar keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ashton.
Naranbaatar takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Ashton throws a jab but it's blocked by Naranbaatar.
Tarkhan Naranbaatar seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A head kick misses from Naranbaatar.
Ashton shoots and misses
and Naranbaatar counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ashton throws a leg kick
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Ashton takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Naranbaatar throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ashton. Naranbaatar does a little dance to reset his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Naranbaatar circles away from the clinch attempt
and Naranbaatar cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Naranbaatar connects with a body shot.
Naranbaatar fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Naranbaatar scores with a jab.
Ashton misses with a looping left.
Ashton clobbers Naranbaatar with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Ashton looks to land a right hand but Naranbaatar moved out of range.
Ashton swings widly with a right hand
and Naranbaatar counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Ashton has a takedown stuffed.
Ashton throws a hook to the side of Naranbaatar's head but Naranbaatar sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Naranbaatar dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Ashton. That did some damage!
Naranbaatar digs a good hook to Ashton's body.
Naranbaatar lands with a right hand.
Naranbaatar jabs Ashton to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Ashton jabs Naranbaatar right on the nose. Naranbaatar blinks but takes it well.
Ashton punishes Naranbaatar's body with a nice straight punch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A jab from Naranbaatar misses.
Ashton throws a shot from downtown. Naranbaatar moves away and avoids it.
Ashton thuds a left hand into Naranbaatar's body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ashton swings widly with a right hand

so Naranbaatar counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Ashton has control of Naranbaatar's left arm, preventing Naranbaatar from doing any damage.
Ashton is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Naranbaatar is defending against the submission attempts here by Ashton.
Naranbaatar works his way to full guard. Good work.
Eric Ashton has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ashton trying to control the position from guard on top but Naranbaatar is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ashton is really struggling to control Naranbaatar but he's trying to hold on to the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ashton in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Naranbaatar is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Naranbaatar 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 desperately trying to maintain half guard.

Naranbaatar is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Ashton has managed to free his arm - good work.
Naranbaatar is trying to control. Ashton wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ashton gets back to full guard.
Naranbaatar engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Naranbaatar trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Naranbaatar slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Naranbaatar postures up.
Naranbaatar trying to control but Ashton is working from the bottom.
Ashton manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Naranbaatar manages to get himself to full guard.

Naranbaatar working for a triangle but Ashton defends it easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tarkhan Naranbaatar comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Naranbaatar has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 David Schapiro scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 27:30
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tarkhan Naranbaatar!
A victorious Tarkhan Naranbaatar thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.