PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Trond Asmundsen (ranked 1446 p4p, 189 weight class) and Daniel Hazlehurst (ranked 2155 p4p, 262 weight class). Hazlehurst has chosen Queen - One Vision as his entrance music. The key to victory for Trond Asmundsen has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Asmundsen
vs
Hazlehurst

188 cm
24
190 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

183 cm
26
202 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Brawler
Good gas tank

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 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Trond Asmundsen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Daniel Hazlehurst!
The judges for this bout are , Don Winkell and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hazlehurst fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Asmundsen avoids it really well and circles away.
Asmundsen feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Hazlehursts jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!

Hazlehurst drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Asmundsen seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.

Asmundsen had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Hazlehurst defends it easily.
Asmundsen is pulling down on Hazlehurst's head to control his posture.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hazlehurst wants to control from the top but Asmundsen keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Asmundsen looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Hazlehurst passes into side control.
What's Asmundsen going to do here then? He's in a bit of a pickle.
Asmundsen manages to get back to half guard.
Asmundsen wants to get back to full guard.
My spies in Lads Lash Banter Gym inform me that Hazlehurst has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
The fighters are battling for position here. Asmundsen manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Asmundsen is looking for a triangle but Hazlehurst pushes his legs off easily.
Asmundsen not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hazlehurst throws a strike but Asmundsen rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Asmundsen postures up in Hazlehurst's guard and throws a big left but Hazlehurst blocks it.
Asmundsen controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Hazlehurst has his hands on Asmundsen's head, controlling the position.
Hazlehurst keeping moving, preventing Asmundsen from controlling successfully.
Asmundsen is stalling in the full guard.
Hazlehurst is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Asmundsen engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Asmundsen wants to pass the guard but Hazlehurst is keeping the position.
Hazlehurst is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hazlehurst walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Hazlehurst takes one to the chin there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown attempt by Hazlehurst or perhaps it was just good defense by Asmundsen, which made it look bad.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hazlehurst is defended easily by Asmundsen.
Trond Asmundsen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Daniel Hazlehurst.
Hazlehurst has his takedown stuffed

and Asmundsen counters by moving into the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Asmundsen.
Asmundsen lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Asmundsen doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Hazlehurst goes for a takedown in the clinch but Asmundsen prevents it.
A shot in the inside from Asmundsen.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hazlehurst tries for a takedown. No joy.
Asmundsen throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Hazlehurst has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Asmundsen after a bit of a struggle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Hazlehurst looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Asmundsen is fending him off so far but Hazlehurst persists. Nope, Asmundsen circles away and we're back to standing.
Hazlehurst throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Asmundsen's waist but Asmundsen gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Hazlehurst off to one side.
Asmundsen is looking to counter the offense by Hazlehurst and move into the clinch.
Asmundsen dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Decent striking displayed by Asmundsen there.
Asmundsen moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Hazlehurst fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Asmundsen avoids it really well and circles away.
Trond Asmundsen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Daniel Hazlehurst.

Hazlehurst drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Hazlehurst throwing shots but missing, from side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hazlehurst trying to control the position but Asmundsen is working away.
Hazlehurst wants to control for a moment but Asmundsen uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Asmundsen trying to get back to full guard but Hazlehurst takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Hazlehurst is trying to control here but Asmundsen has managed to regain half guard.
Asmundsen is positioning himself well to prevent Hazlehurst advancing to mount.
Asmundsen is pressing down on Hazlehurst's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hazlehurst throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Asmundsen seems keen to control Hazlehurst's posture.
Asmundsen is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hazlehurst wants to control from the top but Asmundsen keeps moving.
Asmundsen trying to keep a closed guard but Hazlehurst is proving a slippery customer.
Hazlehurst wants to control from the top but Asmundsen keeps moving.
Asmundsen is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hazlehurst can do to turn this around?
Hazlehurst is working Asmundsen over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Asmundsen has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hazlehurst throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Asmundsen works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Asmundsen is looking for a triangle but Hazlehurst pushes his legs off easily.
Hazlehurst wants to control from the top but Asmundsen keeps moving.
Asmundsen is trying to control the position but Hazlehurst postures up.
Asmundsen wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Asmundsen stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Asmundsen wants it to stay on the feet.
Asmundsen throws a body punch but Hazlehurst moves out of range.
Asmundsen lunges at Hazlehurst with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Hazlehurst's hand.
Asmundsen swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hazlehurst scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Asmundsen gets full guard.
Asmundsen working a defensive guard here.
Hazlehurst must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Asmundsen looking for a sweep. Not yet Asmundsen, not yet.
Asmundsen is adopting a defensive guard.
Asmundsen working a defensive guard but Hazlehurst passes into half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hazlehurst is controlling the pace.
Hazlehurst is thwarting Asmundsen's attempts to control the position.
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 Trond Asmundsen will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Asmundsen misses with a lunging right hand

and Hazlehurst counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Hazlehurst working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hazlehurst throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Asmundsen is pulling down on Hazlehurst's head to control his posture.
Hazlehurst cracks Asmundsen with a solid left hand.
Hazlehurst sitting in guard here, content to control.
Asmundsen tries to land a sweep but no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Asmundsen working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hazlehurst doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hazlehurst manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Asmundsen has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hazlehurst can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Asmundsen is trying to keep Hazlehurst in close.
Hazlehurst wants to control from the top but Asmundsen keeps moving.
Asmundsen trying to control the position.
Asmundsen has his hands on Hazlehurst's head, controlling the position.
Hazlehurst with a nice head shot there.

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.
Hazlehurst is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Hazlehurst works over Asmundsen with some ground and pound from guard.
Asmundsen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Asmundsen manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Hazlehurst manages to get himself to full guard.

Asmundsen trying to control the position from guard on top but Hazlehurst is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Asmundsen looking to pass the guard.
Asmundsen cracks Hazlehurst with a solid left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Asmundsen tries to free his leg and advance position but Hazlehurst is retaining full guard.
Asmundsen controls from within his opponent's guard.
Asmundsen stopping the sweep attempt from Hazlehurst.
Hazlehurst is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Hazlehurst lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Asmundsen keeping moving, preventing Hazlehurst from controlling successfully.

Asmundsen had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Hazlehurst defends it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hazlehurst in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Asmundsen is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Daniel Hazlehurst has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hazlehurst lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Asmundsen not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Asmundsen is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Daniel Hazlehurst comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Asmundsen 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Daniel Hazlehurst!