PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kling Klong (ranked 3815 p4p, 343 weight class) and Cory Ashby (ranked 3610 p4p, 328 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Klong
vs
Ashby

197 cm
25
237 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

225 cm
26
265 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kling Klong!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Cory Ashby!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Viktor Lagutenko and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Klong looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Ashby looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!

Klong closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Ashby's guard.

Ashby has his feet on Klong's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Klong fails with a takedown attempt.
Ashby is looking for the big counter here.
Ashby keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kling Klong. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A punch combination from Klong misses.
Klong looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ashby is fending him off so far but Klong persists. Nope, Ashby circles away and we're back to standing.
Ashby misses with the combination.
Klong misses with a takedown attempt - Ashby sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ashby wants to clinch.
Ashby wants to land a leg kick but Klong is out of range.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Ashby has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Klong shoots in for a takedown but Ashby shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Klong tries to keep at a distance but Ashby has taken the fight into the clinch.
Klong can't get the takedown.
Ashby is pressed up against the cage. Klong has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Ashby down to the mat. Ashby avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ashby looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ashby looks for a takedown but Klong sprawls well.
Klong appears to be looking for a big counter.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Klong closes the distance and clinches up with Ashby, looking for a takedown. Klong pushes Ashby against the cage but Ashby circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Klong shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Ashby sprawls well. Ashby wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Klong gets slowly back to his feet.
Ashby lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Sloppy strikes from Ashby. Those never looked like landing.
Ashby fails in his attempt to clinch.
An attempted straight right counter from Klong misses the target.
Klong closes this distance looking for a takedown but Ashby circles away.
Klong shoots for a takedown but Ashby saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Klong is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Ashby's half guard.

Klong wants to work for an arm triangle but Ashby is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Ashby is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Klong sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Ashby defending well though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Klong scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Klong not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Klong throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Klong drops an elbow to the side of Ashby's head.
Klong not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Klong missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Klong sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Ashby defending well though.
Klong definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Ashby trying to control here.
Klong is nestled in close to Ashby, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Klong throwing shots but Ashby is blocking nicely.
Ashby is looking for a sweep. Klong is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Klong working Ashby over with strikes.
Klong thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Klong thows a huge punch but Ashby dodges it nicely.
Klong sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Ashby defending well though.
Klong thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Ashby is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Klong scores with a couple of nice shots.

Ashby is defending against the submission attempts here by Klong.
Klong throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Klong missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Klong is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Klong stops Ashby from getting back to his feet.
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 Kling Klong will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Klong closes this distance looking for a takedown but Ashby circles away.
Kling Klong is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Klong throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ashby's waist but Ashby gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Klong off to one side.
Klong shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ashby pinned against the cage. Ashby gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kling Klong. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Klong dives in and grabs Ashby's left leg, looking for a takedown. Ashby pushes down on Klong's head and hops out.
Klong uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Klong shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ashby defends it nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ashby clinches with his opponent.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Klong wants to take the fight to the mat but Ashby manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Klong goes for a takedown in the clinch but Ashby prevents it.
Klong changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Ashby fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Ashby instigates a clinch.
Ashby gets underhooks to prevent Klong's takedown attempt.
Ashby stops a takedown attempt from Klong.
Ashby prevents a takedown attempt there.
Klong tries for a takedown but Ashby manages to get underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Klong is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Ashby's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ashby throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Klong.
Ashby lands a head kick. Klong smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Ashby throws a combination that misses
and Klong counters with a two punch combo.
Ashby stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ashby wants it to stay on the feet.
It seemed like Ashby was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Klong throws a combination. Ashby tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Cory Ashby seems to be getting the better of the standup.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sloppy strikes from Ashby. Those never looked like landing.
Ashby gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Klong avoids a punch combination nicely.
Klong looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ashby is fending him off so far but Klong persists. Nope, Ashby circles away and we're back to standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Ashby. Those never looked like landing.
It looked like Klong wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

Klong shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Ashby's guard.
Klong won't allow Ashby to get back to his feet.
Klong is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Klong is looking to work some ground and pound but Ashby has wrist control.
Klong looking to pass the guard.

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

Kling Klong overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ashby missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Klong is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ashby is aware though and is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ashby would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Klong had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Ashby defends it easily.

Ashby stands up from Klong's guard - Ashby perhaps looking for a knockout.
Klong shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ashby getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Klong cracks Ashby with a right hand to the side of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ashby shoots in for a double leg but Klong sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Klong gets the takedown into side control.
Klong throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Ashby taking punishment in the form of punches.
Ashby is trying to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Cory Ashby will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Klong fails with a takedown attempt.

Ashby has Klong up against the cage in a clinch.
Klong is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Ashby pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Klong drops down looking for an ankle pick but Ashby pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kling Klong. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ashby scores with a three punch combo!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Klong shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Ashby.
Ashby throws a head kick but Klong moves out of range.
Ashby takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Klong closes the distance and clinches up with Ashby, looking for a takedown. Klong pushes Ashby against the cage but Ashby circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Ashby gets caught flat footed, as Klong shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Ashby avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Ashby not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Klong connects with a couple of short punches.
Klong throwing strikes from guard but Ashby blocks nicely.
Klong throws a big right hand that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Klong accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Klong is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Ashby tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Ashby avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Ashby preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Klong with a flurry of punches that miss.
Klong working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Klong pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ashby is keeping the position for now.
Klong missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Klong throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Klong tries for a takedown but Ashby sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Klong closes the distance and clinches up with Ashby, looking for a takedown. Klong pushes Ashby against the cage but Ashby circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Ashby looks to land a combination but Klong avoids it well.

Ashby has closed the distance and engaged Klong in a clinch.
Klong has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Ashby avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Klong changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Ashby fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Klong shoots in but Ashby avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Ashby stuffs the takedown.
Klong tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Ashby defends well and Klong ends up having to push Ashby into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Ashby moves into range and clinches up with Klong.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Klong has Ashby pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Ashby manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Ashby prevents a takedown attempt there.
Klong tries to score a body lock takedown but Ashby shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Still in the clinch, Ashby scores with a nice short uppercut.
Klong goes for a takedown attempt but Ashby pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Ashby goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ashby keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Klong misses with the combination.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cory Ashby comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Ashby 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 Illya Tyunina scores the fight 28:29
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 28:29
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cory Ashby!
Cory Ashby took his opportunity to call for a title shot in his post fight interview.