PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Gaia Ky Jr (ranked 1777 p4p, 3191 weight class) and Jake Askren (ranked 97 p4p, 192 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Ky Jr
vs
Askren

180 cm
43
145
23 - 12 - 0

170 cm
21
145
4 - 4 - 1

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Very strong

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Altitude Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Gaia Ky Jr!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 1, fighting out of London, Jake Askren!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Albert Achterberg and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Askren bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

Askren clinches up with Ky Jr and pushes him back against the cage.
We've been hearing reports that Ky Jr has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.

Ky Jr lands a takedown into guard.
Ky Jr won't allow Askren to get back to his feet.
Askren keeping full guard, as Ky Jr tries to pass.
Ky Jr postures up in Askren's guard and throws a big left but Askren blocks it.
Ky Jr wants to control from the top but Askren keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Askren wants to stand up but Ky Jr is controlling him.
Ky Jr throwing strikes from guard but Askren blocks nicely.
Ky Jr trying to control but Askren is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ky Jr won't allow Askren to get back to his feet.
Ky Jr is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Ky Jr is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Ky Jr accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ky Jr lands a couple of elbows.
Ky Jr won't allow Askren to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ky Jr is looking to work some ground and pound but Askren has wrist control.
Askren is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Ky Jr keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Askren's head.
Ky Jr trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Askren working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ky Jr.
Ky Jr postures up in Askren's guard and throws a big left but Askren blocks it.
Askren is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Ky Jr has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Ky Jr chips away with some ground and pound.
Ky Jr stays in close to Askren's body and controls the position.
Ky Jr is working Askren over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Ky Jr 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.
Ky Jr wants to control from the top but Askren keeps moving.
Askren is looking to stand up but Ky Jr isn't so interested in that idea.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Askren working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ky Jr.
Ky Jr won't allow Askren to get back to his feet.
Ky Jr keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Askren's head.
Ky Jr throwing strikes but missing.
Ky Jr stops Askren from standing up.
Ky Jr postures up and lands a big shot to Askren's brow.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Ky Jr wants to control from the top but Askren keeps moving.
Askren wants to stand and escape but Ky Jr is having none of it.
Askren working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ky Jr.
Askren is looking to stand up but Ky Jr isn't so interested in that idea.
Ky Jr working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Askren is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Askren preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ky Jr trying to control the position from guard on top but Askren is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ky Jr stops Askren from standing up.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Ky Jr postures up and lands a big shot to Askren's brow.
Askren preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Askren wants to stand but Ky Jr is controlling the position.
Askren utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ky Jr prevents Askren from getting back to his feet.
Ky Jr lands a couple of elbows.
Ky Jr wants to control from the top but Askren keeps moving.
Ky Jr really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Ky Jr won't allow Askren to get back to his feet.
Askren avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Ky Jr loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Askren utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Askren wants to stand but Ky Jr is controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Askren has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Ky Jr off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

Askren has Ky Jr up against the cage in a clinch.
Ky Jr blocks an uppercut.
Askren throws a punch but it's blocked by Ky Jr.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ky Jr.
Askren fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Askren gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Ky Jr.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Gaia Ky Jr dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Ky Jr gets tackled into the cage by Askren. Askren maintains the clinch.
Askren lands with a left to the head.
Ky Jr blocks a body shot from Askren.
Ky Jr is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Askren can do to turn this around?
Askren swings wildly with an uppercut but Ky Jr uses good head movement to avoid it.
Askren struggles to land a body shot inside as Ky Jr controls his hands.
Ky Jr blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Askren misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ky Jr blocks an uppercut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ky Jr.
Ky Jr drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Askren throws a punch but it's blocked by Ky Jr.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ky Jr fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Askren stalling against the cage.
Askren manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
The crowd are getting on Askren's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
Ky Jr has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Askren after a bit of a struggle.
Ky Jr blocking some punches.
Ky Jr wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gaia Ky Jr. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Askren misses with the head strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Askren presses Ky Jr against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Ky Jr is looking for a takedown.
Askren misses with a punch to the body.
Ky Jr tries for a takedown. No joy.
Ky Jr tries to score a body lock takedown but Askren shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
A short uppercut from Askren.
Askren taking a breather.
Askren lands with a short shot to the head.
Askren lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Askren taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Askren tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ky Jr gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Ky Jr loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Ky Jr forces his way into half guard.
Askren taking some punishment here, with Ky Jr in his half guard.
Askren looks like he's trying to stand up.
Ky Jr working the head and body with strikes.
Ky Jr is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Askren is looking to escape.
Ky Jr throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Askren tries to kick Ky Jr off but Ky Jr keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice strikes from Ky Jr there.
Ky Jr wants to pass to mount but Askren is defending the position.
Ky Jr thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Askren's head.
Ky Jr seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Askren is trying to stand up here but Ky Jr is controlling him well.
Ky Jr thows a huge punch but Askren dodges it nicely.
Askren is refusing to be controlled, as Ky Jr sits in half guard.
Ky Jr prevents Askren from standing back up.
Ky Jr scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Askren is trying to stand.
Ky Jr wants to free his trapped foot but Askren is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Ky Jr throwing shots but Askren is blocking nicely.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Askren is staying active underneath Ky Jr, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jake Askren 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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Askren misses with a takedown attempt - Ky Jr sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Ky Jr is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Askren's half guard.
Askren wants to stand back up but Ky Jr manages to pass into side control.
Ky Jr working the head with strikes.
Askren dodges the ground and pound from Ky Jr.
Ky Jr lands a decent elbow from side control.
Askren is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Ky Jr asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Ky Jr trying to control the position but Askren is working away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ky Jr scores with a couple of short elbows.
Ky Jr lands a few punches from side control.
Askren is trying to get back to his feet.
Askren felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Askren is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Ky Jr creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
The strikes coming from Ky Jr are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Askren pushes Ky Jr away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Ky Jr gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Ky Jr has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Askren takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Askren is trying to stand up.
Ky Jr with good strikes from the mount here!
Ky Jr putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Askren trying desperately to get to his feet.
Gaia Ky Jr overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ky Jr lands a big shot there that rocks Askren but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ky Jr working Askren over with strikes here.
The referee warns Askren that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Ky Jr lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Ky Jr lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
You get the feeling that Askren really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Ky Jr lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Askren is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Askren is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Ky Jr lands a nice shot to the head.
Askren is trying to stand up.
Ky Jr is landing with some decent strikes but Askren is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Askren trying desperately to get to his feet.
Ky Jr lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Ky Jr unloading with bombs!
Askren is trying to stand up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ky Jr with the ground and pound from mount.
Askren is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Ky Jr wants to control the pace but Askren is squirming around nicely.
Ky Jr with shots to the head and body - Askren looks very uncomfortable down there.
Askren tries to buck Ky Jr off but he can't manage it.
Ky Jr can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Askren is looking to escape.
Ky Jr lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Askren is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Ky Jr lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Ky Jr landing strikes from the mount.
Ky Jr won't let Askren get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
A nice elbow there by Ky Jr.
Ky Jr in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.

Askren is rocked!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ky Jr tries to control but Askren wriggling away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ky Jr is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Askren is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
You get the feeling that Askren really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Askren takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Askren tries to buck Ky Jr off but he can't manage it.
Ky Jr landing shots from mount.
Ky Jr lands a big elbow.
Ky Jr looking to finish Askren with some ground and pound. This is bad for Askren!
Askren is still in real trouble! Can Ky Jr finish him?
Ky Jr lands a big shot there that rocks Askren but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Ky Jr is landing with some decent strikes but Askren is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Askren is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Ky Jr scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Askren is trying to stand up.
Ky Jr working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Ky Jr working the ground and pound effectively.
Askren wants to get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gaia Ky Jr showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Ky Jr 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 Radbod Blank scores the fight 29:27
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 29:27
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 29:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gaia Ky Jr!
Gaia Ky Jr took to the mic in his post fight interview and said 'Nothing Beats Celebrating My 43rd Birthday 4 Days Ago With A Victory'.