PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tyson Asakura (ranked 1281 p4p, 1058 weight class) and Nova Lankinen (ranked 174 p4p, 148 weight class). Asakura's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, JJBA - Giorno's Theme. Tyson Asakura had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Asakura
vs
Lankinen

180 cm
33
173
18 - 12 - 1

180 cm
31
177
9 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Conquer

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tyson Asakura!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Nova Lankinen!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Andrew Berry and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lankinen's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Asakura connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Lankinen scrambles back to his feet.
Lankinen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Lankinen looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Lankinen walks into a jab.
Lankinen tries a head kick but it misses.
Lankinen lands a right hook to the body.
Lankinen ducks under a wild hook from Asakura.
Asakura lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Lankinen gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Asakura misses with a double jab.
Asakura lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Asakura throws a poor cross that misses
and Lankinen connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

It looks like Tyson Asakura has been cut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Asakura throws a left and a right that both miss
and Asakura takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Asakura uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Lankinen.
Lankinen has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Asakura.
Asakura misses with a low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Asakura clobbers Lankinen with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Asakura lands a nice leg kick that just misses Lankinen's sensitive parts.
Asakura misses with a hook. Lankinen ducked under it nicely.
Asakura misses with a hook.
Lankinen looks to land a right hand but Asakura moved out of range.
Asakura is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Lankinen throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Asakura sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Asakura swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Nova Lankinen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Asakura throws a shot from downtown. Lankinen moves away and avoids it.
Asakura tries to clinch up.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Lankinen! But no joy.
Asakura scores with a hook.
Asakura swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Lankinen.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Asakura lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.

Asakura breaks from the clinch.
Asakura throws a lazy uppercut
and Lankinen counters with a nice uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lankinen's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Asakura connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Lankinen scrambles back to his feet.
Asakura moves out of range of the strikes.
Lankinen scores with a nice head shot.
Asakura attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Asakura scores with a nice right hand.

It looks like Nova Lankinen has been cut.
Lankinen throws a jab when Asakura was well out of range.
Asakura throws a jab when Lankinen was well out of range.
It seemed like Lankinen was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Lankinen looks to throw the jab but Asakura is out of range.
Asakura tries to clinch but Lankinen is having none of it.
Nice uppercut lands for Asakura. That snapped Lankinen's head back.
Lankinen fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Asakura on the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Asakura connects with a single shot there.
Lankinen misses with an uppercut.
Lankinen takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Asakura lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
It looks like Asakura has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
Lankinen doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Lankinen walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Asakura missing with a left hand there. Lankinen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Lankinen is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
A lazy left from Asakura finds it's target.

Asakura gets a clinch.
Knees to the body from Asakura.
Lankinen stalls.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Asakura breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Danga de danga de dang - Asakura scores with a four punch combination!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lankinen is looking to chop away at Asakura's legs.
Asakura is looking to clinch but Lankinen is avoiding it.
Lankinen staying out of range there.
Asakura moves out of range of the strikes.
A jab from Asakura misses.
It seemed like Lankinen was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Asakura tries to clinch there but Lankinen circles away.
Asakura is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Asakura throws a hook but Lankinen blocks it.

Asakura fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Lankinen to the ground. Asakura is now in Lankinen's guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Asakura trying to control the position from guard on top but Lankinen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lankinen tries to land a sweep but no joy.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tyson Asakura dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Asakura's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Lankinen takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Tyson Asakura seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Asakura moves in looking to clinch but Lankinen pushes him off.
A little jabbing left from Lankinen on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Jab from Asakura.
No joy there for Asakura, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Lankinen uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Asakura.
Tyson Asakura is winning the standup battle so far.
Lankinen checks a leg kick.
Asakura lands a jab-cross combination.
Lankinen circles away from the clinch attempt.
Asakura feints a jab promting Lankinen to slip. Asakura then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Lankinen slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

Lankinen is rocked!
Lankinen misses with a hook.
It looked like Asakura was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Lankinen misses with a hook
and Asakura cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Lankinen is still on wobbly legs! Can Asakura finish him?
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lankinen misses with a hook to the body
and Asakura counters with a stiff right hand.
Asakura tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Lankinen looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Asakura tries to bum rush Lankinen with a series of wild strikes but Lankinen uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Asakura scores with a decent looking hook.
Lankinen throws out a loose jab but Asakura uses good head movement to avoid it.
Lankinen seems to have recovered his senses.
Asakura turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Lankinen scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Asakura is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Lankinen.
Asakura sizes up Lankinen with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Asakura lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Lankinen takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Lankinen might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Asakura throws a lazy uppercut
and Lankinen counters with a nice body shot.
Asakura stuns Lankinen with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lankinen lands with a straight right. Asakura didn't see that one coming.
Asakura shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Lankinen as he jumps to the side.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Asakura tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Asakura takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Asakura fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Asakura lands a nice looking body shot.

Asakura clinches up against the cage.
Asakura blocks an uppercut.

Lankinen breaks from the clinch.
Asakura listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Asakura scores with a decent looking hook.
Lankinen throws a lazy right hand but Asakura sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Lankinen moves out of range of the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Asakura pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Lankinen! But no joy.

Asakura moves into range and clinches up with Lankinen.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Lankinen.
Asakura misses with a punch to the body.
Asakura is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Lankinen can do to turn this around?
Lankinen lands a shot to the body.

Lankinen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Lankinen misses with a wild body shot.
Asakura was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Lankinen has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Asakura moves out of range as Lankinen strikes.
Lankinen will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Lankinen scores with a hook to the body. Asakura takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Lankinen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Lankinen misses with an uppercut
letting Asakura counter with a right hand.
Asakura feints a jab promting Lankinen to slip. Asakura then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Lankinen slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Asakura misses with a jab, cross combination.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Lankinen! But no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Asakura with a jab.
Asakura is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Lankinen tests Asakura's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Lankinen throws a jab when Asakura was well out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Asakura misses the target.
Asakura is looking to score with low kicks.
Lankinen throws a hook but Asakura blocks it.
Lankinen slips a jab from Asakura.
Lankinen throws out a counter right but Asakura avoids it with no problem.

Asakura closes the distance and clinches.
Lankinen lands a nice uppercut.

Lankinen breaks the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tyson Asakura dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Asakura keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
A looping hook to the body misses from Asakura. Lankinen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Lankinen missing with a left hand there. Asakura was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Lankinen blocks a low kick nicely.
Lankinen moves out of range as Asakura strikes.
Asakura shoots for a double leg takedown but Lankinen sprawls well. He's pushed Asakura's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Asakura throws a looping overhand right but Lankinen ducks down to avoid it.
Asakura slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Asakura bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Lankinen's head backwards.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lankinen misses with a hook. Asakura ducked under it nicely.
Lankinen scores with a punch to the head.
Lankinen defending well as Asakura loads up on a big left hand.
Asakura misses with a few strikes there.
Lankinen appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good work by Asakura as he checks the leg kick.
Lankinen on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Asakura bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Asakura lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Asakura misses with a jab to the body
enabling Lankinen to counter with a crisp jab.
Lankinen looks to throw the jab but Asakura is out of range.
Asakura throws a lazy uppercut
and Lankinen counters with a left and a right that stings Asakura.
Asakura throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Asakura misses with a hook to the body
and Lankinen counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
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!
Asakura throws a lazy uppercut
enabling Lankinen to counter with a crisp jab.
Lankinen uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Asakura lands with an overhand left.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Asakura connects with a solid leg kick.
Asakura throws a hook but Lankinen blocks it.
Lankinen looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Asakura swings widly with a right hand
and Lankinen counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A slow jab from Asakura misses its intended target.
Asakura misses with a body shot.
Asakura lands a nice looking body shot.
Asakura connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Lankinen's hands.
Nice uppercut lands for Asakura. That snapped Lankinen's head back.

Asakura fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Lankinen sprawls well initially but Asakura persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lankinen moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Lankinen has his hands on Asakura's head, controlling the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Asakura wanted to stand there but Lankinen had control of the position.
Asakura trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Asakura is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Lankinen keeping full guard, as Asakura tries to pass.
Lankinen not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Nova Lankinen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Asakura has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Asakura trying to stand up but can't free himself from Lankinen's guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Lankinen slips a straight right by Asakura.
Lankinen drops his hands momentarily and Asakura takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Asakura throws a leg kick that misses.
Asakura is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Lankinen uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Asakura.
It seemed like Lankinen was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Asakura lands with an uppercut that bounces Lankinen off the cage and back into range.
Lankinen cracks Asakura with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Lankinen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Asakura.
Lankinen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Asakura.
Tyson Asakura is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Asakura sizes up Lankinen with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tyson Asakura showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Asakura has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight 30:27
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 30:27
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tyson Asakura!
A very excited looking Tyson Asakura made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.