PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight kickboxing rules bout between Bardia Farrokhzad (ranked 2044 p4p, 1647 weight class) and Koos Van Asch (ranked 141 p4p, 126 weight class). Farrokhzad comes into the arena with Rastak - Hele Mali (Iranian Fisherman Folk Song) blaring out of the sound system. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Farrokhzad
vs
Van Asch

170 cm
39
148
40 - 27 - 0

167 cm
34
143
25 - 16 - 3

World class boxer
Insanely flexible

World class MT
Heavy handed

KOMBAT KLOTHING
Brooklyn Apothecary

Kersikov's Vitamin Clinic (160)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 40 - 27 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Bardia Farrokhzad!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 16 - 3, fighting out of New York, Koos Van Asch!
The judges for this bout are Jeff Smith, Colin Fray and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Farrokhzad uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Van Asch has time to react.
Farrokhzad blocks a low kick nicely.
Farrokhzad throws out a loose jab but Van Asch uses good head movement to avoid it.
Farrokhzad misses with a telegraphed body shot
letting Van Asch counter with a right hand.
Farrokhzad misses with an uppercut.
Van Asch misses with a body kick.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Farrokhzad.
Van Asch avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Van Asch tries a quick counter leg kick but Farrokhzad is wise to it.
Van Asch 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.
Farrokhzad throws a hook but Van Asch blocks it.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Van Asch! But no joy.
Some bone on bone action there as Farrokhzad checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Van Asch is looking to land body kicks.
Farrokhzad thows a left - swing and a miss!
Farrokhzad connects with a body shot that sends Van Asch's belly button to the back.
A low kick lands for Van Asch.
Van Asch avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Farrokhzad stuns Van Asch with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Farrokhzad throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Asch looks to land a body kick but Farrokhzad moved away.
Farrokhzad avoids a kick to the body.
Farrokhzad cracks Van Asch with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Van Asch fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Van Asch slips under a jab.
A little jabbing left from Van Asch on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Farrokhzad doesn't manage to clinch there - Van Asch circles away.
Van Asch takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Farrokhzad throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Farrokhzad lunges at Van Asch with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Van Asch's hand.
Van Asch throws a chopping leg kick but Farrokhzad manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Farrokhzad looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Van Asch lands with a nice body kick.

Farrokhzad has taken the fight to the clinch.
Van Asch is looking to break free of the clinch but Farrokhzad has double underhooks.

Van Asch pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The fighters circle momentarily. Farrokhzad darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Asch swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Van Asch has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Farrokhzad finds it's way round the side to connect with Van Asch's head.
Farrokhzad ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Van Asch misses the shot to the body.
Van Asch scores with a jab to the body.
Farrokhzad misses with a body shot.
Van Asch uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Farrokhzad.
Good shot there by Farrokhzad.
Van Asch throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Van Asch tries to score with a low kick but Farrokhzad moves his leg out of the way.
An attempted straight right counter from Farrokhzad misses the target.
Van Asch takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Farrokhzad lands a nice shot that snaps Van Asch's head back.
Farrokhzad is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Van Asch fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Farrokhzad.
Van Asch throws a low kick but it's checked well by Farrokhzad.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Bardia Farrokhzad dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Van Asch throws a series of punches but Farrokhzad avoids them all with ease.
Farrokhzad uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Van Asch has time to react.
A big left from Farrokhzad misses.
Nice jab there from Farrokhzad.

Van Asch is rocked!
Farrokhzad throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Van Asch uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Farrokhzad.
Farrokhzad moves away from the strike by Van Asch.
Farrokhzad bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Van Asch is still on wobbly legs! Can Farrokhzad finish him?
Farrokhzad misses with a double jab
and Van Asch counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Van Asch ducks into a a hook from Farrokhzad and goes down! He looks in a bit of a mess; will he beat the count?! 4,5,6,7,8 - he's up and looking to carry on! The referee looks into his eyes and sees that he's OK to continue!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Farrokhzad tries to clinch up.
Van Asch seems to have recovered his senses.
Van Asch lands the left hand.
Nice body punch from Farrokhzad.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Farrokhzad looks to throw the jab but Van Asch is out of range.
Nice shot by Farrokhzad.
Farrokhzad jabs at Van Asch's body.
Van Asch keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Farrokhzad clinches up against the cage.
Farrokhzad misses with a knee to the head.
Farrokhzad prevents Van Asch from breaking the clinch.
Farrokhzad prevents Van Asch from breaking the clinch.
Van Asch is trying to push Farrokhzad away but Farrokhzad has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Farrokhzad looking to throw knees to the head but Van Asch is blocking nicely.
A short uppercut from Farrokhzad.
Van Asch takes a knee to the side of the body.

Van Asch manages to break the clinch.
A head kick misses from Van Asch.
Van Asch ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Farrokhzad moves away.
Farrokhzad fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Van Asch looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Van Asch keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A looping hook to the body misses from Farrokhzad. Van Asch does a little dance to reset his feet.
A countering left hand to the body from Van Asch misses.
Van Asch fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Farrokhzad manages to avoid it.
Farrokhzad just misses with a punch to the body.
Farrokhzad thuds his right hand into Van Asch's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

Farrokhzad has taken the fight to the clinch.

Van Asch manages to break the clinch.

Farrokhzad closes the distance and clinches.
Farrokhzad lands a right hand that snaps the head of Van Asch backwards.

Van Asch's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Van Asch takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Farrokhzad scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Van Asch ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Farrokhzad moves away.
Van Asch takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Farrokhzad misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Van Asch.
Van Asch looks to throw the jab but Farrokhzad is out of range.
An attempted straight right counter from Farrokhzad misses the target.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Bardia Farrokhzad will take that round after scoring the only knockdown of the round.
That's time! Farrokhzad's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Jab, jab by Farrokhzad - just one landing.
Van Asch throws a looping overhand right but Farrokhzad ducks down to avoid it.
Van Asch scores with a jab to the jaw.
Farrokhzad throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Van Asch sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Van Asch doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Farrokhzad scores with a sloppy right hand. Van Asch should have avoided that one.
A punch combination from Van Asch misses.
Van Asch takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Van Asch slips a straight right by Farrokhzad.
Van Asch with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Van Asch throws a nice inside leg kick.
Van Asch throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Van Asch avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Van Asch looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Van Asch is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Farrokhzad.

Farrokhzad rushes Van Asch and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Asch has had enough of the clinch but Farrokhzad keeps him there for the moment.
Van Asch tries to break the clinch but Farrokhzad is controlling the position.
Farrokhzad is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Van Asch can do to turn this around?
Farrokhzad has Van Asch pressed against the cage, preventing Van Asch from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Farrokhzad prevents Van Asch from breaking the clinch.
Farrokhzad has Van Asch pressed against the cage, preventing Van Asch from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Farrokhzad prevents Van Asch from breaking the clinch.
Van Asch working hard to break the clinch.
Farrokhzad misses with a hook to the ribs.
Farrokhzad softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Farrokhzad using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Van Asch takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Farrokhzad creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A hook to the body from Farrokhzad.
Farrokhzad lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Farrokhzad lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Bardia Farrokhzad has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Farrokhzad unloads a knee to the mid-section. Van Asch lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Van Asch's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Farrokhzad using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Van Asch has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Farrokhzad landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Farrokhzad with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Farrokhzad digs a right hand underneath Van Asch's ribcage. Van Asch let out a lung full of air as it connected.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Farrokhzad working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Farrokhzad lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Farrokhzad using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Van Asch has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Farrokhzad landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Farrokhzad tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Farrokhzad with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Van Asch takes a knee right on the jaw!
Farrokhzad lands a body shot.
Farrokhzad using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
A short left from Farrokhzad.
Good body shot from Farrokhzad.
Farrokhzad throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Farrokhzad.
A body shot lands from Farrokhzad.
Farrokhzad connects with a nasty looking knee right to Van Asch's face.
A body shot lands from Farrokhzad.
Farrokhzad scores with a shoulder strike.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Knees to the body from Farrokhzad.
Knees to the body from Farrokhzad.
Farrokhzad lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Van Asch.
Van Asch's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Bardia Farrokhzad clearly takes that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Farrokhzad scores with a jab to the body.
Farrokhzad uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Van Asch.
Farrokhzad lands with a straight right. Van Asch didn't see that one coming.
Nice body kick from Van Asch.
Farrokhzad jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.

Farrokhzad cracks Van Asch with a left hand that drops him to the canvas, up against the cage! Can Van Asch get back up in time? 3, 4, 5, 6, 7... he's on one knee... 8, 9... he's up! 'Walk towards me' says the referee. Van Asch looks steady enough to continue so we're going to continue!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Van Asch gets tackled into the cage by Farrokhzad. Farrokhzad maintains the clinch.
Farrokhzad using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Van Asch has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Van Asch tries to break free but Farrokhzad pushes him back against the cage.
Farrokhzad lands a hook that snaps the head of Van Asch backwards.
Farrokhzad prevents Van Asch from breaking the clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Farrokhzad.
Van Asch is looking to break free of the clinch but Farrokhzad has double underhooks.
Van Asch is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Van Asch is trying to force a seperation but Farrokhzad has the dominant position.
Van Asch is trying to break the clinch but Farrokhzad has him pressed against the cage.
Van Asch working hard to break the clinch.

Van Asch breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Koos Van Asch has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Farrokhzad is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Van Asch moves away from the strike by Farrokhzad.

Farrokhzad has taken the fight to the clinch.

Van Asch breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Farrokhzad cracks Van Asch with a left hand that drops him to the canvas, up against the cage! Can Van Asch get back up in time? 3, 4, 5, 6, 7... he's on one knee... 8, 9... he's up! 'Walk towards me' says the referee. Van Asch looks steady enough to continue so we're going to continue!
Farrokhzad walks forward, straight into a front kick from Van Asch.
Van Asch throws a shot from downtown. Farrokhzad moves away and avoids it.
Farrokhzad connects with a body shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Farrokhzad gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Farrokhzad lands a right hand that snaps the head of Van Asch backwards.
Farrokhzad lands with a light punch inside.
Farrokhzad scores with an uppercut up the middle.

Van Asch breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Van Asch walks straight into a perfectly timed right hook, crumpling him to the floor! Van Asch is in all kinds of trouble here - can he beat the count? 3,4,5,6,7,8,9....10 - he's out and it's by a long way too - he didn't ever look like beating that count!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:59 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punch). Bardia Farrokhzad!
Bardia Farrokhzad retains his bantamweight title!
An out of breath Bardia Farrokhzad thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.