PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between alison marcolino (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Ashika (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

marcolino
vs
Ashika

196 cm
25
253 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

192 cm
18
230 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Very confident

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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, alison marcolino!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, John Ashika!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Donatello Bradman and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fight stays on the outside here - marcolino looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ashika avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Ashika closes the distance and pushes marcolino back into the cage.
Ashika tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. marcolino smiles and moves away.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
marcolino scores a nice knee to the body.
A hook to the body from Ashika.

marcolino manages to break the clinch.
marcolino wants to clinch
and Ashika counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
marcolino shoots in for a double leg but Ashika sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Ashika drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
marcolino is pulling down on Ashika's head. It's preventing any offense from Ashika, at least for the moment.
marcolino is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ashika wants to control from the top but marcolino keeps moving.
marcolino pulls Ashika in close to prevent any damage.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
marcolino tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Ashika counters with a one-two to the body.
Ashika tries to clinch up but marcolino circles away and keeps his distance.
marcolino is looking to score with low kicks.
marcolino tries to bum rush Ashika with a series of wild strikes but Ashika uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
marcolino doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Ashika counters by moving into the clinch.
marcolino is breathing heavily.
Ashika keeps the fight in the clinch, despite marcolino's efforts to push away.
Ashika wants to break free but marcolino has control.
marcolino with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
marcolino lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
marcolino works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
marcolino drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Ashika gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for alison marcolino. That's going to take a lot out of him.
marcolino wants to get back to striking at distance but Ashika won't allow it.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
marcolino with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Ashika has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics marcolino uses from the top position.

Ashika has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes marcolino off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
marcolino fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

A momentary lapse in concentration from marcolino enables Ashika to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. marcolino manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ashika trying to control but marcolino is working from the bottom.
Ashika must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
marcolino working a defensive guard here.
marcolino has a closed guard, preventing Ashika from standing up.
marcolino wants to sweep but no luck.

John Ashika has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
marcolino throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Ashika avoids a punch combination nicely.

Ashika clinches up against the cage.

marcolino gets control of Ashika's arms and successfully pulls guard. marcolino will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Ashika wants to control from the top but marcolino keeps moving.
marcolino trying to control the position.
marcolino wants to stand and escape but Ashika is having none of it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ashika wants to control from the top but marcolino keeps moving.
marcolino looking for a sweep. Not yet marcolino, not yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Ashika dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

marcolino fails with the takedown
and Ashika counters with a series of strikes. marcolino will be more careful next time no doubt.
Ashika doesn't manage to clinch there - marcolino circles away.
Ashika takes a shot right to the bread basket.
marcolino lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
marcolino fails with an attempt to clinch.
marcolino tries to clinch but Ashika moves away
and Ashika counters with a two punch combo.
An inside leg kick lands from marcolino.
marcolino explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Ashika takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
marcolino wants to clinch up but Ashika keeps it at a distance.
Ashika falls off balance throwing a combination

and marcolino counters by moving into the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ashika keeps the fight in the clinch, despite marcolino's efforts to push away.
marcolino tries to score a body lock takedown but Ashika shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
marcolino has had enough of the clinch but Ashika keeps him there for the moment.
marcolino has Ashika pressed against the cage, preventing Ashika from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Ashika decides to pull guard.
marcolino is looking to stand up but Ashika won't let him.

Ashika looking for a guillotine here but marcolino defends easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
marcolino wanted to stand there but Ashika had control of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
marcolino postures up in Ashika's guard and throws a big left but Ashika blocks it.
marcolino looking to pass the guard.

Ashika has his feet on marcolino's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

Ashika drives through and clinches with marcolino against the cage.
marcolino scores with a knee to the head.
Ashika changes levels and goes for a takedown here. marcolino fights it off and pushes away nicely.
marcolino is looking to clinch but Ashika is avoiding it.
marcolino closes the distance looking to clinch
and Ashika counters with a one-two to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
marcolino fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for alison marcolino. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Ashika closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Ashika working some nice short punches in the clinch.

marcolino breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
marcolino moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Ashika lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but marcolino circles away quickly and effectively.
alison marcolino is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
marcolino tries to clinch
and marcolino takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
marcolino throws a right and a left that Ashika avoids nicely.
marcolino misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Ashika tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ashika throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Ashika throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
marcolino throws a combination that misses

and Ashika moves into the clinch.
Ashika pushes marcolino back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Ashika wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

marcolino jumps into guard, dragging Ashika to the mat.
Ashika postures up in marcolino's guard and throws a big left but marcolino blocks it.
Ashika looking to pass the guard.

Ashika stands and steps away. marcolino gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Ashika looks to score with a jab to the body but marcolino is just out of range.
marcolino lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Ashika uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before marcolino has time to react.
marcolino tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
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 alison marcolino will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

No joy there for marcolino, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ashika misses with a jab, cross combination.
marcolino looks for a takedown but Ashika sprawls well.
Ashika scores with a nice strike.
Ashika is looking to clinch.
marcolino showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ashika.
marcolino lands with a kick to the ribs.
marcolino misses with a double jab

and Ashika counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Ashika.
Ashika drops to a knee looking for a takedown but marcolino gets the underhooks and prevents it.
marcolino can't get the takedown.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
marcolino prevents a takedown attempt there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
marcolino lands with a light punch inside.
Ashika changes levels and goes for a takedown here. marcolino fights it off and pushes away nicely.
alison marcolino has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Ashika.
marcolino throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
marcolino dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Ashika moves into range and clinches up with marcolino.
Ashika has had enough of the clinch but marcolino keeps him there for the moment.
Ashika wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but marcolino has him pressed against the cage.

marcolino escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ashika stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from marcolino.

Ashika drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
marcolino is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

marcolino wriggles free and stands up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
marcolino is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ashika sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Ashika tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but marcolino paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ashika misses with a two punch combination.
marcolino wants to clinch
and Ashika counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Ashika dodges the punch combination from marcolino.

marcolino clinches with his opponent.
marcolino tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ashika avoids it.
Ashika tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
marcolino is trying to force a seperation but Ashika has the dominant position.
Ashika prevents a body shot from marcolino.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ashika changes levels and goes for a takedown here. marcolino fights it off and pushes away nicely.
marcolino shoots in for a takedown but Ashika shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
marcolino avoids a punch combination nicely.
marcolino lands a head kick. Ashika smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
marcolino takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
marcolino fails with the takedown.
marcolino throws a left and a right that both miss
and marcolino takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ashika leaves marcolino with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Ashika misses with a wild combination.
Ashika fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's four 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.
marcolino connects with a solid leg kick.
Ashika misses with a jab, cross combination.
marcolino darts in trying to clinch

and Ashika counters by moving into the clinch.
marcolino connects with a nasty looking knee right to Ashika's face.
marcolino swings wildly with an uppercut but Ashika uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ashika lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down marcolino.
marcolino with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Ashika prevents marcolino from breaking the clinch.
Ashika fails to pull the fight into his guard.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

marcolino breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
marcolino will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Ashika shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches marcolino napping and manages to drive through into side control!

And that's the end of the fight!
John Ashika comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Ashika 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 Hugh Johnson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 28:29
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Ashika!