PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Krilich Berglomi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ben Askren (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Berglomi kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Gargaj - Rude Awakening. The key to victory for Krilich Berglomi has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Berglomi
vs
Askren

175 cm
33
160 lbs
14 - 13 - 0

184 cm
21
165 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Krilich Berglomi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ben Askren!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Paulsen Ambrosius and Radbod Blank.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Berglomi throws a head kick but Askren moves out of range.
Berglomi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Askren shoots in but Berglomi avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Askren shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Berglomi but Berglomi pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Askren avoids the head kick by Berglomi.

Askren shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Askren showed some decent athleticism there.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Askren is looking to pass Berglomi's guard but actually Berglomi recovers to full guard.
Askren works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Askren not doing much here.
Askren's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Askren frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Askren wants to take Berglomi's back here but Berglomi is holding on to an arm, himself looking to escape.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Berglomi avoids a series of strikes thrown by Askren.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Askren has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Berglomi's face.

Askren is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Berglomi is surviving well by controlling Askren's body position as best he can.
Askren throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Berglomi because Askren loaded up on that one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Askren trying to control but Berglomi is having none of it.
Askren postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Berglomi looks a forlorn figure.
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!
Askren landing punches.
Berglomi has worked his way to half guard, taking advantage of Askren's lack of action.
Berglomi is trying to stand.

Askren is looking for a kimura here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Berglomi pushes Askren off looking to stand but Askren dives back in and keeps control.
Berglomi is in trouble now - Askren has advanced to mount!

Askren moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Berglomi has worked his arm free - good work by Berglomi!
Askren passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Berglomi!
Askren wants to control the pace but Berglomi is squirming around nicely.
Askren takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Askren is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Berglomi has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Berglomi!
Askren is pulling down on Berglomi's head to control his posture.

Askren scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Berglomi misses with a head kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Askren slips a jab and a cross from Berglomi.
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!
Berglomi stuffs the takedown attempt from Askren. Askren gets slowly back to his feet.
Krilich Berglomi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ben Askren.
Askren looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Berglomi is fending him off so far but Askren persists. Nope, Berglomi circles away and we're back to standing.
Askren shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Berglomi defends it nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ben Askren dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Berglomi rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Askren moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Askren looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Askren avoids a punch combination nicely.
Berglomi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Askren shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Askren is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Berglomi doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Askren.
Askren is looking to take a break and control but Berglomi is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Berglomi manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Berglomi displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Askren.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Askren shoots in for a double leg but Berglomi sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Krilich Berglomi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ben Askren.
Askren misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Askren shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Berglomi is trying to defend but Askren finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Berglomi on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Berglomi tries to get out of the position.
Askren is stalling here. Berglomi is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Askren seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Berglomi has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Askren is trying to control Berglomi's posture but Berglomi avoids it.
Askren is trying to get back to his feet.
You can see the frustration on Askren's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
This has been an exciting period of action!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Askren is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Berglomi off and has taken his back!
Askren throwing sloppy strikes.

Askren goes for a risky armbar from back mount and it's not paid off. Berglomi escapes and is now in half guard on top.
Askren controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Askren makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Askren.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Berglomi being controlled here momentarily.
Ben Askren has got the better of the ground game so far.
Let's hope that Askren has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Berglomi postures up.

Askren uses the cage to get back to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Berglomi throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Askren.

Askren shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Askren showed some decent athleticism there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Askren is keen to just control but Berglomi is a slippery customer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ben Askren showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Askren drives through with a takedown into Berglomi's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Askren scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Askren looking to sit in guard and control but Berglomi gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Askren looking to hit a scissor sweep but Berglomi is one step ahead there.
Berglomi wants to get up but he can't break Askren's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Askren is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Askren holds on and takes a little breather.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Ben Askren was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Askren will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Horrible takedown by Askren or perhaps it was just good defense by Berglomi which made him look bad.
Berglomi throws a head kick that misses.
Berglomi jabs Askren right on the nose. Askren blinks but takes it well.
Askren slips a straight right by Berglomi.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Berglomi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Berglomi misses with the combination.
Sloppy strikes from Berglomi. Those never looked like landing.
Askren fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Krilich Berglomi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ben Askren.

Askren gets a double leg takedown into Berglomi's guard.
Berglomi keeping moving, preventing Askren from controlling successfully.
Askren passes into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Askren drops an elbow to the side of Berglomi's head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Askren looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Askren is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Askren looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

Askren seems to be looking for submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Askren tries to pass to full mount but Berglomi defends it.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Askren looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Askren is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Berglomi is just riding it out for now. Askren eventually gives up the hold.
Krilich Berglomi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Berglomi is trying to stand up here but Askren is controlling him well.
Ben Askren is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Askren wants to take a breather but Berglomi is having none of it.
Askren is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Berglomi is trying to stand back up but Askren is controlling him

And that's the end of the fight!
Ben Askren comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Askren winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Nard Betker scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 27:30
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ben Askren!
Ben Askren decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.