PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Icaro Asas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joseph Brown (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Joseph Brown was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Asas
vs
Brown

196 cm
35
198 lbs
15 - 16 - 0

190 cm
32
195 lbs
17 - 15 - 1

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Good chin

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Icaro Asas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 15 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Joseph Brown!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Matheus Silva and Luis Engracia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Brown tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Brown misses with the combination.
Asas showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Brown.
Brown pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Brown throws a right hand that Asas ducks under and follows up with a left that Asas also avoids with ease.
Asas blocks a head kick by Brown.
Joseph Brown seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Brown throws a lazy head kick

and Asas counters with a crisp one two that drops Brown! Asas thinks about following him to the mat for a moment but instead steps back and waves Brown to his feet! Brown is in big trouble!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Brown swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Asas counters with a body kick.
Brown looks winded!
Asas stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Brown lands a leg kick that knocks Asas off balance momentarily.
Asas tries to clinch there but Brown circles away.

Asas closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Brown's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Asas working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Brown is rocked!
Asas throwing strikes but missing.
Asas throws a strike but Brown rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Asas with a couple of shots from the bottom there - nothing Brown can't handle though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brown with a flurry of punches that miss.
Asas tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Asas utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Asas striking off his back, scoring a few points.
Brown postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Asas throws some shots to the body, keeping his opponent honest.
Asas bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Brown's guard.
Asas trying to control but Brown is working from the bottom.
Asas lands a couple of elbows.
Asas is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Brown pushes Asas off and scrambles back to his feet.
Brown stuffs the takedown.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Brown swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Asas shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Brown is trying to defend but Asas finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Brown avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Asas.

Asas is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Brown defends it well.
Asas thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Brown's head.
Brown on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Brown avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Asas.
Asas missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Brown is trying to stand.
Asas working over Brown with some ground and pound. Brown looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Brown blocking the ground and pound attempt from Asas.
Asas thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Brown's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Brown kicks Asas off and gets back to his feet.
Brown pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Asas rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Brown moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Brown misses with the combination.
Joseph Brown is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Asas tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Brown swivels and escapes.
Asas fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Icaro Asas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Brown misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Asas tries to clinch up but Brown circles away and keeps his distance.
Brown tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Brown. Asas shrugs it off though.
Asas looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Brown is fending him off so far but Asas persists. Nope, Brown circles away and we're back to standing.
Brown throws a head kick that Asas semi-blocks.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Brown scores with a body shot.
Asas is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Brown looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Brown misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Brown misses with a head kick.
Asas is trying hard to land a takedown here. Brown sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Asas waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Brown.
Asas buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Brown bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Brown stuns Asas with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Brown misses with a body kick.
Asas fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Brown avoids it really well and circles away.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Brown misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Brown throws a hook but Asas avoids it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Icaro Asas dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Brown rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Asas moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Asas jabs Brown right on the nose. Brown blinks but takes it well.
Asas wants to clinch up but Brown keeps it at a distance.
Brown throws a head kick but Asas moves out of range.
Asas scoring well with a low kick there.
Brown throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Asas counters with a series of strikes. Brown will be more careful next time no doubt.
Brown misses with a head kick.
Brown tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Asas tries to clinch up but Brown circles away and keeps his distance.

Brown gets caught napping as Asas dives in and scores a takedown. Brown manages to retain guard.

Brown uses the cage to get back to his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nice takedown defense from Brown. No joy for Asas on that attempt.
Brown looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Brown keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Brown, as that shot connected.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Asas takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Brown lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Asas at a distance.
No joy there for Brown, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Asas is looking to clinch.
Brown lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Asas backs up against the cage.
Brown throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Brown misses with an attempted mid kick.
Brown misses with a head kick.
Icaro Asas is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Brown tries a head kick but it misses.
Brown throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Brown pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Asas fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Icaro Asas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Asas bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Brown tries a head kick but it misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Asas connects with a solid leg kick.
Asas throws a good cross that connects.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Asas tries to clinch but Brown is having none of it.
Asas tries to score a power double leg takedown but Brown sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Asas somewhat.
Brown throws a head kick but Asas moves out of range.
Asas scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Brown doesn't seem bothered though.
Brown throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Brown misses with a series of wild punches.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Brown - that will leave a mark!

Asas gets a double leg takedown into Brown's guard.
Asas with a nice head shot there.
Brown working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Asas.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Asas throwing strikes but missing.
Asas throws a big elbow that misses.
Brown wants to stand and escape but Asas is having none of it.
Asas works over Brown with some ground and pound from guard.
Asas with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Asas postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Brown scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Brown plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Brown throws a hook to the side of Asas's head but Asas sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Brown gets tackled into the cage by Asas. Asas maintains the clinch.

Asas breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Asas scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Asas bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Horrible takedown by Asas or perhaps it was just good defense by Brown which made him look bad.
Asas fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Brown avoids it really well and circles away.
Brown misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Asas.
A head kick misses from Brown.
Asas lands with a straight right. Brown didn't see that one coming.

Asas drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Brown managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Asas.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Asas trying to control the action but Brown is working from the bottom.

Brown sneaks out the side door and pushes Asas away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
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 Icaro Asas will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

A big right from Brown misses.
Danga de danga de dang - Brown scores with a four punch combination!
Asas moves out of range as Brown throws a body kick.
Icaro Asas is winning the standup battle so far.
Asas shoots in for a double leg but Brown sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Asas blocks the body kick.
Asas shoots for a takedown but Brown saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Brown lands with a nice body kick.
Brown throws a series of punches but Asas avoids them all with ease.
Asas blocks a head kick by Brown.
Asas fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Icaro Asas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Asas shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Brown sprawls well. Brown wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Asas gets slowly back to his feet.
Brown misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Asas tries for a takedown but Brown sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Brown throws a head kick but Asas moves out of range.
Brown tries a head kick but it misses.
Asas tries to clinch up but Brown circles away and keeps his distance.
A head kick by Brown misses
and Asas counters with a right hand to the body.
Horrible takedown by Asas or perhaps it was just good defense by Brown which made him look bad.
Brown jabs Asas to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Brown throws a head kick that half lands.
A decent looking cross lands there for Brown.
Brown turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

Asas fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Brown, pushing him back against the cage.

Brown manages to break the clinch.
Brown scoring well with a low kick there.
Brown looks to land a body kick but Asas moved away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Asas takes a head kick and keeps coming.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Asas shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Brown as he jumps to the side.
Brown scores with a head kick.
Brown throws a sloppy head kick and Asas moves out of range easily.
Brown scores with a spinning back kick!
Brown throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Asas counters with a leg kick.
Asas slips under a jab.
Asas moves out of range of the body kick.
Asas blocks a head kick by Brown.

Asas scores with a takedown into Brown's guard.
Asas connects with a couple of short punches.
Asas trying to control but Brown is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brown wants to stand and escape but Asas is having none of it.
Asas throwing strikes but missing.
Asas postures up and lands a big shot to Brown's brow.
Brown is looking to stand up but Asas isn't so interested in that idea.
Asas is looking to work some ground and pound but Brown has wrist control.
Brown avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Asas throwing strikes but missing.
Asas 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.
Brown working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Asas.
Brown utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Asas accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Brown has his feet on Asas's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Brown chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Brown throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Asas will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Brown bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Asas blocks a head kick by Brown.
Brown bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Asas's head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Asas takes a kick to the side of the head.
Brown tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Asas looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Brown tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Joseph Brown has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Icaro Asas is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Asas gets a takedown into half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joseph Brown comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Asas 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 Seu Braga scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 29:28
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Icaro Asas!
An out of breath Icaro Asas thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.