PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dawit Asfaw (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Phil Brooks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dawit Asfaw has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Asfaw
vs
Brooks

212 cm
20
267 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
235 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Likes musicals

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Dawit Asfaw!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Phil Brooks!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Daniel Franklin and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Brooks stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Brooks wants it to stay on the feet.
Asfaw doesn't manage to clinch there - Brooks circles away.
Asfaw tries to clinch but Brooks moves out of range.
Brooks has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Asfaw is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Brooks misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Asfaw fires out a quick counter leg kick but Brooks just manages to avoid it.
Asfaw doesn't manage to clinch there - Brooks circles away.
Brooks throws out a counter right but Asfaw avoids it with no problem.

Asfaw rushes Brooks and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Asfaw missing with knees to the body.

Brooks manages to break the clinch.

Asfaw fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Brooks, pushing him back against the cage.
Asfaw missing with knees to the body.
Brooks managing to block the knees to the body from Asfaw.
Asfaw is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Brooks is defending well for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Asfaw tries to land knees in the clinch but Brooks avoids the damage to the body.
Asfaw trying to land knees to the body.
Asfaw trying to land knees to the body.

Brooks has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Asfaw uses from the top position.
Asfaw trying to stand up but can't free himself from Brooks's guard.
Brooks has control of Asfaw's left arm, preventing Asfaw from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Brooks wriggles free and stands up.
Asfaw wants to clinch.
Brooks fails with the takedown.
Asfaw tried to counter with a leg kick but Brooks avoided it.
Asfaw tries to clinch there but Brooks circles away.

Brooks closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Asfaw to the mat! Asfaw manages to get full guard.
Brooks looks winded!
Brooks controlling from the top position.
Brooks trying to control the position from guard on top but Asfaw is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brooks sitting in guard here, content to control.
Brooks throws an elbow that misses. Asfaw uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Brooks's guard. Nice move by Asfaw!

Brooks bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Asfaw's guard.

Brooks is looking to advance position but Asfaw has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Asfaw sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Asfaw tries to stand up but he's trapped just for the moment.
Asfaw tries to control but Brooks wriggling away.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Asfaw wants to stand but Brooks is holding on to him, trying to stop him posturing up.
Asfaw looking to control but Brooks is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Brooks slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Asfaw wants to stand up but Brooks has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Brooks is looking to improve his position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Brooks trying to control from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Phil Brooks will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Asfaw tries to keep at a distance but Brooks has taken the fight into the clinch.
Brooks managing to block the knees to the body from Asfaw.
Asfaw lands a good knee to the midsection. Brooks won't want to take too many of those.
Asfaw is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Brooks is defending well for now.
Asfaw tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Brooks avoids it.
Asfaw utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Brooks managing to block the knees to the body from Asfaw.
Asfaw trying to land knees to the body.
Asfaw lands a good knee to the midsection. Brooks won't want to take too many of those.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Brooks tries to pull guard but Asfaw holds him up against the cage and eventually Brooks drops back down to his feet.
Asfaw trying to land knees to the body.
Brooks is breathing heavily.
Brooks tries for a takedown but Asfaw manages to get underhooks.
Brooks blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Asfaw gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Brooks.
Dawit Asfaw has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Phil Brooks.

Asfaw's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Asfaw fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Brooks avoids it really well and circles away.
Asfaw tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Brooks manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Asfaw gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Brooks counters with a single leg into guard. Asfaw didn't expect that.
Brooks makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Asfaw knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Brooks on the ground.
Brooks missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Brooks forces his way into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well, if Brooks is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Brooks wants to pass to mount but Asfaw is defending the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Brooks controlling the action here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Phil Brooks is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Asfaw clinches.
Asfaw landing knees to the body.

Asfaw breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Asfaw tries to clinch up but Brooks circles away and keeps his distance.
Asfaw tries to clinch up

and Brooks counters with a single leg into guard. Asfaw didn't expect that.
Brooks's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Brooks thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Asfaw keeping moving, preventing Brooks from controlling successfully.
Brooks's corner is telling him to maintain position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Asfaw controls Brooks momentarily but Brooks frees himself.
Brooks trying to control but Asfaw is working from the bottom.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Phil Brooks will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Brooks changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Asfaw tries to avoid it but Brooks manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Asfaw to the ground. Asfaw escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Asfaw fails in his attempt to clinch.
Brooks circles away from the clinch attempt.

Asfaw instigates a clinch.
Asfaw tries to stall but Brooks uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Asfaw is trying to break the clinch but Brooks has him pressed against the cage.
Brooks jumps guard but Asfaw stands there with Brooks around his waist. Brooks gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Brooks tries for a takedown but Asfaw manages to get underhooks.
Dawit Asfaw has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Phil Brooks.
Asfaw missing with knees to the body.
Asfaw utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Brooks takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Brooks managing to block the knees to the body from Asfaw.
Brooks on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Asfaw is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Brooks is defending well for now.
Asfaw tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Brooks avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Asfaw wants to stall.
Asfaw putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Brooks in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Brooks takes a knee to the side of the body.
Asfaw lands a good knee to the midsection. Brooks won't want to take too many of those.
Asfaw scores a nice knee to the body.
Brooks tries to pull guard but Asfaw won't allow it.
Asfaw is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Brooks blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Brooks wants to take the fight to the mat but Asfaw manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Brooks as Asfaw tries to tie him up.
Brooks unloads a knee to the mid-section. Asfaw lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Asfaw tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Brooks avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Brooks gets control of Asfaw's arms and successfully pulls guard. Brooks will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Brooks is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Brooks throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

Brooks has his foot on Asfaw's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Asfaw works his way back into a safe position though.

Asfaw decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Brooks, up you get!

Asfaw darts in and clinches Brooks up against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Asfaw's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Asfaw missing with knees to the body.

Brooks gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
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!
Brooks looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Asfaw is trying to stand back up but Brooks is controlling him
Brooks trying to pass the guard but Asfaw defending well.
Brooks with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Asfaw wants to stand back up but Brooks manages to pass into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
You can see the frustration on Asfaw's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Brooks controls the position from side control.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Brooks misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Brooks looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Asfaw fails with an attempt to clinch.

Brooks rushes Asfaw and presses him up against the cage.
Dawit Asfaw has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Phil Brooks is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Brooks on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Dawit Asfaw.
I think Brooks 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 Santiago Holmes scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Phil Brooks!