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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ben Askren (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kev Gastelum (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ben Askren has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?
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| 180 cm
31
180 lbs
12 - 8 - 0 |
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175 cm
25
170 lbs
4 - 0 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very strong |
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Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Determined |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
12 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ben Askren!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kev Gastelum!
The judges for this bout are , Jack Bonds and Frank Antenori.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gastelum lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Askren backs up against the cage.
Gastelum lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Askren.
Askren fails with a takedown attempt.
Askren is trying hard to land a takedown here. Gastelum sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ben Askren. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Askren's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Gastelum connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Askren scrambles back to his feet.
A jab from Gastelum finds it's way through Askren's defenses.
Askren moves out of range of the strikes.
Askren takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Gastelum stuffs the takedown.
Askren dives in for a single leg takedown but Gastelum sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gastelum throws a hook to the side of Askren's head but Askren sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Askren dives in for a single leg takedown but Gastelum sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Askren closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Gastelum did well to prevent Askren getting side control.
Gastelum looks like he's trying to stand up.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Gastelum can do anything to dispel that myth.
Gastelum avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Askren.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Gastelum is trying to stand.
Askren 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.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Askren fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Gastelum to the ground. Askren is now in Gastelum's guard.
Askren is working Gastelum over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Askren stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gastelum swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Askren trying to control but Gastelum is working from the bottom.
Askren in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Gastelum is looking to stand up but Askren isn't so interested in that idea.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Askren trying to control but Gastelum is working from the bottom.
Askren lands a couple of elbows.
Gastelum wants to stand but Askren is controlling the position.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Gastelum looks to land a combination. Askren sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Askren dives in and grabs Gastelum's left leg, looking for a takedown. Gastelum pushes down on Askren's head and hops out.
Gastelum throws a combination. Askren tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Askren tries for a takedown but Gastelum sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gastelum ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Gastelum misses with a straight left.
Askren scores with a takedown into Gastelum's guard.
We've been hearing that Askren has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Askren working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Gastelum is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Askren is controlling him.
Askren loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Askren controls from within his opponent's guard.
Askren trying to control but Gastelum is working from the bottom.
Gastelum is looking to stand up but Askren isn't so interested in that idea.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Askren trying to control the position from guard on top but Gastelum is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gastelum wants to stand but Askren is controlling the position.
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Jab, jab by Gastelum - just one landing.
Gastelum throws out a loose jab but Askren uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gastelum misses with a straight left.
Gastelum tries to bum rush Askren with a series of wild strikes but Askren uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Askren appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Gastelum fails to land with a series of punches.
Askren attempts a counter takedown but Gastelum avoids it well and moves away.
Sloppy strikes from Gastelum. Those never looked like landing.
Askren shoots in and bounces Gastelum off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Askren stops Gastelum from standing up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Kev Gastelum dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Gastelum works over Askren's head and body with a nice combination.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Askren is defended easily by Gastelum.
Gastelum scores with a three punch combo!
Askren takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Gastelum throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ben Askren seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gastelum stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Gastelum wants it to stay on the feet.
Gastelum has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Askren closes this distance looking for a takedown but Gastelum circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ben Askren. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice shot by Gastelum.
Some wild striking there from Gastelum.
Askren tries to score a power double leg takedown but Gastelum sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Askren somewhat.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Askren shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Gastelum counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Askren slips under a jab.
Askren attempts a counter takedown but Gastelum avoids it well and moves away.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Gastelum throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Askren feinted with a counter takedown.
Gastelum scores with a nice head shot.
Askren shoots in and gets a takedown into Gastelum's guard.
Askren postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Askren missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Askren won't allow Gastelum to get back to his feet.
Askren loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Askren won't allow Gastelum to get back to his feet.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Askren is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gastelum is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Askren takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Gastelum cracks a nice hook into Askren's ribs.
Gastelum pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Gastelum cracks a nice hook into Askren's ribs.
Kev Gastelum is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gastelum misses with the combination.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A slow jab from Gastelum misses its intended target.
Askren darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Askren not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Askren scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Ground and pound from Askren.
Askren thows a huge punch but Gastelum dodges it nicely.
Askren lands with a punch from half guard.
Gastelum looks like he's trying to stand up.
Gastelum blocking the ground and pound attempt from Askren.
Askren prevents Gastelum from standing back up.
Askren landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Gastelum is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Askren scores with a couple of nice shots.
Askren stops Gastelum from getting back to his feet.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Askren performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Askren slips a nice elbow through Gastelum's hands, connecting with Gastelum's forehead.
Askren stops Gastelum from getting back to his feet.
Askren winds up and cracks Gastelum with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Gastelum wants to get back to his feet.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Kev Gastelum showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Askren's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!
Gastelum's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Gastelum duly obliges.
Gastelum might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Askren shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Gastelum pinned against the cage. Gastelum gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Askren fails with a takedown attempt.
Askren fails with the takedown
and Gastelum counters with a lovely straight right hand!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ben Askren. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Askren shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Gastelum as he jumps to the side.
Askren shoots in but Gastelum avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Jab by Gastelum.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Askren takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Askren gets a 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!
Askren throwing shots but Gastelum is blocking nicely.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Askren lands with a punch from half guard.
Askren not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Gastelum is trying to stand up here but Askren is controlling him well.
Askren sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Gastelum defending well though.
Gastelum pushes Askren off and gets back to his feet.
Askren shoots in for a takedown but Gastelum shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Gastelum connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Gastelum has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Gastelum throws out a powerful jab.
Gastelum will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Gastelum throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Gastelum scores with a three punch combo!
Askren fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Askren shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Gastelum but Gastelum pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Gastelum lands a nice shot that snaps Askren's head back.
Gastelum connects with a looping right hand.
Askren walks into a straight right hand from Gastelum.
Askren walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Gastelum lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Askren shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Gastelum counters with a stiff right hand.
Askren shoots in and gets a takedown into Gastelum's guard.
Askren throwing strikes but missing.
Gastelum wants to get back to his feet but Askren is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Gastelum wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Askren manages to pass to side control.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Askren.
Gastelum blocking the ground and pound attempt from Askren.
Gastelum is looking to escape.
Gastelum has hold of Askren's hands but Askren slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Askren content to control rather than advance.
Gastelum avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Askren.
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.
Gastelum tries to kick Askren off but Askren keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Askren seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Gastelum has one foot on Askren's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Askren fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Askren shoots in looking for a takedown. Gastelum tries to sprawl out of it but Askren keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Gastelum manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Gastelum throws a right hand that Askren ducks under and follows up with a left that Askren also avoids with ease.
Gastelum connects with a crisp jab.
Gastelum throws a jab when Askren was well out of range.
No joy there for Gastelum, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Askren attempts a counter takedown but Gastelum avoids it well and moves away.
Askren ducks under a wild hook from Gastelum.
Askren keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Gastelum.
Ben Askren has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kev Gastelum is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Askren feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Askren makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
And that's the end of the fight!
Kev Gastelum comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Gastelum 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kev Gastelum!
Kev Gastelum seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
54% |
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