PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Yoshihiro Asai (ranked 368 p4p, 54 weight class) and Eric Ashton (ranked 551 p4p, 76 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Ashton's choice of entrance music: Zombie Nation. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Asai
vs
Ashton

172 cm
26
192 lbs
13 - 5 - 0

182 cm
27
189 lbs
16 - 14 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Aspire Clothing
Zenith Nutrition (160q/225$)

Red Light Coffeeshop
//buriedALIVE// Fight Gear

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 13 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Yoshihiro Asai !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 14 - 0, fighting out of London, Eric Ashton!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A big left from Asai misses.

Asai takes the fight into the clinch.

Ashton pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A chopping leg kick lands by Ashton.
A bone on bone clash there as Ashton blocks the leg kick.
Asai swings for the body but Ashton moves out of range.
Ashton throws a shot from downtown. Asai moves away and avoids it.
Ashton throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Asai on the side of the head.
Asai throws a body kick that misses
and Ashton counters with a straight right hand.
Ashton misses the shot to the body.
Asai moves out of range as Ashton strikes.
Ashton uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Asai .
Ashton follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Asai works Ashton's body with a nice hook.
We've been told by Asai 's head coaches at The Shark Tank that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Ashton misses with a left hand
and Asai connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A jab lands there for Asai .
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ashton shoots and misses
and Asai counters with a head kick.
Ashton walks into a stiff left hand from Asai .
Ashton misses the jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ashton looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Asai is looking to counter punch.
Asai throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A nice side step and Ashton releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Asai cracks Ashton with a right hand to the side of the head.
Asai tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ashton was well out of range. Poor timing from Asai .
A low kick from Asai is predictable there
and Ashton counters with a body kick that stops Asai in his tracks momentarily.
Ashton thuds his right hand into Asai 's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Asai walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Yoshihiro Asai is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ashton moves out of range as Asai strikes.
Asai keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Asai lands a nice shot that snaps Ashton's head back.
Ashton throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Asai is looking to counter with head kicks.
Asai connects with a high kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ashton lands a jab.
Asai is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ashton.
Asai lands a front kick.
Ashton misses with an uppercut. Asai saw that one coming.
Ashton throws a lazy uppercut
and Asai counters with a straight right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ashton goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Asai lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Asai throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ashton.
Asai keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ashton.
Asai lands a nice looking kick to the body. Ashton takes a step back to recover.
Nice uppercut lands for Asai . That snapped Ashton's head back.
Asai throws a body shot but no joy.
Asai throws a one two combo.
Asai wants to clinch up but Ashton keeps it at a distance.
Ashton takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Asai misses with a kick to the body.
Ashton circles away from the clinch attempt.
Asai stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Ashton.
Ashton throws an overhand right that lands on Asai 's shoulder, as Asai tries to avoid the shot.
Asai takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Asai tries a head kick but it misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Ashton misses.
Asai slips a jab from Ashton.
A head kick misses from Asai .
Ashton tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Ashton slips a straight right by Asai .
Asai throws a lazy head kick
and Ashton connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A big left from Ashton misses.
Asai takes one to the chin there.
Ashton takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Ashton ducks under a wild hook from Asai .
Asai tries a head kick but it misses.
A nice side step and Ashton releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Asai tries to move into range but Ashton moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Good standup being displayed there by Ashton as he connects with a hook.
Asai showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ashton.
Asai slips a straight right by Ashton.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Asai throws a lazy right hand but Ashton sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Ashton will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Asai has managed to clinch.
A right hook to the body lands for Asai .
Asai trying to land knees to the body.
Asai gets underhooks to prevent Ashton's takedown attempt.
Yoshihiro Asai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eric Ashton.
Asai is struggling to control the position.
Ashton is trying to drag Asai to the mat but Asai just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Asai slowing the pace effectively.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Ashton can't get the takedown.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Asai just leaning against Ashton, taking a breather.
Asai is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Ashton is defending well for now.
Ashton tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ashton is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Asai gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yoshihiro Asai dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Ashton throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Asai bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
A jab from Ashton misses.
Ashton misses with a looping left.
Asai scores with a push kick.
Ashton misses the jab.
Asai was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Asai takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Asai scores with a jab.
The fighters circling - Ashton throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Ashton looks to throw a body kick
enabling Asai to counter with a crisp jab.
Ashton tries a head kick but it misses.
Asai is looking to clinch.
Asai throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Jab, jab by Asai - just one landing.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Asai dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Ashton takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Ashton misses with an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ashton moves out of range of the body kick.
Ashton is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Asai .
Asai fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Ashton has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Asai is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ashton can do to turn this around?
Ashton takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Asai uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ashton.
Ashton scores with a body shot.
Asai lands with a right hand.

Asai moves into the clinch.
Ashton is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Asai gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Asai trying to stall but Ashton improves his position.
Ashton misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ashton tries for a takedown but Asai manages to get underhooks.

Ashton gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Asai pulls Ashton in close to prevent any damage.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ashton is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Asai trying to keep a closed guard but Ashton is proving a slippery customer.
Ashton throws a big right hand that misses.
Asai looking to control.
Ashton working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Ashton chips away with some ground and pound.
Ashton seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Ashton waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Asai .
Asai misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ashton fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Asai checks it well.
It looked like Asai wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Asai misses its intended target.
Ashton misses with a leg kick.
Ashton pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Asai scores with a nice right hand.
A left and a right from Asai both land. Nice combination.
Ashton scores with a push kick.
Ashton misses the jab.
Ashton scores with a kick to the body.
Asai moves out of range as Ashton strikes.
Ashton closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
The fighters circling - Asai throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Asai pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ashton lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ashton slips a jab from Asai .

Ashton fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Asai to the ground. Ashton is now in Asai 's guard.
Ashton throwing strikes from guard but Asai blocks nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Ashton accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Ashton advances position into side control!
Ashton wants to control but Asai is keeping him busy.

Ashton tries for a kimura but Asai is defending well.
Asai is looking for a sweep.
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 Yoshihiro Asai will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Asai cracks Ashton with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Asai throws the kick towards the body but Ashton avoids it.
Good work by Asai as he checks the leg kick.
Asai throws an off balance right hand
and Ashton counters with a stiff right hand.
Asai throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A slow jab from Ashton misses its intended target.
Jab, jab by Asai - just one landing.
Yoshihiro Asai is winning the standup battle so far.
Asai throws a wild body kick that Ashton sees coming a mile off.
The fighters circling - Ashton throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A big left from Ashton misses.
Asai darts in trying to clinch
and Ashton counters with a lovely straight right hand!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ashton lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

It looks like Yoshihiro Asai has been cut.
Asai lands a nice shot to the body.
Ashton avoids the body shot from Asai .
Asai throws an off balance right hand
letting Ashton counter with a right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ashton fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Asai scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Asai lands a nice shot that snaps Ashton's head back.
Jab by Asai .
Ashton changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Asai tries to avoid it but Ashton manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Asai to the ground. Asai escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
It looked like Asai wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Asai moves away from the strike by Ashton.
Ashton throws a lazy right hand but Asai sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Asai misses with a wild combination.
Ashton moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Ashton has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Asai throws a chopping leg kick but Ashton manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Ashton misses with a straight right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ashton tried to score with a low kick but Asai checks it.
Ashton stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Asai .
A kick lands to the mid section there for Ashton.
Asai throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Ashton counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Asai ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ashton misses with a looping left.
Ashton lands a nice shot that snaps Asai 's head back.
A jab from Ashton does it's job there.
Asai looks to clinch
and Ashton counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Asai tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ashton swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Ashton takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Ashton missing with a left hand there. Asai was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Ashton keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Asai .
Ashton's jab looks to have found its range, popping Asai under the eye.
Asai throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ashton sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Ashton lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Asai slips under a jab from Ashton.
Ashton misses with a body shot.
Asai lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Ashton shoots in but no luck this time.
Yoshihiro Asai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eric Ashton.
Ashton takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ashton swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Ashton has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Asai .
Asai pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Asai misses with a series of wild punches.
Ashton takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Asai scores with a head kick.
Asai cracks Ashton with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Asai throws a good cross that connects.
A telegraphed right hand from Ashton misses the target.
Nice uppercut lands for Asai . That snapped Ashton's head back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Asai fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ashton manages to avoid it.
Asai moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
A swing and a miss from Ashton.
Ashton uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Asai .
Asai misses with a straight left.
Ashton slips a jab from Asai .
Eric Ashton has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ashton scores with a body shot.
Ashton tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Asai defends well and Ashton ends up having to push Asai into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Ashton dives in for a single leg takedown but Asai sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Asai bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Ashton's head.
Yoshihiro Asai is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Asai misses with a wild body shot.
Asai blocks a jab.
Ashton jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Ashton dives in for a single leg takedown but Asai sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Ashton takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yoshihiro Asai showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Asai , winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yoshihiro Asai !