PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Monte Casanova (ranked 5573 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jean Askren (ranked 5803 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Casanova
vs
Askren

160 cm
22
180 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

182 cm
22
179 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
KO power

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Intelligent

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Monte Casanova!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jean Askren!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Arvi Lind and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Casanova doesn't succeed with the takedown
enabling Askren to counter with a crisp jab.
Casanova fails with the takedown
and Askren counters with a left and a right that stings Casanova.
Casanova tries to score a power double leg takedown but Askren sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Casanova somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Monte Casanova. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Casanova throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Askren's waist but Askren gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Casanova off to one side.
Askren lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Askren throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Casanova stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

Casanova throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Askren was covering up waiting for the punch and Casanova finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Casanova really is a fat lump.
Casanova trying to control the position from guard on top but Askren is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Casanova is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Casanova lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Askren 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.
Casanova postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Casanova trying to control the position from guard on top but Askren is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Casanova working some strikes from top position.
Casanova might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Askren avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Casanova works over Askren with some ground and pound from guard.
Casanova scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Casanova connects with a couple of short punches.
Casanova postures up in Askren's guard and throws a big left but Askren blocks it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Casanova wants to control from the top but Askren keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Casanova working some strikes from top position.
Casanova is working Askren over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Casanova trying to control the position from guard on top but Askren is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Casanova is in close to Askren's body, working some short punches and elbows.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Askren can do anything to dispel that myth.
Casanova looking to pass the guard.

Askren is looking for a triangle but Casanova pushes his legs off easily.
Casanova throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Askren works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Casanova preventing the sweep.
Askren really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Casanova. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Casanova lands a couple of elbows.
Casanova content to stall in guard here.
Casanova chips away with some ground and pound.
Casanova wants to control from the top but Askren keeps moving.
Askren is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Askren lands a nice short elbow.
Casanova moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Casanova will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Casanova looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Casanova is working hard here to advance position.
Casanova is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Askren has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Casanova is working away from the top position though.
Casanova missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Casanova seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Askren is looking to control Casanova's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Askren avoid being mounted?
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ground and pound from Casanova.
Ground and pound from Casanova.
Ground and pound from Casanova.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Casanova working the head and body with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Monte Casanova 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.

Casanova dives in and grabs Askren's left leg, looking for a takedown. Askren pushes down on Casanova's head and hops out.
Askren stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Askren wants it to stay on the feet.
Askren getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Jean Askren is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Casanova fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
As Casanova backs off Askren throws a huge counter combo but Casanova manages to avoid it all.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Monte Casanova. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Casanova throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Askren's waist but Askren gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Casanova off to one side.
Casanova misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Casanova shoots in looking for a takedown. Askren tries to sprawl out of it but Casanova keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Askren manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Casanova doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Askren counters with a nice body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Casanova moves forwards but Askren connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Askren scores with a three punch combo!
Casanova looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Casanova has a takedown stuffed.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Casanova is defended easily by Askren.
Casanova tries to score a power double leg takedown but Askren sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Casanova somewhat.
Askren is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Casanova has his takedown stuffed
and Askren counters with a left to the body.
Casanova tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Askren defends well and Casanova ends up having to push Askren into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Askren!

Askren scores with a takedown into Casanova's guard.
Askren is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Askren trying to control the position from guard on top but Casanova is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Casanova 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.
Casanova looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Askren is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Casanova thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Askren working some strikes from top position.
Askren 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 crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Casanova 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.
Askren with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Casanova is on top in guard.

Casanova engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Askren tries to strike from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Casanova in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Askren keeping moving, preventing Casanova from controlling successfully.
Casanova is stalling in the full guard.
Askren wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Casanova is now in half guard.

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.
Casanova lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Casanova winds up and cracks Askren with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Nice strikes from Casanova there.
Casanova looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Askren wants to get back to full guard.
Casanova is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Casanova is nestled in close to Askren, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Casanova sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Askren defending well though.
Casanova lands strikes from half guard.
Casanova wants to lay and pray for a moment but Askren keeps working.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jean Askren showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Casanova shoots in for a double leg but Askren sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Askren shoots in and gets a takedown into Casanova's guard.
Askren preventing the sweep.
Casanova lands a decent punch to the body there.
Casanova tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Casanova lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Askren tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Casanova with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Casanova is working Askren over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Casanova trying to control the position from guard on top but Askren is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Casanova keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Askren's head.
Casanova lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Casanova distracts Askren with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Casanova wants to control from the top but Askren keeps moving.
Casanova lands a couple of digs.
Casanova wants to control from the top but Askren keeps moving.
Casanova lands a couple of digs.

Askren is rocked!
Casanova with a nice head shot there.
Askren is still in real trouble! Can Casanova finish him?
Askren tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Askren seems to have recovered his senses.
Casanova wants to control from the top but Askren keeps moving.
Casanova connects with a couple of short punches.
Casanova is working Askren over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Casanova chips away with some ground and pound.
Casanova is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Askren utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Casanova postures up.
Casanova trying to control but Askren is working from the bottom.
Casanova is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Casanova with a flurry of punches that miss.
Askren working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Casanova.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Casanova shoots in for a double leg but Askren sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Askren shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Casanova but Casanova pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Casanova shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Askren as he jumps to the side.
Askren with the counter takedown but Casanova avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Monte Casanova. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Horrible takedown attempt by Casanova or perhaps it was just good defense by Askren, which made it look bad.

Askren shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Casanova manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Askren takes a decent strike to the side of the head.
Askren won't allow Casanova to sweep him here.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Casanova is on top in guard.

Askren has momentary wrist control but Casanova slips an elbow through the middle.
Askren is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Casanova working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Casanova throws a big elbow that misses.
Casanova content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Casanova throws a strike but Askren rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Casanova 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.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Casanova is on top in guard.

This has been an exciting period of action!
Casanova lands a couple of elbows.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Casanova stopping the sweep attempt from Askren.
Casanova trying to control the position from guard on top but Askren is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Casanova working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Askren's head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Monte Casanova showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Casanova 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight for Jean Askren!
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight for Monte Casanova!
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight for Monte Casanova!

Monte Casanova wins by split decision!