PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Christer F Asplund (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cuong Nguyen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

F Asplund
vs
Nguyen

194 cm
22
260 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

203 cm
22
260 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Christer F Asplund!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Cuong Nguyen!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Shigeki Fujiwara and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nguyen takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Nguyen doesn't manage to clinch there - Asplund circles away.
Asplund throws a nice looking combination but Nguyen bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Asplund's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Asplund duly obliges.
Asplund takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
A combination from Nguyen does no damage.
A combination from Asplund does no damage.
Horrible takedown by Asplund or perhaps it was just good defense by Nguyen which made him look bad.
Asplund goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Nguyen tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

Nguyen clinches up with Asplund and pushes him back against the cage.
Asplund wants to get back to striking at distance but Nguyen won't allow it.
Nguyen tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Asplund blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Nguyen prevents Asplund from breaking the clinch.
Asplund throws an elbow that misses.
Asplund is working for takedown but Nguyen is calmly controlling the position for now.
Nguyen using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

Nguyen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nguyen stuffs the takedown attempt from Asplund. Asplund gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Christer F Asplund. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Crunch! Nguyen slams his shin into Asplund's torso.
Asplund is breathing heavily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nguyen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nguyen connects with a solid leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nguyen throws a nice head kick!

It looks like Christer F Asplund has been cut.
Nguyen lands a nice looking body shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nguyen throws a push kick but Asplund slaps the foot to one side.

Nguyen gets a clinch.

Nguyen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Nguyen has taken the fight to the clinch.

Nguyen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nguyen misses with an attempted mid kick.
Cuong Nguyen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nguyen tries to clinch but Asplund is having none of it.
Nguyen tries to clinch but Asplund is having none of it.
Nguyen lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Nguyen thumps Asplund with a low kick.
Nguyen moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Nguyen lands a front kick.
Nguyen lands with a thumping leg kick.
Nguyen moves in looking to clinch but Asplund pushes him off.
Asplund takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Nguyen looks to land a body kick but Asplund moved away.
Nguyen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Asplund moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Nguyen tries a knee to the head but Asplund blocks it.
Asplund wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Nguyen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nguyen ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Nguyen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nguyen throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Asplund.
Nguyen takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
The fight stays on the outside here - Nguyen looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Nguyen wants to clinch up but Asplund keeps it at a distance.
Asplund scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Nguyen stuffs the takedown attempt from Asplund. Asplund gets slowly back to his feet.
Asplund looks for a takedown but Nguyen sprawls well.
Nguyen scores with a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nguyen chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
A good leg kick by Nguyen.
Nguyen misses with a double jab
and Asplund counters with a series of strikes. Nguyen will be more careful next time no doubt.
Asplund blocks a low kick nicely.
Asplund throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Asplund shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nguyen lands a high kick!
Nguyen chopping away at his opponent's legs.

Asplund closes the distance and clinches.
Nguyen prevents Asplund from breaking the clinch.
Asplund wants to break the clinch but can't.

Nguyen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Asplund uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nguyen.
Nguyen is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Asplund.
Nguyen wants to clinch
and Asplund counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Asplund fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nguyen keeps Asplund at a distance using the push kick.
Nguyen tries to clinch up but Asplund circles away and keeps his distance.
Asplund could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Asplund fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Nguyen throws a nice inside leg kick.
Asplund will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Asplund has closed the distance and engaged Nguyen in a clinch.
Asplund is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Nguyen keeps control of Asplund as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Nguyen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nguyen fails in his attempt to clinch.
Nguyen tries a head kick but it misses.
Asplund swinging wilding here.
Asplund looks to land a combination but Nguyen avoids it well.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nguyen showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Asplund.
Nguyen fails in his attempt to clinch.
Nguyen turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cuong Nguyen dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Christer F Asplund's cut.
That's time! Asplund's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

A nice combination there by Asplund.
Asplund lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Asplund is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Nguyen.
A decent looking cross lands there for Asplund.
Nguyen wants to clinch up but Asplund keeps it at a distance.
Nguyen has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Asplund avoids the head kick by Nguyen.
Nguyen needs to keep his hands up - Asplund had a free shot at his head there.
Nguyen takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

Asplund decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
It looks like Asplund is going to stand back up.

Asplund stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
The fight stays on the outside here - Nguyen looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Nguyen doesn't manage to clinch there - Asplund circles away.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nguyen misses with the combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nguyen misses with a body kick.
Nguyen throws a lazy right hand but Asplund sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Asplund fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Asplund swats away the attempt to clinch by Nguyen.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Asplund lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Asplund.
A left and a right from Asplund both land. Nice combination.
Nguyen is looking to clinch but Asplund is avoiding it.
A nice combination there by Asplund.
A head kick misses from Asplund.
Nguyen pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Asplund gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Asplund has had enough of the clinch but Nguyen keeps him there for the moment.
Asplund wants to break the clinch but can't.
Nguyen wants to break the clinch but can't.
Asplund is trying to drag Nguyen to the mat but Nguyen just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Asplund working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nguyen trying to land knees to the body.
Nguyen wants to break the clinch but can't.
Nguyen prevents Asplund from breaking the clinch.
Asplund is looking to break free of the clinch but Nguyen has double underhooks.
Asplund has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Nguyen avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Christer F Asplund. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Asplund wants a takedown.

Nguyen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Nguyen rushes Asplund and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Nguyen throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Asplund blocks it with crossed arms.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Nguyen.
Asplund misses with an elbow strike.
Asplund wants to get back to striking at distance but Nguyen won't allow it.

Nguyen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nguyen misses with a low kick.
Nguyen is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Asplund.
Asplund's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Asplund duly obliges.
Asplund connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Nguyen is looking to score with low kicks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A left and a right from Asplund both land. Nice combination.
Asplund tries to clinch up but Nguyen circles away and keeps his distance.
Nguyen clinches but Asplund breaks the clinch
and Asplund counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Asplund listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Nguyen looks to clinch
and Asplund counters with a one-two to the body.
Asplund scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Asplund is working the combinations to good effect here.
Nguyen thows a body shot but no joy.
Nguyen throws a wild body kick that Asplund sees coming a mile off.

Asplund closes the distance and pushes Nguyen back into the cage.
Asplund wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Nguyen has him pressed against the cage.
Nguyen keeps control of Asplund as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Nguyen is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Asplund is keeping busy.
Asplund creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Asplund has had enough of the clinch but Nguyen keeps him there for the moment.
Asplund wants to break the clinch but can't.
Asplund wants to break free but Nguyen has control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Asplund wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Nguyen lands a nice knee to the body.
Asplund working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Asplund can't break the clinch.
Nguyen stalls.
Nguyen is trying to break free.
Nguyen prevents Asplund from breaking the clinch.
Asplund tries to break the clinch but Nguyen is controlling the position.
Nguyen keeps control of Asplund as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Nguyen lands a shot to the body.
Asplund is trying to break free.
Asplund wants to break the clinch but can't.
Asplund is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Nguyen looking to slow down the pace here.
Asplund is trying to break the clinch but Nguyen has him pressed against the cage.

Nguyen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Asplund connects with a jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Christer F Asplund dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Christer F Asplund's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Nguyen stalks Asplund and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Asplund's face. Asplund staggers backwards, shaken.
Asplund throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Asplund scores with a three punch combo!
Nguyen tries to close the distance and clinch but Asplund swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nguyen tries to clinch but Asplund moves out of range.
Nguyen moves in looking to clinch but Asplund pushes him off.
Asplund throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Nguyen's waist but Nguyen gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Asplund off to one side.
Asplund looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
The crowd cheers as Asplund lands an impressive looking overhand right. Nguyen doesn't seem phased though.
Asplund throws a right and a left that Nguyen avoids nicely.
Nguyen is looking to clinch.
Nguyen scores with a jab to the body.
Nguyen throws a sloppy head kick and Asplund moves out of range easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Asplund throws a nice looking combination but Nguyen bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Cuong Nguyen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nguyen throws a predictable looking body shot
and Nguyen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Nguyen tries to clinch but Asplund is having none of it.
Nguyen has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Nguyen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nguyen tries to clinch but Asplund is having none of it.
Asplund is looking to clinch but Nguyen is avoiding it.
Asplund is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nguyen is looking to land body kicks.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Nguyen.
A shot to the body from Nguyen misses
and Asplund counters with a one-two to the body.
Some wild striking there from Nguyen.
Nice sprawl there from Nguyen as Asplund shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Christer F Asplund. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Asplund misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Asplund moves into the clinch.
Nguyen prevents Asplund from breaking the clinch.
Nguyen dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Asplund wants a takedown but no success here.
Nguyen digs a right hand underneath Asplund's ribcage. Asplund let out a lung full of air as it connected.

Nguyen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nguyen drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nguyen fails to land with a series of punches.
Asplund lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Asplund throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Nguyen's waist but Nguyen gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Asplund off to one side.
Nguyen throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Asplund stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Asplund shoots in for a takedown but Nguyen shows good takedown defense.
Nguyen tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Asplund counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

Asplund rushes Nguyen and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Nguyen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nguyen swats away the attempt to clinch by Asplund.
Nguyen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Asplund moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nguyen lands a head kick!
Nguyen is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Asplund.
Asplund tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Asplund is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Asplund misses with a double jab.
Nguyen avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nguyen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Asplund manages to avoid it.
Christer F Asplund is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Asplund throws a nice looking combination but Nguyen bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Nguyen attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Nguyen has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Asplund throws a combination that misses
and Nguyen counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Asplund scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Nguyen tries to clinch but Asplund moves out of range.
Nguyen wants to clinch up but Asplund keeps it at a distance.
Asplund lands with a nice combination. Nguyen backs away looking to recover.
Nguyen avoids a punch combination nicely.
Asplund looks to land a combination. Nguyen sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Asplund lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Asplund moves in looking to clinch but Nguyen pushes him off.
Nguyen throws a leg kick which misses Asplund's front leg but catches the back leg as Asplund tries to avoid it.
Asplund will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Nguyen has closed the distance and engaged Asplund in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nguyen throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Nguyen throws a knee to the head but misses.
Nguyen keeps control of Asplund as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Nguyen lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Asplund backwards.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Asplund.
Asplund wants to get back to striking at distance but Nguyen won't allow it.

Nguyen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Asplund looks for a takedown but Nguyen sprawls well.
Nguyen tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Asplund counters with a two punch combo.
Nguyen throws a body punch but Asplund moves out of range.
Asplund misses with a wild combination.
Nguyen plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Nguyen is looking to clinch.

Asplund fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Nguyen, pushing him back against the cage.
Nguyen trying to land knees to the body.
Asplund has had enough of the clinch but Nguyen keeps him there for the moment.
Asplund keeps control of Nguyen as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Asplund wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cuong Nguyen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Nguyen 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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cuong Nguyen!