PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Matt Askren (ranked 236 p4p, 35 weight class) and Julio Regueiro (ranked 683 p4p, 97 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Askren
vs
Regueiro

175 cm
23
180 lbs
7 - 1 - 1

174 cm
23
174 lbs
8 - 4 - 1

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

UnderGround Clothing Co.
Bee Krazy

Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 1, fighting out of London, Matt Askren!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 1, fighting out of New York, Julio Regueiro!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Daniel Franklin and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Askren scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Sloppy strikes from Regueiro. Those never looked like landing.
Askren dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Good exchange - Regueiro coming out on top.
Regueiro looks to land a right hand but Askren moved out of range.
Regueiro dips to his left and cracks Askren with an uppercut!
Askren ducks under a wild hook from Regueiro.
Good work by Askren as he checks the leg kick.
Askren has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Askren there as he acknowledges the shot.
Askren uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Regueiro.
Askren half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Askren feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Regueiros jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Regueiro misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Askren.
Askren feinted with a counter takedown.
Regueiro swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Askren tries to counter with a takedown but Regueiro is quick to defend against it.
Askren keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Regueiro.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Regueiro stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Askren moves away from the strike by Regueiro.
Askren tries a low kick but Regueiro avoids it.
Regueiro is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Askren.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Regueiro listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Regueiro throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Askren half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Good shot there by Regueiro.
Askren tries to clinch but Regueiro is having none of it.
Regueiro doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Regueiro feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Askrens jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Regueiro defending well as Askren loads up on a big left hand.
Julio Regueiro is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A jab lands there for Askren.
Regueiro scores with a nice right hand.
Regueiro jabs Askren to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Regueiro looks to land a left hand but Askren moved out of range nicely.
Regueiro misses with a series of wild punches.
A shot to the liver by Regueiro. Beautiful body shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nice shot by Regueiro.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Regueiro ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Askren moves away.
Regueiro slips under a jab.
Regueiro scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Regueiro misses the shot to the body.
Regueiro scores with a sloppy right hand. Askren should have avoided that one.
Regueiro fails to land with a series of punches.
Regueiro throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Askren counters with a single leg into guard. Regueiro didn't expect that.
Askren looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Regueiro managing to control the position.
Askren throwing strikes from guard but Regueiro blocks nicely.
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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Askren is fighting to break Regueiro's control of his arms but Regueiro is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Askren trying to control the position from guard on top but Regueiro is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Askren throws a big elbow that misses.
Regueiro trying to control the position here.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

Regueiro looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Askren has picked Regueiro up and slammed him! Regueiro can't keep hold of the triangle and Askren manages to pass to side control!
Askren grinds an elbow into Regueiro's temple.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Regueiro stops Askren from passing to mount.
Askren working away.
Regueiro tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Askren wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Askren wants to lay and pray for a moment but Regueiro keeps working.
Askren taking a breather here.
Regueiro taking a bit of punishment here - Askren scoring with strikes.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Check out the look on Askren's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Regueiro tries to bench press Askren off him but Askren keeps the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Julio Regueiro dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Askren takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Nice defenses there by Askren.
Askren darts in looking for a takedown but Regueiro gets double underhooks and turns Askren into the ropes.
Askren misses the shot to the body.
Askren keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Regueiro.
Regueiro cracks a nice hook into Askren's ribs.
Regueiro throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Askren works Regueiro's body with a nice hook.
Askren missing with a left hand there. Regueiro was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Regueiro's corner calls for a 1-2. Regueiro obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Regueiro throws a shot from downtown. Askren moves away and avoids it.
Askren drops down looking for a counter takedown but Regueiro sprawls and moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Askren slips a jab from Regueiro.
Regueiro tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Askren was well out of range. Poor timing from Regueiro.
Askren feinted with a counter takedown.
Askren scores with the left hand. Regueiro knows he should have avoided that one.
Regueiro throws the kick towards the body but Askren avoids it.
Regueiro throws a body punch but Askren moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Askren fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Regueiro manages to avoid it.
Jab, jab by Askren - just one landing.
Askren shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Regueiro as he jumps to the side.
Nice defenses there by Askren.
Askren half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Askren avoids the body shot from Regueiro.
Askren attempts a counter takedown but Regueiro avoids it well and moves away.
Regueiro jabs at Askren's body.
Askren thuds his right hand into Regueiro's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Regueiro scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Regueiro comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Julio Regueiro seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Regueiro throws a hook but Askren blocks it.
Askren feinted with a counter takedown.
Regueiro misses with an uppercut. Askren saw that one coming.
Askren tries to counter with a takedown but Regueiro is quick to defend against it.
Jab from Askren.
Regueiro throws a head kick but Askren moves out of range.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
No joy there for Regueiro, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Regueiro throws a hook but Askren avoids it easily.
Regueiro shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Askren defends it nicely.
Regueiro throws a series of punches but Askren moves out of range.
A slapping body kick lands there for Regueiro.
Julio Regueiro seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Regueiro takes one to the chin there.
Regueiro misses with a straight left.
Nice straight punches there by Askren. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Askren.
Askren keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Regueiro.
Regueiro connects with a crisp jab.
Regueiro has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A jab lands there for Regueiro.
Regueiro thows a left - swing and a miss!
Askren slips under a jab from Regueiro.
Askren swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Regueiro avoids the body shot from Askren.
Regueiro comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Regueiro keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Regueiro listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
A big left from Regueiro misses.
Askren cracks Regueiro with a right hand to the side of the head.
Regueiro misses with a wild body shot.
Regueiro throws a looping overhand right but Askren ducks down to avoid it.
Regueiro thumps Askren with a low kick.
Regueiro throws a body shot but no joy.
Regueiro lands with a cross.
Askren tries to land a leg kick but Regueiro saw it coming and moves away.
Askren throws a body punch but Regueiro moves out of range.
Askren tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Regueiro was well out of range. Poor timing from Askren.

Regueiro tries to keep at a distance but Askren has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Regueiro breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A combination from Regueiro does no damage.
Askren feinted with a counter takedown.
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!
Regueiro circles away from the clinch attempt.
Regueiro throws out a counter right but Askren avoids it with no problem.

Askren scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Regueiro is doing well to control the position and prevent Askren from advancing to side control.
Askren working Regueiro over with strikes.
Askren not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Regueiro is trying to get back to full guard.
Regueiro makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Regueiro.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Julio Regueiro showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Regueiro scores with a jab. Askren acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Regueiro shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Askren eats them both and turns towards Regueiro to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Regueiro looks to throw the jab but Askren is out of range.
Askren slips a straight right by Regueiro.
Regueiro misses the shot to the body.
Askren drops down looking for a counter takedown but Regueiro sprawls and moves away.
Regueiro throws a solid leg kick but Askren takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Regueiro.
Askren ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Regueiro moves away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Askren. Regueiro does a little dance to reset his feet.
Askren is looking to wear down Regueiro with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Askren tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Regueiro paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Regueiro misses the shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Askren ducks under a wild hook from Regueiro.
Askren misses with a body shot.
Askren takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Askren shoots in but no luck this time.
Askren ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Regueiro moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Askren staying out of range there.

Askren clinches up with Regueiro and pushes him back against the ropes.
Askren lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Regueiro backwards.
Regueiro is looking to break free of the clinch but Askren has double underhooks.
Askren is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
A nice right hand lands inside from Askren.
Regueiro tries to break the clinch but Askren is controlling the position.
Regueiro tries to break the clinch but Askren is controlling the position.
Askren is looking to control Regueiro's arms but Regueiro gets an underhook and turns him. Now Askren has his back to the ropes.

Regueiro escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Askren fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Regueiro is looking to chop away at Askren's legs.
Askren uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Regueiro has time to react.
Askren ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Some wild striking there from Regueiro.
Askren attempts a counter takedown but Regueiro avoids it well and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Regueiro misses with a body shot.
A low kick from Regueiro misses

and Askren counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Askren working Regueiro over with strikes.
Matt Askren overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Regueiro wants to control but Askren is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Askren is nestled in close to Regueiro, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Regueiro controlling the position well.
Regueiro trying to hold on to Askren's head to control him but Askren postures up.
Askren is controlling the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Regueiro is looking for a sweep. Askren is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Askren content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
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.
Regueiro trying to control from the bottom.
Regueiro is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Askren is staying active.
Regueiro on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Askren lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Askren stops Regueiro from getting back to his feet.
Regueiro trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Askren content just to control the position here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Regueiro really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Regueiro is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Matt Askren did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

A swing and a miss from Regueiro.
Regueiro looks to throw the jab but Askren is out of range.
Askren uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Regueiro.
Askren changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Regueiro throws the kick towards the body but Askren avoids it.
A low kick from Regueiro is predictable there

and Askren counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Askren.
Askren content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Askren controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Regueiro trying to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Askren landing some decent shots from guard.
Regueiro trying to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Askren is fighting to break Regueiro's control of his arms but Regueiro is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Askren makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Regueiro is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Askren chips away with some ground and pound.
Regueiro is trying to control the position but Askren postures up.
Askren wants to control from the top but Regueiro keeps moving.
Askren keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Regueiro's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Regueiro working a defensive guard but Askren manages to pass into side control anyway.
Regueiro can't do much from the bottom here.
Askren prevents Regueiro from escaping the position.
Askren working away.
Regueiro tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Askren has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Regueiro wants to hold on but Askren pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Regueiro tries to buck Askren off but he can't manage it.
Askren scoring with strikes but Regueiro is staying in there.
Askren controlling from the full mount.
Askren looking to control but Regueiro is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Regueiro is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Askren breaks from Regueiro's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Regueiro keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Regueiro is trying to stand up.
Askren with the ground and pound from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Askren sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Regueiro is trying to get to the ropes to help him get back to his feet.
Askren content just to control the position here.
Regueiro tries to hold on but Askren postures up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Askren lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Regueiro hang on?
Askren unloading with bombs!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Askren had his way with Julio Regueiro in that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Askren gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Regueiro lands a nice shot to the body.
Regueiro misses with a looping left.
Askren swings for the body but Regueiro moves out of range.
Regueiro lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Askren dodges the punch combination from Regueiro.
Regueiro lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Askren connects with a nice looking jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A left lands for Regueiro.
Askren lands a jab to the nose.
Askren dips to his left and cracks Regueiro with an uppercut!
Nice shot by Askren.
Askren throws a hook to the side of Regueiro's head but Regueiro sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Regueiro throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Askren just misses with a punch to the body.
Askren takes one on the button.
Askren looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Askren uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Regueiro has time to react.
Regueiro throws a jab but it's blocked by Askren.
Askren half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Regueiro misses with a hook. Askren ducked under it nicely.
Askren appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Regueiro throws a right hand that misses

and Askren counters with a single leg into guard. Regueiro didn't expect that.
Askren makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Regueiro looking to control but Askren passes into half guard.
Askren winds up and cracks Regueiro with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Regueiro trying to control but Askren postures up.

Regueiro is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Askren pulls his head out easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Regueiro is trying to maintain the position but Askren is very close to passing his half guard.
Regueiro wants to improve his position but Askren is controlling well.
Nice strikes from Askren there.
Askren is looking to take a break and control but Regueiro is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Askren is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Regueiro is controlling Askren's position as best he can from this difficult position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Regueiro wants to sweep but Askren has passed to side control!
Askren wants to control but Regueiro is keeping him busy.
Regueiro tries to buck Askren off but Askren is having none of it.
You can see the frustration on Regueiro's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Askren lands a decent elbow from side control.
Regueiro is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Askren off and has taken his back!
Askren is keeping busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Askren is trying to break free.
Askren tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Askren wants to control but Regueiro is having none of it.
Regueiro wants to control the pace but Askren is squirming around nicely.
Askren is looking to improve his position but Regueiro isn't that keen on the idea.

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 Matt Askren.
I think Askren 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight for Matt Askren!
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight for Julio Regueiro!
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight for Julio Regueiro!

Julio Regueiro wins by split decision!
Julio Regueiro is the new welterweight champion!
Julio Regueiro decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.