PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Scott Askham (ranked 5916 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mattia Ricon (ranked 6191 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.

Askham
vs
Ricon

190 cm
23
185 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

192 cm
22
195 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Scott Askham!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Mattia Ricon!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, Sandra Marshall and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ricon tries to land a front kick but Askham steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Ricon misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Askham tries to clinch there but Ricon circles away.
Askham showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ricon.
Askham takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

It looks like Scott Askham has been cut.
Askham gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Ricon counters with a one-two to the body.
Askham tries to clinch up but Ricon circles away and keeps his distance.
Askham is looking to clinch but Ricon is avoiding it.
Askham is breathing heavily.

Ricon scores with a takedown into Askham's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ricon slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Ricon looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ricon slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Ricon missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Askham preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Ricon drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Ricon jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Askham working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ricon.
Ricon throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Askham works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Ricon controlling from the top position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Askham dodges the punch combination from Ricon.
Mattia Ricon seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ricon misses with a head kick.
Askham attempts a counter takedown but Ricon avoids it well and moves away.
Ricon throws a sloppy head kick and Askham moves out of range easily.

Oooooh!!! Ricon has knocked Askham down with a huge combo! Ricon steps away and waves a wobbly Askham back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!
Askham leaves Ricon with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Ricon fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Askham looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Ricon throws a right and a left that both miss.
Ricon scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

Askham is rocked!
Ricon throws a sloppy head kick and Askham moves out of range easily.
Ricon changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ricon looks to land a combination but Askham avoids it well.
Ricon throws a body kick that misses.
Askham seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Ricon throws a series of punches but Askham moves out of range.
Ricon just misses with a punch to the body.
Ricon throws a head kick that misses.
Askham avoids the body shot from Ricon.
Ricon scores with a body shot.

Ricon 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.
Ricon must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Ricon loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Ricon stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Askham swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ricon controlling from the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Askham avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Ricon showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Askham keeping moving, preventing Ricon from controlling successfully.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mattia Ricon dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Scott Askham's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Ricon goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Askham throws a big counter combination but Ricon scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Ricon is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Askham rather than just go for the knockout.

Ricon scores with a takedown into Askham's guard.
Ricon trying to control the position from guard on top but Askham is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ricon wants to pass the guard but Askham is keeping the position.
We've been informed that Ricon has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Ricon throwing strikes but missing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ricon advances to half guard.
Ricon is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Ricon seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Ricon really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Askham. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ricon seems to be working for a kimura but Askham defends the submission attempt.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Ricon lands a nice short elbow.
Askham avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Ricon.
Ricon takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Ricon is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Askham sees it coming and defends easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ricon wants to free his trapped foot but Askham is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Ricon thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Askham's head.
Ricon controlling the action here.
Ricon thows a huge punch but Askham dodges it nicely.
Askham keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Ricon not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Ricon throws a head kick that misses.
Jab, jab by Ricon - just one landing.
Ricon walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Askham checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Ricon fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Askham on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Ricon has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Ricon lands with a nice body punch.
Ricon throws a head kick but Askham moves out of range.
As Ricon tries to get set, Askham tries to push him back and clinch up but Ricon manages to avoid the attempt.
Askham has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Ricon finds it's way round the side to connect with Askham's head.
Ricon scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Ricon scores with a nice head shot.
Ricon paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Mattia Ricon seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ricon throws a leg kick but Askham checks it.
Askham quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Ricon closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Oh Askham is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
A head kick misses from Ricon.
Askham seems to have got his legs back now.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ricon misses with a two punch combination.
Askham feinted with a counter takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ricon scores with a crisp jab that stopped Askham in his tracks.
Askham defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ricon.
Nice uppercut lands for Ricon. That snapped Askham's head back.
Ricon misses with the combination.
A jab from Ricon finds it's way through Askham's defenses.
Ricon lands with a cross.

Ricon shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Askham's guard.
Askham is looking to stand back up but Ricon counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Askham.

Ricon is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mattia Ricon showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Scott Askham's cut.
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!

Ricon swings widly with a right hand

and Askham counters by clinching up.
Askham is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Ricon is defending well for now.
Come on Ricon - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

Askham's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Askham tries to clinch up but Ricon circles away and keeps his distance.
Ricon throws a chopping leg kick but Askham manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
It looked like Askham was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Ricon tries a head kick but it misses.
Askham avoids a kick to the body.
Askham misses with a takedown
and Ricon counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ricon lands a two punch combo.
Left hook, right uppercut from Ricon.

Ricon manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Askham on his heels. He'll look to pass Askham's guard now, I'm sure.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ricon is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Askham wants to improve his position but instead Ricon has moved into half guard.
Ricon content to control rather than advance.
Ricon's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Askham blocking the ground and pound attempt from Ricon.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Askham is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Ricon is taking a breather. Askham says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Ricon is pressing down on Askham's thigh, looking to free his foot. Askham is holding on for now.
Ricon slows the pace down in half guard.

Ricon is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ricon trying to mount his opponent but Askham defends it.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
A solid leg kick lands there for Ricon.
Ricon lands a head shot.
A leg kick checked by Askham.
Askham is looking to clinch but Ricon is avoiding it.

Ricon closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Askham quickly recovers to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ricon wants to control but Askham is keeping him busy.
Ricon trying to mount his opponent but Askham defends it.
Ricon is keen to just control but Askham is a slippery customer.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ricon thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Scott Askham has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mattia Ricon is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Ricon is working for a submission of some sort.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mattia Ricon comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Ricon 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 Michael Johnstone scores the fight 26:30
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 26:30
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mattia Ricon!
In his post fight interview, Mattia Ricon started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.