PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Dee Bag (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nikola Asanovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Asanovic has chosen Rokeri S Moravi - Daj Ribu as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Nikola Asanovic struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 186.1lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Bag
vs
Asanovic

189 cm
28
185 lbs
9 - 8 - 0

185 cm
24
204 lbs
6 - 4 - 1

Good takedowns
Decent elbows
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Powerful

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 9 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dee Bag!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nikola Asanovic!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Robert Twigg and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Asanovic tries to clinch up but Bag circles away and keeps his distance.
Nice body kick there by Asanovic.
Bag looks to land a body kick but Asanovic moved away.

Asanovic closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Bag looks like he's trying to stand up.

Asanovic decides to stand and escape the position.
Asanovic is looking to clinch but Bag is avoiding it.
Asanovic pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Asanovic tries to clinch but Bag is having none of it.
Asanovic throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Asanovic slaps away a takedown attempt from Bag, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Asanovic with a nice cross.
Bag scores with a jab to the jaw.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A right-left combo lands from Bag.
Asanovic takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Bag shoots in for a takedown but Asanovic shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Asanovic tries a low kick but Bag avoids it.
Asanovic lands with a kick to the temple. Bag shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

It looks like Dee Bag has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bag throws a head kick that Asanovic semi-blocks.
Asanovic misses the body punch

and Bag counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Asanovic looking for a sweep. Not yet Asanovic, not yet.
Asanovic keeping full guard, as Bag tries to pass.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Asanovic wants to control but Bag passes easily into half guard.
Asanovic looks gassed!
Bag is keen to just control but Asanovic is a slippery customer.
Asanovic is trying to stand up here but Bag is controlling him well.
Asanovic is trying to control but can't.

Bag is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Asanovic pushes Bag off and gets back to his feet.
Asanovic misses with a combination

and Bag counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Asanovic!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Bag looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bag is landing with some decent strikes but Asanovic is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Bag looking to control but Asanovic is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Bag has control of Asanovic's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Asanovic regains control of the situation pretty easily.

Bag looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Asanovic tries to hold on but Bag postures up.
Asanovic is trying to escape the mount.

Bag is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Asanovic to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Asanovic shrugs it off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Asanovic really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Asanovic reaches up to try and control the position but Bag seems to have an arm triangle now! Uh oh! Asanovic rolls and tries to escape and now Bag has his back!
Bag wants to control but Asanovic is keeping busy.

Asanovic is looking to stand back up. He's having to work hard to escape but eventually he manages it.
Asanovic slips a jab and a cross from Bag.
Asanovic lands a head kick. Bag smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
A head kick misses from Asanovic.
Asanovic looks to land a right hand but Bag moved out of range.
Asanovic throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Bag's head.
Bag ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Asanovic throws a looping overhand right but Bag ducks down to avoid it.
Bag throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Asanovic's head.
A combination from Bag does no damage.
Asanovic looks to land a combination. Bag sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Asanovic misses with a kick to the body
and Bag counters with a three punch combo that has Asanovic backing up. Asanovic nods at Bag to acknowledge the strikes.
Asanovic stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Bag.
Bag lands a leg kick that knocks Asanovic off balance momentarily.
Bag throws a quick inside leg kick.

Bag gets a clinch.

Asanovic's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Bag misses with a body kick.
Bag fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Asanovic is looking to clinch.
Bag buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bag misses with a jab, cross combination.
Asanovic tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Bag drives through with a takedown into guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Asanovic scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Bag misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Asanovic throws a hook but Bag avoids it easily.
A head kick by Asanovic misses

and Bag counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Bag.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Dee Bag will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Dee Bag's cut.
That's time! Bag's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Asanovic tries to sprawl but Bag drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Bag is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Asanovic sees it coming and defends easily.
Asanovic tries to kick Bag off but Bag keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Asanovic has one foot on Bag's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Bag lands a really nice looking cross but Asanovic seems unphased.
Nikola Asanovic seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Bag throws a head kick that half lands.
Some wild striking there from Bag.
Asanovic throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Bag counters with a nice body kick.
Bag throws a right and a left that both miss.
A head kick from Bag lands but Asanovic takes it in his stride.
Asanovic loads up on a big right hand but Bag slips the punch.
Bag throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Bag tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Asanovic fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bag manages to avoid it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Asanovic blocks a head kick by Bag.

Bag 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.
Asanovic wants to stand but Bag is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bag stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Asanovic swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Bag trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Asanovic looking for a sweep. Not yet Asanovic, not yet.
Asanovic controlling the position.
Bag prevents Asanovic from getting back to his feet.
Asanovic working a defensive guard here.
Bag stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Asanovic swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Bag lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Asanovic wants to stand but Bag is controlling the position.
Asanovic can't keep his opponent in guard - Bag advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Bag trying to control the action but Asanovic is working from the bottom.
Bag prevents Asanovic from improving his position.

Bag is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Asanovic sees it coming and defends easily.
Dee Bag overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Asanovic is controlling Bag's trapped leg to prevent Bag from advancing to side control.
Asanovic blocking the ground and pound attempt from Bag.
Bag passes to full mount!
Bag throws some wild stikes that Asanovic manages to avoid easily.

Bag gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Bag throws a nice looking combination but Asanovic bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Asanovic shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bag is looking to control Asanovic's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Bag avoid being mounted?
Bag wants to get back to his feet.
Still in half guard, Asanovic seems content to control.
Bag is looking to improve his position.

Asanovic decides to stand and escape the position.
Dee Bag is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Asanovic is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Asanovic misses with a double jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Asanovic tries a head kick but it misses.
Bag misses with a wild combination.
Asanovic's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Asanovic duly obliges.
Bag's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Bag duly obliges.
Bag rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Asanovic moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Bag avoids the head kick by Asanovic.
Left hook, right uppercut from Bag.
Asanovic blocks a head kick by Bag.
A shot to the body from Asanovic misses

and Bag counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Asanovic's guard now.

Asanovic is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Bag pushes down on Asanovic's leg and manages to get into half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Asanovic looks like he's trying to stand up.
Asanovic is not content to let Bag control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dee Bag dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Dee Bag's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Asanovic moves into the clinch.
Bag is trying to break the clinch but Asanovic is controlling him.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Bag just misses with a elbow thrown towards Asanovic's brow.
Asanovic lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Asanovic has Bag pressed against the cage.
Bag is trying to break free.

Asanovic breaks the clinch.

Bag clinches up with Asanovic and pushes him back against the cage.
Bag swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Asanovic pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Asanovic misses with a body shot
and Bag counters with a stiff right hand.
Asanovic fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Bag is out of range.
Asanovic tries to clinch but fails miserably

so Bag counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Bag stands up and waves to Asanovic to follow him.
Asanovic closes the distance but Bag moves to the side
and Bag counters with a series of strikes. Asanovic will be more careful next time no doubt.

Bag shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Asanovic napping and manages to drive through into side control!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bag wants to lay and pray for a moment but Asanovic keeps working.

Bag decides to stand back up. Bag steps back and let's Asanovic get back to his feet.
Bag tries to bum rush Asanovic with a series of wild strikes but Asanovic uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Nikola Asanovic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bag takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Asanovic fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Bag checks it well.
Asanovic takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Asanovic wants to clinch but Bag slips to the side
and Bag counters with a body kick that stops Asanovic in his tracks momentarily.
Asanovic wants to clinch up but Bag keeps it at a distance.
A head kick misses from Asanovic.
Bag fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Asanovic has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Bag keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Bag gets a takedown into half guard.
Bag wants to pass the guard but Asanovic is defending well.
Asanovic has his hands clasped together around Bag's back. He's all about the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bag slows the pace down in half guard.
Asanovic moves into full guard.
Nikola Asanovic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Asanovic escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Bag gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Asanovic wants to stand but Bag is controlling the position.
Asanovic utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Asanovic working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Bag doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Bag manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bag gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Bag shoots in and gets a takedown into Asanovic's guard.
Bag pushing down on Asanovic's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Bag wants to take a breather but Asanovic is having none of it.
Asanovic tries to get to full guard but Bag has control of the leg.
Asanovic desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Bag wants to control but Asanovic is keeping him busy.

Bag looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Asanovic has one foot on Bag's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bag slips a jab from Asanovic.
Asanovic throws a head kick that Bag semi-blocks.
Bag looks for a takedown but Asanovic sprawls well.
Asanovic scores with a three punch combo!
Asanovic throws a leg kick
and Bag counters with a head kick.
Bag looks to land a combination but Asanovic avoids it well.
Asanovic looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Asanovic throws a hook but Bag blocks it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Asanovic throws a leg kick

and Bag counters with a nice double leg into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Asanovic keeping moving, preventing Bag from controlling successfully.
Asanovic punching from the bottom - just letting Bag know he's still in a fight.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dee Bag showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Bag, 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 Dennis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dee Bag!