PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Frank Shamrock (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ken Askren (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.

Shamrock
vs
Askren

178 cm
25
180 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

179 cm
25
170 lbs
2 - 0 - 1

Good wrestling
Brawler
Very quick

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ace of Spades Clothing
Modernized Goroshi Supplements

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Frank Shamrock!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 1, fighting out of The Island, Ken Askren!
The judges for this bout are Winston Alpacca, Daniel Franklin and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Askren is looking to chop away at Shamrock's legs.

Shamrock shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Askren's guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Shamrock throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Askren works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Askren pulls Shamrock in close to prevent any damage.
Askren can't keep his opponent in guard - Shamrock advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shamrock missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Shamrock is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Shamrock tries to pass the half guard into mount. Askren knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Shamrock is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Askren defends it well.
Askren gets full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shamrock wants to control from the top but Askren keeps moving.
Shamrock tries to free his leg and advance position but Askren is retaining full guard.

Askren has his foot on Shamrock's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Shamrock works his way back into a safe position though.
Shamrock working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Askren is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Shamrock defends well.
Shamrock 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.
Shamrock pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Askren is keeping the position for now.
Shamrock works over Askren with some ground and pound from guard.
Shamrock trying to control the position from guard on top but Askren is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Shamrock is fighting to break Askren's control of his arms but Askren is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Shamrock looking to pass the guard.
Askren is trying to control the position but Shamrock postures up.
We've been hearing good reports from Shamrock's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Frank Shamrock just wasn't active enough.
Askren attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Askren throws a predictable looking body shot

and Shamrock counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Shamrock sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Askren avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Askren looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Askren controls Shamrock momentarily but Shamrock frees himself.
Shamrock trying to control the position from guard on top but Askren is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shamrock throws a big elbow that misses.
Askren keeping moving, preventing Shamrock from controlling successfully.
Askren looking to hit a scissor sweep but Shamrock is one step ahead there.
Askren looking to control.
Shamrock trying to control the position from guard on top but Askren is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Shamrock drops back, looking for a kneebar! Askren looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Askren looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Askren!

Askren is trying to get an arm triangle but Shamrock is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shamrock is looking for a sweep.
Askren working away.

Askren is trying to get an arm triangle but Shamrock is defending well.
Askren working away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shamrock pushes Askren away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Askren gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Shamrock 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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Shamrock 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.

Askren 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.
Askren tries to free his leg and advance position but Shamrock is retaining full guard.
Shamrock trying to keep a closed guard but Askren is proving a slippery customer.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Shamrock is on top in guard.
Shamrock forces his way into half guard.
Askren is trying to get back to full guard.
Askren wants to control but Shamrock is keeping busy.
We've been informed that Askren has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

Shamrock is working for a kimura but Askren is defending it quite comfortably.
Shamrock is looking to stall here but Askren recovers full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Askren has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Shamrock can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Askren keeping moving, preventing Shamrock from controlling successfully.
Askren has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Shamrock throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Askren works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Shamrock wants to control from the top but Askren keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Shamrock wants to pass the guard but Askren is keeping the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Frank Shamrock just wasn't active enough.

Shamrock shoots in and bounces Askren off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Shamrock wants to control from the top but Askren keeps moving.
Shamrock postures up.

Askren working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Shamrock doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Shamrock manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Shamrock pushes down on Askren's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Shamrock trying to control the action but Askren is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shamrock 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.
Shamrock wants to free his trapped foot but Askren is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Askren manages to get to full guard.
Askren keeping moving, preventing Shamrock from controlling successfully.
Shamrock won't allow Askren to sweep him here.
Askren is trying to keep Shamrock in close.
Shamrock trying to control but Askren is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Frank Shamrock has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Askren pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Askren throws a solid leg kick but Shamrock takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Askren.
Frank Shamrock is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Shamrock drives through with a takedown into guard.
Askren trying to control the position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Askren trying to control the position here.
Shamrock throws a strike but Askren rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Shamrock looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Shamrock dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Askren decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Askren trying to work for an americana but Shamrock has managed to regain full guard.

Shamrock throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Askren escapes and throws Shamrock's legs to the side, diving into side control!

Askren is trying to get an arm triangle but Shamrock is defending well.
Askren working away.
Askren trying to control the action but Shamrock is working from the bottom.
Shamrock tries to buck Askren off but Askren is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shamrock is working hard here to advance position.
Shamrock is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Askren asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Shamrock 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 passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Shamrock!
Askren trying to control but Shamrock is having none of it.
Shamrock sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Frank Shamrock overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Askren is trying to work for a kimura but Shamrock is defending well.
Ken Askren has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shamrock moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Shamrock is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Askren is aware though and is defending well.
Askren stops Shamrock from standing up.
Shamrock throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Askren wants to control from the top but Shamrock keeps moving.

Shamrock had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Askren defends it easily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shamrock keeping full guard, as Askren tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Askren forces his way into half guard.

Shamrock is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Askren pulls his head out easily.
Askren is trying to control. Shamrock wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Shamrock tries to get to full guard but Askren has control of the leg.
Shamrock wants to control but Askren is keeping busy.
Askren controlling the action here.
Askren tries to pass to full mount but Shamrock defends it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shamrock is trying to maintain the position but Askren is very close to passing his half guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Shamrock closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Askren's guard.
Shamrock passes into half guard.

Shamrock is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Askren has managed to free his arm - good work.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Shamrock is thwarting Askren's attempts to control the position.
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!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Askren gets back to full guard.

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 Frank Shamrock.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Shamrock, 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 Winston Alpacca scores the fight 30:28
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Frank Shamrock!
After winning the bout, Frank Shamrock thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.