PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Isaias Askan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rocco Marchegiano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Askan's entrance music is Kasabian - Empire. A fine choice. Rocco Marchegiano will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Askan
vs
Marchegiano

190 cm
25
190 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

182 cm
35
192 lbs
17 - 16 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Isaias Askan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Rocco Marchegiano!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Aafke Stam and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Marchegiano slips a jab and a cross from Askan.
Askan misses with a double jab
and Askan takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Marchegiano bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Askan throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Marchegiano's waist but Marchegiano gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Askan off to one side.
Marchegiano throws a hook but Askan blocks it.
Marchegiano is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Askan.
Marchegiano showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Askan.
Askan is trying hard to land a takedown here. Marchegiano sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Askan scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Askan is looking to take a break and control but Marchegiano is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Askan misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Marchegiano tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Askan wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Marchegiano wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Askan creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Marchegiano sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Marchegiano prevents Askan from improving position.
Askan lands an elbow.
Marchegiano pushes Askan away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Askan gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
We've been hearing good reports from Askan'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.
Askan lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Marchegiano down.
Marchegiano wants to get back to his feet.
Askan lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Askan working away.
Marchegiano wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Marchegiano tries to buck Askan off but Askan is having none of it.
Askan working the body and head with strikes.
Askan throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Marchegiano tries to improve position but can't.
Askan is chipping away with strikes.
Marchegiano is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Askan grinds an elbow into Marchegiano's temple.
Check out the look on Askan's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Marchegiano managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Askan.
Marchegiano parries the strikes from Askan easily there. Askan is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Marchegiano to escape.
Marchegiano gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Askan missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Askan tries to pass to full mount but Marchegiano defends it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Askan thows a huge punch but Marchegiano dodges it nicely.
Askan prevents Marchegiano from improving his position.
Askan slips a nice elbow through Marchegiano's hands, connecting with Marchegiano's forehead.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Askan connects with a nice short shot to Marchegiano's temple.
Askan tries to pass the half guard into mount. Marchegiano knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Askan is looking to take a break and control but Marchegiano is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Marchegiano tries to roll over but Askan keeps him under control.
Askan controlling the action here.
Askan throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Askan is pressing down on Marchegiano's thigh, looking to free his foot. Marchegiano is holding on for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marchegiano is looking to escape.

Marchegiano manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Askan keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Marchegiano is defending well against a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Isaias Askan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

Marchegiano manages to break the clinch.
A punch combination from Askan misses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Marchegiano missing with a left hand there. Askan was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Askan throws the left hand but Marchegiano avoids the punch easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Askan fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Askan drives through with a takedown into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Askan slips a jab and a cross from Marchegiano.
Askan slips a jab from Marchegiano.
Marchegiano scores with a nice head shot.
Askan staying out of range there.
We've been informed that Marchegiano has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Marchegiano misses with an uppercut.
A punch lands to the side of Marchegiano 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Askan uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Marchegiano.
Rocco Marchegiano seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Askan throws a looping overhand right but Marchegiano ducks down to avoid it.
Marchegiano swings widly with a right hand
and Askan counters with a left and a right that stings Marchegiano.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marchegiano jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Marchegiano misses with a hook. Askan ducked under it nicely.
Marchegiano fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Askan is trying hard to land a takedown here. Marchegiano sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Askan shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Marchegiano as he jumps to the side.

Askan drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Askan trying to control the position from guard on top but Marchegiano is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Marchegiano controls Askan momentarily but Askan frees himself.
Marchegiano manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marchegiano trying to control but he's not successful this time.

Marchegiano stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Askan fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Isaias Askan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Marchegiano stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Marchegiano wants it to stay on the feet.
Askan shoots in for a takedown but Marchegiano shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Askan misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Marchegiano misses with a wild body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marchegiano fails to land with a series of punches.
Marchegiano thows a body shot but no joy.
Askan closes the distance and clinches up with Marchegiano, looking for a takedown. Askan pushes Marchegiano against the cage but Marchegiano circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Isaias Askan is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Marchegiano throws out a loose jab but Askan uses good head movement to avoid it.
Marchegiano throws a shot from downtown. Askan moves away and avoids it.
Askan shoots in looking for a takedown. Marchegiano tries to sprawl out of it but Askan keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Marchegiano manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Jab by Marchegiano.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Askan takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Marchegiano throws a lazy right hand but Askan sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Askan takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Rocco Marchegiano seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Marchegiano throws an off balance right hand
and Askan counters with a one-two to the body.
Marchegiano jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Askan shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jab by Marchegiano.
Marchegiano misses with a two punch combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rocco Marchegiano 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! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Marchegiano misses with a right hand

so Askan counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Marchegiano keeping moving, preventing Askan from controlling successfully.

Marchegiano uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Marchegiano keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A punch combination from Askan misses.
Marchegiano stuns Askan with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Marchegiano throws a lazy uppercut
and Askan counters with a one-two to the body.
Askan moves out of range as Marchegiano strikes.
Marchegiano might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Askan ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marchegiano throws a looping overhand right but Askan ducks down to avoid it.
Marchegiano swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Marchegiano throws a combination that misses
and Askan counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Askan bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Marchegiano's head backwards.
Askan slips under a jab.
Marchegiano throws a jab but it's blocked by Askan.
Marchegiano goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Askan throws a right and a left that Marchegiano avoids nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marchegiano leaves Askan with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Marchegiano looks to score with a jab to the body but Askan is just out of range.
Marchegiano lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Askan backs up against the cage.
Askan shoots in for a double leg but Marchegiano sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Marchegiano misses with a two punch combination.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Marchegiano goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Good shot there by Marchegiano.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jab by Marchegiano.
Nice straight punches there by Marchegiano. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Marchegiano.
Marchegiano thows a body shot but no joy.
No joy there for Marchegiano, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Marchegiano throws a right and a left that Askan avoids nicely.
Askan shoots in looking for a takedown. Marchegiano tries to sprawl out of it but Askan keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Marchegiano manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Isaias Askan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Marchegiano throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Askan shoots in for a double leg but Marchegiano sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Askan swinging wildly here.
Marchegiano lands a jab to the nose.
A jab from Marchegiano misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nice takedown defense from Marchegiano. No joy for Askan on that attempt.
Nice uppercut lands for Marchegiano. That snapped Askan's head back.
Marchegiano throws a shot from downtown. Askan moves away and avoids it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rocco Marchegiano comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Marchegiano 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 Daniel Blasius scores the fight 28:29
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rocco Marchegiano!