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 kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Kasabian - Empire. Rocco Marchegiano is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Askan
vs
Marchegiano

190 cm
27
190 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

182 cm
36
192 lbs
19 - 17 - 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 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Isaias Askan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Rocco Marchegiano!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Aafke Stam and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Marchegiano stuffs the takedown.
Askan looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Askan fails to land with a series of punches.
Marchegiano misses with a straight right.
Rocco Marchegiano seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Askan walks into a jab.
Askan walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Askan shoots in for a takedown but Marchegiano shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Askan has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Askan there as he acknowledges the shot.
Nice takedown defense from Marchegiano. No joy for Askan on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Isaias Askan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice sprawl there from Marchegiano as Askan shoots in.
Marchegiano throws a lazy uppercut

and Askan counters with a takedown into side control.
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!
Askan connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Marchegiano some visible discomfort.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Marchegiano can do anything to dispel that myth.
Askan wants to control for a moment but Marchegiano uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Askan throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Marchegiano to regain full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Askan throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Marchegiano works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Askan throws a big right hand that misses.
Marchegiano wants to stand and escape but Askan is having none of it.
Askan missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Marchegiano is trying to control the position but Askan postures up.
Askan missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Askan stops Marchegiano from standing up.
Askan trying to control but Marchegiano is working from the bottom.
Askan's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Marchegiano misses with a left hand
and Askan counters with a left to the body.
Askan lunges at Marchegiano with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Marchegiano's hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marchegiano misses with a looping right.
Marchegiano tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Askan was well out of range. Poor timing from Marchegiano.
Askan fails with the takedown.
Askan lands with a right hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Askan throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Askan throws an off balance right hand
and Marchegiano counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Askan shoots for a double leg takedown but Marchegiano sprawls well. He's pushed Askan's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Marchegiano throws an overhand right that lands on Askan's shoulder, as Askan tries to avoid the shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marchegiano stuffs the takedown attempt from Askan. Askan gets slowly back to his feet.
Askan fails to land with a series of punches.
Askan takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Marchegiano connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Askan's hands.
Nice cross by Marchegiano.
Askan walks into a left hand.
Marchegiano misses with a few strikes there.
Nice shot by Marchegiano.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marchegiano cracks Askan with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Marchegiano is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Askan had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Marchegiano throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Askan sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Marchegiano looks to land a combination but Askan avoids it well.
Askan avoids the body shot from Marchegiano.
Askan throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Marchegiano.
Marchegiano swings for the body but Askan moves out of range.
Askan uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Marchegiano.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Askan swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Marchegiano.
Askan shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Rocco Marchegiano will probably get the nod.
That's time! Askan's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Askan slips a straight right by Marchegiano.
Marchegiano uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Askan.
A jab from Marchegiano does it's job there.
Marchegiano throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Isaias Askan is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Marchegiano throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Askan misses with a wild combination.
Marchegiano throws a poor cross that misses
and Askan counters with a stiff right hand.
Askan digs a good hook to Marchegiano's body.
Marchegiano misses with a straight right.
Marchegiano takes a swing at Askan's ribcage but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marchegiano uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Askan tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Marchegiano swivels and escapes.
Nice sprawl there from Marchegiano as Askan shoots in.
Askan misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Askan throws a good cross that connects.
Rocco Marchegiano is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Marchegiano throws a right hand that Askan ducks under and follows up with a left that Askan also avoids with ease.
Marchegiano has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Donk. Marchegiano catches Askan right on the button with a cross.

Askan closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Marchegiano quickly recovers to half guard.
Askan thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marchegiano is trying to maintain the position but Askan is very close to passing his half guard.
Askan thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Marchegiano's head.
Askan landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Marchegiano pushes Askan off looking to stand but Askan dives back in and keeps control.
Askan throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Askan winds up and cracks Marchegiano with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Marchegiano on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Askan wants to pass to mount but Marchegiano is defending the position.
Askan winds up and cracks Marchegiano with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Askan lands with a punch from half guard.
Askan working Marchegiano over with strikes.
Askan throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Askan throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Askan stalling.
Marchegiano keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Marchegiano pushes Askan off looking to stand but Askan dives back in and keeps control.
Askan wants to pass to mount but Marchegiano is defending the position.
Askan lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Askan throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Marchegiano is trying to stand back up but Askan is controlling him
Askan wants to pass the guard but Marchegiano is defending well.
Askan wants to take a breather but Marchegiano is having none of it.
Askan not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Askan throwing shots but Marchegiano is blocking nicely.
Marchegiano is trying to control but can't.
Askan stops Marchegiano from getting back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marchegiano blocking the ground and pound attempt from Askan.
Askan stops Marchegiano from getting back to his feet.
Askan looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Askan throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Marchegiano to regain full guard.
Askan loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Marchegiano looking for a sweep. Not yet Marchegiano, not yet.
Askan with a flurry of punches that miss.
Askan with a flurry of punches that miss.
Askan working some strikes from top position.
Askan with a nice head shot there.
Marchegiano preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Askan wants to pass the guard but Marchegiano is keeping the position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Askan lands a couple of digs.
Askan in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Marchegiano trying to control the position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Isaias Askan dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Askan showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Marchegiano.
Nice sprawl there from Marchegiano as Askan shoots in.
Askan lands with a nice combination. Marchegiano backs away looking to recover.
Nice shot by Marchegiano.
Marchegiano lands with a nice body punch.
Rocco Marchegiano seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Askan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Marchegiano.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marchegiano tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Askan was well out of range. Poor timing from Marchegiano.
Marchegiano dodges the punch combination from Askan.

Askan dives in and scores a takedown into Marchegiano's guard.
Marchegiano preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Askan postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Marchegiano is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Askan is controlling him.
Askan throws a big elbow that misses.
Marchegiano looking for a sweep. Not yet Marchegiano, not yet.
Marchegiano is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Askan is controlling him.
Marchegiano is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Askan missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Askan's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Askan landing with the ground and pound.
Marchegiano has momentary wrist control but Askan slips an elbow through the middle.
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!
Marchegiano wants to stand but Askan is controlling the position.
Askan throws a big right hand that misses.
Askan looking to sit in guard and control but Marchegiano gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Isaias Askan overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Askan working a defensive guard here.
Askan tries to strike from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Askan trying to strike off his back.
Askan keeping moving, preventing Marchegiano from controlling successfully.
Askan tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Askan is trying to keep Marchegiano in close.
Askan managing to control the position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
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 stuffs the takedown attempt from Askan. Askan gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Isaias Askan. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Askan shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Marchegiano as he jumps to the side.
Marchegiano displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Askan.
A slow jab from Marchegiano misses its intended target.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Marchegiano looks to throw the jab but Askan is out of range.
Marchegiano throws a right and a left that Askan avoids nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Isaias Askan showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Askan 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 29:28
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Isaias Askan!
An out of breath Isaias Askan thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.