PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ska Asap (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Billy Tinkl (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Asap
vs
Tinkl

180 cm
27
170 lbs
17 - 5 - 1

175 cm
25
196 lbs
13 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Powerful

Vikai Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 5 - 1, fighting out of New York, Ska Asap!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Billy Tinkl!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Lou da Vinci and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tinkl shoots in for a double leg but Asap sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Asap shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Tinkl leaves Asap with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Asap shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Tinkl is trying to defend but Asap finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Asap is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
We've been hearing good reports from Asap'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.
Asap sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Tinkl manages to regain half guard. Good work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tinkl is trying to control but can't.
Tinkl is looking to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tinkl is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Asap pulls his head out easily.
Tinkl throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Tinkl is not content to let Asap control the position.
Asap not doing much here.
Asap wants to pass the guard but Tinkl is defending well.
Asap slows the pace down in half guard.
Tinkl pushes Asap off looking to stand but Asap dives back in and keeps control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Asap looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Tinkl wants to get back to his feet.
Tinkl is not content to let Asap control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Asap shoots in and gets a takedown into Tinkl's guard.
Asap pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Tinkl is keeping the position for now.
Tinkl wants to stand up but Asap is controlling him.
Tinkl can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Asap controls the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Asap pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Tinkl is keeping the position for now.
Asap is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Tinkl wants to sweep here but Asap controlling him for the moment.
Asap tries to free his leg and advance position but Tinkl is retaining full guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Tinkl shoots in but Asap avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Asap is trying hard to land a takedown here. Tinkl sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ska Asap. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Asap shoots in looking for a takedown. Tinkl tries to sprawl out of it but Asap keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Tinkl manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Asap shoots in and bounces Tinkl off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tinkl tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Tinkl wants to get back to his feet but Asap is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Tinkl keeping moving, preventing Asap from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Asap is stalling in the full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Tinkl is looking to stand up but Asap isn't so interested in that idea.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ska Asap dominated that 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.

Tinkl decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Tinkl is looking to advance position but Asap won't allow it.
Asap is looking for a sweep. Tinkl is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Asap is not content to let Tinkl control the position.
Tinkl tries to pass to full mount but Asap defends it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Asap gets full guard.
Tinkl looking to sit in guard and control but Asap gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Asap seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Asap is pushing down on Tinkl's leg trying to pass to half guard. Tinkl is fighting to maintain full guard but Asap has managed to sneak the leg through.
Tinkl slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Asap wants to pass the guard but Tinkl is keeping the position.
Asap won't allow Tinkl to get back to his feet.
Asap stands and throws Tinkl's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Asap working away.
Tinkl is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Asap has just dragged him back down to the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Asap trying to control the action but Tinkl is working from the bottom.
Tinkl is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Ska Asap overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Asap tries to move into full mount but can't pass Tinkl's legs.
Tinkl manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Tinkl is trying to maintain the position but Asap is very close to passing his half guard.
Asap trying to control the action but Tinkl is working from the bottom.
Tinkl is looking to control Asap's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Tinkl avoid being mounted?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tinkl won't allow Asap to pass to mount.
Asap is looking to stall here but Tinkl recovers full guard.
Asap's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Asap won't allow Tinkl to get back to his feet.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Asap manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Tinkl on his heels. He'll look to pass Tinkl's guard now, I'm sure.
Tinkl controls Asap momentarily but Asap frees himself.

Tinkl is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Asap defends well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tinkl wants to stand but Asap is controlling the position.
Asap slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Tinkl has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Tinkl wants to get back to his feet but Asap is dominant here and he's now got Tinkl's back!
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Asap here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Asap trying to control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Tinkl is trying to get back to his feet but Asap has full control of the position and if anything, Tinkl has just worked his way into a worse spot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ska Asap dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Asap shoots in for a takedown but Tinkl shows good takedown defense.
Ska Asap seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Asap goes for a double leg but Tinkl avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Tinkl continues to drive forward.
Asap shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Tinkl as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ska Asap. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Asap avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Tinkl leaves Asap with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Asap stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Asap wants it to stay on the feet.
Tinkl slaps away a takedown attempt from Asap, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Asap moves out of range of the body kick from Tinkl.
Asap tries to counter with a takedown but Tinkl is quick to defend against it.
Asap looks for a takedown but Tinkl sprawls well.
Asap is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Tinkl can do to turn this around?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Asap looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Tinkl has Asap pulled in close to control his posture.
Asap content to stall in guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Asap slips nicely into half guard.
Asap performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Tinkl is not content to let Asap control the position.
Tinkl tries to kick Asap off but Asap keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Tinkl wants to get back to full guard.

That's two 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.
Asap performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Asap trying to mount his opponent but Tinkl defends it.
Tinkl is looking to improve his position.
Asap takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Asap shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Tinkl as he avoids it easily.
Asap fails with the takedown.
A head kick misses from Tinkl.
Tinkl throws a hook but Asap blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Asap checks a low kick from Tinkl.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Tinkl.

Tinkl goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Asap rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Tinkl's guard! Nice work there by Asap!
Asap stops Tinkl from standing up.
Tinkl is trying to keep Asap in close.
Asap sitting in guard here, content to control.
Asap's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Asap looking to pass the guard.
Asap is stalling in the full guard.
Asap postures up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Asap pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Tinkl is keeping the position for now.
Asap's corner is telling him to maintain position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Billy Tinkl just about did enough to take it.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Asap tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Tinkl defends well and Asap ends up having to push Tinkl into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Asap changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Tinkl tries to avoid it but Asap manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Tinkl to the ground. Tinkl escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Tinkl tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Asap defends well and Tinkl ends up having to push Asap into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Tinkl closes this distance looking for a takedown but Asap circles away.
Asap shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Tinkl as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ska Asap. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tinkl rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Asap moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Asap closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Asap trying to control the position but Tinkl is working away.
The referee asks Asap politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Asap prefers to stall for the moment though.
Tinkl is trying to get back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Asap passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Tinkl!

Asap working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Tinkl is working to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tinkl is squirming around, avoiding Asap's attempts to control the action.
Tinkl throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
You get the feeling that Tinkl really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Asap wants to control the pace but Tinkl is squirming around nicely.
Tinkl is desperately trying to improve his position but Asap has a good base and remains in mount.
Asap sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Tinkl tries to lock up and control but Asap gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Asap trying to control but Tinkl is having none of it.
Asap sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Asap jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Tinkl manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Asap remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tinkl regains half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Tinkl manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Asap is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Tinkl trying to control the position.
Tinkl is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Asap shoots in for a takedown but Tinkl shows good takedown defense.

Asap closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Tinkl's guard.
Asap stops Tinkl from standing up.
Tinkl can't keep his opponent in guard - Asap advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Asap stops Tinkl from getting back to his feet.
Asap trying to control the pace.
Asap prevents Tinkl from standing back up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Asap is trying to control the action in half guard but Tinkl is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Asap controlling the pace.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ska Asap had his way with Billy Tinkl in that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Asap gets a takedown into half guard.
Asap frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

Asap wants to finish this one by submission but Tinkl is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Asap.
Tinkl can't escape the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tinkl is squirming around, avoiding Asap's attempts to control the action.
Tinkl wants to try and get back to his feet.
Asap controlling the pace for now.
You get the feeling that Tinkl really doesn't like being in this position too much.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Asap controlling the pace for now.
Asap has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Asap wants to control the pace but Tinkl is squirming around nicely.
Tinkl tries to lock up and control but Asap gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Asap trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Asap prevents Tinkl from getting the reversal.
Tinkl is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Tinkl is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Asap sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Tinkl is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Asap takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Asap throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Asap takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Asap punching from mount but Tinkl doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Tinkl tries to hold on but Asap pushes him away.
Asap looking to control but Tinkl is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Asap tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Tinkl really wants to buck Asap off and get back to his feet.
Asap tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Tinkl sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tinkl moves into full guard.
Asap advances to half guard.
Tinkl is staying active underneath Asap, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Asap is looking for a kimura but Tinkl is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Asap to get the leverage.
Tinkl trying to control from the bottom.
Asap seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Asap wants to take a breather but Tinkl is having none of it.
Billy Tinkl has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ska Asap is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Well, if Asap is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

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 fight!
Ska Asap showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Asap 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 49:46
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 49:46
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ska Asap!
Ska Asap retains his middleweight title!
Our winner, Ska Asap, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.