PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between James Holden (ranked 5095 p4p, 0 weight class) and Flit Ashter (ranked 4999 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Holden
vs
Ashter

188 cm
25
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

178 cm
25
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, James Holden!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Flit Ashter!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Ben Watson and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Holden fails with the takedown.
Ashter is looking for the big counter here.
Ashter moves out of range of the strikes.
Ashter unleashes a big counter combination but Holden bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Holden.
Despite the aggression on Ashter's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Holden misses with a takedown attempt - Ashter sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
As Holden backs off Ashter throws a huge counter combo but Holden manages to avoid it all.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James Holden. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A bone on bone clash there as Ashter blocks the leg kick.
Ashter flicks out a counter leg kick but Holden steps away.
Nice sprawl there from Ashter as Holden shoots in.
Holden throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Ashter counters with a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holden with a lazy takedown attempt
and Ashter counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Holden changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ashter tries to avoid it but Holden manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ashter to the ground. Ashter escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Holden swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Ashter counters with a slapping leg kick.
Holden shoots in but no luck this time.
Ashter throws a counter combo.
Holden throws a right and a left that Ashter avoids nicely.
Holden is breathing heavily.
Holden looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Holden shoots in looking for a takedown. Ashter tries to sprawl out of it but Holden keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Ashter manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Ashter let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Holden gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A head punch on the inside from Ashter fails to land.
Ashter fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ashter misses with the head strike.
Holden blocks a punch to the side of the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ashter.
Ashter lands a hook that snaps the head of Holden backwards.
Holden is looking to take this one to the mat.
Holden tries to pull guard but Ashter forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Holden.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holden blocking some punches.
Ashter lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Ashter creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Ashter misses with a punch on the inside.
Holden scores with a hook to the body.
Ashter lands with a light punch inside.
Ashter throws a head punch that misses.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Holden blocks an uppercut.
Holden misses with an elbow strike.
Ashter fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Holden trying to control the position but instead, Ashter has worked for underhooks and has pushed Holden into the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ashter.
Ashter misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ashter swings wildly with an uppercut but Holden uses good head movement to avoid it.
Holden is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holden blocks an uppercut.
Ashter misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ashter has a couple of punches blocked by Holden.
Ashter swings wildly with an uppercut but Holden uses good head movement to avoid it.
Holden is trying to drag Ashter to the mat but Ashter just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Ashter throws a head punch that misses.
Ashter misses with some punches.
A head punch on the inside from Ashter fails to land.
Ashter throws a punch but it's blocked by Holden.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ashter working aggressively here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Holden blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ashter misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ashter lands with a light punch inside.
Ashter swings wildly with an uppercut but Holden uses good head movement to avoid it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Flit Ashter dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Holden closes the distance and clinches.
Holden tries to break the clinch but Ashter is controlling the position.
Ashter has a couple of punches blocked by Holden.
Holden tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Ashter swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Holden jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Ashter walks away with a smile on his face. Holden gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Holden shoots in looking for a takedown. Ashter tries to sprawl out of it but Holden keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Ashter manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
As Holden backs off Ashter throws a huge counter combo but Holden manages to avoid it all.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James Holden. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Holden is defended easily by Ashter.
James Holden is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Holden closes the distance and pushes Ashter back into the cage.
Holden is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Ashter has a couple of punches blocked by Holden.
Ashter throws a head punch that misses.
Holden is trying to pull guard but Ashter turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Ashter throws a head punch that misses.
Holden is looking to control Ashter's arms but Ashter gets an underhook and turns him. Now Holden has his back to the cage.
Ashter fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ashter throws a punch but it's blocked by Holden.
Ashter misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holden is trying to pull guard but Ashter has him pressed against the cage.
Holden has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Ashter after a bit of a struggle.
Ashter swings wildly with an uppercut but Holden uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Holden.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ashter.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ashter.
Ashter throws a head punch that misses.
Ashter throws a head punch that misses.
Ashter misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ashter misses with some punches.
Ashter working aggressively here.
Ashter softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Ashter has a couple of punches blocked by Holden.
Ashter working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Flit Ashter seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Holden blocks an uppercut.
Holden tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ashter's elbow.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Holden.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ashter misses with the head strike.
Holden blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Ashter fails to land.
Ashter swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ashter misses with some punches.
Ashter lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Ashter misses with some punches.
Ashter misses with some punches.
Ashter has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Holden pulls guard effortlessly.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Ashter wanted to stand there but Holden had control of the position.

Ashter decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Holden, up you get!
Holden closes this distance looking for a takedown but Ashter circles away.
Ashter lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Holden tries for a takedown but Ashter sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ashter was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Holden shoots in and drives through. Ashter sprawls well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holden shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ashter but Ashter pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Ashter flicks out a counter leg kick but Holden steps away.
Holden dives in and grabs Ashter's left leg, looking for a takedown. Ashter pushes down on Holden's head and hops out.
Ashter is looking for the big counter here.
Ashter stuffs the takedown.
Holden backing away here, and Ashter unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Nice takedown defense from Ashter. No joy for Holden on that attempt.
Holden shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ashter as he jumps to the side.
Ashter tries a quick counter leg kick but Holden is wise to it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ashter blocks a leg kick.
Ashter is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Flit Ashter showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Holden changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ashter tries to avoid it but Holden manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ashter to the ground. Ashter escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Holden tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ashter paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Holden tries to clinch up but Ashter circles away and keeps his distance.
Ashter throws a counter combo.
Holden tries for a takedown but Ashter sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Nice sprawl there from Ashter as Holden shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James Holden. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Holden shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ashter as he jumps to the side.
Despite the aggression on Ashter's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ashter displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Holden.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ashter defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Holden.
Ashter unleashes a big counter combination but Holden bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Holden tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
As Holden backs off Ashter throws a huge counter combo but Holden manages to avoid it all.
Holden shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Ashter counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Holden thinking.
Holden goes for a double leg but Ashter avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Ashter continues to drive forward.
Holden is looking to clinch but Ashter is avoiding it.
Holden fails with the takedown
and Ashter counters with an outside leg kick.
Holden misses with the combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holden throws a head kick that misses
and Ashter counters with a slapping leg kick.
Holden shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ashter pinned against the cage. Ashter gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Flit Ashter seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Holden rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ashter moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Holden is defended easily by Ashter.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holden misses with a body kick.
Horrible takedown attempt by Holden or perhaps it was just good defense by Ashter, which made it look bad.
Nice sprawl there from Ashter as Holden shoots in.
Holden shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Ashter sprawls well. Ashter wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Holden gets slowly back to his feet.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Holden.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Holden throws a head kick that misses.
Ashter now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Holden misses the target.
Nice sprawl there from Ashter as Holden shoots in.
Ashter flicks out a counter leg kick but Holden steps away.
James Holden seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Holden fails in his attempt to clinch.
Holden misses with a takedown attempt
and Holden takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Holden tries for a takedown but Ashter circles away easily
and Ashter counters with a series of strikes. Holden will be more careful next time no doubt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Flit Ashter comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Ashter has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Hugh Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ben Watson scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Flit Ashter!