PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ben Askrew (ranked 1672 p4p, 65 weight class) and Siale Veainu (ranked 0 p4p, 13 weight class). Siale Veainu acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Askrew
vs
Veainu

185 cm
26
215
7 - 2 - 0

172 cm
27
195
12 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ben Askrew!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Siale Veainu!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Michael Johnstone and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Veainu getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Nice cross by Veainu.
Veainu lands a slapping body shot.

Veainu cracks Askrew with a big right hand that sends him to the floor! Askrew looks wobbly but he's sprung back up to his feet straight away… can Veainu finish him?

Askrew is rocked!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Veainu throws a shot from downtown. Askrew moves away and avoids it.
Askrew attempts a counter takedown but Veainu avoids it well and moves away.
Veainu scores with a body shot.
Veainu throws a hook but Askrew blocks it.
Veainu throws a right hand that misses

so Askrew counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Askrew stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Veainu swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Askrew postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Veainu is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Askrew, into his guard.

Askrew looking to hit a scissor sweep but Veainu is one step ahead there.
Veainu really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Askrew. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Askrew is looking for a triangle but Veainu pushes his legs off easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Askrew looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Askrew looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Veainu passes into side control.
Askrew is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Veainu is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Askrew is in all sorts of trouble here.
Askrew is working hard here to advance position.
We've been hearing good reports from Askrew'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.
Askrew is breathing heavily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Veainu controlling from the full mount.
Askrew is desperately trying to improve his position but Veainu has a good base and remains in mount.
Veainu controlling the pace for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Askrew is wriggling around trying to escape.
Veainu controlling from the full mount.
Askrew tries to improve his position but instead Veainu has taken his back!
Veainu biding his time, looking for the opening.
Askrew tries to roll but Veainu sticks to his back.
Askrew is keeping busy.
Askrew tries to escape but Veainu has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Veainu biding his time, controlling Askrew.
Veainu is trying to stick to Askrew's back but Askrew is turning into Veainu. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Veainu's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Askrew.
Veainu has control of Askrew's left arm, preventing Askrew from doing any damage.

Askrew has gone for a leg lock! Veainu slips out almost immediately though and dives into Askrew's guard.

Veainu got a little sloppy there for a moment and Askrew has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Veainu has managed to get both his arms back between Askrew's legs - danger averted.
Veainu trying to control but Askrew is working from the bottom.
Veainu looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Askrew will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Askrew has managed to work for a loose triangle. I think Veainu should be able to defend this one pretty easily though. Oh, Askrew has tightened it up now! Veainu should have reacted faster there - he's in big trouble and yes, he's tapped out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Ben Askrew!
A victorious Ben Askrew thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.