PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Dave Ashbourne Jr (ranked 306 p4p, 532 weight class) and Keenwah Granes (ranked 16 p4p, 32 weight class). Ashbourne Jr comes to the ring accompanied by Vertical Horizon - You're A God. Granes has chosen 敢不敢 as his entrance music. Keenwah Granes has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Ashbourne Jr
vs
Granes

170 cm
27
139
14 - 4 - 0

167 cm
23
140
12 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Voodoo Nutrition
Brooklyn Apothecary

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing
Conquer

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dave Ashbourne Jr!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Keenwah Granes!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Granes shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Ashbourne Jr is pressing down on Granes's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Granes postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Granes throws a big elbow that misses.
Ashbourne Jr seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Ashbourne Jr knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Granes on the ground.
Granes throws a big right hand that misses.
Granes missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ashbourne Jr preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Granes content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Granes trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Granes throws a big right hand that misses.
Ashbourne Jr is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Granes is in close to Ashbourne Jr's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Ashbourne Jr has control of Granes's left arm, preventing Granes from doing any damage.
Granes throwing strikes but missing.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
A shot to the liver by Granes. Beautiful body shot.
Nice shot by Granes.
Ashbourne Jr looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Granes gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Ashbourne Jr counters with a nice uppercut.
Keenwah Granes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Granes closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Ashbourne Jr manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Granes keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the ropes.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Granes throws a punch but it's blocked by Ashbourne Jr.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ashbourne Jr.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ashbourne Jr.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short left from Granes.
Granes lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Ashbourne Jr's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Granes tests Ashbourne Jr's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Ashbourne Jr misses with a wild body shot.
Ashbourne Jr displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Granes.
The crowd cheers as Granes lands an impressive looking overhand right. Ashbourne Jr doesn't seem phased though.
Granes missing with a left hand there. Ashbourne Jr was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
It looked like Ashbourne Jr wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Granes tries for a takedown but Ashbourne Jr circles away easily
and Ashbourne Jr counters with a straight right hand.
Dave Ashbourne Jr has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Keenwah Granes.
Ashbourne Jr listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Nice defenses there by Ashbourne Jr.
Ashbourne Jr seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Granes fails to land the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Granes shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Ashbourne Jr cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Dave Ashbourne Jr is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Granes gets a takedown into half guard.
Ashbourne Jr is looking to escape.
Granes throwing shots but Ashbourne Jr is blocking nicely.

Granes is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Granes throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Granes thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ashbourne Jr's head.
Ashbourne Jr has his hands clasped together around Granes's back. He's all about the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ashbourne Jr trying to control here.
Granes takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Granes is trying to control. Ashbourne Jr wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Granes has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Nice strikes from Granes there.
Ashbourne Jr has hold of Granes's hands but Granes slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Granes throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Granes lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Ashbourne Jr avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Granes.
Ashbourne Jr wants to get back to his feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Keenwah Granes dominated that round.
That's time! Ashbourne Jr's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Granes lands with a right hand.
Granes misses with a hook
and Ashbourne Jr counters with a left to the body.
Granes has his takedown stuffed
and Ashbourne Jr counters with a stiff right hand.
Jab, jab by Ashbourne Jr - just one landing.
Ashbourne Jr with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Granes to score with a decent uppercut.

Granes closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Granes lands in his opponent's guard.
Ashbourne Jr keeping moving, preventing Granes from controlling successfully.
Granes throws a big elbow that misses.
Granes is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Granes looking to pass the guard.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Granes throws an elbow that misses. Ashbourne Jr uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Granes's guard. Nice move by Ashbourne Jr!

Ashbourne Jr stopping the sweep attempt from Granes.
Granes trying to control the position here.
Granes working a defensive guard but Ashbourne Jr manages to pass into side control anyway.
Ashbourne Jr working away.
Granes tries to bench press Ashbourne Jr off him but Ashbourne Jr keeps the position.
Granes struggling a bit here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Granes manages to work his way to half guard, despite Ashbourne Jr's best efforts.
Ashbourne Jr not doing much here.
Ashbourne Jr is trying to control. Granes wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Granes is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Granes is staying active underneath Ashbourne Jr, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Ashbourne Jr is really struggling to control Granes but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Granes is looking for a sweep. Ashbourne Jr is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Ashbourne Jr is trying to control the action in half guard but Granes is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Granes moves into full guard.
Ashbourne Jr tries to stand but Granes is controlling from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Granes wants to sweep but no luck.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

Granes scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Granes throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Ashbourne Jr to regain full guard.
Ashbourne Jr has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Granes has passed into side control.
Granes connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Ashbourne Jr some visible discomfort.
An elbow from Granes crashes against the mat.
Ashbourne Jr is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Granes is controlling him well.
Granes looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Ashbourne Jr is avoiding damage well.
Granes tries to advance to mount but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Granes working away.

Granes wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Ashbourne Jr, who protects the arm well.
Granes throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Granes throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Granes scores with punches from side control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Granes cracks Ashbourne Jr with a big elbow.
Granes trying to control the action but Ashbourne Jr is working from the bottom.
Granes looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Ashbourne Jr is avoiding damage well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Keenwah Granes showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Ashbourne Jr connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

Ashbourne Jr moves into the clinch.
Granes misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Granes can't find room to land a body shot as Ashbourne Jr controls the action.
Ashbourne Jr blocks a body shot from Granes.
Ashbourne Jr lands a hook to the side of the head.
Granes misses with a hook to the ribs.
Granes lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Ashbourne Jr or not.
Granes swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ashbourne Jr misses with a hook from the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Granes.
Ashbourne Jr is trying to stall.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ashbourne Jr lands a shoulder strike.
Ashbourne Jr wants to get back to striking at distance but Granes won't allow it.
Granes doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Ashbourne Jr breaks from the clinch.

Granes clinches with his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ashbourne Jr throws a punch but it's blocked by Granes.

Ashbourne Jr manages to break the clinch.
Granes shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ashbourne Jr defends it nicely.
Ashbourne Jr swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Dave Ashbourne Jr is winning the standup battle so far.
Granes misses with a hook. Ashbourne Jr ducked under it nicely.
Granes uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Granes will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Good work by Ashbourne Jr as he checks the leg kick.
Ashbourne Jr throws a nice looking combination but Granes bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Granes swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ashbourne Jr. Granes does a little dance to reset his feet.

Ashbourne Jr moves into the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Ashbourne Jr.
Granes lands an uppercut.
Granes throws a head punch that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Granes tries a body shot but Ashbourne Jr blocks it.
Granes scores with a nice hook to the head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Granes.
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!
A head punch blocked on the inside by Granes.
Ashbourne Jr scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Granes misses with a punch on the inside.
Ashbourne Jr taking a breather.
Granes has a couple of punches blocked by Ashbourne Jr.
Granes can't find room to land a body shot as Ashbourne Jr controls the action.
Granes working aggressively here.
Ashbourne Jr trying to control the position but instead, Granes has worked for underhooks and has pushed Ashbourne Jr into the ropes.

Ashbourne Jr escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Granes shoots for a double leg takedown but Ashbourne Jr sprawls well. He's pushed Granes's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Dave Ashbourne Jr has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Keenwah Granes.
Granes changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Ashbourne Jr, as that shot connected.
Ashbourne Jr misses with a hook. Granes ducked under it nicely.
Granes throws an off balance right hand
and Ashbourne Jr counters with a stiff right hand.
Granes avoids a punch combination nicely.
Granes now looks to counter with a shot at the body.

Granes drives through with a takedown into Ashbourne Jr's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Granes trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Granes postures up and lands a big shot to Ashbourne Jr's brow.
Granes wants to control from the top but Ashbourne Jr keeps moving.
Granes lands a couple of elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Granes landing some decent shots from guard.

Ashbourne Jr is rocked!
Granes trying to control but Ashbourne Jr is working from the bottom.
Oh Ashbourne Jr is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Granes connects with a couple of short punches.
Keenwah Granes has got the better of the ground game so far.
Granes with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
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!
Granes chips away with some ground and pound.
Granes gets to his feet and stands over Ashbourne Jr, holding his ankles. He dives in with a big left hand that connects! Ashbourne Jr felt that one! Granes unloads more punches and elbows and this one is over! The ref has dived in to save Ashbourne Jr from any more punishment!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:38 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Keenwah Granes!
Keenwah Granes is the new bantamweight champion!
During a confident post fight interview, Keenwah Granes thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.