PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Charlie Asto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Will Baker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Asto
vs
Baker

175 cm
22
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
150 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Charlie Asto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Will Baker!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Joseph Jones and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Baker wants to clinch.
A punch combination from Baker misses.

Asto feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Baker wants to sweep but no luck.
Baker doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

Baker is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Asto is aware though and is defending well.
Baker can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Asto controls the pace.
Asto tries to free his leg and advance position but Baker is retaining full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Asto controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Asto tries to free his leg and advance position but Baker is retaining full guard.

Baker is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Asto gets to his feet. Baker looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Baker connects with a high kick.
Baker throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Asto.
Baker is looking to clinch but Asto is avoiding it.
Nice sprawl there from Baker as Asto shoots in.
Baker tries to land a front kick but Asto steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Baker tries for a takedown but Asto circles away easily

and Asto counters with a shoot takedown. Baker fights it but they end up in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baker wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Asto manages to pass to side control.
Asto is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Asto is breathing heavily.
Baker pushes Asto off looking to stand but Asto dives back in and keeps control.
Asto keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baker tries to get to full guard but Asto has control of the leg.
Baker is trying to stand.
Asto trying to pass the guard but Baker defending well.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Baker with a poor takedown

and Asto counters with a nice double leg into side control. Baker won't be happy with that.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Asto tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Baker is trying to buck Asto off.
Baker tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Asto presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Asto tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Charlie Asto dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Asto fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Baker sprawls well initially but Asto persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Asto controlling the action here.
Baker is looking to control Asto's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Baker avoid being mounted?
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Baker looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Baker actively working from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Asto is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

Asto escapes and gets back to his feet.

Baker gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Asto not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Baker is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Asto sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Asto preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Asto is stalling in the full guard.
Asto stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Baker swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four 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.

Baker is looking for a triangle but Asto pushes his legs off easily.
Asto slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Asto is standing up over Baker. Baker looks to escape but Asto dives into side control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Asto controlling the position from side mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Charlie Asto dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Asto gets the takedown into side control.
Baker is looking to regain half guard here but Asto keeps moving and retains side control.
Asto in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Baker looking for a sweep but Asto has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Asto prevents Baker from getting the reversal.
Charlie Asto overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Asto controlling the pace for now.
Baker trying desperately to get to his feet.
Asto content just to control the position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Asto seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Baker for as long as he can get away with.
Baker tries to hold on but Asto pushes him away.

Asto looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Baker tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Asto content just to control the position here.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Charlie Asto just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.

Asto shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Baker is trying to defend but Asto finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baker wants to control but Asto is keeping busy.
Asto stops Baker from getting back to his feet.
Baker is looking to improve his position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Asto is taking a breather. Baker says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

And that's the end of the fight!
Charlie Asto showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Asto, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 30:27
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Charlie Asto!