PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ben Askren (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dan McGrew (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.

Askren
vs
McGrew

184 cm
21
170 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

178 cm
27
177 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Good takedowns
Brawler
Knockout power

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 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ben Askren!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Dan McGrew!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Saam Ante and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Askren looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
McGrew shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Askren as he jumps to the side.
McGrew connects with a nice looking jab.
McGrew throws a shot from downtown. Askren moves away and avoids it.
McGrew throws a right and a left that Askren avoids nicely.
McGrew misses with a body shot.

Askren shoots in and bounces McGrew off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Askren is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! McGrew is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! McGrew has escaped and now he's on top!

Askren uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Askren misses with a takedown attempt
and McGrew counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Askren looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? McGrew is fending him off so far but Askren persists. Nope, McGrew circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ben Askren. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Askren moves away from the strike by McGrew.
Askren with a lazy takedown attempt
enabling McGrew to counter with a crisp jab.
Askren shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says McGrew as he avoids it easily.
Askren ducks under a wild hook from McGrew.
Askren uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by McGrew.
Askren takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
McGrew shoots in and drives through. Askren sprawls well.
McGrew fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Askren closes this distance looking for a takedown but McGrew circles away.
Askren shoots for a double leg takedown but McGrew sprawls well. He's pushed Askren's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
McGrew changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Askren tries to avoid it but McGrew manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Askren to the ground. Askren escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Jab from McGrew.
The fighters circling - McGrew throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

Askren gets a takedown into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McGrew works his way to full guard. Good work.
Askren postures up in McGrew's guard and throws a big left but McGrew blocks it.
Askren wants to pass the guard but McGrew is keeping the position.
Askren trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but McGrew manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Askren keeping moving, preventing McGrew from controlling successfully.
McGrew in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
McGrew throws a big elbow that misses.
McGrew pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Askren is keeping the position for now.
McGrew stops Askren from standing up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McGrew drops back looking for a leg! Askren is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Askren manages to kick McGrew off! McGrew jumps back into Askren's guard.
McGrew passes Askren's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
McGrew passes to full mount!
McGrew trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Askren has given up his back, trying to stand up. Not clever.
Askren looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

McGrew looking for the RNC.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McGrew is riding his opponent, not letting Askren buck him off.

McGrew tightening his grip on Askren, looking for the choke.
Askren has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
McGrew trying to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dan McGrew 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.

Askren shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. McGrew defends it nicely.
McGrew lands with an overhand left.

Askren is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in McGrew's half guard.

Askren is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
McGrew regains full guard. Nicely done.
McGrew manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Askren manages to get himself to full guard.
Dan McGrew has got the better of the ground game so far.
Askren is looking to stand up but McGrew isn't so interested in that idea.
Askren on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Askren tries to get out of the position.
McGrew looking to pass the guard.
McGrew wants to control from the top but Askren keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Askren wants to stand and escape but McGrew is having none of it.
McGrew trying to control but Askren is working from the bottom.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
McGrew stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Askren swivels though and keeps the full guard.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Dan McGrew hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Askren looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? McGrew is fending him off so far but Askren persists. Nope, McGrew circles away and we're back to standing.

McGrew gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Askren trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Askren throwing strikes from guard but McGrew blocks nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Askren throwing strikes but missing.

Askren is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! McGrew is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! McGrew has escaped and now he's on top!
Askren working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from McGrew.
McGrew trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Askren is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst McGrew is controlling him.
McGrew trying to control but Askren is working from the bottom.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

McGrew drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and McGrew jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Askren is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst McGrew is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGrew is stalling in the full guard.
McGrew prevents Askren from getting back to his feet.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
McGrew trying to control the position from guard on top but Askren is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
McGrew passes into half guard.
Askren wants to get back to his feet.
McGrew lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Askren looks like he's trying to stand up.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Askren won't allow McGrew to pass to mount.
Askren tries to kick McGrew off in order to stand up. McGrew Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.

McGrew has hold of Askren's arm here. He's working for an Americana. It looks like he might have it! Askren tries to escape but he's just digging himself in deeper - McGrew cranks the arm and Askren screams in pain! The ref makes a decision and ends the fight before the tap - no complains from Askren, who is just happy to have his arm attached to his body.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:30 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Dan McGrew!
Dan McGrew gave a mention to Black Belt Nutrition #=========||=========# in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).