PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Eric Ashton (ranked 1740 p4p, 222 weight class) and Thomas Rutherford (ranked 2792 p4p, 334 weight class). Ashton comes to the cage accompanied by Zombie Nation. On his way into the cage it seems that Eric Ashton has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Eric Ashton seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Ashton
vs
Rutherford

182 cm
29
189 lbs
17 - 19 - 0

187 cm
31
190 lbs
9 - 11 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Power Matrix Nutrition
Red Light Coffeeshop

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 19 - 0, fighting out of London, Eric Ashton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Thomas Rutherford!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Chad Campbell and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ashton chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Rutherford throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Ashton's head.
No joy there for Rutherford, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Rutherford is defended easily by Ashton.
Ashton throws a poor cross that misses
and Rutherford counters with a left to the body.
Rutherford looks to land a right hand but Ashton moved out of range.
Rutherford throws the kick towards the body but Ashton avoids it.
Rutherford throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ashton throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rutherford is looking for the big counter here.
Ashton takes a kick to the side of the head.
Thomas Rutherford seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rutherford missing with a left hand there. Ashton was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Ashton thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Rutherford if he has to take too many more of those.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rutherford ducks under a wild hook from Ashton.
Ashton blocks a head kick by Rutherford.
Rutherford ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Rutherford sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Rutherford with a nice cross.
Rutherford swinging wildly here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rutherford moves out of range as Ashton strikes.
Rutherford misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
It looked like Ashton was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Rutherford.
Rutherford tries a head kick but it misses.

Ashton closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Rutherford quickly recovers to half guard.
Ashton working over Rutherford with some ground and pound. Rutherford looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Ashton definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Rutherford is trying to stand.
Rutherford is trying to get back to full guard.
Rutherford tries to kick Ashton off but Ashton keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Ashton not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Rutherford wants to improve his position but Ashton is controlling well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rutherford wants to get back to his feet.
Ashton looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rutherford is staying active underneath Ashton, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Ashton missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ashton not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Ashton has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Ashton trying to mount his opponent but Rutherford defends it.
Rutherford is trying to stand back up but Ashton is controlling him
Ashton trying to control from half guard but Rutherford is working away.
Rutherford is looking for a sweep. Ashton is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Rutherford is looking to escape.
Rutherford keeping hold of Ashton's head, controlling as best he can.
Ashton not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Rutherford is looking for a sweep. Ashton is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Ashton is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Rutherford is just riding it out for now. Ashton eventually gives up the hold.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rutherford is looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ashton takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Rutherford tries to get to full guard but Ashton has control of the leg.
Rutherford taking some punishment here, with Ashton in his half guard.
Ashton seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Rutherford does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Rutherford trying to hold on to Ashton's head to control him but Ashton postures up.
Ashton takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Rutherford wants to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ashton thows a huge punch but Rutherford dodges it nicely.
Ashton lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Rutherford is looking to escape.
Ashton sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Rutherford defending well though.
Rutherford wants to control but Ashton passes into side.
Ashton working away.
Rutherford is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Check out the look on Ashton's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Ashton wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rutherford keeps working.
Rutherford defending against the ground and pound.
Rutherford pushes Ashton away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Ashton gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Ashton working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eric Ashton dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Rutherford shoots in and drives through. Ashton sprawls well.
Rutherford fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Ashton throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rutherford looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Rutherford displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Ashton, right into the meat.
Rutherford tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Ashton swivels and escapes.
Eric Ashton has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thomas Rutherford.
Ashton connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Rutherford walks into a stiff left hand from Ashton.
Rutherford throws a head kick that misses
and Ashton cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Rutherford shoots in looking for a takedown. Ashton tries to sprawl out of it but Rutherford keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Ashton manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Rutherford.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rutherford misses with a head kick.
Ashton misses with a straight right.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Ashton - that will leave a mark!
Rutherford is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rutherford is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Rutherford misses with a jab, cross combination.
Ashton thinks about countering with a body kick.
Rutherford misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rutherford on the wrong end of a nice hook.

Rutherford is rocked!
Ashton tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Ashton fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Rutherford sprawls well initially but Ashton persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Rutherford gets back to full guard.
Ashton lands a couple of elbows.
Rutherford is still in real trouble! Can Ashton finish him?
Ashton gets to his feet and stands over Rutherford, holding his ankles. He dives in with a big left hand that connects! Rutherford felt that one! Ashton unloads more punches and elbows and this one is over! The ref has dived in to save Rutherford from any more punishment!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:52 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Eric Ashton!
An out of breath Eric Ashton thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.