PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Greg Pahlin (ranked 3586 p4p, 361 weight class) and Matt Askren (ranked 4069 p4p, 387 weight class). Greg Pahlin has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Pahlin
vs
Askren

184 cm
20
176 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

175 cm
20
180 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

CAGED CROW Clothings 50$

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 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Greg Pahlin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Matt Askren!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Cecil Peabody and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pahlin scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Askren doesn't seem bothered though.
Pahlin swings and misses with a hook to the body.
We've been told by Pahlin's head coaches at Grounders Foundation that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Pahlin bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Askren's head backwards.

Pahlin gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Askren landing some decent shots from guard.
Pahlin is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Askren throws a big elbow that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Askren accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Askren scoring with punches to the head and body.
Askren has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Askren wants to pass the guard but Pahlin is keeping the position.
Askren throws a big right hand that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pahlin working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Askren.
Askren looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Pahlin trying to keep a closed guard but Askren is proving a slippery customer.
Askren lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Askren not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Pahlin looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Askren working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Pahlin's head.
Pahlin working a defensive guard here.
Askren is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Askren is looking to work some ground and pound but Pahlin has wrist control.
Askren working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Askren scoring with some ground and pound.
Askren is looking to work some ground and pound but Pahlin has wrist control.
Askren landing with the ground and pound.
Askren working some strikes from top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Askren is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pahlin has momentary wrist control but Askren slips an elbow through the middle.
Pahlin controls Askren momentarily but Askren frees himself.
Pahlin on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Pahlin tries to get out of the position.
Askren throws a big elbow that misses.
Askren with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Askren's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Askren is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Askren throwing strikes from guard but Pahlin blocks nicely.
Askren chips away with some ground and pound.
Askren is working Pahlin over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Askren with a flurry of punches that miss.
Pahlin avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Askren accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Askren stays in close to Pahlin's body and controls the position.
Askren is looking to work some ground and pound but Pahlin has wrist control.
Pahlin is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Askren trying to control but Pahlin is working from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Pahlin is trying to control the position but Askren postures up.
Askren postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Askren dominated that 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.

Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Pahlin lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Askren has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Askren and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Pahlin swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Pahlin with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Askren to score with a decent uppercut.
Askren has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Pahlin paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Pahlin throws a leg kick

and Askren counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Askren.

Pahlin throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Askren stands up over Pahlin, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Pahlin wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Askren is now in half guard.
Askren drops an elbow to the side of Pahlin's head.
Askren seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Askren is nestled in close to Pahlin, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Askren is trying to control the action in half guard but Pahlin is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Askren sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Pahlin defending well though.
Askren with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Askren working the head and body with strikes.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Askren working his ground and pound in the gym.
Askren slips a nice elbow through Pahlin's hands, connecting with Pahlin's forehead.
Askren seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Askren controlling the action here.
Pahlin knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Askren on the ground.
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.
Pahlin blocking the ground and pound attempt from Askren.
Askren throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Askren working the head and body with strikes.
Askren drops an elbow to the side of Pahlin's head.
Askren looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Pahlin with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Pahlin taking some punishment here, with Askren in his half guard.
Askren wants to take a breather but Pahlin is having none of it.
Askren takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Askren missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Askren perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Askren is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Matt Askren has got the better of the ground game so far.
Pahlin has hold of Askren's hands but Askren slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Askren is nestled in close to Pahlin, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Askren stalling.
Askren working over Pahlin with some ground and pound. Pahlin looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Askren connects with a nice short shot to Pahlin's temple.
Askren lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Askren working Pahlin over with strikes.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Askren missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pahlin is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Askren scores with a couple of nice shots.
Askren thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Pahlin's head.
Askren lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Pahlin is refusing to be controlled, as Askren sits in half guard.
Pahlin has hold of Askren's hands but Askren slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Askren thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Askren scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Askren works his foot free and advances to mount.
Askren is landing with some decent strikes but Pahlin is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Askren showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Pahlin's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Pahlin throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Askren counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Pahlin is trying to control the position but Askren postures up.
Askren distracts Pahlin with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Askren controls from within his opponent's guard.
Askren connects with a couple of short punches.
Askren is working Pahlin over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Askren lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Askren with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Pahlin is rocked!
Askren cracks Pahlin with a solid left hand.
Oh Pahlin is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Askren landing with the ground and pound.
Askren working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Pahlin's head.
Askren gets to his feet and stands over Pahlin, holding his ankles. He dives in with a big left hand that connects! Pahlin felt that one! Askren unloads more punches and elbows and this one is over! The ref has dived in to save Pahlin from any more punishment!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Matt Askren!
Matt Askren decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.