PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Yoji Anjo Anjo (ranked 3190 p4p, 3731 weight class) and Conor OShea (ranked 379 p4p, 435 weight class). Conor OShea acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Anjo
vs
OShea

188 cm
27
178
14 - 16 - 0

210 cm
41
180
17 - 28 - 1

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Good kicks
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 14 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Yoji Anjo Anjo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 28 - 1, fighting out of London, Conor OShea!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Albert Achterberg and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
OShea throws a series of punches but Anjo moves out of range.
Anjo has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Anjo tries to move into range but OShea moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Nice shot lands for OShea.
Anjo tries to clinch but fails miserably
and OShea counters with a left and a right that stings Anjo.

OShea clinches up against the cage.

OShea escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Anjo takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

Anjo forces OShea back against the cage and clinches.
OShea throws a head punch that misses.
This has been an exciting period of action!
OShea lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

OShea pulls guard.
Anjo trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Anjo stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. OShea swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Anjo trying to control the position from guard on top but OShea is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Anjo prevents OShea from getting back to his feet.
Anjo 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anjo trying to control but OShea is working from the bottom.
Anjo tries to free his leg and advance position but OShea is retaining full guard.
OShea controls Anjo momentarily but Anjo frees himself.

Anjo gets to his feet - OShea follows without any prompting.
OShea lands a jab to the head.
OShea shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Anjo eats them both and turns towards OShea to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Anjo is looking to clinch but OShea is avoiding it.
Anjo is looking to clinch but OShea is avoiding it.
Anjo ducks right into an uppercut from OShea.
OShea shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Anjo but Anjo pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Anjo takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

Anjo has managed to clinch.
OShea lands a right hand that snaps the head of Anjo backwards.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

OShea breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
OShea missing with a left hand there. Anjo was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
OShea tries a head kick but it misses.
OShea avoids a punch combination nicely.
OShea is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
OShea looks for a takedown but Anjo sprawls well.
OShea has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
OShea tries to bum rush Anjo with a series of wild strikes but Anjo uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A counter left hand to the body from Anjo misses its target.
Anjo throws a head kick but OShea moves out of range.
OShea unleashes a big counter combination but Anjo bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
OShea swings for the body but Anjo moves out of range.
Anjo appears to be looking for a big counter.
Anjo misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
OShea leaves Anjo with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

OShea closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Anjo throws OShea to one side and escapes!
OShea misses with a head kick.
Anjo changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Anjo fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yoji Anjo Anjo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
OShea throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Anjo stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
OShea throws a head kick but Anjo moves out of range.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Anjo shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has OShea pinned against the cage. OShea gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
OShea tries to counter with a clinch but Anjo shakes him off and moves away.
Anjo goes for a double leg but OShea avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as OShea continues to drive forward.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

OShea breaks from the clinch.
OShea slaps away a takedown attempt from Anjo, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Anjo fails to land the takedown.
Anjo on the wrong end of a nice jab.

OShea throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Anjo tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. OShea is in Anjo's guard.

OShea avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Anjo is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Anjo not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Conor OShea dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

OShea lands with a kick to the temple. Anjo shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

OShea closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - OShea lands in his opponent's guard.
OShea trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Anjo manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Anjo stopping the sweep attempt from OShea.
Anjo lands a couple of digs.
Anjo stops OShea from standing up.
Anjo might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

OShea is looking for a triangle but Anjo pushes his legs off easily.
Anjo scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
OShea wants to sweep here but Anjo controlling him for the moment.
Yoji Anjo Anjo overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Anjo passes into half guard.
OShea is looking for a sweep. Anjo is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Anjo seems to be working for a kimura but OShea defends the submission attempt.
Anjo content to control rather than advance.

OShea pushes Anjo off and gets back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Anjo takes a jab right on the kisser.
Conor OShea seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Anjo shoots for a takedown but OShea saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
OShea is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
OShea misses with a takedown attempt - Anjo sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Anjo appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
OShea ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Anjo tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but OShea swivels and escapes.
OShea let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Yoji Anjo Anjo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Anjo showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from OShea.
Anjo feinted with a counter takedown.

Anjo shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. OShea is trying to defend but Anjo finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
OShea controlling the position well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Anjo wants to work for an arm triangle but OShea is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Anjo trying to control from OShea's half guard. OShea has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Anjo stopping the sweep attempt from OShea.
OShea keeping moving, preventing Anjo from controlling successfully.
OShea has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Anjo won't allow OShea to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Anjo pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. OShea is keeping the position for now.
OShea looking for a sweep. Not yet OShea, not yet.
OShea wants to stand and escape but Anjo is having none of it.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Anjo gets caught flat footed, as OShea shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
OShea trying to control but Anjo is working from the bottom.
OShea stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Anjo swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Anjo is working an open guard so OShea takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Conor OShea showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!

OShea tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
OShea wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Anjo stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Anjo wants it to stay on the feet.
OShea throws a head kick but Anjo moves out of range.

Anjo gets the takedown into side control.

OShea throws Anjo to one side and escapes!
OShea shoots in and drives through. Anjo sprawls well.
Anjo half committed to a counter leg kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
OShea misses with a two punch combination.
OShea looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
OShea leaves Anjo with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Anjo will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
OShea takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Anjo is defended easily by OShea.
OShea throws a fast counter high kick but Anjo manages to duck under it in time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yoji Anjo Anjo. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anjo shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts OShea as he jumps to the side.
OShea jabs at Anjo's body.
Anjo takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
OShea misses with a head kick.
OShea throws the left hand but Anjo avoids the punch easily.
Conor OShea seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Anjo changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. OShea tries to avoid it but Anjo manages to keep hold of a leg and drag OShea to the ground. OShea escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
OShea misses with a straight left.
OShea throws a lazy uppercut
and Anjo counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
OShea throws the left hand but Anjo avoids the punch easily.

Anjo looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

OShea actively working from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Anjo is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

OShea kicks Anjo off and gets back to his feet.

Anjo gets tackled into the cage by OShea. OShea maintains the clinch.
Anjo blocks an uppercut.
Anjo digs a right hand into OShea's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on OShea's gas tank.
Anjo has OShea pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. OShea manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Anjo leaning against his opponent.

OShea breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
OShea throws a combination. Anjo tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

OShea feints and as Anjo raises his hands in defense, OShea changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Anjo has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. OShea is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
OShea lands with a short head shot on the inside.
OShea scores with a shot to the side of Anjo's head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
OShea is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Anjo to keep the fight standing.
OShea is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Anjo to keep the fight standing.
Anjo keeps control of OShea as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
OShea wants to break free but Anjo has control.
OShea is trying to break the clinch but Anjo has him pressed against the cage.
Anjo looking for a takedown.

OShea manages to break the clinch.
Anjo keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Anjo tries to score with a low kick but OShea moves his leg out of the way.
Conor OShea is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
OShea rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Anjo moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Anjo throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around OShea's waist but OShea gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Anjo off to one side.
OShea lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Anjo throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
OShea swinging wildly here.
Anjo is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from OShea.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from OShea.

Anjo closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. OShea did well to prevent Anjo getting side control.
OShea is trying to get back to full guard.
Anjo is keen to just control but OShea is a slippery customer.

And that's the end of the fight!
Conor OShea comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well OShea has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Radbod Blank scores the fight 27:30
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Conor OShea!
Conor OShea took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, Brooklyn Apothecary for their support in the buildup to the fight.
The defeated Yoji Anjo Anjo had this to say: 'I feel good! '.