PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Masa Saitoh (ranked 2837 p4p, 5499 weight class) and Jones Anderson (ranked 89 p4p, 186 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.

Saitoh
vs
Anderson

182 cm
22
205
4 - 3 - 0

188 cm
22
203
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

NARCOS

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Masa Saitoh!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jones Anderson!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Anderson connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Saitoh's hands.
Anderson with a jab.

It looks like Masa Saitoh has been cut.
Saitoh throws a body punch but Anderson moves out of range.
Anderson scores with a nice right hand.
Saitoh looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Anderson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Saitoh.
Saitoh misses the shot to the body.
A slow jab from Anderson misses its intended target.
Saitoh feinted with a counter takedown.
Saitoh works Anderson's body with a nice hook.
Saitoh takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Anderson wants to clinch up but Saitoh keeps it at a distance.
Anderson wants to clinch.
Saitoh takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Anderson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Saitoh moves out of range as Anderson strikes.
Anderson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Anderson throws a solid leg kick but Saitoh takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Anderson.
Saitoh drops down looking for a counter takedown but Anderson sprawls and moves away.
Anderson throws a leg kick
and Saitoh counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Anderson jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Saitoh looks to score with a jab to the body but Anderson is just out of range.
Anderson throws a jab when Saitoh was well out of range.
Saitoh drops down looking for a counter takedown but Anderson sprawls and moves away.
Saitoh throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Anderson throws a looping overhand right but Saitoh ducks down to avoid it.
Saitoh throws a big counter combination but Anderson scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Anderson goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saitoh scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

It looks like Jones Anderson has been cut.
Saitoh ducks under a wild hook from Anderson.
Anderson throws a hook to the side of Saitoh's head but Saitoh sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Saitoh just misses with a punch to the body.
Anderson throws a counter combo.
Saitoh loads up on a big right hand but Anderson slips the punch.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Anderson.
Saitoh lands a jab to Anderson's midsection.
The fighters circling - Saitoh throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Anderson tries to counter with a clinch but Saitoh shakes him off and moves away.
Saitoh lands a nice looking body shot.
Saitoh is looking to wear down Anderson with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Anderson smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Saitoh ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Saitoh darts in looking for a takedown but Anderson gets double underhooks and turns Saitoh into the cage.
Saitoh is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Anderson is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saitoh works on Anderson's body with a couple of short punches.
Anderson is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Saitoh is defending well for now.

Saitoh has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Anderson clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Saitoh trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Saitoh throwing wild punches that miss their target.
Saitoh lands a shot to the body.
The referee is taking a good look at Anderson as he is on the wrong end of some big shots from Saitoh!
Saitoh connects with a series of strikes and the referee is calling for Anderson to escape the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Saitoh misses with an elbow to the head.
Anderson trying to control the hands but Saitoh won't let him.
Saitoh lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.
Saitoh connects with a series of strikes and the referee is calling for Anderson to escape the position.
Anderson is in bad spot here.
Saitoh softening up his opponent with strikes here.
Anderson just trying to survive but Saitoh is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Anderson tries to escape but Saitoh has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Saitoh's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Masa Saitoh dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Saitoh's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Anderson gets off balance looking for a body kick

and Saitoh counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Saitoh throwing strikes from guard but Anderson blocks nicely.
Saitoh trying to control but Anderson is working from the bottom.
Saitoh is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Saitoh works a leg free and moves into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saitoh looks to land a strike but Anderson avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Anderson is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Saitoh makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saitoh preventing the sweep.
Saitoh lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Saitoh 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.
Anderson looking for a sweep. Not yet Anderson, not yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Anderson seems keen to control Saitoh's posture.
Saitoh working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Saitoh is in close to Anderson's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Anderson has momentary wrist control but Saitoh slips an elbow through the middle.
Saitoh tries to free his leg and advance position but Anderson is retaining full guard.
Saitoh works over Anderson with some ground and pound from guard.
Anderson wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Anderson can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Saitoh controls the pace.
Saitoh wants to control from the top but Anderson keeps moving.
Anderson is pulling down on Saitoh's head to control his posture.
Anderson keeping full guard, as Saitoh tries to pass.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Anderson holds on and takes a little breather.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Saitoh pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Anderson back to the cage. Saitoh follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Anderson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Saitoh paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Saitoh. Anderson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Anderson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Saitoh.
Saitoh tries to counter with a takedown but Anderson is quick to defend against it.
Anderson looks to throw the jab but Saitoh is out of range.
Saitoh moves out of range of the strikes.
Anderson throws a push kick but Saitoh slaps the foot to one side.
Anderson darts in trying to clinch

and Saitoh counters with a nice double leg into side control. Anderson won't be happy with that.
Anderson is not content to let Saitoh control the position.
Saitoh lands a decent elbow from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saitoh lands a nice forearm strike.
Saitoh is putting a hurting on Anderson here, landing some big shots from side control.
Anderson takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Saitoh in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Anderson taking punishment in the form of punches.
Saitoh tries to score with some ground and pound. Anderson controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Saitoh throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Saitoh looking to control but instead Anderson has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Masa Saitoh dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
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. This is the final round!

Anderson misses with a right hand
and Anderson takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Jones Anderson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Saitoh looks for a takedown but Anderson sprawls well.
Anderson takes a shot to the body in his stride.
A looping hook to the body misses from Saitoh. Anderson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Anderson thows a leg kick but Saitoh checks it
and Saitoh counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Saitoh looks to score with a jab to the body but Anderson is just out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saitoh avoids the head kick by Anderson.

Saitoh closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Saitoh lands in his opponent's guard.
Saitoh is pushing down on Anderson's leg trying to pass to half guard. Anderson is fighting to maintain full guard but Saitoh has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saitoh landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Saitoh seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Anderson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Saitoh drops an elbow to the side of Anderson's head.
Anderson has hold of Saitoh's hands but Saitoh slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Saitoh controlling the pace.
Saitoh is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Anderson can do to turn this around?
Ground and pound from Saitoh.
Anderson is not content to let Saitoh control the position.
Anderson is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Saitoh scores with a couple of nice shots.
Jones Anderson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Anderson slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Saitoh throwing strikes but missing.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Saitoh accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Saitoh throws a strike but Anderson rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Anderson must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Saitoh is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Anderson is trying to maintain the position but Saitoh is very close to passing his half guard.
Saitoh looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Anderson with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Anderson keeping hold of Saitoh's head, controlling as best he can.
Anderson is trying to get back to full guard.
Saitoh lands with a punch from half guard.
Saitoh landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Masa Saitoh is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Saitoh stalling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Anderson misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Saitoh controlling the action here.

Anderson looking for submissions off his back.
Saitoh with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Saitoh has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
Masa Saitoh showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Saitoh has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight for Masa Saitoh!
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight for Masa Saitoh!
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight for Masa Saitoh!

Masa Saitoh wins by unanimous decision!