PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between James Charleston (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Keha Anoki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Anoki has chosen Walking After You as his entrance music. Keha Anoki has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with James Charleston's chin.

Charleston
vs
Anoki

171 cm
25
151 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

175 cm
25
160 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good in bed

Good takedowns
Brawler
Solid chin

SAVE A FIGHTER

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, James Charleston!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Keha Anoki!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Wesley Smith and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Anoki has his takedown stuffed

and Charleston counters with a takedown into side control.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Anoki is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Anoki actively working from the bottom here.

Anoki looking for submissions off his back.

Anoki actively working from the bottom here.

Charleston is working for a submission of some sort.
Ground and pound from Charleston.
Charleston takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Charleston seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Anoki does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Anoki looking for submissions off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anoki gets back to full guard.

Charleston got a little sloppy there for a moment and Anoki has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Charleston has managed to get both his arms back between Anoki's legs - danger averted.

Charleston thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Anoki working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Charleston doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Charleston manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Charleston wants to pass the guard but Anoki is keeping the position.
Charleston knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Anoki on the ground.

Anoki working for submissions but it's allowed Charleston to get to half guard.
Anoki looks gassed!

Anoki actively working from the bottom here.
Charleston wants to free his trapped foot but Anoki is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Anoki is pressing down on Charleston's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Charleston avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Charleston tries to free his leg and advance position but Anoki is retaining full guard.

Charleston avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Anoki has his foot on Charleston's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Charleston works his way back into a safe position though.
Charleston working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Charleston trying to control but Anoki is working from the bottom.

Charleston is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Charleston slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Charleston is trying to get an arm triangle but Anoki is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Charleston looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Anoki is looking to regain half guard here but Charleston keeps moving and retains side control.

Charleston is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Anoki has escaped the position, nice work there.
Anoki sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Anoki is trying to get back to full guard.

Anoki looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Anoki is not content to let Charleston control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Anoki actively working from the bottom here.

Charleston wants to work for an arm triangle but Anoki is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Anoki on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Anoki is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Charleston pulls his head out easily.
Anoki is pressing down on Charleston's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Anoki wants to sweep here but Charleston controlling him for the moment.

Anoki is looking for a triangle but Charleston pushes his legs off easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Anoki is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Charleston trying to control but Anoki is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Keha Anoki will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Anoki fails with the takedown

and Charleston counters by clinching up.
Charleston is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Anoki is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Charleston gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Charleston trying to land knees to the body.
Anoki looking for a takedown.
James Charleston has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Keha Anoki.
Anoki is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Charleston gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Anoki drops down looking for an ankle pick but Charleston pulls his leg out and moves away.
Keha Anoki is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Charleston fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Anoki to the ground. Charleston is now in Anoki's guard.
Anoki wants to improve his position but instead Charleston has moved into half guard.
Anoki is breathing heavily.
Charleston looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Charleston wants to pass the guard but Anoki is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Charleston is looking for a kimura here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Anoki looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Charleston is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Anoki sees it coming and defends easily.
Anoki is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Charleston is looking to advance position but Anoki won't allow it.

Anoki looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Charleston is trying to control the action in half guard but Anoki is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Charleston moves nicely into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Charleston scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Anoki to see if he's OK.
Anoki tries to bench press Charleston off him but Charleston keeps the position.

Charleston is trying to get an arm triangle but Anoki is defending well.
Anoki is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Charleston's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

Anoki actively working from the bottom here.
Anoki is looking to improve his position.

Anoki actively working from the bottom here.

Anoki looking for submissions off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Charleston is looking for a kimura but Anoki is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Charleston to get the leverage.
Anoki gets full guard.
Charleston tries to free his leg and advance position but Anoki is retaining full guard.

Anoki is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Charleston stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Anoki swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Charleston pushes down on Anoki's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Anoki is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Charleston pulls his head out easily.

Anoki looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Anoki actively working from the bottom here.
James Charleston overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Anoki is looking to improve his position.
Charleston trying to control the action but Anoki is working from the bottom.

Charleston is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Anoki has managed to free his arm - good work.

Anoki looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Charleston is nestled in close to Anoki, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Charleston passes to side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Charleston dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Anoki shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Charleston counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Anoki's guard now.

Charleston is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Charleston has a momentary lapse of concentration, allowing Anoki to throw up a leg and lock on what appears to be a pretty tight triangle! Charleston is fighting it off but it's all too little too late - Anoki pulls down on the head and he's put Charleston to sleep! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:31 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Keha Anoki!
An out of breath Keha Anoki thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.