PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Anderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brian Backscratcher (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Brian Backscratcher told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Anderson
vs
Backscratcher

176 cm
20
200 lbs
9 - 1 - 0

190 cm
20
190 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Al's Supplements - 160 Q for $150
CEC Nutrition Q160 *Christmas Sale*

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Alexander Anderson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Brian Backscratcher!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Johanna Lukiainen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Backscratcher pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Anderson back to the cage. Backscratcher follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Backscratcher slips a straight right by Anderson.
That kick from Anderson tenderised Backscratcher's leg. Backscratcher is trying to keep his angry face on.
Anderson throws a sloppy head kick and Backscratcher moves out of range easily.
Anderson turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Anderson throws the kick towards the body but Backscratcher avoids it.
Anderson misses the shot to the body.
Backscratcher lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

Anderson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Anderson throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Backscratcher because Anderson loaded up on that one.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Backscratcher is working to get back to half guard.
Anderson looking to ground and pound but Backscratcher is blocking nicely.
Anderson working away from the top, dropping strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anderson landing punches.
Anderson is stalling here but it's allowed Backscratcher to get half guard.
Anderson is keen to just control but Backscratcher is a slippery customer.
Anderson not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Anderson not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Anderson is looking for a kimura here.
Backscratcher pushes Anderson off but Anderson dives into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Anderson working the ground and pound but Backscratcher is defending the strikes.

Anderson wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Backscratcher, who protects the arm well.
Anderson is looking to take a break and control but Backscratcher is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Anderson 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 is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Backscratcher is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Anderson postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Backscratcher is looking for a sweep.
Anderson scores with punches from side control.
Backscratcher managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Anderson.
Backscratcher defending against the ground and pound.
Anderson wants to control for a moment but Backscratcher uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Anderson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Backscratcher defending well though.
Anderson perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Anderson throws a strike but Backscratcher avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Anderson trying to control but Backscratcher is working from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Anderson scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Anderson dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Anderson drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Alexander Anderson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Anderson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Anderson throws a strike but Backscratcher rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Anderson has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Anderson looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Backscratcher won't allow Anderson to sweep him here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anderson looking to control but Backscratcher passes into half guard.
Anderson wants to get back to full guard but Backscratcher has mounted him!
Anderson wants to hold on but Backscratcher pushes him away.
Anderson might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Anderson slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Anderson has his hands clasped together around Backscratcher's back. He's all about the action.
Anderson tries to get to full guard but Backscratcher has control of the leg.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Anderson has Backscratcher pulled in close to control his posture.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Backscratcher swinging wildly here.
Anderson misses with a looping left.
Anderson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Anderson takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Anderson throws a body punch but Backscratcher moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Some bone on bone action there as Backscratcher checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Nice takedown defense from Backscratcher. No joy for Anderson on that attempt.
Anderson looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Alexander Anderson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Anderson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Backscratcher is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.

Anderson goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Backscratcher is on top in guard.
Anderson is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Anderson looking for subs off his back but Backscratcher has passed one foot through into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Backscratcher lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Backscratcher works Anderson's body with a nice hook.
A big right from Backscratcher misses.

Anderson drives through with a takedown into guard.
Anderson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Anderson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Backscratcher works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Backscratcher looking to hit a scissor sweep but Anderson is one step ahead there.
Backscratcher trying to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Andersonis looking to pass into half guard but Backscratcher pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Backscratcher is in guard.
Anderson is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Anderson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Anderson trying to control the position.

Anderson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Backscratcher is aware though and is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Anderson wants to sweep here but Backscratcher controlling him for the moment.
Anderson is working hard here to advance position.
Anderson throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Anderson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Anderson fails with the takedown.
Anderson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Anderson takes a jab right on the kisser.
Backscratcher lands with a cross.

Backscratcher gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Backscratcher lands a right hand that snaps the head of Anderson backwards.
Anderson is trying to pull guard but Backscratcher has him pressed against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexander Anderson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Still in the clinch, Backscratcher scores with a nice short uppercut.
Backscratcher wants to get back to striking at distance but Anderson won't allow it.
Anderson is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Backscratcher gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Backscratcher manages to break the clinch.
Backscratcher tries to clinch but Anderson is having none of it.
Backscratcher is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Backscratcher stuffs the takedown attempt from Anderson. Anderson gets slowly back to his feet.
Anderson throws a poor cross that misses
and Backscratcher counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Anderson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Backscratcher swivels and escapes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Anderson fails with the takedown
and Backscratcher connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Backscratcher cracks Anderson with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Backscratcher connects with a single shot there.
Anderson walks into a stiff left hand from Backscratcher.
Anderson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Backscratcher throws out the jab.
Anderson on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Brian Backscratcher is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Backscratcher checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

Backscratcher closes the distance and clinches.
Backscratcher lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Anderson backwards.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Anderson drops down looking for an ankle pick but Backscratcher pulls his leg out and moves away.
Backscratcher blocks the body kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Anderson throws a leg kick but Backscratcher sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Anderson dodges the punch combination from Backscratcher.
Anderson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Backscratcher swivels and escapes.
Anderson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Backscratcher lands with a nice combination. Anderson backs away looking to recover.
Backscratcher cracks Anderson with a good jab.

Anderson closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Backscratcher quickly recovers to half guard.
Anderson trying to control the action but Backscratcher is working from the bottom.
Anderson is thwarting Backscratcher's attempts to control the position.
Anderson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anderson is taking a breather. Backscratcher says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Backscratcher blocking the ground and pound attempt from Anderson.
Backscratcher tries to roll over but Anderson keeps him under control.
Anderson throwing shots but Backscratcher is blocking nicely.
Anderson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Backscratcher is trying to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well, if Anderson is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Sloppy strikes from Backscratcher. Those never looked like landing.
Backscratcher misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Backscratcher scores with a jab to the jaw.
Anderson misses with a low kick as Backscratcher jumps back.
Anderson wants to slow Backscratcher down by chopping away at his legs.
Anderson throws a low kick but Backscratcher moves out of range easily.
Anderson's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Backscratcher connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Anderson scrambles back to his feet.

Anderson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Backscratcher is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Anderson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Backscratcher is looking to escape.
Anderson misses with a head shot.
Backscratcher wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Anderson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Anderson breaks from Backscratcher's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Backscratcher takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Anderson throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Anderson is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Backscratcher can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

Backscratcher is rocked!
Anderson drops a big elbow. That's hurt Backscratcher! More shots from Anderson and the ref steps in! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Alexander Anderson!
Alexander Anderson retains his middleweight title!
A less than humble Alexander Anderson misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.