PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Austin Anderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Richie McCaw (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McCaw has chosen Seeing Things as his entrance music. Richie McCaw has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Anderson
vs
McCaw

185 cm
28
215 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

187 cm
27
223 lbs
16 - 11 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Pirates Powder

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Austin Anderson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 11 - 0, fighting out of New York, Richie McCaw!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Joseph Jones and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A looping hook to the body misses from McCaw. Anderson does a little dance to reset his feet.
McCaw tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Anderson counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Anderson.
Anderson works over McCaw with some ground and pound from guard.

Anderson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

McCaw has his foot on Anderson's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Anderson works his way back into a safe position though.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Anderson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. McCaw is keeping the position for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Anderson is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Anderson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Anderson knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for McCaw on the ground.

McCaw is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Anderson is aware though and is defending well.
Anderson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Anderson cracks McCaw with a solid left hand.
McCaw looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Anderson throwing strikes from guard but McCaw blocks nicely.

McCaw is looking for a triangle but Anderson pushes his legs off easily.
Anderson is working McCaw over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anderson is looking to work some ground and pound but McCaw has wrist control.
We've been hearing good reports from Anderson's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Anderson is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Anderson has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Anderson with a flurry of punches that miss.

McCaw has his foot on Anderson's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Anderson works his way back into a safe position though.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Anderson lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Anderson lands a couple of decent looking shots.

McCaw looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Anderson with a nice head shot there.
Anderson landing with the ground and pound.

McCaw is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Anderson scoring with punches to the head and body.

McCaw working for a triangle but Anderson defends it easily.
Anderson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCaw manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
McCaw throws a wild left hand from mount and Anderson manages to wriggle his way back to half guard.
My spies in Round Table Elite inform me that McCaw has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
McCaw throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Anderson wants to get back to his feet.
Nice strikes from McCaw there.

McCaw is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Anderson doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time McCaw.
McCaw thows a huge punch but Anderson dodges it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Anderson wants to control but McCaw is keeping busy.
McCaw wants to take a breather but Anderson is having none of it.
McCaw is thwarting Anderson's attempts to control the position.
McCaw missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
McCaw not landing any meaningful shots this time.
McCaw trying to control the action but Anderson is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McCaw is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Anderson has managed to free his arm - good work.
McCaw thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
McCaw stops Anderson from getting back to his feet.
McCaw missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
McCaw is thwarting Anderson's attempts to control the position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

McCaw is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
McCaw throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Richie McCaw will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Anderson checks a leg kick.
McCaw checks a leg kick nicely.
McCaw rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Anderson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Anderson feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits McCaws jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Anderson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
McCaw shoots in but no luck this time.
Anderson lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
McCaw throws a big shot that misses.
Anderson throws an overhand right that lands on McCaw's shoulder, as McCaw tries to avoid the shot.
McCaw jabbing away but nothing is landing.
McCaw slips a straight right by Anderson.
McCaw takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Anderson throws a wild body kick that McCaw sees coming a mile off.
McCaw misses with a wild combination.
Anderson is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
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!
McCaw lands a head shot.
A jab from Anderson does it's job there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCaw lands with a nice combination. Anderson backs away looking to recover.
McCaw takes one on the chin but seems OK.

McCaw instigates a clinch.

Anderson breaks the clinch.
McCaw tries to clinch but Anderson moves out of range.
McCaw throws a body punch but Anderson moves out of range.
Anderson connects with a looping right hand.
The fight stays on the outside here - McCaw looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
McCaw uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Anderson.
Anderson on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by McCaw. McCaw obviously looking to wear him down.
A bone on bone clash there as McCaw blocks the leg kick.
Anderson with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Anderson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by McCaw.
Anderson just misses with a punch to the body.
Austin Anderson is winning the standup battle so far.
Anderson cracks McCaw with a right hand to the side of the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A leg kick checked by Anderson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Anderson misses with an uppercut.
Anderson looks to land a left hand but McCaw moved out of range nicely.
Anderson tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and McCaw is able to avoid easily.
McCaw takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Anderson lands with an uppercut that bounces McCaw off the cage and back into range.
McCaw tries to close the distance and clinch but Anderson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Anderson thuds a left hand into McCaw's body.
Anderson needs to keep his hands up - McCaw had a free shot at his head there.
Anderson is looking to slow McCaw down with leg kicks.
Anderson checks a leg kick.
Anderson throws out a loose jab but McCaw uses good head movement to avoid it.
A swing and a miss from Anderson.
McCaw defending well as Anderson loads up on a big left hand.
Anderson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
The crowd cheers as Anderson lands an impressive looking overhand right. McCaw doesn't seem phased though.
McCaw cracks Anderson with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCaw throws an overhand right that lands on Anderson's shoulder, as Anderson tries to avoid the shot.
Anderson slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Anderson misses with a straight right.
McCaw connects with a good right hand that stumbles Anderson. Anderson circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
McCaw scores with a jab to the head.
Anderson lands a straight punch to the body, keeping McCaw at a distance.
McCaw throws an overhand right that lands on Anderson's shoulder, as Anderson tries to avoid the shot.
McCaw cracks Anderson with a good jab.
McCaw shoots in for a double leg but Anderson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
A jab lands there for McCaw.
McCaw misses with an uppercut. Anderson saw that one coming.
Anderson misses with an attempted mid kick.
Anderson throws a jab when McCaw was well out of range.
Anderson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
McCaw thows a body shot but no joy.
Anderson on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Anderson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but McCaw was well out of range. Poor timing from Anderson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McCaw lunges at Anderson with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Anderson's hand.
Anderson throws a right hand that misses
enabling McCaw to counter with a crisp jab.
McCaw fails with an attempt to clinch.

McCaw clinches with his opponent.
Anderson misses with a hook to the ribs.
Anderson lands an uppercut.
Anderson throws a head punch that misses.
McCaw being controlled against the cage.

McCaw escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

McCaw manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Anderson on his heels. He'll look to pass Anderson's guard now, I'm sure.
McCaw lands a couple of elbows.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

McCaw drops back, looking for a kneebar! Anderson looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Anderson looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Anderson!
Anderson lands some shots froms side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Austin Anderson will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Anderson blocks a head kick by McCaw.
Anderson tries a low kick but McCaw avoids it.
McCaw lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Anderson circles away quickly and effectively.
McCaw uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Anderson.
McCaw blocks a low kick nicely.
Anderson throws an overhand right that lands on McCaw's shoulder, as McCaw tries to avoid the shot.
McCaw tries to clinch there but Anderson circles away.
Anderson lands a right hook to the body.
Anderson stuffs the takedown.
McCaw tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Anderson was well out of range. Poor timing from McCaw.
McCaw swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

McCaw closes the distance and clinches.
McCaw misses with an elbow over the top.
McCaw pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Anderson scores with a hook to the body.
Anderson throws a punch but it's blocked by McCaw.
Anderson scores with a shot to the side of McCaw's head.
McCaw takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Anderson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Anderson lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of McCaw backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anderson scores with a hook to the body.
Anderson lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Anderson gets through McCaw's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
McCaw throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Anderson lands a right hand that snaps the head of McCaw backwards.
Anderson lands a body punch.

Anderson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Anderson lands a jab.
Anderson fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Anderson throws a big shot that misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McCaw throws a big shot that misses.
A swing and a miss from Anderson.
Anderson's hands are dropping dangerously low here and McCaw connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Anderson scrambles back to his feet.
Anderson throws a shot from downtown. McCaw moves away and avoids it.
McCaw tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
McCaw ducks under a wild hook from Anderson.
Anderson stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCaw swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Anderson misses with a body shot.
Anderson throws out a loose jab but McCaw uses good head movement to avoid it.
Anderson throws a shot to the body.
Anderson thuds his right hand into McCaw's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
McCaw tries to clinch up but Anderson circles away and keeps his distance.
McCaw waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Anderson.
McCaw slips a jab from Anderson.
Anderson misses with an uppercut. McCaw saw that one coming.
Austin Anderson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
McCaw looks to land a right hand but Anderson moved out of range.
Anderson connects with a solid leg kick.
A swing and a miss from McCaw.
A left lands for Anderson.
Anderson jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Anderson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by McCaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Anderson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from McCaw.
McCaw avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Anderson misses the shot to the body.
McCaw missing with a left hand there. Anderson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
McCaw misses with a series of wild punches.
Anderson moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Anderson fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. McCaw looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
McCaw checks a low kick from Anderson.
McCaw looks to land a right hand but Anderson moved out of range.
Anderson misses the shot to the body.
Anderson throws a right hand that McCaw ducks under and follows up with a left that McCaw also avoids with ease.
Anderson throws a looping overhand right but McCaw ducks down to avoid it.
McCaw doesn't manage to clinch there - Anderson circles away.
Anderson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCaw tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Anderson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Anderson misses with a telegraphed body shot

and McCaw counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Anderson has his hands clasped together around McCaw's back. He's all about the action.
Anderson trying to control from the bottom.
Anderson tries to get to full guard but McCaw has control of the leg.
McCaw throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
McCaw throwing shots but Anderson is blocking nicely.
McCaw is looking to advance position but Anderson won't allow it.
Anderson tries to get to full guard but McCaw has control of the leg.

And that's the end of the fight!
Austin Anderson showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Anderson has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 29:28
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 29:28
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Austin Anderson!
During a confident post fight interview, Austin Anderson thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
In defeat, Richie McCaw stepped up to the mic, saying 'You know..I did my best..I will be back and better than ever!!!'.