PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Alex Anderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Giorgio Girardi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Giorgio Girardi has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Alex Anderson's chin.

Anderson
vs
Girardi

170 cm
34
144 lbs
16 - 10 - 1

174 cm
21
155 lbs
6 - 1 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Very quick

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Alex Anderson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Giorgio Girardi!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Paul Gruel and Micheangelo Fripello.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Girardi closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Anderson quickly recovers to half guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Girardi missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Girardi is working for a kimura but Anderson is defending it quite comfortably.

Girardi is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Anderson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Girardi.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Girardi working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.

Girardi is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Girardi is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Girardi has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anderson is looking to improve his position.
Anderson knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Girardi on the ground.

Girardi is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Anderson is looking for a sweep. Girardi is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Girardi thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Anderson's head.

Girardi is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Girardi is working for a submission of some sort.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Girardi throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Girardi trying to control from half guard but Anderson is working away.

Girardi 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 Girardi.
Anderson makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Anderson.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Girardi wants to control from the top but Anderson keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Girardi throwing strikes but missing.

Girardi is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Anderson is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Anderson has escaped and now he's on top!

Girardi looking for subs off his back but Anderson has passed one foot through into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Girardi looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
It looks like Anderson is going to stand back up.

Girardi is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Anderson pulls his head out easily.

Girardi looking for submissions off his back.
Girardi is looking for a sweep. Anderson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Giorgio Girardi dominated that round.
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.

Anderson lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Girardi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Anderson tries to close the distance and clinch but Girardi swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Girardi gets tackled into the cage by Anderson. Anderson maintains the clinch.
Anderson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Girardi.
Girardi is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Anderson pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Girardi wants to take the fight to the mat but Anderson manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Anderson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Anderson utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Girardi has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Anderson avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Alex Anderson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Giorgio Girardi.
Anderson cracks Girardi with a nice body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anderson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Girardi blocks it with crossed arms.
Anderson crunches a lovely knee into Girardi's ribcage.
Anderson misses with an elbow over the top.
Anderson lands a body shot in the clinch.
Anderson crunches a lovely knee into Girardi's ribcage.
Girardi is breathing heavily.
Anderson lands an uppercut.
Knees to the body from Anderson.
Anderson lands a right hand.
Girardi is looking to take this one to the mat.
Anderson gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Anderson comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
A short body shot lands from Anderson as the two fighters clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Anderson lands a body shot in the clinch.
Girardi dodges an elbow strike from Anderson.
Knees in the clinch landing for Anderson.
Anderson lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
The referee calls for Anderson to work.
A knee to the head by Anderson.
Anderson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Girardi.
Girardi blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Anderson pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Anderson is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Girardi is defending well for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Girardi is trying to drag Anderson to the mat but Anderson just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Anderson lands a left hand.
Anderson pushes off an throws an elbow but Girardi leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Anderson lands an uppercut.
Girardi is working for takedown but Anderson is calmly controlling the position for now.
Anderson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Anderson throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Girardi blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Anderson tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Anderson lands an elbow inside that Girardi shrugs off.

It looks like Giorgio Girardi has been cut.
Alex Anderson has scored more points in the clinch so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Anderson connects with a knee to the head.
Girardi wants to take the fight to the mat but Anderson manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Anderson is pushing Girardi up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Anderson throws a knee to the head but misses.
Anderson is looking to control Girardi's arms but Girardi gets an underhook and turns him. Now Anderson has his back to the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Anderson content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Girardi tries to land knees in the clinch but Anderson avoids the damage to the body.
Girardi is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Anderson is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Anderson dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Giorgio Girardi's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

No joy there for Girardi, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Anderson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Anderson pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Girardi blocks an elbow strike from Anderson.
Anderson tries a knee to the head but Girardi blocks it.
Anderson is trying to maintain a safe position but Girardi gets an underhook and turns Anderson into the cage.
Anderson misses with an elbow over the top.
Girardi goes for a takedown attempt but Anderson pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Girardi circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anderson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Anderson wants it to stay on the feet.
Anderson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Girardi finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.

Anderson has taken the fight to the clinch.
Anderson lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Anderson landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Anderson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Girardi blocks it with crossed arms.
Anderson comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Girardi drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Anderson gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Alex Anderson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Giorgio Girardi.
Girardi goes for a takedown in the clinch but Anderson prevents it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Anderson crunches a lovely knee into Girardi's ribcage.
Anderson creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Anderson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Girardi has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Anderson pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Anderson is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Girardi is defending well for now.
Anderson lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Anderson creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Girardi's defenses.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Anderson obliges.
Girardi takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Anderson lands a knee to the head.
Anderson lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Anderson lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Anderson trying to land knees to the body.
Girardi jumps guard but Anderson stands there with Girardi around his waist. Girardi gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Anderson looking to throw knees to the head but Girardi is blocking nicely.
Anderson tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Girardi avoids it.
Anderson comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Anderson misses with an elbow strike.
Girardi avoiding damage as Anderson throws knees to the body.
Girardi takes a knee right on the jaw!

That has opened up Giorgio Girardi's cut even more.
Anderson tries a knee to the head but Girardi blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Anderson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Girardi.
Anderson lands an elbow that stopped Girardi in his tracks for a moment.
Girardi goes for a takedown in the clinch but Anderson prevents it.
Anderson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
With the fighters up against the cage, Anderson throws an elbow but misses.
Anderson connects with a knee to the head.
Anderson landing some nice looking knees to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Anderson lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Girardi or not.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Girardi blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Anderson putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Girardi in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Anderson clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Giorgio Girardi's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Anderson rushes Girardi and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Girardi is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Anderson pulls him back up using the underhooks.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Anderson.
Anderson is struggling to control the position.
Anderson misses with a knee to the head.
Anderson pushes off an throws an elbow but Girardi leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Anderson gets underhooks to prevent Girardi's takedown attempt.
Girardi managing to block the knees to the body from Anderson.
Anderson with a knee to the head.
Anderson lands a nice knee to the body.
Girardi blocks an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anderson gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Anderson pushes off an throws an elbow but Girardi leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Anderson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Girardi.
Anderson landing knees to the head.
Anderson tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Girardi avoids it.
Anderson is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Girardi is defending well for now.
Girardi dodges an elbow strike from Anderson.
Anderson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Girardi goes for a takedown attempt but Anderson pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Alex Anderson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Giorgio Girardi.
Anderson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Girardi swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Anderson tries to grapple but his opponent circles

so Girardi counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Girardi missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Girardi is looking to work some ground and pound but Anderson has wrist control.
Anderson is looking to stand up but Girardi isn't so interested in that idea.
Girardi trying to control but Anderson is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Girardi throwing strikes from guard but Anderson blocks nicely.
Girardi postures up.
Giorgio Girardi has got the better of the ground game so far.
Anderson keeping moving, preventing Girardi from controlling successfully.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Giorgio Girardi.
Anderson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Anderson tries to clinch up.
Girardi keeps the fight on the outside.
Alex Anderson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Anderson wants to clinch up but Girardi keeps it at a distance.
Anderson tries to clinch
and Girardi counters with a nice body shot.
Girardi shoots in for a takedown but Anderson shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Alex Anderson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Girardi shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Anderson as he avoids it easily.
Girardi is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Anderson tries to close the distance and clinch but Girardi swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Anderson tries to clinch there but Girardi circles away.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Girardi darts in looking for a takedown but Anderson gets double underhooks and turns Girardi into the cage.
Anderson is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Girardi is defending well for now.
Girardi blocks an elbow strike from Anderson.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Alex Anderson will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Giorgio Girardi's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Girardi avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Anderson moves into the clinch.
Anderson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Anderson utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Girardi blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Girardi has Anderson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Anderson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Anderson connects with a nasty looking knee right to Girardi's face.
Anderson comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Anderson taking a breather.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anderson lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Anderson.
Anderson trying to land knees to the body.
Anderson unloads a knee to the mid-section. Girardi lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Girardi is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Anderson pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Girardi is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Anderson stalling against the cage.
Anderson misses with a knee to the head.
Anderson looking to slow down the pace here.
Anderson softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Anderson prevents a takedown attempt there.
Alex Anderson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Giorgio Girardi.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Girardi as Anderson tries to tie him up.
Anderson creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Girardi's defenses.
Girardi is looking for a takedown.
Girardi letting Anderson take a breather here.
Anderson comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Anderson lands an elbow inside that Girardi shrugs off.
Anderson gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Girardi.
Anderson using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Girardi changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Anderson fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Anderson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Anderson fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Anderson is looking to clinch but Girardi is avoiding it.
Anderson looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Girardi with a poor takedown

and Anderson moves into the clinch.
With the fighters up against the cage, Anderson throws an elbow but misses.
Anderson misses with an elbow over the top.
Anderson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Girardi blocks it with crossed arms.
Girardi has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Anderson after a bit of a struggle.
Anderson trying to land knees to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Anderson gets underhooks to prevent Girardi's takedown attempt.
Anderson landing some nice looking knees to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alex 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight for Alex Anderson!
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight for Alex Anderson!
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight for Alex Anderson!

Alex Anderson wins by unanimous decision!
Alex Anderson is the new featherweight champion!