PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Hunter Akbar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anthony Anastasio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Akbar might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to New Slaves. 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.

Akbar
vs
Anastasio

188 cm
31
198 lbs
21 - 2 - 0

181 cm
27
190 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Fury Nutrition Inc.
Australian Xtreme Elite Supplements 160Q

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 21 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Hunter Akbar!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Anthony Anastasio!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Jonathan Paton and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Anastasio misses with a body shot.
Anastasio misses with a shot to the body

and Akbar counters with a single leg into guard. Anastasio didn't expect that.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Akbar with a flurry of punches that miss.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Akbar slips nicely into half guard.
Anastasio blocking the ground and pound attempt from Akbar.
Akbar works his foot free and advances to mount.
Anastasio tries to hold on but Akbar postures up.
Anastasio felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Anastasio is in all sorts of trouble here.
Akbar has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Akbar goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Anastasio is on top in guard.
Anastasio is stalling in the full guard.

Anastasio decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Anastasio misses with a leg kick

and Akbar counters with a takedown into side control.

Akbar is trying to get an arm triangle but Anastasio is defending well.

Akbar tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Anastasio is trying to improve his position.
Anastasio on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Akbar wants to stand but Anastasio has his arm trapped.
Anastasio is looking to regain half guard here but Akbar keeps moving and retains side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The strikes coming from Akbar are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Anastasio is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Akbar is looking for a kimura here.
Anastasio is trying to control but Akbar passes into side control!

Akbar thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Akbar cracks Anastasio with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Anastasio is trying to get back to half guard.

Akbar stands up and we're back to a striking position.
An inside leg kick lands from Anastasio.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Anastasio tries to score with a low kick but Akbar moves his leg out of the way.
Anastasio misses with a looping left.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hunter Akbar dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Akbar wants to clinch.
Anastasio lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Anastasio swings widly with a right hand

and Akbar counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Akbar.
Akbar pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Anastasio is keeping the position for now.
Akbar is pushing down on Anastasio's leg trying to pass to half guard. Anastasio is fighting to maintain full guard but Akbar has managed to sneak the leg through.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Anastasio holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Akbar throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Anastasio to regain full guard.
Anastasio controlling Akbar's posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akbar missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Anastasio is pulling down on Akbar's head. It's preventing any offense from Akbar, at least for the moment.
Akbar 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.
Akbar throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Akbar won't allow Anastasio to sweep him here.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Anastasio preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Anthony Anastasio seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Akbar closes this distance looking for a takedown but Anastasio circles away.
Akbar tries to clinch up.
Akbar is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Anastasio can do to turn this around?
Akbar shoots in but no luck this time.
Good work by Akbar as he checks the leg kick.
Akbar takes a shot right to the bread basket.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Akbar checks a leg kick.
Anastasio lands a right hook to the body.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Akbar is defended easily by Anastasio.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hunter Akbar. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Akbar chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Anastasio can pounce on him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Anastasio leaves Akbar with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Akbar fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Anastasio avoids it really well and circles away.
Akbar shoots in for a takedown but Anastasio shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Akbar shoots for a double leg takedown but Anastasio sprawls well. He's pushed Akbar's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Anastasio lands a really nice looking cross but Akbar seems unphased.
Anastasio connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Anthony Anastasio seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Anastasio throws a nice inside leg kick.
Akbar keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Anastasio swats away the attempt to clinch by Akbar.
Anastasio throws a leg kick

and Akbar counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Anastasio tries to throw a body punch but Akbar avoids it by throwing Anastasio back against the cage.
Anastasio has Akbar pressed against the cage.
Anastasio is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Akbar is keeping busy.
Akbar tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Anastasio smiles and moves away.
Anastasio throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Akbar stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Akbar takes one on the chin but seems OK.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anthony Anastasio showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

A clash of legs there as Akbar blocks the low kick.

It looks like Hunter Akbar has been cut.
Akbar avoids the body shot from Anastasio.
Akbar shoots in for a takedown but Anastasio shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Anastasio lands a nice leg kick that just misses Akbar's sensitive parts.
Anastasio thows a left - swing and a miss!
Akbar tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Anastasio paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Akbar fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Anastasio is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Akbar rather than just go for the knockout.
Anastasio throws a leg kick
and Akbar counters with a series of strikes. Anastasio will be more careful next time no doubt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akbar shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Anastasio pinned against the cage. Anastasio gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hunter Akbar. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Akbar shoots in and drives through. Anastasio sprawls well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good standup being displayed there by Anastasio as he connects with a hook.
Hunter Akbar is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Anastasio goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
A nice leg kick lands there from Anastasio.

Akbar forces Anastasio back against the cage and clinches.
A right handed body shot lands from Anastasio.
Anastasio stalling the fight.
Good body shot from Anastasio.
Akbar can't get the takedown.
Akbar is trying to drag Anastasio to the mat but Anastasio just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Anastasio misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akbar can't get the takedown.
Akbar changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Anastasio fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Anastasio, right into the meat.
Anthony Anastasio is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Anastasio finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.

Akbar instigates a clinch.
Akbar tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Anastasio smiles and moves away.
Anastasio cracks a nice hook into Akbar's ribs.
Anastasio circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
That kick from Anastasio tenderised Akbar's leg. Akbar is trying to keep his angry face on.
Anastasio works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Anastasio lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Akbar fails with a takedown attempt.
Anastasio throws a right and a left that both miss.
Anastasio throws a leg kick but Akbar checks it.
Akbar fails to land the takedown.
Anastasio bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Akbar's head.
Anastasio rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Akbar counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Anastasio throws a chopping leg kick but Akbar manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Akbar takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Anastasio misses with an uppercut.
That kick from Anastasio tenderised Akbar's leg. Akbar is trying to keep his angry face on.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nice body kick there by Anastasio.
Anastasio throws a quick inside leg kick.
Akbar gets off balance looking for a body kick

and Anastasio counters with a crisp one two that drops Akbar! Anastasio thinks about following him to the mat for a moment but instead steps back and waves Akbar to his feet! Akbar is in big trouble!

Akbar is rocked!
Anastasio flashes Akbar a smile before throwing a beast of a right hand, straight down the pipe. Akbar's eyes follow the hand right onto his nose, taking in it's full glory... and then darkness. Akbar crumples to the floor! He's out cold! Anastasio punches the air and yells at the top of his lungs - yeeeeeeeeeeah!!!! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:44 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Anthony Anastasio!
Anthony Anastasio is the new middleweight champion!
Anthony Anastasio decided to call for a title shot in his post fight interview, which was very strange given the fact this fight was for a title and he's already the champion. I guess that's what getting punched in the head does for you.
In defeat, Hunter Akbar stepped up to the mic, saying 'I will come back stronger for my friends & family'.