PBP Commentary

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

Penn
vs
Anderson

172 cm
22
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
18
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, BJ Penn!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Zach Anderson!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Ian Loll and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Anderson scores a takedown into full mount!
Penn tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Anderson is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Penn is working hard here to advance position.
Anderson wants to control the action but instead Penn gets a body lock and reverses into Anderson's guard! Nice work!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Anderson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Penn doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Penn manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Penn looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Anderson pulls Penn in close to prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Anderson escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Penn gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Anderson trying to control the position.
Penn trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Anderson pulls Penn in to control the position.
Penn tries to stand but Anderson is controlling from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Penn trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Anderson wants to sweep but no luck.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Crunch! Penn slams his shin into Anderson's torso.
Penn is breathing heavily.
Penn uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Anderson.

Penn shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Anderson is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Penn is controlling him.
Penn controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Penn tries to free his leg and advance position but Anderson is retaining full guard.
Anderson wants to sweep here but Penn controlling him for the moment.
Anderson thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Anderson controls Penn momentarily but Penn frees himself.
Penn trying to control the position from guard on top but Anderson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Penn shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Penn was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Anderson is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Penn throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Anderson because Penn loaded up on that one.
Penn tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Anderson wants to control but Penn is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

BJ Penn dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Penn looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Anderson is pressing down on Penn's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Anderson is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Penn wants to control from the top but Anderson keeps moving.
Penn might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Anderson trying to keep a closed guard but Penn is proving a slippery customer.
Anderson tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Penn looking to pass the guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Penn preventing the sweep.

Penn gets to his feet - Anderson follows without any prompting.

Penn scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Anderson has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Penn is working away from the top position though.

Penn decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.

Anderson shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Anderson was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Penn can't escape the position.
Penn tries to hold on but Anderson pushes him away.
Anderson looking to control but Penn is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Penn is in all sorts of trouble here.
A nice elbow there by Anderson.
Penn is looking to get to half guard.
Penn is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Penn bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Penn is looking to stand up but Anderson won't let him.
Anderson keeping moving, preventing Penn from controlling successfully.
Penn postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Penn wants to stand but Anderson has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Anderson trying to control the position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Anderson is trying to keep Penn in close.
Anderson wants to control but Penn passes easily into half guard.
Penn passes to full mount!
BJ Penn overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Penn is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Anderson has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Anderson!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

BJ Penn dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Anderson misses with a wild combination.
Penn shoots in for a double leg but Anderson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Anderson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Penn shoots in looking for a takedown. Anderson tries to sprawl out of it but Penn keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Anderson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Anderson gets a takedown into half guard.

Anderson stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Anderson scores with a takedown into Penn's guard.
Anderson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Penn is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Penn manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Anderson manages to get himself to full guard.
Penn tries to free his leg and advance position but Anderson is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Anderson is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Penn trying to control the position from guard on top but Anderson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Anderson is trying to control the position but Penn postures up.
Anderson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Anderson is looking for a triangle but Penn pushes his legs off easily.
Anderson is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Penn wants to control from the top but Anderson keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Penn shoots and misses

and Anderson counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for BJ Penn. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Penn has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Anderson is working away from the top position though.
Anderson trying to control from half guard but Penn is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Anderson not doing much here.
Penn makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Penn.
Penn looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Penn wants to stand and escape but Anderson is having none of it.
Zach Anderson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Penn manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

And that's the end of the fight!
Zach Anderson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Penn 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 Robert Douchet scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 29:28
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... BJ Penn!