PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Reggie Anderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Artem Bessmertin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Anderson kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is The Champ is Here. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Anderson
vs
Bessmertin

180 cm
29
185 lbs
20 - 6 - 2

189 cm
29
183 lbs
20 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Conquer

Fury Nutrition Inc.
GREEN!160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 6 - 2, fighting out of New York, Reggie Anderson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Artem Bessmertin!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Dean Styles and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Anderson attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Anderson throws a hook but Bessmertin blocks it.
Anderson tries to move into range but Bessmertin moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Anderson, right into the meat.
Anderson throws a hook but Bessmertin blocks it.
Anderson swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Anderson fails with a takedown attempt.
Anderson fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Bessmertin is out of range.
Reggie Anderson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Anderson gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Bessmertin with a jab.
Anderson looks to land a left hand but Bessmertin moved out of range nicely.
Bessmertin checks a leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Anderson with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Bessmertin to score with a decent uppercut.
Bessmertin tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Anderson was well out of range. Poor timing from Bessmertin.
Anderson throws a looping overhand right but Bessmertin ducks down to avoid it.
Bessmertin misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Anderson.
Anderson scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bessmertin scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bessmertin misses with a body shot.
Anderson misses with a combination

and Bessmertin counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Bessmertin wants to control from the top but Anderson keeps moving.
Bessmertin looking to sit in guard and control but Anderson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Anderson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Bessmertin looking to hit a scissor sweep but Anderson is one step ahead there.
Anderson advances to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bessmertin gets full guard.
Bessmertin controlling Anderson's posture.
Bessmertin wants to sweep here but Anderson controlling him for the moment.
Bessmertin pulls Anderson in close to prevent any damage.
Anderson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Bessmertin swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Bessmertin is on top in guard.

Bessmertin landing with the ground and pound.
Bessmertin trying to control the position from guard on top but Anderson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bessmertin accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Bessmertin lands a couple of digs.
My spies in Gym Beam inform me that Bessmertin has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Bessmertin cracks Anderson with a solid left hand.
Bessmertin lands a couple of elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Anderson is pulling down on Bessmertin's head. It's preventing any offense from Bessmertin, at least for the moment.
Anderson looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Bessmertin postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Anderson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Bessmertin is aware though and is defending well.
Anderson trying to keep a closed guard but Bessmertin is proving a slippery customer.
Bessmertin postures up in Anderson's guard and throws a big left but Anderson blocks it.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Bessmertin moves out of range of the strikes.
Anderson throws a lazy uppercut

and Bessmertin counters with a nice double leg into side control. Anderson won't be happy with that.
Bessmertin working the ground and pound but Anderson is defending the strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bessmertin wants to control but Anderson is keeping him busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Artem Bessmertin dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Bessmertin throws a shot from downtown. Anderson moves away and avoids it.
Bessmertin keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nice uppercut lands for Bessmertin. That snapped Anderson's head back.

Bessmertin tries to sprawl but Anderson drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Bessmertin is looking to improve his position.

Anderson is working for a submission of some sort.
Anderson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bessmertin is trying to maintain the position but Anderson is very close to passing his half guard.
Anderson trying to control the action but Bessmertin is working from the bottom.
Anderson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Anderson trying to control from Bessmertin's half guard. Bessmertin has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Bessmertin working a defensive guard here.
Anderson wants to control from the top but Bessmertin keeps moving.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Bessmertin has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Anderson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bessmertin was well out of range. Poor timing from Anderson.
Bessmertin uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Anderson.
Good standup being displayed there by Bessmertin as he connects with a hook.
Anderson fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Bessmertin checks it well.
Bessmertin has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Bessmertin tries a low kick but Anderson avoids it.
Anderson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Bessmertin.
Anderson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Anderson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bessmertin will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Bessmertin throws a low kick but Anderson avoids it.
Bessmertin moves out of range as Anderson throws a body kick.
Anderson shoots in looking for a takedown. Bessmertin tries to sprawl out of it but Anderson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Bessmertin manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Bessmertin throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Anderson sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Bessmertin misses.
Anderson scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Bessmertin avoids a kick to the body.
Bessmertin throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bessmertin slips a jab from Anderson.
Bessmertin shoots in for a double leg but Anderson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Anderson thumps Bessmertin with a low kick.
Nice takedown defense from Anderson. No joy for Bessmertin on that attempt.
Reggie Anderson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Artem Bessmertin.
Anderson checks the leg kick nicely there.
Bessmertin connects with a body shot that sends Anderson's belly button to the back.
Anderson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Bessmertin throws the left hand but Anderson avoids the punch easily.
Anderson bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Bessmertin's head backwards.
Anderson takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Anderson takes a jab right on the kisser.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Anderson attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
An inside leg kick from Anderson misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Anderson throws a nice inside leg kick.
Bessmertin lands a glancing blow to the side of Anderson's head.
Anderson throws a low kick but Bessmertin moves out of range easily.
Anderson slaps away a takedown attempt from Bessmertin, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Bessmertin looks to land a combination but Anderson avoids it well.
Anderson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Bessmertin defends it nicely.
Anderson lands with a hook. Bessmertin tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Anderson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Anderson moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Bessmertin avoids the body shot from Anderson.
Bessmertin tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Anderson swivels and escapes.
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 Reggie Anderson will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Bessmertin connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Anderson throws a head kick but Bessmertin moves out of range.
Anderson throws a head kick that misses.
Anderson wants to slow Bessmertin down by chopping away at his legs.
Anderson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Anderson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Good leg kick by Anderson there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Bessmertin avoids a kick to the body.
Bessmertin leaves Anderson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Anderson closes this distance looking for a takedown but Bessmertin circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Anderson wants to slow Bessmertin down by chopping away at his legs.
Bessmertin fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Anderson lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Anderson on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Anderson takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Bessmertin takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bessmertin scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Anderson doesn't seem bothered though.
Anderson misses with an uppercut. Bessmertin saw that one coming.
Anderson bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Anderson takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Bessmertin lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Anderson connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Bessmertin ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Anderson moves away.
Bessmertin uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Anderson.
Anderson slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Anderson lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Bessmertin takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Anderson scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bessmertin swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bessmertin is looking to clinch.

Bessmertin closes the distance and pushes Anderson back into the cage.
Bessmertin can't find room to land a body shot as Anderson controls the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Anderson misses with the head strike.
Anderson misses with some punches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Anderson.
Anderson swings wildly with an uppercut but Bessmertin uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bessmertin swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Anderson works on Bessmertin's body with a couple of short punches.
Anderson is looking to control Bessmertin's arms but Bessmertin gets an underhook and turns him. Now Anderson has his back to the cage.
A right handed body shot lands from Anderson.
Anderson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Anderson pushes Bessmertin back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Bessmertin tries to throw a body punch but Anderson avoids it by throwing Bessmertin back against the cage.
Anderson misses with a hook to the ribs.
Anderson is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Anderson lands an uppercut.
Anderson digs a right hand underneath Bessmertin's ribcage. Bessmertin let out a lung full of air as it connected.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Anderson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Bessmertin working aggressively here.
Bessmertin blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Anderson throws a head punch that misses.
Anderson misses with a short punch on the inside.
Anderson lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Anderson goes for a takedown attempt but Bessmertin pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Reggie Anderson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Anderson misses with a looping right.
Bessmertin throws an overhand right that lands on Anderson's shoulder, as Anderson tries to avoid the shot.
Bessmertin paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Bessmertin is looking to clinch.
Anderson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bessmertin manages to avoid it.
Anderson tries to bum rush Bessmertin with a series of wild strikes but Bessmertin uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Anderson takes a jab right on the kisser.
Anderson throws a low kick but Bessmertin avoids it.
Bessmertin swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Anderson lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Good work by Bessmertin as he checks the leg kick.
Anderson throws a chopping leg kick but Bessmertin manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Bessmertin fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Anderson looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Horrible takedown attempt by Bessmertin or perhaps it was just good defense by Anderson, which made it look bad.
Bessmertin takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Anderson pivots, looking for a leg kick but Bessmertin is out of range and Anderson settles back down.
Anderson walks into a jab.
Anderson throws a head kick that half lands.
Bessmertin connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Bessmertin smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Bessmertin scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Reggie Anderson did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Bessmertin fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Anderson manages to avoid it.
Anderson misses with an attempted mid kick.
Bessmertin throws a nice inside leg kick.
Bessmertin slips under a jab.
Anderson fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Bessmertin.
Bessmertin throws a body punch but Anderson moves out of range.
Nice body punch from Anderson.
Anderson throws a leg kick that is checked

and Bessmertin counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Bessmertin.
Bessmertin looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Bessmertin has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Bessmertin trying to control the position from guard on top but Anderson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Artem Bessmertin has got the better of the ground game so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bessmertin makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bessmertin scoring with punches to the head and body.
Bessmertin lands a couple of elbows.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Anderson is trying to keep Bessmertin in close.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bessmertin accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Bessmertin throws a low kick but Anderson avoids it.
Bessmertin tries to clinch there but Anderson circles away.
Anderson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bessmertin.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Anderson misses with a few strikes there.
Bessmertin shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Anderson misses with an uppercut

and Bessmertin counters with a takedown into side control.
Bessmertin is looking to take a break and control but Anderson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Bessmertin tries to advance to mount but Anderson denies him.
Bessmertin working away.
Bessmertin is looking to take a break and control but Anderson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
An elbow from Bessmertin crashes against the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Anderson's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Anderson tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Bessmertin wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Anderson is trying to control Bessmertin's posture but Bessmertin avoids it.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Anderson lands a slapping body shot.
Anderson throws a jab when Bessmertin was well out of range.
Bessmertin blocks a head kick by Anderson.
Bessmertin takes a swing at Anderson's ribcage but misses.
Bessmertin lands a slapping body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Anderson drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Bessmertin cracks a nice hook into Anderson's ribs.
Anderson with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Anderson throws a series of punches but Bessmertin moves out of range.
Anderson looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Bessmertin scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Decent striking displayed by Anderson there.
Anderson takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
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!
Bessmertin ducks under a wild hook from Anderson.
Artem Bessmertin seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Anderson fails with a takedown attempt.
Bessmertin fails with an attempt to clinch.

Anderson tries to keep at a distance but Bessmertin has taken the fight into the clinch.
Bessmertin blocking some punches.
Anderson prevents a body shot from Bessmertin.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Artem Bessmertin dominated that fourth round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Anderson throws a head kick but Bessmertin moves out of range.
Bessmertin scores with a nice right hand.
Bessmertin connects with a good right hand that stumbles Anderson. Anderson circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Bessmertin ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Anderson moves away.
Anderson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Bessmertin defends it nicely.
Anderson swats away the attempt to clinch by Bessmertin.
Anderson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Bessmertin sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Bessmertin is looking to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bessmertin ducks under a wild hook from Anderson.
Bessmertin fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Anderson manages to avoid it.
Anderson lands a jab.
Bessmertin misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Anderson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big right from Anderson misses.
Anderson moves out of range of the strikes.
Anderson scores with a jab. Bessmertin acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Bessmertin misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Anderson.
An inside leg kick lands from Anderson.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bessmertin. Anderson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Bessmertin lands with a thumping leg kick.
Anderson misses with a few strikes there.
Bessmertin ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Bessmertin lands a right hook to the body.
Anderson dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Bessmertin. That did some damage!
Anderson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bessmertin.
Bessmertin throws a big shot that misses.
A clash of legs there as Anderson blocks the low kick.
Anderson fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Reggie Anderson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bessmertin scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Bessmertin looks to land a right hand but Anderson moved out of range.
Anderson has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Bessmertin finds it's way round the side to connect with Anderson's head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Bessmertin.
Bessmertin's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Anderson throws out a leg kick but Bessmertin moves out of range and Anderson only half commits.
Anderson scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Anderson throws a series of punches but Bessmertin avoids them all with ease.
Bessmertin throws a body shot but no joy.
Anderson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Bessmertin blocks a head kick by Anderson.
Bessmertin fails to land the takedown.
A left lands for Bessmertin.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Anderson scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Bessmertin scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Bessmertin blocks a low kick nicely.
Bessmertin fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Bessmertin shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Bessmertin throws a strike but Anderson avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Anderson wants to sweep here but Bessmertin controlling him for the moment.
Bessmertin controls from within his opponent's guard.
Bessmertin makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bessmertin missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Anderson throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Bessmertin escapes and throws Anderson's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Bessmertin lands some shots froms side control.
Bessmertin cracks Anderson with a big right hand but Anderson just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Anderson can't do much from the bottom here.
Bessmertin misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Artem Bessmertin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Bessmertin has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 David Schapiro scores the fight 47:48
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 47:48
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Artem Bessmertin!
Artem Bessmertin is the new welterweight champion!
Our winner, Artem Bessmertin, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.