PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Reggie Anderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hamad Al Zahran (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Anderson's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, The Champ is Here. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Hamad Al Zahran was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Anderson
vs
Al Zahran

180 cm
30
185 lbs
21 - 7 - 2

188 cm
29
178 lbs
18 - 9 - 2

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Conquer

GREEN!160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 7 - 2, fighting out of New York, Reggie Anderson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 9 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Hamad Al Zahran!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A combination from Al Zahran does no damage.
Al Zahran throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Anderson looks to throw the jab but Al Zahran is out of range.
Anderson explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Al Zahran misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Anderson.
Anderson scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Anderson has a takedown stuffed.
Al Zahran uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Anderson.
Al Zahran checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Al Zahran doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Al Zahran checks a leg kick.
Al Zahran is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Anderson swings away with a body shot that misses

and Al Zahran counters with a nice double leg into side control. Anderson won't be happy with that.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Anderson regains half guard there - taking advantage of Al Zahran's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
Al Zahran trying to control the action but Anderson is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Zahran is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Al Zahran is thwarting Anderson's attempts to control the position.
Anderson is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Al Zahran scores with a couple of nice shots.
Al Zahran sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Anderson defending well though.

Anderson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Al Zahran sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Anderson defending well though.
Al Zahran wants to control but Anderson is keeping him busy.

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.
Al Zahran throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Anderson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Al Zahran trying to control from half guard but Anderson is working away.
Anderson controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Anderson lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
A chopping leg kick lands by Anderson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Zahran shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Anderson as he jumps to the side.
Anderson lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

Anderson closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Al Zahran is trying to improve his position.
Al Zahran can't do much from the bottom here.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Anderson working the head with strikes.
Al Zahran tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Anderson wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Al Zahran is still trying to improve position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Anderson lands a few punches from side control.
Al Zahran tries to control but Anderson manages to take his back.

Al Zahran showing good submission defense here.
Al Zahran rolls, trying to escape but Anderson keeps control of the position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Reggie Anderson 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.

Al Zahran misses the shot to the body.
An attempted straight right counter from Anderson misses the target.
Anderson takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Al Zahran checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Al Zahran throws a head kick that half lands.
Al Zahran moves out of range of the body kick from Anderson.
Al Zahran throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Al Zahran throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Anderson's waist but Anderson gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Al Zahran off to one side.
Anderson half committed to a counter leg kick.
Reggie Anderson is winning the standup battle so far.
Anderson connects with a crisp jab.
Anderson scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Al Zahran doesn't seem bothered though.
Anderson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Anderson wants it to stay on the feet.
Anderson wants to slow Al Zahran down by chopping away at his legs.
Al Zahran throws a hook but Anderson blocks it.
Horrible takedown attempt by Anderson or perhaps it was just good defense by Al Zahran, which made it look bad.
Nice sprawl there from Al Zahran as Anderson shoots in.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anderson thows a body kick. Al Zahran tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Al Zahran tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Anderson was well out of range. Poor timing from Al Zahran.
Anderson looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Anderson fails miserably 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.
Al Zahran misses with a leg kick

and Anderson counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Al Zahran is looking to improve his position.
Anderson takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Al Zahran works his way to full guard. Good work.
Anderson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Al Zahran can do to turn this around?

Al Zahran working for a triangle but Anderson defends it easily.

Al Zahran is looking for a triangle but Anderson pushes his legs off easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Anderson won't allow Al Zahran to sweep him here.
Anderson forces his way into half guard.
Anderson trying to control from half guard but Al Zahran is working away.
Anderson throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Al Zahran to regain full guard.
Anderson postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Anderson trying to control the position from guard on top but Al Zahran is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Zahran trying to control the position.

Al Zahran is looking for a triangle here but Anderson uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Anderson controlling the position from side mount.
Anderson trying to control the position but Al Zahran is working away.
Al Zahran tries to buck Anderson off but Anderson is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Anderson lands a decent elbow from side control.
Anderson lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Anderson controls the position from side control.

Anderson is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Al Zahran is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Al Zahran manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Al Zahran with the ground and pound but Anderson uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Al Zahran with a flurry of punches that miss.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Reggie Anderson dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

An inside leg kick from Anderson misses.
Anderson keeps the fight on the outside.
Anderson lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Anderson checks a low kick from Al Zahran.
Anderson throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Al Zahran on the side of the head.
Al Zahran lands a right hook to the body.
Al Zahran takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Al Zahran has his takedown stuffed
and Anderson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Reggie Anderson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Anderson tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Al Zahran feints the counter takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Anderson shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Al Zahran is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Anderson rather than just go for the knockout.
Al Zahran avoids a kick to the body.
Anderson catches Al Zahran with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Anderson looks to land a right hand but Al Zahran moved out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Zahran fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Anderson was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Anderson fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Al Zahran has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
A bone on bone clash there as Anderson blocks the leg kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Anderson.
Anderson throws a low kick but Al Zahran avoids it.
Al Zahran tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
A solid leg kick lands there for Anderson.
Anderson misses with a low kick.
Anderson tries a head kick but it misses.
Al Zahran slips a jab and a cross from Anderson.
Anderson throws a quick inside leg kick.
It looks like Anderson has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
Anderson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Al Zahran.
Al Zahran with the counter takedown but Anderson avoids it easily.
A big left from Anderson misses.
A punch combination from Anderson misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Anderson chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Al Zahran can pounce on him.
Anderson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Anderson keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Anderson throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Al Zahran takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Al Zahran tries to clinch but Anderson is having none of it.
Anderson takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Anderson scores with a punch to the head.
Al Zahran stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Al Zahran wants it to stay on the feet.
Anderson wants to slow Al Zahran down by chopping away at his legs.
Al Zahran throws a quick inside leg kick.
Al Zahran checks a low kick from Anderson.
Al Zahran lands a head shot.
Hamad Al Zahran has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Al Zahran connects with a solid leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Anderson wants to land a leg kick but Al Zahran is out of range.
Al Zahran keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Anderson.
Anderson shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Al Zahran connects with a jab.
Anderson throws a head kick but Al Zahran moves out of range.
Anderson on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Al Zahran. Al Zahran obviously looking to wear him down.
Anderson with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Al Zahran tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Anderson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Anderson scores with a hook.
Anderson comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Al Zahran shoots in for a takedown but Anderson shows good takedown defense.
Reggie Anderson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hamad Al Zahran.
Al Zahran throws out a leg kick but Anderson moves out of range and Al Zahran only half commits.
Anderson defending well as Al Zahran loads up on a big left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot by Anderson.
Good leg kick by Anderson there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Anderson connects with a body shot that sends Al Zahran's belly button to the back.
Anderson avoids the head kick by Al Zahran.
A punch combination from Anderson misses.
Al Zahran checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Al Zahran ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
And Al Zahran tries to counter it with a takedown but Anderson pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Anderson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Anderson cracks Al Zahran with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

Al Zahran instigates a clinch.
Anderson scores with a hook to the body.
Anderson wants to break the clinch but can't.
Anderson is looking to control Al Zahran's arms but Al Zahran gets an underhook and turns him. Now Anderson has his back to the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Reggie Anderson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Anderson, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Reggie Anderson!
During a confident post fight interview, Reggie Anderson thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.