PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between James Howlett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Reggie Anderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Howlett comes to the cage accompanied by Berserker. Anderson has chosen The Champ is Here as his entrance music. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Howlett
vs
Anderson

172 cm
36
158 lbs
30 - 6 - 2

180 cm
29
185 lbs
20 - 7 - 2

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Hellbent
Conviction

Conquer

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 30 - 6 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, James Howlett!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 7 - 2, fighting out of New York, Reggie Anderson!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Howlett looks to score with a jab to the body but Anderson is just out of range.
Howlett throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Howlett fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Anderson is out of range.
Anderson throws a leg kick but Howlett moved away.
Howlett lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
The fighters circle momentarily. Howlett darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Howlett walks into a stiff left hand from Anderson.
Howlett stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Anderson.
Howlett loads up on a big right hand but Anderson slips the punch.
A slapping leg kick lands for Anderson.
Howlett looks to land a left hand but Anderson moved out of range nicely.
Anderson tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Anderson dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Howlett. That did some damage!
Howlett fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Anderson is out of range.
Howlett moves out of range as Anderson strikes.
Howlett's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Anderson connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Howlett scrambles back to his feet.
Howlett looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Anderson takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Howlett throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Anderson scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Howlett manages to get to full guard.
Howlett is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Howlett looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Howlett is looking to sweep but instead, Anderson has passed into half guard.
Howlett trying to control but Anderson postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Howlett is staying active underneath Anderson, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Howlett is controlling Anderson's trapped leg to prevent Anderson from advancing to side control.
Anderson is looking to take a break and control but Howlett is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Howlett wants to get back to full guard.
Howlett gets back to full guard.
Anderson lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Anderson wants to control from the top but Howlett keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Howlett looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Howlett controls Anderson momentarily but Anderson frees himself.

Howlett working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Anderson doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Anderson manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Howlett looking for a guillotine here but Anderson defends easily.

Howlett is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Anderson looking to sit in guard and control but Howlett gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Howlett not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Anderson keeping moving, preventing Howlett from controlling successfully.
Howlett tries to free his leg and advance position but Anderson is retaining full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Anderson seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Howlett postures up in Anderson's guard and throws a big left but Anderson blocks it.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that James Howlett will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Anderson scores with a jab. Howlett acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Howlett walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Anderson cracks the inside of Howlett's front leg.
Anderson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A thudding body kick lands there by Howlett!
Reggie Anderson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Howlett.
Anderson avoids the body shot from Howlett.
Anderson looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Anderson defending well as Howlett loads up on a big left hand.
Howlett connects with an inside leg kick.
Howlett on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Howlett chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Anderson pivots, looking for a leg kick but Howlett is out of range and Anderson settles back down.
Anderson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Anderson connects with a nice looking jab.
Howlett blocks the body kick.
Reggie Anderson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Howlett connects with a solid leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anderson bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Howlett's head backwards.
Anderson takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Howlett rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Anderson counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Howlett actively working from the bottom here.

Anderson is working for a kimura but Howlett is defending it quite comfortably.
Anderson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Howlett keeps working.
Howlett is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Anderson's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Anderson's back!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Howlett tries to get the hooks in deep but Anderson pushed the leg off.
Howlett not allowing Anderson to control his hands.
Howlett is landing with strikes. Anderson can't take much more of this.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Anderson trying to control but not successfully.
Reggie Anderson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Anderson tries to escape the position.
Howlett has his opponent trapped and is landing shots. Not a good position for Anderson.
Anderson trying to control the position but Howlett manages to sink in the hooks.
Howlett controls the position.
Anderson trying to control the hands but Howlett won't let him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howlett is hanging on to Anderson's back as he tries to escape.
Howlett is riding his opponent, not letting Anderson buck him off.
Howlett lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
I really don't envy Anderson right now.
Howlett wants to control but Anderson is keeping busy.
Anderson trying to control the hands but Howlett won't let him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Howlett wants to control but Anderson is keeping busy.
Anderson trying to control the hands but Howlett won't let him.
Howlett trying to control momentarily.
Howlett avoiding Anderson 's attempts to control his hands.
Howlett really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Anderson.
Anderson trying to control the action but Howlett just sinks the hooks in.
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 James Howlett will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Howlett swings for the body but Anderson moves out of range.
Howlett tries a head kick but it misses.
Anderson throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Howlett walks into a straight right hand from Anderson.
Anderson walks forward, straight into a front kick from Howlett.
Howlett lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Howlett checks a leg kick nicely.
Good work by Howlett as he checks the leg kick.
Anderson scores with a head kick. Howlett tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Howlett delivers a nice body kick.
Anderson cracks the inside of Howlett's front leg.
Howlett throws a looping overhand right but Anderson ducks down to avoid it.
Howlett misses with a wild body shot.
Anderson with the counter takedown but Howlett avoids it easily.
Howlett connects with a crisp jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Anderson lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Howlett tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Anderson was well out of range. Poor timing from Howlett.
Anderson has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anderson throws a lazy right hand but Howlett sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A chopping leg kick lands by Anderson.
The crowd cheers as Anderson lands an impressive looking overhand right. Howlett doesn't seem phased though.
Anderson blocks the body kick.
Anderson throws a low kick, looking for Howlett's leg but Howlett calmly moves out of range.
It appears Howlett was looking to counter with a kick there.
Howlett tries to land a leg kick but Anderson saw it coming and moves away.
Anderson is looking for the big counter here.
Howlett jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Anderson dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Howlett. That did some damage!
Anderson lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

Anderson decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Howlett wants to get back to full guard.
Anderson slips a nice elbow through Howlett's hands, connecting with Howlett's forehead.
Howlett works his way to full guard. Good work.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Howlett trying to keep a closed guard but Anderson is proving a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Howlett is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Anderson's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Howlett is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Anderson trying to control from the bottom.
Howlett is trying to control the action in half guard but Anderson is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Anderson wants to control but Howlett is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Anderson desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Anderson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Howlett wants to control but Anderson is keeping him busy.
Anderson has hold of Howlett's hands but Howlett slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Anderson is trying to maintain the position but Howlett is very close to passing his half guard.
Howlett is pressing down on Anderson's thigh, looking to free his foot. Anderson is holding on for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Anderson is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Howlett jumps into side control!
Anderson stops Howlett from passing to mount.
Anderson tries to buck Howlett off but Howlett is having none of it.
Anderson wants to control but Howlett postures up.
Howlett trying to control the position but Anderson is working away.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Howlett goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Howlett misses with a straight right.
Good leg kick by Anderson there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Anderson goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Howlett lands with a nice body kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for Anderson.
Anderson throws a front kick aimed at Howlett's knee but Howlett avoids it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Reggie Anderson just about did enough to take it.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Anderson throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Howlett misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Anderson.
Anderson has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Howlett.
Howlett misses with a telegraphed body shot

so Anderson counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Anderson trying to control the position from guard on top but Howlett is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Howlett bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Anderson's guard.

Anderson looking to control.
Howlett trying to control but Anderson is working from the bottom.
Anderson seems keen to control Howlett's posture.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Howlett passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anderson is looking to regain half guard here but Howlett keeps moving and retains side control.
Howlett tries to move to full mount but Anderson actually manages to regain half guard.
Anderson regains full guard. Nicely done.
Howlett working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Anderson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Anderson pulls Howlett in close to prevent any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Howlett passes into half guard.
Howlett is trying to control the action in half guard but Anderson is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Anderson desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Anderson is looking to improve his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Howlett is looking to pass Anderson's guard but actually Anderson recovers to full guard.
Anderson looking to control.

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

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Howlett throws a solid leg kick but Anderson takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Howlett.
Anderson scores with a nice head shot.
Howlett keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Anderson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Anderson throws a nice outside leg kick.
Howlett throws a series of punches but Anderson avoids them all with ease.
Howlett misses with a kick to the body.
Howlett chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Anderson can pounce on him.
Anderson darts in looking for a takedown but Howlett gets double underhooks and turns Anderson into the cage.
Crunch! Anderson slams his shin into Howlett's torso.
James Howlett is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Howlett tries to land a body kick
and Anderson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Howlett takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Howlett misses with a body kick.
Howlett scores with a leg kick.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Anderson, right into the meat.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Anderson tries a head kick but it misses.
Howlett lands a jab to Anderson's midsection.
Howlett is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Howlett cracks a nice hook into Anderson's ribs.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Howlett lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Anderson has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Anderson and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Anderson is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Anderson cracks Howlett with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Howlett scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Howlett pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Anderson with the counter takedown but Howlett avoids it easily.
Howlett moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Anderson cracks Howlett with a good jab.
Howlett throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Reggie Anderson will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Howlett misses with a kick to the body.
A lazy left from Howlett finds it's target.
Anderson misses with a straight left.
Anderson uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Howlett has time to react.
Anderson scores with a jab to the head.
Anderson thuds his right hand into Howlett's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Howlett misses with an uppercut.
Anderson has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Anderson with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Anderson is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Anderson misses with a low kick.
Howlett throws a body kick that misses.
Howlett tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Howlett on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Anderson with a poor takedown
and Howlett counters with a nice uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Anderson jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Howlett lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Good leg kick by Anderson there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Anderson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Anderson takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
A right-left combo lands from Anderson.
Howlett throws a low kick but it's checked well by Anderson.
Howlett throws a body shot but no joy.
Anderson moves out of range of the body kick.
Anderson fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Howlett checks it well.
The fighters circling - Anderson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A slow jab from Anderson misses its intended target.
Howlett moves out of range of the leg kick from Anderson.
Anderson throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Howlett tries a head kick but it misses.
And Anderson tries to counter it with a takedown but Howlett pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Anderson throws a sloppy head kick and Howlett moves out of range easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A jab lands there for Howlett.
Howlett misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Anderson.
Anderson throws a hook to the side of Howlett's head but Howlett sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
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!
Howlett on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Howlett misses with a head kick.
Howlett misses with a body shot.
Howlett throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Howlett misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Howlett will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Anderson tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
It looked like Howlett wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Howlett lets loose with a powerful body kick. Anderson will feel that in the morning.
Anderson scores with a sloppy right hand. Howlett should have avoided that one.
Howlett avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Howlett ducks right into an uppercut from Anderson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howlett takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Anderson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Howlett avoids the head kick by Anderson.
Howlett fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Anderson is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Howlett throws a hook to the side of Anderson's head but Anderson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Anderson cracks Howlett with a good jab.
Howlett looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Howlett tries to land a front kick but Anderson steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Howlett misses with a low kick.
Anderson throws a counter combo.
Howlett looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Howlett throws the kick towards the body but Anderson avoids it.
Howlett scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Anderson doesn't seem bothered though.
Anderson throws a leg kick which misses Howlett's front leg but catches the back leg as Howlett tries to avoid it.
Nice defenses there by Anderson.
Howlett lands a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Howlett rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Anderson counters with a nice body shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Howlett misses with a wild body shot.
A nice leg kick lands there from Howlett.
Howlett takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Anderson throws a jab when Howlett was well out of range.
Howlett scores with a kick to the midsection.
Howlett throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Howlett throws a sloppy head kick and Anderson moves out of range easily.
Howlett defending well as Anderson loads up on a big left hand.
Howlett takes a swing at Anderson's ribcage but misses.
Anderson is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Anderson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Anderson thumps Howlett with a low kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Reggie Anderson.
I think Anderson 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 Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 47:48
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 46:49
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 46:49

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.