PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Anthony Anastasio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yossi Avitan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Anastasio
vs
Avitan

181 cm
29
190 lbs
16 - 5 - 0

191 cm
34
203 lbs
30 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Sun-Tzu
Fury Nutrition Inc.

Kemists ↑™ 5x160Q - $149-199
GREEN!160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Anthony Anastasio!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 30 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Yossi Avitan!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Anastasio throws a sloppy head kick and Avitan moves out of range easily.
Avitan lands a jab.
Anastasio swings for the body but Avitan moves out of range.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Anastasio 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 Avitan has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Avitan and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Avitan flicks out a counter leg kick but Anastasio steps away.
Avitan throws a sloppy head kick and Anastasio moves out of range easily.
Avitan feints and then cracks Anastasio's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Anastasio down.
Avitan fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Avitan thumps Anastasio with a low kick.
Anastasio scores with a nice right hand.
Avitan is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Anastasio.
Anastasio is looking to counter punch.
Anastasio throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Avitan misses with a double jab.
Anastasio is looking to counter with a body kick.
Anastasio finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Avitan tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Anastasio scores with a shot to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Avitan is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Avitan with a hook.
Anastasio tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick from Anastasio lands but Avitan takes it in his stride.

It looks like Yossi Avitan has been cut.
Anastasio throws a hook but Avitan blocks it.
Anastasio tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Anastasio slips under a jab from Avitan.
Anastasio on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.

Avitan forces Anastasio back against the cage and clinches.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Anastasio.
A right hand to the body from Avitan.
Anastasio lands with a right to the head.
Avitan goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Avitan lands a shoulder strike.
Anastasio leaning against his opponent.
Anastasio goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Avitan throws a punch but it's blocked by Anastasio.
Avitan misses with a body punch.
Avitan has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Avitan misses with the head strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A hook to the body from Avitan.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Anastasio tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Anastasio stalling in the clinch but Avitan improves position.
Avitan is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Avitan taking a breather.
Anastasio lands an uppercut.
The referee calls for Anastasio to work.
Avitan has a couple of punches blocked by Anastasio.
Still in the clinch, Anastasio scores with a nice short uppercut.
Avitan scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Anastasio tries a body shot but Avitan blocks it.
Avitan tries to throw a body punch but Anastasio avoids it by throwing Avitan back against the cage.
Anastasio tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Avitan avoids it.
Avitan misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Anastasio lands a body punch.
Anastasio tries a body shot but Avitan blocks it.
A head punch on the inside from Anastasio fails to land.
Anastasio trying to stall but Avitan improves his position.
Avitan has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Anastasio seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Avitan can turn it around.
Avitan tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Anastasio's elbow.
Avitan pushes Anastasio back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Anastasio is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Avitan misses with some punches.
A body shot lands from Avitan.
Anastasio prevents a body shot from Avitan.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Anastasio misses with a punch on the inside.
A nice left hand lands by Avitan.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Avitan looking to slow down the pace here.
Avitan misses with a punch on the inside.
Anastasio wants to stall.
Avitan misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Avitan tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Anastasio's elbow.
Avitan struggles to land a body shot inside as Anastasio controls his hands.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Avitan as Anastasio tries to tie him up.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Anastasio creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Avitan lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Avitan misses with some punches.
Anastasio tries to throw a body punch but Avitan avoids it by throwing Anastasio back against the cage.
Avitan lands a right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yossi Avitan dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Yossi Avitan's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Anastasio dips to his left and cracks Avitan with an uppercut!
Anastasio lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Avitan connects with a solid leg kick.
Avitan blocks a head kick by Anastasio.
Avitan throws a head kick that misses.
Anastasio is looking to counter punch.
A solid body kick from Avitan.
Anastasio throws a push kick but Avitan slaps the foot to one side.
Anastasio takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Anastasio loads up on a big right hand but Avitan slips the punch.
Anastasio misses with a looping right.
Anastasio throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Anastasio tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Avitan is able to avoid easily.
Anastasio throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Anastasio tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Avitan was well out of range. Poor timing from Anastasio.
Anastasio throws a combination that misses
and Avitan counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Avitan looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Anastasio throws a quick counter kick to the body but Avitan avoids it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Anastasio cracks the inside of Avitan's front leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Avitan lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Anastasio misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Avitan pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Anastasio thinks about countering with a head kick.
Avitan fails in his attempt to clinch.
Avitan scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Avitan looks to land a left hand but Anastasio moved out of range nicely.
Avitan connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Avitan has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Avitan throws a body punch but Anastasio moves out of range.
Anastasio throws the kick towards the body but Avitan avoids it.
Anastasio wants to clinch.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Anastasio throws a head kick that Avitan semi-blocks.
Avitan misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Anastasio.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Anastasio throws a sloppy head kick
and Avitan counters with a nice uppercut.
Anastasio misses with a low kick.
Anastasio throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Avitan! But no joy.
A good leg kick by Anastasio.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Avitan scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Anastasio has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Anastasio throws a head kick that half lands.
Avitan ducks under a wild hook from Anastasio.
Avitan tries a quick counter leg kick but Anastasio is wise to it.
Anastasio walks into a straight right hand from Avitan.
No joy there for Avitan, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Avitan ducks under a wild hook from Anastasio.
Avitan avoids the head kick by Anastasio.
Anastasio uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Avitan.
Anastasio looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Nice shot lands for Anastasio.
Anastasio throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

Avitan has Anastasio up against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Avitan's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Avitan struggles to land a body shot inside as Anastasio controls his hands.
Avitan is pushing Anastasio up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Anastasio lands a good knee to the midsection. Avitan won't want to take too many of those.
Avitan blocks an uppercut.
Anastasio lands a right hand that snaps the head of Avitan backwards.
Anastasio misses with a body punch.
Avitan lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Anastasio blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Avitan doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A short right from Anastasio.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Avitan tries to stall but Anastasio uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Avitan trying to stall but Anastasio improves his position.
Anastasio misses with a punch to the body.
Anastasio is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Avitan tries a body shot but Anastasio blocks it.
Anastasio has Avitan pushed against the cage.
Anastasio tries a body shot but Avitan blocks it.
A short body shot lands from Avitan as the two fighters clinch.
Avitan misses with a hook from the clinch.
Anastasio lands a good knee to the midsection. Avitan won't want to take too many of those.
Anastasio doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Anastasio is working Avitan over against the cage.
Avitan trying to control the position but instead, Anastasio has worked for underhooks and has pushed Avitan into the cage.
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 Anthony Anastasio will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Yossi Avitan's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Avitan takes a jab right on the kisser.
Anastasio takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Avitan takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Avitan lands with an uppercut that bounces Anastasio off the cage and back into range.
Anastasio dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Avitan. That did some damage!
Avitan is looking to clinch.
Anastasio looks to land a left hand but Avitan moved out of range nicely.
Anastasio misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Avitan's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Anastasio connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Avitan scrambles back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Anastasio lands with an uppercut that bounces Avitan off the cage and back into range.
Anastasio throws a head kick but Avitan moves out of range.
Anastasio lands with a thumping leg kick.
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!
Avitan blocks a leg kick.
Anastasio lands with a cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Avitan scores with a three punch combo!
Avitan moves out of range of the leg kick from Anastasio.
Avitan was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Avitan throws a lazy right hand but Anastasio sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Anthony Anastasio is winning the standup battle so far.
Anastasio throws a shot from downtown. Avitan moves away and avoids it.
Avitan swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Anastasio throws a sloppy head kick and Avitan moves out of range easily.
Anastasio fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Avitan has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Avitan tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Anastasio paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Anastasio moves out of range of the strikes.
Anastasio looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Anastasio fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Avitan on the side of the head.
A swing and a miss from Anastasio.
Avitan thuds his right hand into Anastasio's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Avitan checks the leg kick nicely there.
Avitan fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Anastasio checks it well.
Avitan lands with a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Anastasio.
Avitan throws out a counter right but Anastasio avoids it with no problem.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Anastasio misses with a head kick.
Anastasio is looking to score with low kicks.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Anastasio 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 Avitan has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Avitan and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Avitan blocks a head kick by Anastasio.
Avitan throws a body punch but Anastasio moves out of range.
An attempted straight right counter from Anastasio misses the target.

Avitan fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Anastasio, pushing him back against the cage.
Anastasio is trying to stall.
Avitan blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A short right from Avitan on the inside.
Avitan lands a left hand that snaps the head of Anastasio backwards.
Anastasio prevents a body shot from Avitan.
Anastasio pressing his opponent against the cage.
Avitan stalling in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Avitan swings wildly with an uppercut but Anastasio uses good head movement to avoid it.
Avitan misses with the head strike.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Anastasio.
Anastasio lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Avitan.
Anastasio lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Avitan swings wildly with an uppercut but Anastasio uses good head movement to avoid it.
Avitan lands a right hand.
Anastasio can't find room to land a body shot as Avitan controls the action.
Anastasio misses with the head strike.
Anastasio looking to stall.
A short right from Anastasio on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Avitan goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Avitan tries to work over Anastasio's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Still in the clinch, Avitan scores with a nice short uppercut.
Avitan slowing the pace effectively.
Anastasio manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Anastasio lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Avitan backwards.
Avitan stalling in the clinch but Anastasio improves position.
Avitan stalling against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Avitan fails to land.
Avitan misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Anastasio lands an elbow inside.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Anastasio digs a right hand into Avitan's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Avitan's gas tank.
Avitan misses with a body punch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Anthony Anastasio showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Anastasio 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anthony Anastasio!
Our winner, Anthony Anastasio, 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.