PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Abdul Muqtadir Hariri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and George Anderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hariri comes into the arena with Feruza Jumaniyozova - Yalla Habibi blaring out of the sound system. The crowd seem to be enjoying Anderson's choice of entrance music: Darude - Sandstorm. Abdul Muqtadir Hariri has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Muqtadir Hariri
vs
Anderson

180 cm
25
183 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
26
176 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Decent elbows
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Abdul Muqtadir Hariri!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, George Anderson!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Leandro Rodrigues and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Anderson misses with a jab, cross combination.
As Anderson looks to move away, Hariri throws a big counter combo bu Anderson just gets out of the way.
Anderson displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Anderson misses with a wild body shot.
Anderson throws a body kick that misses.
Hariri attempts a counter takedown but Anderson avoids it well and moves away.
Anderson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Anderson wants it to stay on the feet.
Anderson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Hariri fails to land the takedown.
Anderson takes a swing at Hariri's ribcage but misses.
Anderson fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Anderson fails to land with a series of punches.
Anderson throws a right hand that Hariri ducks under and follows up with a left that Hariri also avoids with ease.
Hariri on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Hariri checks the leg kick nicely there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Anderson throws a head kick but Hariri moves out of range.
George Anderson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hariri keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Anderson.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hariri has closed the distance and engaged Anderson in a clinch.

Hariri pulls guard.

Anderson decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Hariri, up you get!
Anderson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hariri blocks the body kick.
Hariri tries to counter by clinching up but Anderson breaks away and moves out of range.
A combination from Anderson does no damage.

Hariri gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Anderson can't break the clinch.
Anderson is pressed up against the cage. Hariri has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Anderson down to the mat. Anderson avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Abdul Muqtadir Hariri. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A head kick misses from Anderson.
Anderson jabbing away but nothing is landing.
As Anderson backs away, Hariri returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Anderson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Anderson looks winded!

Hariri clinches up with Anderson and pushes him back against the cage.
Hariri drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Anderson gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Hariri is looking to take this one to the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hariri slowing the pace effectively.

Hariri breaks the clinch.
Nice sprawl there from Anderson as Hariri shoots in.
Anderson is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Hariri with a body shot.
George Anderson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nice takedown defense from Anderson. No joy for Hariri on that attempt.
Anderson has worked on his takedown defense in the runup to this fight and it is paying off so far.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Anderson throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Hariri shoots for a double leg takedown but Anderson sprawls well. He's pushed Hariri's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Anderson tries a head kick but it misses.
A left and a right from Anderson both land. Nice combination.
Hariri 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 Hariri off to one side.
Hariri slips under a jab from Anderson.
Hariri half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Hariri shoots in for a double leg but Anderson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Anderson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hariri tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Anderson defends well and Hariri ends up having to push Anderson into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Anderson throws a leg kick which misses Hariri's front leg but catches the back leg as Hariri tries to avoid it.
Anderson looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Hariri shoots in for a takedown but Anderson shows good takedown defense.
A jab lands there for Anderson.
Anderson wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
A punch combination from Anderson misses.
Hariri slips a jab and a cross from Anderson.
Hariri darts in looking for a takedown but Anderson gets double underhooks and turns Hariri into the cage.
Hariri tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A big left from Anderson misses.

Hariri moves into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hariri breaks the clinch.
Anderson pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Hariri drives through and clinches with Anderson against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hariri doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Hariri pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hariri shoots in for a double leg but Anderson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Anderson throws out a counter right but Hariri avoids it with no problem.
Hariri blocks a head kick by Anderson.
Anderson blocks a head kick by Hariri.
Hariri shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Anderson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hariri tries to score a power double leg takedown but Anderson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Hariri somewhat.
Hariri slips a jab and a cross from Anderson.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

George Anderson dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Anderson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Anderson throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Hariri.
Hariri looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
A clash of legs there as Anderson blocks the low kick.
Anderson tried to score with a low kick but Hariri checks it.
Abdul Muqtadir Hariri is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hariri pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hariri misses with a head kick.
Hariri walks into a jab.

Hariri clinches with his opponent.
Anderson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hariri has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Anderson after a bit of a struggle.

Hariri gets control of Anderson's arms and successfully pulls guard. Hariri will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Anderson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Anderson preventing the sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anderson is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Hariri knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Anderson on the ground.

Anderson decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Anderson feints and then cracks Hariri's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Hariri down.
Anderson throws a head kick that half lands.
Anderson leaves Hariri with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Abdul Muqtadir Hariri. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hariri misses with a takedown
and Anderson counters with a left and a right that stings Hariri.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Anderson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hariri blocks the body kick.
Anderson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hariri is trying hard to land a takedown here. Anderson sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Hariri shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Anderson sprawls well. Anderson wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Hariri gets slowly back to his feet.
Hariri blocks a head kick by Anderson.
Anderson throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Anderson throws a wild body kick that Hariri sees coming a mile off.
Anderson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Hariri closes the distance and clinches.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Hariri manages to pull guard.
Anderson wanted to stand there but Hariri had control of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Anderson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Anderson landing with the ground and pound.
Anderson trying to stand up but can't free himself from Hariri's guard.
Hariri utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Anderson wants to control from the top but Hariri keeps moving.
Anderson wants to stand but Hariri is controlling his posture from full guard.
Anderson wants to control from the top but Hariri keeps moving.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

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.
Hariri tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Anderson defends well and Hariri ends up having to push Anderson into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Hariri has a takedown stuffed.
Hariri dodges the punch combination from Anderson.
Anderson clobbers Hariri with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Anderson throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Anderson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Anderson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Hariri.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

George Anderson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Hariri.
No joy there for Anderson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Anderson scores with a shot to the body.
Hariri has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Hariri keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Anderson.
Danga de danga de dang - Anderson scores with a four punch combination!
Hariri misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Anderson misses with a combination

and Hariri moves into the clinch.
Anderson displaying some good clinch control by pressing Hariri up against the cage.
Hariri tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Abdul Muqtadir Hariri. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Anderson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hariri lands a right hand.
Hariri lands an uppercut.
Hariri can't get the takedown.
Anderson can't break the clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Hariri.
Anderson prevents the takedown attempt.
Anderson wants to get back to striking at distance but Hariri won't allow it.
Hariri has Anderson pressed against the cage, preventing Anderson from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Hariri blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Nice elbow from Hariri.
Hariri has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Anderson avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Hariri goes for a takedown in the clinch but Anderson prevents it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Anderson can't break the clinch.
Anderson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Hariri fails to pull the fight into his guard.
A frustrated look appears on Anderson's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Hariri tries to throw a body punch but Anderson avoids it by throwing Hariri back against the cage.
Anderson lands an elbow just above Hariri 's eye.

Hariri manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Anderson tries to stand but Hariri is controlling from the bottom.
Hariri is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Anderson throws a big right hand that misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Anderson won't allow Hariri to sweep him here.

Hariri looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Anderson throws a big right hand that misses.
Anderson trying to control the position from guard on top but Hariri is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Hariri preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Hariri has Anderson up against the cage in a clinch.
Hariri keeps control of Anderson as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Hariri keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Anderson's efforts to push away.

Hariri breaks the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Anderson motions for Hariri to come forward. Anderson throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.

Hariri clinches up against the cage.
Hariri tries to pull guard but Anderson won't allow it.
Anderson wants to break free but Hariri has control.
Hariri is trying to drag Anderson to the mat but Anderson just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Anderson tries to break free but Hariri pushes him back against the cage.
George Anderson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Anderson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Hariri has him pressed against the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hariri taking a breather.
Hariri using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Anderson has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

And that's the end of the fight!
George Anderson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Anderson winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Seu Braga scores the fight 27:30
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 27:30

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