PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Anthony Anastasio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Harbor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Anastasio
vs
Harbor

181 cm
32
190 lbs
22 - 10 - 0

184 cm
33
193 lbs
28 - 24 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Sun-Tzu

MayheM sportswear

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 22 - 10 - 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 28 - 24 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, James Harbor!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, James Ackerman and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Anastasio misses the jab.
We've been informed that Harbor has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Good exchange - Anastasio coming out on top.

Anastasio moves into range and clinches up with Harbor.
Anastasio tries a body shot but Harbor blocks it.
Anastasio lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Anastasio wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Harbor has him pressed against the cage.
Harbor misses with a body punch.
Harbor tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Anastasio smiles and moves away.
Harbor keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Anastasio scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Anastasio throws a leg kick but Harbor moved away.
Anastasio staying out of range there.
A head kick misses from Anastasio.
Anastasio throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harbor ducks under a wild hook from Anastasio.
Nice uppercut lands for Anastasio. That snapped Harbor's head back.
Harbor defending well as Anastasio loads up on a big left hand.
Harbor drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Anastasio defends it well.
Harbor misses with a wild combination.
Anastasio throws a head kick but Harbor moves out of range.
Anastasio throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Harbor counters with a left to the body.
Decent striking displayed by Harbor there.
A nice leg kick lands there from Anastasio.
Harbor moves out of range as Anastasio strikes.
Anastasio scores with a spinning back kick!
A big right from Harbor misses.
Harbor misses with a looping right.
Anastasio appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Anastasio moves into range and connects with a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Anastasio defending well as Harbor loads up on a big left hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Anastasio scores with a jab. Harbor acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Harbor looks to throw the jab but Anastasio is out of range.
Harbor misses with a hook. Anastasio ducked under it nicely.
Anthony Anastasio seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Harbor tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Anastasio was well out of range. Poor timing from Harbor.
Harbor looks to score with a jab to the body but Anastasio is just out of range.
Harbor lands a nice looking body shot.
Anastasio throws a sloppy body shot
and Harbor counters with a right hand to the body.
Harbor thows a left - swing and a miss!
Anastasio misses the shot to the body.
Harbor looks for a takedown but Anastasio sprawls well.
Harbor throws a jab but it's blocked by Anastasio.
Harbor scores with a sloppy right hand. Anastasio should have avoided that one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Anastasio.
Harbor swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Harbor looks to throw the jab but Anastasio is out of range.
Anastasio slips a jab and a cross from Harbor.
Harbor looks to land a right hand but Anastasio moved out of range.
Anastasio getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Anastasio uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Harbor.
Anastasio swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Anastasio slips a jab and a cross from Harbor.
Anastasio pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Anastasio slips a straight right by Harbor.
Anastasio throws out a powerful jab.
Harbor takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Anastasio looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Harbor misses the jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Anastasio is predictable there
and Harbor counters with a right hand to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The fighters circle momentarily. Harbor darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Anastasio wants to slow Harbor down by chopping away at his legs.
A countering left hand to the body from Harbor misses.
Nice uppercut there from Harbor.
Anastasio lands a head shot.
Harbor connects with a body shot that sends Anastasio's belly button to the back.
Anastasio takes a swing at Harbor's ribcage but misses.
Anastasio looks to land a left hand but Harbor moved out of range nicely.
Anastasio tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Harbor was well out of range. Poor timing from Anastasio.
Harbor throws a right hand that Anastasio ducks under and follows up with a left that Anastasio also avoids with ease.
Harbor shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Anastasio counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Anthony Anastasio has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Harbor.
Nice shot lands for Anastasio.
Harbor throws a jab when Anastasio was well out of range.
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 Anthony Anastasio will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Anastasio throws an overhand right that lands on Harbor's shoulder, as Harbor tries to avoid the shot.
Harbor throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Anastasio thuds his shin into the meat of Harbor's side.
Sloppy strikes from Harbor. Those never looked like landing.
A nice combination there by Harbor.
Anastasio pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Harbor lands a nice shot that snaps Anastasio's head back.
Anastasio scores with a hook.
A swing and a miss from Harbor.
A little feinted left hand from Anastasio on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Nice body punch from Anastasio.
Anastasio takes a swing at Harbor's ribcage but misses.
Harbor is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Anastasio.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Anastasio tries to close the distance and clinch but Harbor swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Anastasio throws an off balance right hand
and Harbor counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anastasio throws a lazy head kick
and Harbor counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Harbor misses with an uppercut.
Anastasio throws a head kick that misses.
Anastasio lands a head shot.
Anastasio tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Harbor is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Harbor connects with a body shot.
Harbor lands with an overhand left.
Harbor works over Anastasio's head and body with a nice combination.
Anastasio buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Anastasio throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Harbor moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Anastasio lunges at Harbor with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Harbor's hand.
Harbor takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Harbor pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Anastasio takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Harbor with a jab.

Harbor shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Harbor showed some decent athleticism there.

Anastasio manages to escape and get back to his feet!

Anastasio moves into the clinch successfully.
Harbor is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Anastasio is keeping busy.
Harbor'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.
Anastasio displaying some good clinch control by pressing Harbor up against the cage.
Anastasio misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Anastasio misses with some punches.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

Harbor pulls guard.

Anastasio got a little sloppy there for a moment and Harbor has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Anastasio has managed to get both his arms back between Harbor's legs - danger averted.
Anastasio showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Harbor has his foot on Anastasio's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Anastasio works his way back into a safe position though.
Anastasio controlling from the top position.
Anastasio wanted to stand there but Harbor had control of the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Harbor looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Anastasio has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Harbor seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Anastasio slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Anastasio pushes down on Harbor's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Anastasio tries to stand and escape but Harbor is controlling the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Harbor is controlling Anastasio's trapped leg to prevent Anastasio from advancing to side control.
Still in half guard, Anastasio seems content to control.
Harbor trying to control from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but James Harbor will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Left hook, right uppercut from Harbor.
Harbor throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Anastasio on the side of the head.

Anastasio forces Harbor back against the cage and clinches.
Harbor throws a head punch that misses.

Harbor tightens his grip and picks Anastasio up, before dumping him to the ground. Anastasio manages to land in guard.

Anastasio pushes Harbor off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Harbor lands with a good body shot.
Harbor misses with a takedown attempt - Anastasio sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Anastasio uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
A solid body kick from Anastasio.
Harbor takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Harbor takes one to the side of the head.
Anthony Anastasio is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anastasio bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Harbor's head backwards.
Anastasio keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Some bone on bone action there as Harbor checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Harbor feints the counter takedown.
Anastasio misses with a kick to the body.
A swing and a miss from Anastasio.
Anastasio bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Harbor swinging wildly here.
Anastasio appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Anastasio throws a quick inside leg kick.
Harbor checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Anthony Anastasio is winning the standup battle so far.
Harbor misses with a looping left.
Anastasio swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Harbor takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Anastasio slips a jab and a cross from Harbor.
Anastasio lands a head kick!

Harbor is rocked!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Anastasio lands with a massive overhand right! Stick a fork in Harbor - he's out cold! Ermm... I think I just mixed my metaphors but yeah... That was a nice KO! Big win for Anastasio!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:15 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Anthony Anastasio!
Anthony Anastasio decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.