PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Dustin Assad (ranked 1620 p4p, 198 weight class) and Damian Anderson (ranked 2736 p4p, 309 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Assad
vs
Anderson

174 cm
22
186 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

170 cm
27
175 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

Organic Nutrition

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 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Dustin Assad!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Damian Anderson!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Thiago Cunha and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Anderson throws an overhand right that lands on Assad's shoulder, as Assad tries to avoid the shot.
Assad has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Assad there as he acknowledges the shot.
Assad on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Anderson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Assad.
Anderson moves out of range of the strikes.
Assad shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Anderson as he jumps to the side.
A nice side step and Anderson releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Assad keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Anderson misses with a wild body shot.
Assad takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Donk. Anderson catches Assad right on the button with a cross.
Assad stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Anderson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Assad manages to avoid it.
A slow jab from Assad misses its intended target.
Damian Anderson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Anderson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Assad.
Anderson slips a jab from Assad.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Assad slips under a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck for Assad with that takedown attempt.
Assad misses with a looping right.
Anderson lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Assad at a distance.
Anderson takes a swing at Assad's ribcage but misses.
Assad slips a jab from Anderson.
Assad misses with a right hand
and Anderson counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Nice sprawl there from Anderson as Assad shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dustin Assad. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Assad avoids a punch combination nicely.
Assad takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Anderson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Assad was well out of range. Poor timing from Anderson.
The fighters circling - Anderson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
No joy there for Anderson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Anderson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Anderson misses with a looping left.
Anderson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Assad scores with a jab. Anderson acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Anderson punishes Assad's body with a nice straight punch.
Assad takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
A jab from Assad misses.
Anderson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Assad.
Assad slips a jab from Anderson.
Anderson takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Anderson misses with a looping right.
Anderson throws a body punch but Assad moves out of range.
Anderson scores with a hook to the body. Assad takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Anderson tries to bum rush Assad with a series of wild strikes but Assad uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Assad will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Anderson scores with a nice strike.

It looks like Dustin Assad has been cut.
Anderson lands with a shot to the body.
Assad uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Anderson.
Anderson jabs Assad to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Assad moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Anderson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Assad moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Anderson slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Assad is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Anderson.
Anderson looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Jab, jab by Assad - just one landing.
Anderson misses with a wild body shot.
Assad avoids a punch combination nicely.
Assad slips under a jab.
Anderson throws a body punch but Assad moves out of range.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Assad blocks a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Assad slips a straight right by Anderson.
Assad throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Anderson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Assad throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Assad dodges the punch combination from Anderson.
Anderson looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Anderson throws a hook to the side of Assad's head but Assad sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Anderson throws a lazy right hand but Assad sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Anderson takes a swing at Assad's ribcage but misses.
A slow jab from Assad misses its intended target.
Assad misses with a hook.
Assad looks to land a right hand but Anderson moved out of range.
Assad throws a body punch but Anderson moves out of range.
Assad defending well as Anderson loads up on a big left hand.
Assad drops down looking for a counter takedown but Anderson sprawls and moves away.
A punch combination from Anderson misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Damian Anderson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Dustin Assad's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Assad moves out of range of the strikes.
Assad slips a straight right by Anderson.
Assad is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Assad fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Anderson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Assad.
Assad uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Anderson.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Assad might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
The fighters circling - Anderson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Anderson scores with a one two! Assad had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Anderson lands a nice shot to the body.
Assad avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Anderson misses with a looping left.
Assad uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Anderson.
Anderson takes a swing at Assad's ribcage but misses.
Assad attempts a counter takedown but Anderson avoids it well and moves away.
Sloppy strikes from Anderson. Those never looked like landing.
Anderson misses with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anderson takes a swing at Assad's ribcage but misses.
No joy there for Anderson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Assad ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Anderson moves away.
Anderson throws a looping overhand right but Assad ducks down to avoid it.
Assad smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
A swing and a miss from Assad.
Damian Anderson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Assad misses with a takedown attempt
and Anderson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Assad misses with a series of wild punches.
Anderson lands a jab to Assad's midsection.
No joy there for Assad, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Anderson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Assad moves away.
Assad drops down looking for a counter takedown but Anderson sprawls and moves away.
Assad throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Assad doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Assad walks into a straight right hand from Anderson.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Anderson throws a right hand that Assad ducks under and follows up with a left that Assad also avoids with ease.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Assad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dustin Assad. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Assad closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Anderson quickly recovers to half guard.
Assad thows a huge punch but Anderson dodges it nicely.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Anderson can do anything to dispel that myth.

Assad seems to be working for a kimura but Anderson defends the submission attempt.
Anderson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Assad.
Assad wants to take a breather but Anderson is having none of it.
Anderson really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Assad. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Assad throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Assad is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Anderson wants to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Assad seems to be looking for submissions.
Anderson is concentrating on defense, preventing Assad from advancing position.
Assad works his way into side control.
Assad tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

Assad is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Anderson is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Assad throws an elbow but Anderson slips to the side and avoids it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Anderson is trying to control Assad's posture but Assad avoids it.
Assad tries to score with some ground and pound. Anderson controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Assad has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Anderson taking punishment in the form of punches.
Assad takes a little break here. Anderson wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.

Assad tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Assad creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Anderson sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Damian Anderson will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Dustin Assad's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Assad looks to score with a jab to the body but Anderson is just out of range.
Anderson lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Anderson misses with a two punch combination.
A telegraphed right hand from Anderson misses the target.
Assad appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Anderson takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Assad rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Anderson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Assad swings for the body but Anderson moves out of range.
Assad fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Anderson is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Assad with a body shot.
Anderson stuffs the takedown.
Anderson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Anderson stuffs the takedown.
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.
Anderson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Assad.
Assad ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Anderson moves away.
Assad shoots for a takedown but Anderson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dustin Assad. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Anderson swinging wildly here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Assad moves out of range of the strikes.
Anderson stuns Assad with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Assad pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Anderson changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Anderson misses with an uppercut. Assad saw that one coming.
Assad throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Anderson sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Assad lands a head shot.
Anderson takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Damian Anderson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A telegraphed right hand from Anderson misses the target.
Anderson scores with a jab to the body.
A big left from Assad misses.
Nice defenses there by Assad.
Jab by Assad.
Assad misses with a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Assad misses with the combination.
Assad swings and misses with a hook to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Anderson throws a looping overhand right but Assad ducks down to avoid it.
Assad uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Anderson.
Anderson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Assad moves away.
Assad attempts a counter takedown but Anderson avoids it well and moves away.
Anderson closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Some wild striking there from Assad.
Assad looks to land a right hand but Anderson moved out of range.
Assad takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Assad slips a jab and a cross from Anderson.
Anderson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Assad moves away.
Assad lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Anderson circles away quickly and effectively.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Anderson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Assad moves away from the strike by Anderson.
Anderson scores with a nice head shot.
A decent looking cross lands there for Anderson.
Anderson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Assad half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Anderson scores with a jab.
Assad will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Anderson appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Damian Anderson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Assad throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Anderson sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Anderson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Anderson cracks a nice hook into Assad's ribs.
Anderson looks to score with a jab to the body but Assad is just out of range.
No joy there for Anderson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Anderson blocks a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Anderson missing with a left hand there. Assad was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Assad tries to counter with a takedown but Anderson is quick to defend against it.
Anderson throws a body punch but Assad moves out of range.
Anderson connects with a body shot that sends Assad's belly button to the back.
Assad shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Anderson swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Anderson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Assad moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Anderson throws a right and a left that both miss.
Assad avoids a punch combination nicely.
Assad ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Anderson moves away.
Anderson lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Anderson looks to score with a jab to the body but Assad is just out of range.
Anderson takes a swing at Assad's ribcage but misses.
Assad just misses with a punch to the body.
Assad on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Dustin Assad has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Assad is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Anderson's half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Damian 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 Emerson Jorge scores the fight 27:30
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 27:30
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Damian Anderson!
Damian Anderson seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
Dustin Assad spoke after the fight, saying 'I am the best BJJ player in the world. I will refine my striking game and be back. '.