PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Corwin Anstey (ranked 1521 p4p, 2133 weight class) and Alexander Rusev (ranked 202 p4p, 279 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Anstey
vs
Rusev

183 cm
23
221
14 - 7 - 0

189 cm
22
223
7 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Bondi MMA

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Corwin Anstey!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alexander Rusev!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Steve Smith and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Anstey closes the distance and pushes Rusev back into the cage.
Anstey blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Rusev tries to break the clinch but Anstey is controlling the position.
Anstey stalling the fight.

Anstey breaks from the clinch.

Anstey gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Anstey escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Rusev is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Anstey.

It looks like Alexander Rusev has been cut.

Anstey closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Rusev's guard.
Anstey definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Anstey content to stall in guard here.
Anstey lands a couple of digs.
Rusev looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Rusev working for submissions but it's allowed Anstey to get to half guard.
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!
Anstey drops an elbow to the side of Rusev's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rusev is looking for a sweep. Anstey is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Rusev trying to control here.
Anstey tries to pass to full mount but Rusev defends it.
Anstey working over Rusev with some ground and pound. Rusev looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Rusev trying to control here.
Anstey working over Rusev with some ground and pound. Rusev looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Rusev wants to sweep but Anstey has passed to side control!
Rusev tries to buck Anstey off but Anstey is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Anstey lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Rusev down.
Anstey is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Rusev will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Rusev is not content to let Anstey control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rusev tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Anstey wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Rusev is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Anstey seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Rusev is looking to improve his position.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Anstey working over Rusev with some ground and pound. Rusev looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Anstey lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Anstey lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Rusev is trying to maintain the position but Anstey is very close to passing his half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rusev tries to roll over but Anstey keeps him under control.
Rusev felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Anstey seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

Rusev is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Anstey pulls his head out easily.
Rusev gets back to full guard.

Rusev working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Anstey doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Anstey manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Anstey makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Anstey has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Rusev working for a triangle but Anstey defends it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rusev is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Anstey lands a couple of elbows.
Anstey trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Anstey trying to control the position from guard on top but Rusev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Rusev working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Anstey has passed into half guard!
Anstey is nestled in close to Rusev, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Rusev tries to roll over but Anstey keeps him under control.

Rusev looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Corwin Anstey dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Alexander Rusev's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Anstey throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Anstey is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rusev looks to score with a jab to the body but Anstey is just out of range.
Anstey works over Rusev's head and body with a nice combination.
Rusev looks to throw the jab but Anstey is out of range.
As Rusev looks to move away, Anstey throws a big counter combo but Rusev just gets out of the way.
Anstey misses with the combination.
A big right from Rusev misses.
Anstey misses with a two punch combination.

Rusev closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Anstey did well to prevent Rusev getting side control.
Rusev looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Anstey is not content to let Rusev control the position.
Rusev is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Anstey is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rusev can do to turn this around?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rusev trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Anstey's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Rusev is looking to work his way around to Anstey's back. He needs to be careful though, as he's in danger of losing this dominant position.
Anstey tries to lock up and control but Rusev gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Anstey really wants to buck Rusev off and get back to his feet.
Rusev fails to take his opponent's back.

Rusev is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Anstey has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Anstey!

Rusev has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Anstey can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Anstey with a nice head shot there.
Anstey is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Anstey wants to control from the top but Rusev keeps moving.
Rusev controls Anstey momentarily but Anstey frees himself.
Anstey scoring with punches to the head and body.
Anstey trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Anstey wants to control from the top but Rusev keeps moving.

Rusev has his foot on Anstey's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Anstey works his way back into a safe position though.
Rusev is trying to control the position but Anstey postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rusev looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Anstey preventing the sweep.
Anstey trying to stand up but can't free himself from Rusev's guard.
Rusev is trying to control the position but Anstey postures up.
Anstey is pushing down on Rusev's leg trying to pass to half guard. Rusev is fighting to maintain full guard but Anstey has managed to sneak the leg through.
Anstey is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Rusev trying to control here.
Rusev is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Anstey trying to control from half guard but Rusev is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Anstey landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Rusev trying to get back to full guard but Anstey takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Anstey tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Rusev can't escape the position.
Anstey lands a big shot there that rocks Rusev but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Rusev regains half guard.
Nice strikes from Anstey there.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Anstey connects with a nice short shot to Rusev's temple.

The cut above Alexander Rusev's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Rusev slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Anstey cracks Rusev with a solid left hand.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Corwin Anstey dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Alexander Rusev's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Rusev misses with a body shot.

Anstey scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Rusev is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Anstey's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Anstey is trying to control the action in half guard but Rusev is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Rusev moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Anstey postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Anstey seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Anstey won't allow Rusev to sweep him here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Anstey keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Rusev's head.
Anstey wants to control from the top but Rusev keeps moving.

Rusev looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rusev trying to keep a closed guard but Anstey is proving a slippery customer.

Anstey avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Rusev is on top in guard.

Rusev pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Anstey is keeping the position for now.
Rusev keeps trying to improve his position.
Anstey is looking to stand up but Rusev isn't so interested in that idea.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rusev wants to pass the guard but Anstey is keeping the position.
Rusev slips nicely into half guard.
Anstey tries to kick Rusev off but Rusev keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Rusev is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Anstey doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Rusev.

Rusev seems to be working for a kimura but Anstey defends the submission attempt.
Rusev stops Anstey from getting back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rusev trying to mount his opponent but Anstey defends it.
Anstey pushes Rusev off looking to stand but Rusev dives back in and keeps control.
Rusev tries to pass to full mount but Anstey defends it.
Anstey is looking to escape.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rusev throws a jab when Anstey was well out of range.
Rusev keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rusev just misses with a punch to the body.
A punch combination from Anstey misses.

Anstey shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Rusev napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Rusev gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rusev tries to roll over but Anstey keeps him under control.
Rusev moves into full guard.
Rusev looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Rusev looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Rusev looking to hit a scissor sweep but Anstey is one step ahead there.
Rusev being controlled here, momentarily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rusev keeping full guard, as Anstey tries to pass.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Corwin Anstey did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The cut man is working on Alexander Rusev's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Anstey closes the distance and clinches.

Anstey breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Anstey misses with an uppercut. Rusev saw that one coming.
Rusev feints the counter takedown.

Anstey rushes Rusev and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Rusev has a couple of punches blocked by Anstey.
Anstey slowing the pace effectively.
Anstey taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Anstey seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.

Anstey is trying to trip Rusev. He has hold of a leg but Rusev is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Anstey persists though and gets the takedown into guard.

Anstey avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Anstey is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Rusev bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Anstey's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anstey wants to get back to his feet but Rusev is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Rusev drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Anstey dives on top into guard.

Corwin Anstey overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Anstey keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Rusev's head.
Anstey trying to control but Rusev is working from the bottom.
Rusev not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Anstey wants to control from the top but Rusev keeps moving.
Anstey controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Anstey stopping the sweep attempt from Rusev.
Rusev has momentary wrist control but Anstey slips an elbow through the middle.

Rusev is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Rusev looking to control.
Anstey wants to pass the guard but Rusev is keeping the position.
Anstey is working Rusev over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Rusev looking for a sweep. Not yet Rusev, not yet.
Rusev looking to control but Anstey passes into half guard.
Rusev slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Anstey is working Rusev over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Rusev looking to control.

Rusev throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Anstey escapes and throws Rusev's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Anstey is looking to take a break and control but Rusev is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Anstey lands some shots froms side control.
Anstey lands a few punches from side control.

Alexander Rusev's cut is absolute horrible now. This looks like something out of a horror film with blood covering both fighters.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Alexander Rusev's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Corwin Anstey!
A very excited looking Corwin Anstey made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.