PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Craig Anderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Byron Wickline (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Anderson comes to the cage accompanied by The High Road. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Anderson
vs
Wickline

174 cm
27
148 lbs
7 - 7 - 0

175 cm
29
155 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Great low kicks
Insanely flexible

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Craig Anderson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Byron Wickline!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Yves DeLean and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Wickline shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Anderson is trying to defend but Wickline finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Wickline is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Anderson has managed to free his arm - good work.
Anderson keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.

Wickline is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Anderson is just riding it out for now. Wickline eventually gives up the hold.

Anderson is defending against the submission attempts here by Wickline.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Wickline seems to be working for a kimura but Anderson defends the submission attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anderson makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Anderson.
Wickline must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Anderson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Wickline's guard.
Anderson controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Anderson is pushing down on Wickline's leg trying to pass to half guard. Wickline is fighting to maintain full guard but Anderson has managed to sneak the leg through.
Anderson perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Anderson is looking for a kimura but Wickline is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Anderson to get the leverage.
Wickline is looking to improve his position.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Anderson content to control rather than advance.

Anderson looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Anderson with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Anderson prevents Wickline from improving his position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Anderson takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Anderson is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Wickline is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Anderson pulls his head out easily.

Anderson is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Well, if Anderson is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Anderson looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Wickline looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Anderson perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Anderson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Wickline keeps working.
Anderson works his way into side control.
Anderson controlling the position.
Anderson advances to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wickline tries to reverse the position but Anderson maintains control.
Anderson trying to control but Wickline is having none of it.
Wickline keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Anderson controlling the position easily from mount.
Wickline is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Wickline manages to regain half guard. Good work.
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!

Anderson moves into side control, avoiding a weak kimura attempt from Wickline.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Craig Anderson dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Wickline feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Wickline drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Anderson manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Wickline has Anderson in his guard.
Anderson is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Wickline can't keep his opponent in guard - Anderson advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Anderson trying to control from half guard but Wickline is working away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Anderson is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Wickline sees it coming and defends easily.
Anderson stalling.

Anderson is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Wickline has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anderson is taking a breather. Wickline says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Anderson is trying to control the action in half guard but Wickline is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Still in half guard, Anderson seems content to control.
Anderson moves nicely into side control.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Wickline is trying to get back to half guard.

Anderson looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Anderson has knee on belly and moves into mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wickline really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

Anderson wants to finish this one by submission but Wickline is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Anderson.
Anderson looking to control and managing it successfully.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Anderson prevents Wickline from getting the reversal.
Anderson tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Wickline tries to reverse the position but Anderson maintains control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Anderson jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Wickline manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Anderson taking a breather here.
Wickline manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Craig Anderson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Anderson uses his free foot to push down on Wickline's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Wickline.
Anderson tries to control but Wickline wriggling away.
Anderson controlling the position easily from mount.
Anderson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Wickline is looking to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Craig Anderson wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Anderson tries a head kick but it misses.
Anderson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Wickline looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Anderson!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Anderson can't do much from the bottom here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Anderson regains half guard.
Anderson tries to get to full guard but Wickline has control of the leg.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Craig Anderson dominated that second round.
That's time! Anderson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Wickline throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Anderson tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Wickline is in Anderson's guard.
Wickline tries to free his leg and advance position but Anderson is retaining full guard.
Anderson pulls Wickline in close to prevent any damage.
Anderson's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Wickline works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Anderson gets full guard.
Anderson controlling Wickline's posture.
Anderson keeping full guard, as Wickline tries to pass.

Wickline drops back, looking for a kneebar! Anderson looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Anderson looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Anderson!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wickline tries to buck Anderson off but Anderson is having none of it.

Anderson looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Anderson working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Anderson working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Wickline tries to buck Anderson off but Anderson is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Anderson controlling from side mount.
Wickline tries to buck Anderson off but Anderson is having none of it.
Wickline trying to remain calm as Anderson controls from the top position.
Wickline is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Wickline is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Anderson pulls his head out easily.
Wickline takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Anderson is taking a breather. Wickline says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Wickline actively working from the bottom here.

Wickline looking for submissions off his back.

Anderson maintaining the dominant position here and is working for a kimura. He's locked it up! Wickline could be in real trouble here! He's trying to wriggle out but Anderson has cracked it and Wickline is screaming in pain - he's tapped out! Great finish by Anderson!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Craig Anderson!
Craig Anderson bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.