PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between James Assange (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Petter Anier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Assange's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Eddie Van Halen - Eruption. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Assange
vs
Anier

176 cm
30
155 lbs
19 - 6 - 0

177 cm
30
160 lbs
14 - 15 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Great elbows
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, James Assange!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 15 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Petter Anier!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Aleksandr Martynov and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A jab from Assange misses.

Assange has managed to clinch.
Anier blocks an uppercut.
Anier has Assange pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Assange manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Anier is looking to break free of the clinch but Assange has double underhooks.
Come on Anier - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Assange lands a body punch in the clinch.

Anier lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Assange is refusing to be controlled, as Anier sits in half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Anier in particular looking to stall.
Anier prevents Assange from standing back up.
Assange tries to get to full guard but Anier has control of the leg.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Assange is trying to stand back up but Anier is controlling him
Anier prevents Assange from improving his position.
Anier looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Assange tries to roll over but Anier keeps him under control.

Assange has one foot on Anier's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

Anier gets a double leg takedown into Assange's guard.
Assange keeping moving, preventing Anier from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Assange is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Anier gets to his feet - Assange follows without any prompting.
Anier tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
James Assange is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Anier doesn't manage to clinch there - Assange circles away.
Anier fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Assange gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Anier throws a big elbow that misses.
Anier must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Assange pulls Anier in close to prevent any damage.
Assange keeping moving, preventing Anier from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Anier trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Anier postures up.
Assange looking for a sweep. Not yet Assange, not yet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Assange scores with a sloppy right hand. Anier should have avoided that one.
Anier fails with a takedown attempt.
James Assange has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Petter Anier.

Assange fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Anier, pushing him back against the cage.
Anier goes for a takedown in the clinch but Assange prevents it.
A head punch on the inside from Assange fails to land.
Assange lands a nice shot to the body.
Assange tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Assange lands a nice uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Assange lands a shoulder strike.
Assange lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Anier working hard to break the clinch.
Anier tries to break free but Assange pushes him back against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Assange misses with some punches.
Assange scores with a nice hook to the head.
A short right from Assange.
Assange misses with the head strike.
Anier is trying to pull guard but Assange has him pressed against the cage.
Anier fails to pull guard.
Anier tries to pull guard but Assange won't allow it.
A right hand to the body from Assange.
Assange lands a body punch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Assange lands with a left to the head.
A nice left hand lands by Assange.
Assange lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Anier backwards.
Assange scores with a hook to the body.
Assange makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
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 James Assange will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Anier is looking to clinch but Assange is avoiding it.
Anier misses with a low kick.

Anier changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Assange looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Assange tries to escape but Anier is in control.
Assange is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Anier off and has taken his back!

Assange working for the choke.
I really don't envy Anier right now.
Assange biding his time, looking for the opening.

Assange looking for the choke from the back.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Assange misses with a punch to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Assange trying to control momentarily.
Assange misses with a punch to the head.
Anier is trying to stand back up.
Assange throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.
Assange keeps control of the position easily here as Anier tries to buck him off.
Petter Anier has got the better of the ground game so far.
Assange has the hooks in. Anier is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Anier is trying to stand back up.

Assange has the hooks in and he's looking for a rear naked choke here. Anier is defending well but eventually Assange manages to get an arm under the chin and he's locked on the RNC! Anier has no choice but to tap now! He does! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). James Assange!
James Assange is the new lightweight champion!
After the fight, James Assange was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.