PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Khaled Al Khuzeem (ranked 3201 p4p, 0 weight class) and Charles Anderson (ranked 3056 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Al Khuzeem
vs
Anderson

178 cm
25
157 lbs
9 - 7 - 0

185 cm
25
157 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
KO power

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Khaled Al Khuzeem!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Charles Anderson!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Dirk Anderson and David Hoff.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Anderson fails to land the takedown.
Anderson misses with a takedown attempt - Al Khuzeem sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Anderson misses with a takedown attempt

and Al Khuzeem counters by clinching up.
Khaled Al Khuzeem has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Charles Anderson.
Anderson drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Al Khuzeem gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Anderson can't get the takedown.

Anderson has Al Khuzeem pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Anderson pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Al Khuzeem tumbling to the mat - Anderson dives into Al Khuzeem's guard.
Al Khuzeem doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Anderson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Al Khuzeem striking off his back, scoring a few points.

Al Khuzeem working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Anderson doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Anderson manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anderson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Anderson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Anderson would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Al Khuzeem scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Anderson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Anderson shoots in for a double leg but Al Khuzeem sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Anderson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Anderson tries to close the distance and clinch but Al Khuzeem swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Al Khuzeem scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Anderson is trying to get back to his feet.

Al Khuzeem is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Anderson is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Al Khuzeem looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Anderson misses with a strike from the bottom.
Anderson tries to strike from the bottom but misses.
Anderson has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Anderson is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Al Khuzeem asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Al Khuzeem knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Anderson on the ground.

Al Khuzeem is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Anderson is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Anderson tries to strike from the bottom but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Anderson is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Anderson throws an elbow to the body but it doesn't land.

Al Khuzeem tries for a kimura but Anderson is defending well.
Anderson manages to work his way to half guard, despite Al Khuzeem's best efforts.
Anderson slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Anderson trying to strike off his back.
Anderson trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Al Khuzeem would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Al Khuzeem trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Al Khuzeem keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Anderson's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al Khuzeem wants to stand and escape but instead Anderson has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Anderson lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Anderson lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Anderson working some strikes from top position.
Al Khuzeem is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Anderson is controlling him.
Anderson throwing strikes but missing.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Anderson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Anderson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Anderson working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Al Khuzeem throws a couple of heel strikes.

Al Khuzeem is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Anderson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
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 Khaled Al Khuzeem will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Anderson moves in looking to clinch but Al Khuzeem pushes him off.
Anderson wants to clinch.
Anderson tries to clinch up
and Al Khuzeem counters with a straight right hand.

Al Khuzeem has managed to clinch.

Al Khuzeem has Anderson pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Al Khuzeem pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Anderson tumbling to the mat - Al Khuzeem dives into Anderson's guard.
Anderson tries to strike from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Anderson thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Anderson trying to strike off his back.
Al Khuzeem scoring with some ground and pound.
Anderson is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Anderson doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Khaled Al Khuzeem overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Khuzeem stops Anderson from standing up.
Anderson manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Al Khuzeem manages to get himself to full guard.

Anderson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Anderson is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Anderson is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Anderson lands a couple of elbows.
Anderson is in close to Al Khuzeem's body, working some short punches and elbows.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Al Khuzeem is on top in guard.

Al Khuzeem stands up over Anderson, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Anderson keeping moving, preventing Al Khuzeem from controlling successfully.
Anderson throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Anderson thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Anderson wants to sweep here but Al Khuzeem controlling him for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Anderson trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Anderson trying to strike off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Anderson throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Anderson is breathing heavily.
Anderson will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Al Khuzeem has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Anderson keeping full guard, as Al Khuzeem tries to pass.
Anderson throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Al Khuzeem lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Anderson trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Anderson throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Anderson thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Al Khuzeem trying to stand up but can't free himself from Anderson's guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Anderson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Al Khuzeem pinned against the cage. Al Khuzeem gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Al Khuzeem throws a quick counter head kick but Anderson was just out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Al Khuzeem forces Anderson back against the cage and clinches.
Anderson is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Anderson prevents Al Khuzeem from breaking the clinch.
Anderson wants a takedown but no success here.
Khaled Al Khuzeem has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Charles Anderson.
Anderson wants a takedown but no success here.
Anderson tries to score a body lock takedown but Al Khuzeem shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Anderson is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Al Khuzeem is defending well.
Anderson blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Anderson tries to score a body lock takedown but Al Khuzeem shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Al Khuzeem has clasped his hands together around Anderson's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Al Khuzeem lands a decent elbow from side control.
Al Khuzeem connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Anderson some visible discomfort.
Anderson takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Al Khuzeem creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Al Khuzeem blocks the strikes from Anderson.
Anderson wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Al Khuzeem scoring with punches from side control.
Al Khuzeem scores with punches from side control.
Al Khuzeem avoids the strikes from the bottom by Anderson.
Al Khuzeem is working Anderson over with some ground and pound from side control.
Anderson pushes Al Khuzeem away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Al Khuzeem gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Al Khuzeem tries to stand but Anderson is controlling his head.
Anderson is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Al Khuzeem is controlling him well.
Anderson prevents Al Khuzeem from moving into mount.
Al Khuzeem working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Al Khuzeem trying to control the position but Anderson is working away.
Al Khuzeem works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Khaled Al Khuzeem dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Al Khuzeem shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
A punch combination from Anderson misses.

Al Khuzeem 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.
Al Khuzeem passes into half guard.
Anderson is looking to escape.
Al Khuzeem trying to control the action but Anderson is working from the bottom.
Anderson landing a few short strikes.
Ground and pound from Al Khuzeem.
Al Khuzeem is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Al Khuzeem lands with a punch from half guard.
Anderson tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Al Khuzeem wants to lay and pray for a moment but Anderson keeps working.
Anderson punching from the bottom.
Al Khuzeem is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Anderson can do to turn this around?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anderson wants to improve his position but Al Khuzeem is controlling well.
Anderson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Anderson missing with punches from the bottom.
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. Al Khuzeem connects with a nice short shot to Anderson's temple.
Anderson tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Al Khuzeem looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Anderson with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Anderson throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Al Khuzeem lands with a punch from half guard.
Anderson throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Anderson taking some punishment here, with Al Khuzeem in his half guard.

Al Khuzeem is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Anderson gets full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Khuzeem postures up and lands a big shot to Anderson's brow.
Al Khuzeem with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Al Khuzeem is working Anderson over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Anderson trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Anderson scores with a couple of body punches from the bottom.
Anderson thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Anderson throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Anderson throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Anderson trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Anderson keeping moving, preventing Al Khuzeem from controlling successfully.
Anderson trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Anderson has momentary wrist control but Al Khuzeem slips an elbow through the middle.
Anderson throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Anderson keeping full guard, as Al Khuzeem tries to pass.
Anderson throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Khaled Al Khuzeem is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
No luck for Anderson with that takedown attempt.

Anderson gets caught napping as Al Khuzeem dives in and scores a takedown. Anderson manages to retain guard.
Al Khuzeem stops Anderson from standing up.
Al Khuzeem postures up and lands a big shot to Anderson's brow.
Al Khuzeem postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Al Khuzeem stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Anderson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Anderson doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Anderson will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Anderson throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Al Khuzeem chips away with some ground and pound.
Anderson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Al Khuzeem content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Al Khuzeem wants to control from the top but Anderson keeps moving.
Anderson throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Anderson wants to stand but Al Khuzeem is controlling the position.
Al Khuzeem has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Anderson is proving hard to escape from.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Al Khuzeem shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

And that's the end of the fight!
Khaled Al Khuzeem showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Al Khuzeem has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Sandra Marshall scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 29:28
Judge David Hoff scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Khaled Al Khuzeem!