PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Justin Anthony (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Janjalani Abu Bakhar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Abu Bakhar has chosen Allah Wakbar as his entrance music. The key to victory for Justin Anthony has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Anthony
vs
Abu Bakhar

184 cm
32
189 lbs
21 - 11 - 2

178 cm
29
185 lbs
16 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 11 - 2, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Justin Anthony!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Janjalani Abu Bakhar!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Luis Engracia and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Anthony tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Abu Bakhar manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Anthony walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

Anthony rushes Abu Bakhar and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
A bit of stalling here from Anthony.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Abu Bakhar.
Anthony manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Anthony is leaning against Abu Bakhar and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Anthony working aggressively here.
Abu Bakhar misses with some punches.
A head punch on the inside from Abu Bakhar fails to land.
Anthony is looking to control Abu Bakhar's arms but Abu Bakhar gets an underhook and turns him. Now Anthony has his back to the cage.
Abu Bakhar misses with a punch to the body.
Anthony lands with a right to the head.
Anthony is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Abu Bakhar blocking some punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anthony trying to stall but Abu Bakhar improves his position.
Abu Bakhar lands with a light punch inside.
Anthony tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Abu Bakhar's elbow.
Anthony presses Abu Bakhar against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Abu Bakhar doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Abu Bakhar blocks a body shot from Anthony.
Good body shot from Anthony.
Anthony works on Abu Bakhar's body with a couple of short punches.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Abu Bakhar is persisting with his attempts to control the action in the clinch, rather than do any real damage.
A head punch on the inside from Abu Bakhar fails to land.
Anthony wants to stall.
Abu Bakhar goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Abu Bakhar.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Anthony is leaning against Abu Bakhar and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Anthony slows down the pace here.
Anthony is working Abu Bakhar over against the cage.
Anthony misses with a punch to the body.
Anthony goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Anthony avoiding damage.
Abu Bakhar working aggressively here.
A nice right hand lands inside from Anthony.
Abu Bakhar throws a head punch that misses.
Anthony blocks an uppercut.
Abu Bakhar swings wildly with an uppercut but Anthony uses good head movement to avoid it.
Abu Bakhar slowing the pace effectively.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Anthony.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Anthony stalling.
Abu Bakhar wants to stall.
Anthony is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Abu Bakhar trying to stall but Anthony improves his position.
Abu Bakhar lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Anthony backwards.
Abu Bakhar misses with a short punch on the inside.
Anthony is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Abu Bakhar stalling in the clinch but Anthony improves position.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Abu Bakhar.
Still in the clinch, Abu Bakhar scores with a nice short uppercut.
Abu Bakhar blocks an uppercut.
A short right from Anthony on the inside.
Abu Bakhar swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Anthony is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Abu Bakhar trying to stall but Anthony improves his position.
Anthony lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Abu Bakhar or not.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Anthony wants to stall.
Abu Bakhar softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Anthony lands a nice shot to the body.
Abu Bakhar looking to stall.
Anthony misses with a body punch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Anthony blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Anthony creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Abu Bakhar fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Anthony scores with a shot to the side of Abu Bakhar's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Justin Anthony dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Anthony throws a series of punches but Abu Bakhar moves out of range.
A head kick misses from Anthony.
Anthony thows a body shot but no joy.
Abu Bakhar throws an overhand right that lands on Anthony's shoulder, as Anthony tries to avoid the shot.
Anthony misses with a wild combination.
An inside leg kick lands from Anthony.
Jab, jab by Abu Bakhar - just one landing.
Anthony misses with a jab, cross combination.

Abu Bakhar gets a takedown into half guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Abu Bakhar working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Anthony's thigh. Anthony counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Abu Bakhar stopping the sweep attempt from Anthony.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abu Bakhar passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Anthony defending against the ground and pound.
Anthony defending against the ground and pound.
Abu Bakhar lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Anthony manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Abu Bakhar is refusing to be controlled, as Anthony sits in half guard.
Anthony looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Abu Bakhar is looking to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Anthony is keen to just control but Abu Bakhar is a slippery customer.

We're going to have a standup here because Justin Anthony wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Anthony ducks under a wild hook from Abu Bakhar.
Abu Bakhar misses with a hook
and Anthony counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Anthony lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Abu Bakhar walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

Abu Bakhar shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Anthony manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Abu Bakhar wants to control from the top but Anthony keeps moving.
Anthony is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Abu Bakhar is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Anthony is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Abu Bakhar wants to control from the top but Anthony keeps moving.
Anthony is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Abu Bakhar is controlling him.
Abu Bakhar is in close to Anthony's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Anthony has momentary wrist control but Abu Bakhar slips an elbow through the middle.
Anthony wants to sweep here but Abu Bakhar controlling him for the moment.
Abu Bakhar stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Anthony swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Abu Bakhar throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Anthony works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Anthony has his hands on Abu Bakhar's head, controlling the position.
Anthony lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Abu Bakhar!
Anthony tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

Anthony is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Anthony avoids the body shot from Abu Bakhar.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Abu Bakhar looks to throw the jab but Anthony is out of range.
Abu Bakhar shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Anthony pinned against the cage. Anthony gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Abu Bakhar. Anthony does a little dance to reset his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Janjalani Abu Bakhar will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Abu Bakhar tries to move into range but Anthony moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Anthony misses with a wild body shot.
Anthony throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
The fighters circle momentarily. Abu Bakhar darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Abu Bakhar shoots for a double leg takedown but Anthony sprawls well. He's pushed Abu Bakhar's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Anthony with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Abu Bakhar to score with a decent uppercut.
Abu Bakhar uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Anthony.
Anthony digs a good hook to Abu Bakhar's body.
Anthony lands with a hook. Abu Bakhar tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Anthony throws a nice head kick!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Abu Bakhar throws a hook but Anthony avoids it easily.
Abu Bakhar shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Justin Anthony is winning the standup battle so far.

Anthony gets caught flat footed, as Abu Bakhar shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Anthony wants to stand up but Abu Bakhar is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anthony working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Abu Bakhar.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Anthony looking to control.
Abu Bakhar scoring with punches to the head and body.
Anthony looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Anthony controls Abu Bakhar momentarily but Abu Bakhar frees himself.
Abu Bakhar wants to control from the top but Anthony keeps moving.
Anthony is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Anthony is looking to stand up but Abu Bakhar isn't so interested in that idea.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Justin Anthony.
Anthony buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Abu Bakhar closes this distance looking for a takedown but Anthony circles away.
Justin Anthony has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Janjalani Abu Bakhar.
Anthony takes one to the side of the head.
Abu Bakhar fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Anthony avoids it really well and circles away.
Abu Bakhar tries for a takedown but Anthony sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Anthony is looking to wear down Abu Bakhar with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Anthony looks to land a combination. Abu Bakhar sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Anthony uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Abu Bakhar.
Anthony lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abu Bakhar scores with a body shot.

Abu Bakhar drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Abu Bakhar takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Abu Bakhar is fighting to break Anthony's control of his arms but Anthony is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Anthony looking for a sweep. Not yet Anthony, not yet.
Abu Bakhar stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Anthony swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Anthony looking to hit a scissor sweep but Abu Bakhar is one step ahead there.
Abu Bakhar scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Anthony trying to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Abu Bakhar trying to control the position from guard on top but Anthony is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Abu Bakhar trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Anthony is on top in guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Anthony wants to pass the guard but Abu Bakhar is keeping the position.

Abu Bakhar has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Anthony can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Anthony pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Abu Bakhar is keeping the position for now.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Anthony wants to control from the top but Abu Bakhar keeps moving.
Anthony advances position into side control!

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Justin Anthony.
I think Anthony has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 30:28
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 29:28
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Justin Anthony!
Justin Anthony thanked the fans post fight for their support.