PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Stephen Anthony (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Amelie Poulain (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stephen Anthony has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Anthony
vs
Poulain

196 cm
34
273 lbs
17 - 8 - 0

193 cm
22
250 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Stephen Anthony!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Amelie Poulain!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, James Ackerman and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Poulain blocks a jab.
Poulain lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Anthony waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Poulain.
Poulain thumps Anthony with a low kick.

Anthony 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.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Anthony drops back looking for a leg! Poulain is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Poulain manages to kick Anthony off! Anthony jumps back into Poulain's guard.
Poulain trying to control the position here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Anthony won't allow Poulain to sweep him here.
Poulain has his hands on Anthony's head, controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Amelie Poulain was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Poulain chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Anthony cracks Poulain with a good jab.

It looks like Amelie Poulain has been cut.
Anthony looks to score with a jab to the body but Poulain is just out of range.
Anthony misses with a hook.
Poulain defending well as Anthony loads up on a big left hand.

Poulain gets the takedown into side control.
Poulain controls the position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Poulain working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Anthony is not content to let Poulain control the position.
Anthony tries to bench press Poulain off him but Poulain keeps the position.
Anthony trying to remain calm as Poulain controls from the top position.
Poulain working the ground and pound.
Anthony is working to avoid the ground and pound but Poulain connects with a decent elbow.
Anthony is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Poulain's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Poulain is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Anthony pushes Poulain off looking to stand but Poulain dives back in and keeps control.
Poulain has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Mano`s Elite BJJ Gym. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Poulain not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Poulain stops Anthony from getting back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Poulain working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Poulain wants to lay and pray for a moment but Anthony keeps working.
Anthony keeping hold of Poulain's head, controlling as best he can.
Anthony is looking to escape.
Anthony is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at EvolutioN MMA Acadamy & Gym ( 12 ELITE Coaches ) that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
Poulain takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Poulain throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
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. Poulain connects with a nice short shot to Anthony's temple.
Poulain thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Anthony's head.
Poulain prevents Anthony from standing back up.
Poulain sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Anthony defending well though.
Poulain is looking to take a break and control but Anthony is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Anthony trying to control here.
Poulain throws a strike but Anthony avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Anthony has momentary wrist control but Poulain slips an elbow through the middle.
Poulain postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Poulain working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Poulain works over Anthony with some ground and pound from guard.
Anthony is trying to control the position but Poulain postures up.
Poulain must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Poulain working some strikes from top position.
Anthony utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Poulain accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Anthony trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Poulain postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Amelie Poulain dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Amelie Poulain's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Anthony misses with a takedown attempt

and Poulain counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Anthony wants to stand but Poulain is controlling the position.

Anthony is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Poulain pushing down on Anthony's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Still in half guard, Poulain seems content to control.
Anthony works his way to full guard. Good work.
Poulain prevents Anthony from getting back to his feet.
Poulain wants to control from the top but Anthony keeps moving.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Anthony is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Poulain chips away with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anthony has Poulain pulled in close to control his posture.

Anthony is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Poulain is aware though and is defending well.
Anthony looking for a sweep. Not yet Anthony, not yet.
Poulain is working Anthony over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Poulain lying in Anthony's guard like a wet fish here, stalling away. Anthony decides he's had enough of all that nonsense - he escapes his hips and locks up an armbar! Wow, that was slick! Poulain taps! This one is aaaaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:43 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Stephen Anthony!
Stephen Anthony retains his heavyweight title!
Stephen Anthony decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.