PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dave Batista (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andy Savage (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Batista comes into the arena with I WALK ALONE blaring out of the sound system. Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Batista
vs
Savage

193 cm
22
260 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

195 cm
25
270 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Das Labor
Das Labor

Beast Body

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Dave Batista!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Andy Savage!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Hugh Johnson and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A combination from Batista does no damage.
Batista fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Savage drops Batista with a beautiful combination! Batista stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Savage is looking for the KO!

It looks like Dave Batista has been cut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Savage throws a nice looking combination but Batista bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Savage tries to clinch but Batista moves out of range.
Batista swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Savage counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Savage is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

Savage breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Batista throws a combination that misses

and Savage moves into the clinch.

Savage escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Savage gets a clinch.

Savage pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Batista misses with a combination

and Savage moves into the clinch.

Savage's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Batista throws a combination that misses

and Savage moves into the clinch.

Savage breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Batista misses with a combination

and Savage counters by clinching up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Savage breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Batista swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Savage counters with a three punch combo that has Batista backing up. Batista nods at Savage to acknowledge the strikes.
Batista is breathing heavily.
Batista swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Savage holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Savage manages to break the clinch.

Savage has Batista up against the cage in a clinch.
Batista is trying to break free.
Batista tries to break free but Savage pushes him back against the cage.

Savage breaks from the clinch.
Batista misses with a double jab

and Savage counters with a crisp one two that drops Batista! Savage thinks about following him to the mat for a moment but instead steps back and waves Batista to his feet! Batista is in big trouble!

Batista is rocked!
Savage will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Savage moves into the clinch.

Savage breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Savage misses with a double jab.
Batista swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Savage counters with a one-two to the body.
Savage lands a nice shot that snaps Batista's head back.
Savage fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Batista throws a nice looking combination but Savage bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Batista lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Savage circles away quickly and effectively.

Savage has closed the distance and engaged Batista in a clinch.
Savage tries to circle away but Batista has him pinned against the cage.

Batista breaks from the clinch.
Batista throws a left and a right that both miss
and Savage counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Batista fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Batista throws a combination that misses

and Savage moves into the clinch.

Savage's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Batista throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Savage counters with a one-two to the body.

Dave Batista's cut is getting worse.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Batista misses with a combination

and Savage counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Savage manages to break the clinch.
Dave Batista seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Batista swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Savage counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Savage.

Savage's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Batista swinging wildly here.
Batista throws a series of punches but Savage moves out of range.

Savage gets a clinch.

Savage breaks the clinch.
Batista misses with a two punch combination.
Batista throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Savage.
Batista falls off balance throwing a combination

and Savage counters by clinching up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Come on Savage - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Batista can't break the clinch.
Batista wants to get back to striking at distance but Savage won't allow it.
Savage wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Batista has him pressed against the cage.
Batista is looking to break free of the clinch but Savage has double underhooks.

Savage escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Batista misses with a combination

and Savage counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Batista is trying to break the clinch but Savage is controlling him.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Savage scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Savage wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Batista is looking to break free of the clinch but Savage has double underhooks.
Batista is trying to push Savage away but Savage has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andy Savage dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Dave Batista's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Batista throws a left and a right that both miss

and Savage moves into the clinch.

Savage breaks from the clinch.
Andy Savage seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Batista throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Savage.
Savage tries to clinch there but Batista circles away.
Batista throws a series of punches but Savage avoids them all with ease.
Savage should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

Savage closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Savage breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Batista uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Savage.
Batista throws a right and a left that both miss.
Savage avoids a punch combination nicely.
Savage misses with a series of wild punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Batista misses with a double jab

and Savage holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A frustrated look appears on Batista's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A right hook to the body lands for Savage.
Savage scores with a shoulder strike.

Savage pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Savage has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Batista throws a left and a right that both miss
and Savage counters with a one-two to the body.
Batista swats away the attempt to clinch by Savage.
Batista falls off balance throwing a combination
enabling Savage to counter with a crisp jab.
Dave Batista is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Savage slips a jab and a cross from Batista.
Savage lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Savage.
Batista throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Savage holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Savage's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Batista misses with a combination
and Savage counters with a left and a right that stings Batista.
Savage misses with a jab, cross combination.

Savage moves into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Batista wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Savage is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Savage has had enough of the clinch but Batista keeps him there for the moment.
Batista wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Batista wants to get back to striking at distance but Savage won't allow it.
Savage lands a right hand.

Savage breaks the clinch.
Batista misses with a double jab
and Savage counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Batista misses with the combination.
Batista misses with a combination

and Savage holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Savage breaks the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Batista swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Savage counters by clinching up.

Savage breaks the clinch.
A combination from Batista does no damage.
Savage throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Savage is looking to clinch.
Batista swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Savage holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Batista wants to get back to striking at distance but Savage won't allow it.

Savage escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Batista throws a series of punches but Savage moves out of range.
Batista tries to bum rush Savage with a series of wild strikes but Savage uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Savage tries to clinch but Batista moves out of range.
Batista throws a right and a left that Savage avoids nicely.
Batista throws a right hand that Savage ducks under and follows up with a left that Savage also avoids with ease.
Batista misses with a double jab

and Savage counters by clinching up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Batista working hard to break the clinch.

Savage's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Batista throws a left and a right that both miss

and Savage counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Savage.

Savage breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Sloppy strikes from Batista. Those never looked like landing.

Savage has managed to clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Savage.

Savage escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Batista swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Savage counters by clinching up.

Savage manages to break the clinch.
Savage doesn't manage to clinch there - Batista circles away.
Batista throws a series of punches but Savage moves out of range.
Savage misses with a two punch combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andy Savage showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Dave Batista's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Batista throws a combination that misses
letting Savage counter with a right hand.
Batista misses with a combination
and Savage counters with a stiff right hand.
Savage misses with a series of wild punches.
Batista throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Savage counters with a two punch combo.
Batista fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Batista lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Batista.
Batista misses with a combination

and Savage counters by moving into the clinch.
Savage controlling the action here for a moment.
Batista wants to break the clinch but can't.
Savage working aggressively here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Savage has Batista pressed against the cage, preventing Batista from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Batista looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Batista keeps control of Savage as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Batista wants to break free but Savage has control.

Savage pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Batista swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Savage holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Batista tries to circle away but Savage has him pinned against the cage.

Savage breaks the clinch.
Batista misses with a double jab.
Savage fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Batista swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Savage moves into the clinch.
Batista tries to break free but Savage pushes him back against the cage.

Savage's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Batista throws a combination that misses
and Savage counters with a two punch combo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Batista does no damage.
A decent looking cross lands there for Savage.
Batista misses with a combination

and Savage counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Savage breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Batista throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Savage.
Batista misses with a double jab.
Savage is looking to clinch.
Batista misses with a two punch combination.
Batista throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Savage cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Batista misses with a double jab

and Savage counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Savage manages to break the clinch.
Batista swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Savage holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Savage breaks the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savage throws a series of punches but Batista moves out of range.
Savage tries to clinch up.
A combination from Batista does no damage.
Savage looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Batista throws a left and a right that both miss

and Savage counters by moving into the clinch.
Savage lands a body punch.
Savage wants to break the clinch but can't.
Batista keeps control of Savage as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Batista wants to get back to striking at distance but Savage won't allow it.
A frustrated look appears on Batista's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Savage wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Batista has him pressed against the cage.

Batista breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Batista falls off balance throwing a combination

and Savage holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Savage escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Batista misses with a jab, cross combination.

Savage pushes Batista up against the cage in a clinch.
Savage tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Batista's elbow.

Savage pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Batista swinging wildly here.
Batista misses with the combination.
Batista avoids a punch combination nicely.
Batista throws a combination that misses

and Savage counters by clinching up.

Savage breaks from the clinch.
Dave Batista has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Savage wants to clinch up but Batista keeps it at a distance.
Batista misses with a wild combination.

And that's the end of the fight!
Andy Savage comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Savage has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Donatello Bradman scores the fight 26:30
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 26:30
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andy Savage!