PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Junior Pacquiao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tipi Savea (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pacquiao comes to the cage accompanied by Thunderstruck. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Pacquiao
vs
Savea

173 cm
23
160 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
163 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Big right hand

Good takedowns
Brawler
Determined

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 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Junior Pacquiao!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Tipi Savea!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Savea fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Pacquiao sprawls well initially but Savea persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Savea passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Pacquiao!

Savea is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Pacquiao can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Savea wants to take Pacquiao's back but he can't do it this time.

Savea jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Pacquiao is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Pacquiao and Savea has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

Savea swings around for an armbar but Pacquiao sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Savea's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pacquiao trying to control the position from guard on top but Savea is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Pacquiao wants to stand but Savea has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Pacquiao preventing the sweep.

Savea has his feet on Pacquiao's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Savea tries for a takedown but Pacquiao circles away easily

and Pacquiao decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Savea's guard.
Savea is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Savea is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Pacquiao sees it coming and defends easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Savea is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Pacquiao has managed to free his arm - good work.
Pacquiao is trying to get back to full guard.
Pacquiao wants to control but Savea is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Pacquiao won't allow Savea to pass to mount.
Savea works his foot free and advances to mount.

Savea has hold of Pacquiao's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Pacquiao manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Savea jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Pacquiao manages to avoid the submission attempt.

Savea tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Pacquiao stops Savea from passing to mount.

Savea has hold of Pacquiao's arm here. He's working for an Americana. It looks like he might have it! Pacquiao tries to escape but he's just digging himself in deeper - Savea cranks the arm and Pacquiao screams in pain! The ref makes a decision and ends the fight before the tap - no complains from Pacquiao, who is just happy to have his arm attached to his body.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:05 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Tipi Savea!
Tipi Savea is the new lightweight champion!