PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Nathan Savage (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Philemon Roxas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Savage
vs
Roxas

172 cm
25
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

155 cm
25
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Nathan Savage!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Philemon Roxas!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Joseph Jones and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Roxas misses with a combination

and Savage counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Savage wants to get up but he can't break Roxas's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Roxas is looking to stand up but Savage isn't so interested in that idea.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savage has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Savage has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Roxas is proving hard to escape from.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Roxas wants to stand and escape but Savage is having none of it.
Savage engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Roxas wants to get back to his feet but Savage is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Roxas misses with a combination

and Savage counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Savage stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Roxas swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Savage wants to stand and escape but instead Roxas has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Roxas trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nathan Savage dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Roxas walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Roxas swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Savage cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Roxas throws a combination that misses
and Savage cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Roxas misses with a combination
and Savage counters with a straight right hand.
Roxas swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Savage counters with a right hand to the body.
Roxas misses with a combination
and Savage counters with a three punch combo that has Roxas backing up. Roxas nods at Savage to acknowledge the strikes.
Savage throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Roxas on the side of the head.
Savage lands a nice looking body shot.
Savage lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Roxas backs up against the cage.

It looks like Philemon Roxas has been cut.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Roxas gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Savage.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Savage.
Roxas gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Savage.
Philemon Roxas seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Roxas doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Roxas's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Savage connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Roxas scrambles back to his feet.
Roxas is breathing heavily.
A decent looking cross lands there for Savage.
Savage lands with an uppercut that bounces Roxas off the cage and back into rage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savage slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Roxas has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Roxas there as he acknowledges the shot.
Savage with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Savage comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Savage lands the left hand.
Danga de danga de dang - Savage scores with a four punch combination!
Good shot there by Savage.
Savage smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Savage fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Roxas swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Savage counters with a straight right hand.

Savage has managed to clinch.
Savage digs a right hand into Roxas's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Roxas's gas tank.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Savage lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Savage throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Roxass head.
Savage lands with a short shot to the head.
Savage displaying some good clinch control by pressing Roxas up against the cage.
Savage pushes Roxas back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Nice body punch from Savage.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Savage takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Savage lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Roxas.
Savage digs a right hand underneath Roxas's ribcage. Roxas let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Savage lands a right hand.
Savage lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Savage creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Savage pushes Roxas back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Savage works on Roxas's body with a couple of short punches.
The referee is keeping an eye on Savage - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Savage pushes Roxas back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A body shot lands from Savage.
Savage is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Savage stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Savage lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Savage scores with a nice hook to the head.
Savage is pushing Roxas up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Savage lands a hook to the side of the head.
Savage lands a hook to the side of the head.
A right hand to the body from Savage.
Savage lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Savage.
Savage stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Good body shot from Savage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A right hand to the body from Savage.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Savage.
Savage pressing his opponent against the cage.
Savage lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Savage prevents Roxas from breaking the clinch.
Savage lands with a left to the head.
Nice body punch from Savage - that landed with a thud.
A right handed body shot lands from Savage.
Roxas has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Still in the clinch, Savage scores with a nice short uppercut.
Savage stalling against the cage.
Roxas is trying to force a seperation but Savage has the dominant position.
Savage lands a hook that snaps the head of Roxas backwards.
Savage throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Savage.
Roxas is trying to push Savage away but Savage has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Savage lands a shoulder strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Roxas is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Savage scores with a shoulder strike.
A frustrated look appears on Roxas's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Savage lands a shoulder strike.
Savage lands a left hand that snaps the head of Roxas backwards.
A hook to the body from Savage.
Savage lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Savage digs a right hand into Roxas's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Roxas's gas tank.
Savage scores with a nice hook to the head.
Savage softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Savage.
Roxas's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Savage scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Savage lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Roxas backwards.
A shot in the inside from Savage.
Roxas takes a shot to the head.
Roxas is trying to break free.
Savage lands with a right to the head.
Roxas wants to break the clinch but can't.
Savage keeps control of Roxas as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Savage lands a shot to the body.
Savage lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Savage throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Roxas wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Savage has him pressed against the cage.
A short left from Savage.
Savage lands a body punch.
Savage lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nathan Savage dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Philemon Roxas's cut.
That's time! Savage's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Roxas throws a combination that misses

and Savage counters by clinching up.
Still in the clinch, Savage scores with a nice short uppercut.
Savage lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Roxas backwards.
Savage is stalling here.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Savage.
Savage lands a body shot in the clinch.
Savage keeps control of Roxas as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Savage lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A short right from Savage on the inside.
Savage lands an uppercut.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Savage.
Savage lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Roxas backwards.
Roxas is trying to push Savage away but Savage has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Savage softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Savage lands with a right to the head.
Roxas working hard to break the clinch.
Savage keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Roxas's efforts to push away.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Savage creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A short right from Savage on the inside.
A nice left hand lands by Savage.
Savage scores with a shot to the side of Roxas's head.
Savage gets through Roxas's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Savage is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Roxas can do to turn this around?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savage throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Savage leaning his opponent against the cage.
Roxas wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Savage has him pressed against the cage.
Good body shot from Savage.
A shot in the inside from Savage.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Savage takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Roxas wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Savage has him pressed against the cage.
Savage holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Savage working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Savage keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Roxas's efforts to push away.
Savage stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
A right handed body shot lands from Savage.
Savage pushes Roxas back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Savage has Roxas pressed against the cage.
Roxas can't break the clinch.
Savage lands a right hand that snaps the head of Roxas backwards.
Savage digs a right hand underneath Roxas's ribcage. Roxas let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Savage doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Savage is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Roxas is keeping busy.
Savage misses with a punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Roxas wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Savage has him pressed against the cage.
Savage lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Roxas backwards.
Roxas wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Savage lands a nice uppercut.
Roxas is trying to break free.
A nice left hand lands by Savage.
A short uppercut from Savage.
Roxas is trying to break the clinch but Savage is controlling him.
Savage has Roxas pressed against the cage, preventing Roxas from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Roxas's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Savage lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Roxas wants to break the clinch but can't.
A short left from Savage.
Savage works on Roxas's body with a couple of short punches.
Savage keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Roxas's efforts to push away.
Savage lands a left hand.
A short uppercut from Savage.
A short uppercut from Savage.
Savage just leaning against Roxas, taking a breather.
Roxas wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Roxas wants to get back to striking at distance but Savage won't allow it.
Savage lands with a short shot to the head.
Roxas is looking to break free of the clinch but Savage has double underhooks.
Savage lands a body punch.
Savage is leaning against Roxas and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savage lands a right hand that snaps the head of Roxas backwards.
Savage pushes Roxas back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Roxas is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Roxas tries to break the clinch but Savage is controlling the position.
Savage stalling the fight.
Roxas is trying to break free.
Roxas is trying to force a seperation but Savage has the dominant position.
Roxas wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Savage has him pressed against the cage.
Roxas is trying to break the clinch but Savage is controlling him.
Savage presses Roxas against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Savage pushes Roxas back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Roxas has had enough of the clinch but Savage keeps him there for the moment.
Savage presses Roxas against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Roxas is trying to push Savage away but Savage has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Savage working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A body shot lands from Savage.
Savage lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Savage lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Savage lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Savage lands a body shot.
Roxas wants to break free but Savage has control.
Roxas is trying to push Savage away but Savage has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Roxas is looking to break free of the clinch but Savage has double underhooks.
Savage lands an uppercut.
Roxas is trying to break the clinch but Savage has him pressed against the cage.
Savage lands with a right to the head.
Nice body punch from Savage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Savage lands a left hand.
A short uppercut from Savage.
Savage softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Roxas has had enough of the clinch but Savage keeps him there for the moment.
A hook to the body from Savage.
Savage lands a shoulder strike.
Savage makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Savage throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Roxass head.
Savage lands a shoulder strike.
Savage just leaning against Roxas, taking a breather.
A short left from Savage.
Savage makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A nice left hand lands by Savage.
Roxas takes a shot to the head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Savage creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Roxas wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Savage lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Roxas wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Savage has him pressed against the cage.
Savage digs a right hand into Roxas's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Roxas's gas tank.
Roxas tries to circle away but Savage has him pinned against the cage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Savage prevents Roxas from breaking the clinch.
Savage pressing his opponent against the cage.
A short right from Savage.
Philemon Roxas has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nathan Savage is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Savage blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nathan Savage showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Savage 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 Chad Campbell scores the fight 30:26
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 30:26
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 30:26

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