PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Alvaro Basurto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kyle Sauve (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Basurto kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genuis that is Ready Steady Go - Paul Oakenfold. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Basurto
vs
Sauve

172 cm
18
135 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

190 cm
19
140 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Transformer Supplements
Transformer Supplements

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Alvaro Basurto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Kyle Sauve!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Yves DeLean and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Basurto shoots in and drives through. Sauve sprawls well.
Basurto shoots in but no luck this time.
A right-left combo lands from Basurto.

It looks like Kyle Sauve has been cut.
Sauve is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Basurto looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Basurto might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Sauve has momentary wrist control but Basurto slips an elbow through the middle.
Sauve wants to stand up but Basurto is controlling him.
Basurto controlling from the top position.
Sauve keeping moving, preventing Basurto from controlling successfully.
Sauve trying to strike off his back.
Sauve tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Sauve looking for a guillotine here but Basurto defends easily.
Sauve keeping full guard, as Basurto tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Sauve pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Basurto decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Basurto trying to pass the guard but Sauve defending well.
Basurto working Sauve over with strikes.
Sauve trying to get back to full guard but Basurto takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Sauve is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Basurto controlling the position easily from mount.
Sauve tries to lock up and control but Basurto gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Basurto wants to control the pace but Sauve is squirming around nicely.
Sauve wants to control but Basurto is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sauve is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Basurto lands a nice shot to the head.
Sauve wants to try and get back to his feet.
BOOM! Basurto connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Sauve can't escape the position.
Basurto trying to control but Sauve is having none of it.
Sauve's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Sauve looks gassed!
Sauve bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Basurto manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Sauve is trying to escape the mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Basurto stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
Sauve tries to close the distance and clinch but Basurto swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Sauve tries to close the distance and clinch up but Basurto swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Good shot there by Basurto.
Sauve doesn't manage to clinch there - Basurto circles away.

Basurto gets a clinch.

Basurto pulls guard.
Basurto manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Sauve keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
The referee warns Sauve that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Basurto manages to capitalize on a mistake by Sauve to take his back!
Sauve controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sauve tries to escape the position.
Sauve is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Sauve breaks Basurto's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Sauve has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Basurto is proving hard to escape from.
Sauve working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Sauve tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Basurto counters with a two punch combo.
Basurto takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

Sauve moves into range and clinches up with Basurto.

Basurto breaks from the clinch.
Basurto throws a right and a left that both miss.

Basurto gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Sauve gets to his feet. Basurto looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Basurto has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Basurto throws a left and a right that both miss
and Sauve counters with an outside leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alvaro Basurto dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Kyle Sauve's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Sauve decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Basurto actively working from the bottom here.
Sauve is thwarting Basurto's attempts to control the position.
Basurto avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Sauve.
Sauve wants to take a breather but Basurto is having none of it.
Basurto is trying to maintain the position but Sauve is very close to passing his half guard.

Basurto is defending against the submission attempts here by Sauve.
Basurto manages to get to full guard.
Sauve won't allow Basurto to sweep him here.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Sauve tries to clinch but Basurto moves out of range.
Basurto avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Basurto moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

Basurto closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Sauve is breathing heavily.
Basurto seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Sauve does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Basurto seems to be looking for submissions.
Sauve wants to control but Basurto is keeping busy.
Sauve is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Alvaro Basurto overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Basurto looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Basurto moves into full mount! Sauve won't be happy about that!
Sauve is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Basurto trying to control but Sauve is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sauve bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Sauve throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Sauve wants to stand and escape but instead Basurto has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Sauve has his foot on Basurto's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Basurto works his way back into a safe position though.
Basurto not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Sauve manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Basurto manages to get himself to full guard.
Sauve postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Sauve stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Sauve feints and as Basurto raises his hands in defense, Sauve changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Sauve stands up and waves to Basurto to follow him.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sauve is looking to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Basurto throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A decent looking cross lands there for Sauve.
Basurto fails with the takedown
and Sauve counters with a series of strikes. Basurto will be more careful next time no doubt.
Kyle Sauve seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Basurto looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Basurto keeps the fight on the outside.
Sauve tries to close the distance and clinch but Basurto swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Basurto shoots in and bounces Sauve off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Sauve trying to control the position.

Sauve looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Sauve throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Basurto escapes and throws Sauve's legs to the side, diving into side control!

Basurto is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Sauve is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Basurto trying to control the action but Sauve is working from the bottom.
Basurto is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Sauve is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Sauve gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Sauve pushes Basurto off but Basurto dives into side control.
Basurto is looking to take a break and control but Sauve is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Sauve is looking for a sweep.
Basurto controls the position.
Sauve is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Basurto asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Sauve seems a little lost for a moment, as Basurto dominates the positioning.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Kyle Sauve will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Kyle Sauve's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Basurto stuffs the takedown.
Sauve fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Basurto with a lazy takedown attempt

and Sauve counters by moving into the clinch.
Sauve looking to throw knees to the head but Basurto is blocking nicely.
Sauve wants to break the clinch but can't.
Basurto wants a takedown but no success here.
Sauve tries a knee to the head but Basurto blocks it.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Sauve wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Sauve.
Sauve tries to break the clinch but Basurto is controlling the position.
Sauve looking to slow down the pace here.

Sauve manages to pull guard.

Basurto gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Sauve moves into range and clinches up with Basurto.

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

Basurto scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Sauve actively working from the bottom here.
Basurto takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sauve tries to kick Basurto off but Basurto keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Basurto is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Basurto trying to control the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sauve tries to get to full guard but Basurto has control of the leg.
Sauve is refusing to be controlled, as Basurto sits in half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Basurto prevents Sauve from standing back up.
Basurto is tying to control. Sauve wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Basurto is looking for a kimura but Sauve is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Basurto to get the leverage.
Sauve wants to control but Basurto is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Basurto gets cracked there but stands up to it.

Sauve closes the distance and clinches.
Basurto goes for a takedown attempt but Sauve pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alvaro Basurto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Basurto takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Basurto has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Sauve tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Basurto counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sauve is looking to stand up but Basurto isn't so interested in that idea.
Sauve utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Basurto decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Basurto with a poor takedown
and Sauve counters with a three punch combo that has Basurto backing up. Basurto nods at Sauve to acknowledge the strikes.
Basurto circles away from the clinch attempt.
Sauve tries to close the distance and clinch but Basurto swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Sauve throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Alvaro Basurto is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Basurto gets a takedown into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Sauve tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Basurto has advanced to mount. Uh oh.

Basurto is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Sauve is surviving well by controlling Basurto's body position as best he can.
Sauve is looking to get to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Basurto trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Basurto takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

Basurto jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Sauve is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Sauve and Basurto has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Sauve manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Basurto looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Basurto looking for submissions off his back.

Sauve is trying to work for a kimura but Basurto is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Basurto trying to control but Sauve postures up.
Basurto desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Sauve wants to take a breather but Basurto is having none of it.
Basurto is trying to maintain the position but Sauve is very close to passing his half guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Basurto moves out of range of the body kick.
Sauve throws out a leg kick but Basurto moves out of range and Sauve only half commits.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Basurto drives through with a takedown into guard.

Sauve has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Basurto can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Basurto decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alvaro Basurto showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Basurto 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alvaro Basurto!