PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rowan Savage (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Evander Holyfield (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Holyfield has chosen Can't Touch This as his entrance music. Rowan Savage has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Savage
vs
Holyfield

195 cm
25
218 lbs
6 - 9 - 2

183 cm
25
205 lbs
11 - 7 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 9 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rowan Savage!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Evander Holyfield!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Robert Twigg and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Savage shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Holyfield sprawls well. Holyfield wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Savage gets slowly back to his feet.
Savage takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Savage fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Holyfield lands with a thumping leg kick.
Holyfield misses with a body shot
and Savage counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Savage has his takedown stuffed
and Holyfield counters with a two punch combo.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rowan Savage. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Savage shoots in and drives through. Holyfield sprawls well.
Savage doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Holyfield finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Savage is breathing heavily.

Holyfield moves into the clinch successfully.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nice body punch from Holyfield - that landed with a thud.
Holyfield lands a nice shot to the body.
Holyfield misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Holyfield lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A body shot lands from Holyfield.
A hook to the body from Holyfield.
Holyfield lands a hook to the side of the head.
Holyfield lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Holyfield scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Savage blocks a body shot from Holyfield.
Holyfield scores with a nice hook to the head.
Holyfield tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Holyfield lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Savage or not.
Holyfield throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Savages head.
A short uppercut from Holyfield.
Holyfield tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Savage's elbow.
Holyfield lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Savage or not.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Holyfield lands a nice shot to the body.
Savage prevents a body shot from Holyfield.
Holyfield lands a hook to the side of the head.
Holyfield lands a shot to the body.
Holyfield lands a hook that snaps the head of Savage backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holyfield lands a right hand that snaps the head of Savage backwards.
Holyfield works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Holyfield lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Holyfield lands a body shot.
A right hook to the body lands for Holyfield.
Holyfield throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Holyfield lands with a right to the head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Holyfield.
Holyfield lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Holyfield is trying to drag Savage to the mat but Savage just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Holyfield tries to throw a body punch but Savage avoids it by throwing Holyfield back against the cage.
Savage prevents a body shot from Holyfield.
Holyfield scores with a shoulder strike.
Holyfield dodges an elbow strike from Savage.
Savage takes a shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holyfield scores with a nice hook to the head.
Savage tries a knee to the head but Holyfield blocks it.
Savage blocks a body shot from Holyfield.
Holyfield softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Holyfield prevents a takedown attempt there.
Holyfield has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Savage after a bit of a struggle.
Savage is trying to break the clinch but Holyfield is controlling him.
Savage goes for a takedown in the clinch but Holyfield prevents it.
Holyfield lands with a short shot to the head.
Holyfield working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Savage can't break the clinch.
Holyfield lands a nice uppercut.
Savage wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Holyfield misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Holyfield lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holyfield works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Holyfield lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Savage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Holyfield misses with a hook to the ribs.
Holyfield holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Holyfield managing to block the knees to the body from Savage.
Holyfield lands a body shot.
Holyfield makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Holyfield misses with a hook to the ribs.
Holyfield is leaning against Savage and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Nice body punch from Holyfield - that landed with a thud.
Holyfield just leaning against Savage, taking a breather.
Holyfield lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Savage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Holyfield misses with a punch to the body.
Holyfield misses with a punch to the body.
Holyfield lands with a light punch inside.
Holyfield lands a right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evander Holyfield dominated that round.
That's time! Savage's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Holyfield tries to clinch up but Savage circles away and keeps his distance.
Holyfield has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Holyfield takes the fight into the clinch.
Holyfield lands a body shot.
Holyfield lands a nice uppercut.
Holyfield pushes Savage back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Savage wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Evander Holyfield seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Holyfield pushes Savage back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Savage tries to break free but Holyfield pushes him back against the cage.
Holyfield looking for a takedown.
A short right from Holyfield.
Holyfield stops a takedown attempt from Savage.
Holyfield tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Savage's elbow.
Holyfield misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Holyfield misses with a hook to the ribs.
Holyfield lands a left hand that snaps the head of Savage backwards.
Savage is trying to break free.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holyfield lands a body shot.
Holyfield lands a left hand.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Savage creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Holyfield misses with a punch to the body.
Savage has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Holyfield's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Savage tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Holyfield goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Holyfield throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Savages head.
Holyfield scores with a nice hook to the head.
Holyfield lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Savage or not.
Holyfield is leaning against Savage and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Holyfield is working Savage over against the cage.
Holyfield has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Savage is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Holyfield throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Savages head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holyfield makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Holyfield can't find room to land a body shot as Savage controls the action.
Holyfield tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Savage's elbow.
Holyfield struggles to land a body shot inside as Savage controls his hands.
Holyfield tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Savage's elbow.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Holyfield.
Holyfield goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Holyfield turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Holyfield manages to end up in side control.
Savage is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Holyfield is controlling him well.
A lull in the action here as Holyfield stalls from top position.
Holyfield in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Holyfield tries to score with some ground and pound. Savage controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Holyfield throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Holyfield tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Holyfield has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Holyfield misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Holyfield scoring with punches and elbows.
Holyfield working the head and body with strikes.
Holyfield postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Holyfield lands a few punches from side control.
Holyfield has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Holyfield sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Savage is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Savage avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Holyfield.
Holyfield lands an elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Holyfield is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Savage has escaped the position, nice work there.
Savage tries to improve position but can't.
Holyfield scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Savage to see if he's OK.
Holyfield in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Holyfield scores with punches from side control.
Holyfield scores with punches from side control.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Holyfield throws a strike aimed at the side of Savage's head but Savage avoids it well.
Holyfield is chipping away with strikes.
Holyfield working the strikes but Savage uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evander Holyfield showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Holyfield lands a two punch combo.
Holyfield misses with a low kick.
Savage shoots for a takedown but Holyfield saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Good shot there by Holyfield.
Holyfield tries to clinch but Savage is having none of it.

Holyfield instigates a clinch.
Holyfield tries a body shot but Savage blocks it.
Holyfield misses with an elbow over the top.

Savage breaks from the clinch.
A clash of legs there as Savage blocks the low kick.
Savage fails with a takedown attempt.

Holyfield moves into range and clinches up with Savage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Holyfield has Savage pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Savage manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Holyfield misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good body shot from Holyfield.
Holyfield works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

Holyfield turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Holyfield working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Holyfield wants to control but Savage is keeping him busy.
Holyfield throws a strike aimed at the side of Savage's head but Savage avoids it well.
Savage taking a bit of punishment here - Holyfield scoring with strikes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Holyfield working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Holyfield looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Savage is avoiding damage well.
Holyfield working the head and body with strikes.
Holyfield working away.
Savage takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holyfield lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Savage down.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Savage parries the strikes from Holyfield easily there. Holyfield is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Savage to escape.
Holyfield misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Evander Holyfield is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Holyfield controls the position.
Holyfield scoring with punches and elbows.
Holyfield throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Holyfield wants to lay and pray for a moment but Savage keeps working.
Holyfield lands a decent elbow from side control.
Holyfield throws a strike aimed at the side of Savage's head but Savage avoids it well.
Holyfield creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Savage sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Holyfield cracks Savage with a big right hand but Savage just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holyfield misses with the ground and pound.
The ground and pound from Holyfield seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Holyfield throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Holyfield working the ground and pound.
Holyfield is looking to take a break and control but Savage is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Holyfield connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Savage some visible discomfort.
Holyfield lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Holyfield lands an elbow.
The referee asks Holyfield politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Holyfield prefers to stall for the moment though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Savage takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Holyfield sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Savage is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Savage is not content to let Holyfield control the position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Holyfield throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Savage takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Holyfield cracks Savage with a big right hand but Savage just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Savage is trying to control Holyfield's posture but Holyfield avoids it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Holyfield landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Rowan Savage has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Holyfield wants to control but Savage is keeping him busy.

And that's the end of the fight!
Evander Holyfield comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Holyfield 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 26:30
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 26:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Evander Holyfield!
In his post fight interview, Evander Holyfield gave a big smile as he said 'Thank the Lord I beat that dude. KO, submission, Decision. Whatever it takes the Lord shall provide. '.