PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Alex Muter (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexei Savickiy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Alexei Savickiy struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 157.3lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Alexei Savickiy has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Muter
vs
Savickiy

180 cm
25
155 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

169 cm
26
167 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid 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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alex Muter!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexei Savickiy!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Valeri Chadov and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Savickiy takes a kick to the side of the head.
Muter stalks Savickiy and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Savickiy's face. Savickiy staggers backwards, shaken.
A jab from Muter does it's job there.
Muter throws a head kick that misses.
Savickiy lands a jab-cross combination.

It looks like Alex Muter has been cut.
Savickiy throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Muter.
Savickiy misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Muter.
Savickiy displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Muter throws out the jab.

Muter has taken the fight to the clinch.
Muter wants to take the fight to the mat but Savickiy manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Savickiy escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Savickiy uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Savickiy swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Savickiy throws a hook but Muter avoids it easily.
Muter moves to clinch but Savickiy breaks away
and Savickiy counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Savickiy lands a nice shot to the body.
Muter ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savickiy rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Muter moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Savickiy fails to land with a series of punches.
Savickiy throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Savickiy looks gassed!
Muter lands with a kick to the ribs.
Savickiy leaves Muter with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Savickiy pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Muter lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Savickiy throws a right hand that Muter ducks under and follows up with a left that Muter also avoids with ease.
Muter swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Muter fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alex Muter. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Muter is looking to clinch.
Muter throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Muter looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Savickiy darts in trying to clinch
and Muter counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Savickiy is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Savickiy misses with a straight right.

Savickiy rushes Muter and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Savickiy tries to break the clinch but Muter is controlling the position.
Muter throws a knee to the head but misses.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Savickiy presses Muter against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Muter has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Savickiy after a bit of a struggle.
Muter tries a knee to the head but Savickiy blocks it.
Muter has Savickiy pressed against the cage, preventing Savickiy from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Savickiy wants to break the clinch but can't.
Muter keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Savickiy's efforts to push away.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Savickiy creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Savickiy lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Savickiy breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Muter. Savickiy shrugs it off though.
Muter throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
No luck for Muter with that takedown attempt.
Savickiy throws a series of strikes that have Muter backpedaling.
Muter throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Savickiy throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Muter with a jab.
Muter throws a head kick that Savickiy semi-blocks.
Muter shoots in but Savickiy avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Savickiy closes the distance and clinches.
Savickiy is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.

Muter breaks from the clinch.
Savickiy tries to close the distance and clinch up but Muter swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Savickiy misses with a few strikes there.
Savickiy lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Muter circles away quickly and effectively.
Muter catches Savickiy with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Muter scores with a spinning back kick!
Savickiy fails with an attempt to clinch.

Muter moves into the clinch.

Muter breaks from the clinch.
Muter doesn't manage to clinch there - Savickiy circles away.
A right-left combo lands from Savickiy.
Muter bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Savickiy looks to score with a jab to the body but Muter is just out of range.
Muter tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Muter tries to clinch up but Savickiy circles away and keeps his distance.
Savickiy keeps the fight on the outside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Alex Muter will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Alex Muter's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Savickiy is looking to clinch.
Muter throws a wild body kick that Savickiy sees coming a mile off.
Savickiy tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Muter was well out of range. Poor timing from Savickiy.
Savickiy throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Muter.
Savickiy dips to his left and cracks Muter with an uppercut!
Muter tries to clinch but Savickiy moves out of range.
Savickiy jabs Muter right on the nose. Muter blinks but takes it well.
Muter tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Savickiy paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Savickiy looks to land a combination but Muter avoids it well.
Savickiy takes a swing at Muter's ribcage but misses.
Alex Muter is winning the standup battle so far.
Muter fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Savickiy is breathing heavily.
Muter staying out of range there.
Savickiy has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Muter.

Muter has taken the fight to the clinch.
Muter fails to pull guard.
Muter has Savickiy pressed against the cage, preventing Savickiy from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Savickiy's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Muter uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Savickiy.
Savickiy throws a hook to the side of Muter's head but Muter sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Muter thumps Savickiy with a low kick.
Savickiy tries to clinch but Muter moves out of range.
Muter moves out of range of the strikes.
Savickiy throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Muter moves into the clinch.
Savickiy tries to break free but Muter pushes him back against the cage.

Muter ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Muter no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Muter has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Savickiy can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Savickiy content to stall in guard here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Muter had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Savickiy defends it easily.
Savickiy trying to control the position from guard on top but Muter is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Muter has his foot on Savickiy's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Savickiy works his way back into a safe position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savickiy slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Muter working for a triangle but Savickiy defends it easily.

Muter is working an open guard so Savickiy takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Muter staying out of range there.
Nice takedown defense from Savickiy. No joy for Muter on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alex Muter. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Muter fails with an attempt to clinch.
Muter showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Savickiy.
Muter circles away from the clinch attempt.
Savickiy throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Savickiy misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Muter.
Muter fails with a takedown attempt.
Alex Muter is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Muter moves into the clinch successfully.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Savickiy wants to break free but Muter has control.
Muter wants a takedown but no success here.
Muter tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Alex Muter will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Alex Muter's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Muter avoids a punch combination nicely.
Savickiy has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Muter.
Alexei Savickiy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Muter tries to clinch there but Savickiy circles away.
Savickiy misses with a wild body shot.
Muter tries to clinch but Savickiy moves out of range.
Muter is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Muter throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Savickiy throws a body punch but Muter moves out of range.
Savickiy throws a series of punches but Muter moves out of range.
A nice leg kick lands there from Muter.
Muter pushes Savickiy away with a front kick.
Savickiy takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Muter moves in looking to clinch but Savickiy pushes him off.
Muter lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Savickiy circles away quickly and effectively.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savickiy throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Muter sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Muter throws a series of punches but Savickiy moves out of range.
Muter fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Muter needs to keep his hands up - Savickiy had a free shot at his head there.
Savickiy swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Alexei Savickiy is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Savickiy takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Savickiy swats away the attempt to clinch by Muter.
Muter tries to clinch but Savickiy is having none of it.
Muter tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Muter defending well as Savickiy loads up on a big left hand.
Savickiy ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Muter moves away.
Muter tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Savickiy manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Alexei Savickiy has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Savickiy lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Muter circles away quickly and effectively.
Muter tries to clinch there but Savickiy circles away.
Savickiy scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Muter tries to clinch but Savickiy moves out of range.
Savickiy throws a jab when Muter was well out of range.
Muter lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Muter.
Nice sprawl there from Savickiy as Muter shoots in.
Nice uppercut lands for Savickiy. That snapped Muter's head back.

Muter rushes Savickiy and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Muter manages to pull guard.
Muter wants to stand and escape but Savickiy is having none of it.
Muter is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savickiy wants to stand but Muter is controlling his posture from full guard.
Muter not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Alex Muter wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Savickiy throws a right hand that Muter ducks under and follows up with a left that Muter also avoids with ease.
Muter tries to clinch there but Savickiy circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Muter looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Savickiy lands an overhand right.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Muter tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Muter lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Savickiy throws a right and a left that Muter avoids nicely.
Nice body kick from Muter.
Savickiy throws a series of punches but Muter moves out of range.
Savickiy throws a series of punches but Muter avoids them all with ease.
Alex Muter is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Muter doesn't manage to clinch there - Savickiy circles away.
Savickiy leaves Muter with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alex Muter. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Muter fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Muter tries to clinch up

and Savickiy counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alex Muter showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Muter 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 Illya Tyunina scores the fight 28:29
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 30:28
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Alex Muter!
Alex Muter thanked the fans post fight for their support.