PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tony Jaa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Derek Safo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jaa comes to the cage accompanied by Anna Molly by Incubus. Safo has chosen Up Your Speed by Sway DaSafo as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Derek Safo told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Jaa
vs
Safo

172 cm
31
183 lbs
21 - 26 - 1

186 cm
32
179 lbs
24 - 17 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 26 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Tony Jaa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Derek Safo!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Robert Douchet and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jaa connects with a body shot.
Jaa swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Jaa tries to clinch but Safo is having none of it.
Jaa throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Safo misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Jaa.
Safo swats away the attempt to clinch by Jaa.
Jaa tries a head kick but it misses.
Safo lands with a cross.
Jaa looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Jaa throws a push kick but Safo slaps the foot to one side.
Safo connects with a body shot.
Safo moves out of range as Jaa throws a body kick.
Safo misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Safo sizes up Jaa with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Tony Jaa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jaa fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Safo is out of range.
Jaa scores with a jab to the jaw.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Safo blocks a head kick by Jaa.
Jaa lands a leg kick that knocks Safo off balance momentarily.
Jaa with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Safo to score with a decent uppercut.
No joy there for Jaa, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jaa attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
A jab from Safo does it's job there.
Safo misses with a hook.
Safo misses with a few strikes there.
Safo fails with an attempt to clinch.
A swing and a miss from Safo.

Safo clinches with his opponent.
Safo stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Come on Safo - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Knees to the body from Jaa.
Jaa with a knee to the head.
Safo misses with a short punch on the inside.
Safo lands with a right to the head.
Safo doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Good body shot from Safo.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Jaa missing with knees to the body.
Safo tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Jaa as Safo tries to tie him up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Safo avoiding damage as Jaa throws knees to the body.
Safo lands a left hand that snaps the head of Jaa backwards.
Jaa scores with a shot to the side of Safo's head.
Safo avoiding damage as Jaa throws knees to the body.
Jaa throws an elbow that misses.
Safo swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Jaa misses with a knee strike.
Jaa blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A shot in the inside from Safo.
Safo avoids the elbow strike from Jaa, against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Jaa just misses with a elbow thrown towards Safo's brow.
Jaa throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Safo lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Safo misses with a body punch.
Jaa throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Safo blocks it with crossed arms.
Jaa looking to throw knees to the head but Safo is blocking nicely.
Safo misses with a shot to the kidneys.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Jaa just misses with a elbow thrown towards Safo's brow.
Safo lands a hook that snaps the head of Jaa backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jaa looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Safo fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Safo has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Safo managing to block the knees to the body from Jaa.
Jaa throws a punch but it's blocked by Safo.
Safo misses with a punch to the body.
Safo tries to throw a body punch but Jaa avoids it by throwing Safo back against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Safo creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Safo leaning against his opponent.
Jaa throws an elbow that misses.
Safo tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Jaa gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Safo tries to work over Jaa's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Safo misses with some punches.
Safo is struggling to control the position.
Safo lands a left hand that snaps the head of Jaa backwards.
Jaa trying to land knees to the body.
Safo lands a nice shot to the body.
Jaa trying to land knees to the body.
Safo pushes Jaa back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jaa misses with a knee to the head.
Safo tries to throw a body punch but Jaa avoids it by throwing Safo back against the cage.
Safo goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Jaa throws an elbow that misses.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Safo blocks an elbow strike from Jaa.
Safo can't find room to land a body shot as Jaa controls the action.
Jaa tries a knee to the head but Safo blocks it.
Safo misses with the head strike.
Jaa tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Jaa dodges an elbow strike from Safo.
Jaa looking to throw knees to the head but Safo is blocking nicely.
Safo managing to block the knees to the body from Jaa.
With the fighters up against the cage, Jaa throws an elbow but misses.
Jaa misses with a knee to the head.
Safo creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Jaa.
Jaa tries a knee to the head but Safo blocks it.
Safo misses with a hook to the ribs.
A short uppercut from Safo.
Safo is trying to maintain a safe position but Jaa gets an underhook and turns Safo into the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Derek Safo dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Safo is looking to clinch but Jaa is avoiding it.
Safo displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Safo lands a jab to the head.
Safo tries to close the distance and clinch up but Jaa swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A slapping leg kick lands for Jaa.
Jaa throws a leg kick but Safo sees it coming and moves out of range.
Jaa misses the jab.
Safo stuns Jaa with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Jaa throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Safo looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Jaa looks to clinch
and Jaa takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Safo swats away the attempt to clinch by Jaa.
Good leg kick by Safo there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Safo cracks Jaa with a good jab.
Safo throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nice uppercut there from Safo.
Safo ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
That kick from Safo tenderised Jaa's leg. Jaa is trying to keep his angry face on.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jaa throws a body kick that misses.
Derek Safo seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Safo throws a looping overhand right but Jaa ducks down to avoid it.
Jaa is looking to clinch but Safo is avoiding it.
Jaa keeps the fight on the outside.
Safo is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Safo is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Jaa.
Jaa on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Jaa throws a head kick that misses.
A left and a right from Safo both land. Nice combination.
Jaa keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Safo.
Jaa scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Jaa ducks under a wild hook from Safo.
Safo avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Jaa takes a swing at Safo's ribcage but misses.
Jaa is looking to score with low kicks.
A left lands for Safo.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Safo works the jab nicely.
Safo is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Safo tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Jaa paws at him with a jab and circles away.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Safo in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Safo connects with a looping right hand.
Jaa tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Safo rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Jaa moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Some bone on bone action there as Safo checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Jaa tries to clinch but Safo is having none of it.
Safo wants to clinch.

Safo closes the distance and clinches.
Jaa trying to land knees to the body.
Safo doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Jaa blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Safo avoiding damage as Jaa throws knees to the body.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Safo.
Jaa missing with knees to the body.
Jaa looking to throw knees to the head but Safo is blocking nicely.
Jaa lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Safo lands a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Safo throws a punch but it's blocked by Jaa.
Safo goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Jaa throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Safo blocks it with crossed arms.
Safo lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Jaa.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Safo blocks an elbow strike.
Safo lands a shot to the body.
Safo goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Jaa can't find room to land a body shot as Safo controls the action.
Still in the clinch, Safo scores with a nice short uppercut.
Jaa with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Jaa lands a knee to the body.
Safo lands a left hand that snaps the head of Jaa backwards.
Jaa avoids a wild elbow strike from Safo.
Safo scores with a hook to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Safo lands a left hand.
Safo misses with a short punch on the inside.
Jaa misses with an elbow over the top.
Jaa letting Safo take a breather here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Safo misses with a body punch.
Jaa misses with an elbow over the top.
Safo working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Safo lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
A short right from Safo.
Safo tries to throw a body punch but Jaa avoids it by throwing Safo back against the cage.
Safo struggles to land a body shot inside as Jaa controls his hands.
Safo misses with an elbow strike.
Safo digs a right hand underneath Jaa's ribcage. Jaa let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Safo lands a left hand that snaps the head of Jaa backwards.
Safo content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Safo receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
Still in the clinch, Safo scores with a nice short uppercut.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Safo will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Jaa up against the cage.
Jaa comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Derek Safo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Jaa throws a head kick that misses.
Safo misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Jaa.
Safo waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Jaa.
Jaa listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Jaa on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Safo throws a series of strikes that have Jaa backpedaling.
Safo tries to clinch there but Jaa circles away.
Safo throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Jaa throws a wild body kick that Safo sees coming a mile off.
Jaa wants to land a leg kick but Safo is out of range.
Jaa fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Jaa scores with a decent looking hook.
Jaa throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Safo just misses with a punch to the body.
Safo misses with a wild body shot.
Derek Safo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Jaa tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Safo is able to avoid easily.
Safo throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Safo moves out of range as Jaa throws a body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Safo is looking to clinch.
Jaa looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Safo throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Jaa on the side of the head.
Jaa throws a leg kick which misses Safo's front leg but catches the back leg as Safo tries to avoid it.
Safo fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Jaa manages to avoid it.
Safo ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Jaa moves away.
Jaa ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Safo moves away.
Safo scores with a nice strike.
Safo misses with a jab, cross combination.
Safo throws a looping overhand right but Jaa ducks down to avoid it.
Jaa lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Safo is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Jaa misses with a jab, cross combination.
Nice jab there from Safo.
Jaa takes a shot to the body in his stride.
A nice combination there by Safo.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A jab from Safo finds it's way through Jaa's defenses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Safo lands with an overhand left.
Safo scores with a three punch combo!
Jaa throws a sloppy head kick and Safo moves out of range easily.
Safo keeps the fight on the outside.
Jaa lands a leg kick that knocks Safo off balance momentarily.
Jaa looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Jaa takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Jaa looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Tony Jaa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Safo throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Safo scores with a nice strike.
Jaa throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Jaa wants to clinch up but Safo keeps it at a distance.
Safo lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Jaa at a distance.
Jaa tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Safo wants to land a leg kick but Jaa is out of range.
Safo misses with a hook. Jaa ducked under it nicely.
Nice uppercut there from Safo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Jaa.
Jaa looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Jaa checks a low kick from Safo.
Safo checks the leg kick nicely there.
Safo checks the leg kick nicely there.
Safo is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Safo closes the distance and pushes Jaa back into the cage.
Jaa tries a knee to the head but Safo blocks it.
Jaa's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Safo lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Derek Safo seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Jaa misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Safo.
Safo lands with a short shot to the head.
Safo scores with a shoulder strike.
Jaa looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Safo is working Jaa over against the cage.
Safo has Jaa pressed against the cage.
Jaa is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Safo is defending well for now.
Derek Safo is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jaa doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Jaa landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Safo leaning his opponent against the cage.
Safo misses with a hook to the ribs.
Jaa misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Safo.
Safo taking a breather.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Jaa just misses with a elbow thrown towards Safo's brow.
Safo stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Jaa misses with a knee strike.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Safo.
Jaa with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Safo misses with a punch to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Derek Safo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Safo 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 Ian Loll scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Derek Safo!
Derek Safo was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.