PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Scott Power (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aljaybar Samson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Power
vs
Samson

210 cm
19
273 lbs
0 - 4 - 0

211 cm
25
265 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Counter fighter
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Scott Power!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Aljaybar Samson!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Stewart Dunkirk and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Power looks for a takedown but Samson sprawls well.
Samson has a takedown stuffed.
Power shoots in for a takedown but Samson shows good takedown defense.
Samson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A decent looking cross lands there for Samson.

It looks like Scott Power has been cut.
Samson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Samson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Power sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Samson somewhat.
Scott Power has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aljaybar Samson.
Samson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Power.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Power avoids a punch combination nicely.
Power tries for a takedown but Samson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Samson moves into the clinch.
Samson stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

Samson pulls guard.
Power throws a big elbow that misses.
Samson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Power.
Samson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Samson has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Power is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Samson is looking to break free of the clinch but Power has double underhooks.
Power tries for a takedown. No joy.
Samson stalling in the clinch.
Samson prevents Power from breaking the clinch.
Samson avoiding damage.
Samson misses with a hook to the ribs.
Power letting Samson take a breather here.
Power makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Samson is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Power is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Power has a couple of punches blocked by Samson.
Samson is trying to maintain a safe position but Power gets an underhook and turns Samson into the cage.
Samson is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

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

Power closes the distance and pushes Samson back into the cage.
Samson prevents the takedown attempt.
Power is trying to break the clinch but Samson is controlling him.
Power doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Power can't get the takedown.
Samson is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Samson manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Power prevents Samson from getting back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Samson controlling the position.
Power trying to control but Samson is working from the bottom.
Samson wants to sweep here but Power controlling him for the moment.
Power tries to free his leg and advance position but Samson is retaining full guard.
Samson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Power is one step ahead there.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Power fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Samson bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aljaybar Samson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Scott Power'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.

Samson gets a clinch.

Samson breaks the clinch.
Samson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Power as he avoids it easily.
Samson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Power pinned against the cage. Power gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Samson tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Power defends well and Samson ends up having to push Power into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Scott Power has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aljaybar Samson.
Power looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Samson drags the fight down to the ground.

Power drops back, looking for a kneebar! Samson looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Samson looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Samson!
Samson wants to control but Power is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Power is trying to get back to half guard.
Power is not content to let Samson control the position.

Samson stands up and beckons Power to his feet.
Aljaybar Samson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Samson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Power, pushing him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Samson tries to score a body lock takedown but Power shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Samson can't break the clinch.
Samson is breathing heavily.
Power has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Samson avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Samson working hard to break the clinch.
Power misses with a punch on the inside.
Power looking for a takedown.
Power changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Samson fights it off and pushes away nicely.
A solid leg kick lands there for Samson.
Power fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Samson tries to clinch up but Power circles away and keeps his distance.
A nice leg kick lands there from Samson.
Samson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Power swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Samson lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Samson shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Power sprawls well. Power wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Samson gets slowly back to his feet.
Samson shoots in but no luck this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Samson gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Power stalling in the clinch.
Power looking for a takedown.

Samson drags the fight down to the ground.
Power knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Samson on the ground.
Power wants to control from the top but Samson keeps moving.
Power looking to sit in guard and control but Samson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Samson drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Power dives on top into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Power trying to control the position from guard on top but Samson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aljaybar Samson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Scott Power's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Samson looks to clinch
and Power counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Samson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Power's waist but Power gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Samson off to one side.
Scott Power is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Power walks into a straight right hand from Samson.
Samson looks to throw a body kick
and Power counters with a body kick.
Samson throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Power counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Power gets a takedown into half guard.
Power content to control rather than advance.

Power is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Samson sees it coming and defends easily.
Samson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Power trying to control the pace.
Power lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Power trying to control from half guard but Samson is working away.
Power not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Power wants to lay and pray for a moment but Samson keeps working.
Power is thwarting Samson's attempts to control the position.
Scott Power has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Power throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Samson looks like he's trying to stand up.
Scott Power overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Power in particular looking to stall.
Ground and pound from Power.
Samson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Power is trying to control the action in half guard but Samson is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Samson wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Power sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Samson defending well though.
Power throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Power is looking to pass Samson's guard but actually Samson recovers to full guard.
Power has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Samson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Samson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Power controls from within his opponent's guard.
Power tries to stand but Samson is controlling from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Samson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Power slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Power wants to pass the guard but Samson is keeping the position.
Samson wants to control but Power passes easily into half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Power seems to be working for a kimura but Samson defends the submission attempt.
Aljaybar Samson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Samson desperately trying to maintain half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Scott Power showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Samson has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 28:29
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aljaybar Samson!