PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Samson Savea (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tyquan Zaal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tyquan Zaal has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Savea
vs
Zaal

205 cm
31
257 lbs
11 - 12 - 0

191 cm
24
247 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
World class MT
Powerful

Cage Star

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 11 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Samson Savea!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tyquan Zaal!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Chris Saunders and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Savea lands a jab to Zaal's midsection.
Savea ducks right into an uppercut from Zaal.
Savea fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zaal manages to avoid it.
Savea fails to land with a series of punches.
Savea scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Zaal clobbers Savea with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zaal misses with a looping left.
Savea goes for a double leg but Zaal avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Zaal continues to drive forward.
Zaal landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Zaal effectively controlling the action here.
Zaal tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Zaal prevents Savea from breaking the clinch.

Zaal is fighting off a takedown attempt but Savea is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Zaal to the mat. Zaal regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Zaal controls Savea momentarily but Savea frees himself.
Savea in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zaal has his foot on Savea's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Savea works his way back into a safe position though.
Zaal not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Savea throws a big elbow that misses.
Zaal is pulling down on Savea's head to control his posture.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Savea is looking to pass into half guard but Zaal pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Zaal is in guard.
Zaal trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Savea controlling Zaal's posture.
Zaal wants to control from the top but Savea keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zaal trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Zaal trying to control but Savea is working from the bottom.
Savea is looking to stand up but Zaal isn't so interested in that idea.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Tyquan Zaal hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Zaal throws out a powerful jab.

Savea shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Zaal manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Savea trying to control but Zaal is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savea postures up.
Zaal avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Savea missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Zaal preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Zaal seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Savea accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Savea showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Zaal throws a series of punches but Savea moves out of range.
We've been told by Savea's head coaches at Steel Penn/Heavy Hands Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Savea tries to clinch there but Zaal circles away.
Savea shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Zaal sprawls well. Zaal wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Savea gets slowly back to his feet.
Savea takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Left hook, right uppercut from Savea.
Zaal throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Savea.

Savea closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Zaal quickly recovers to half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zaal regains full guard. Nicely done.
Zaal is looking to stand up but Savea isn't so interested in that idea.
Savea throws a big right hand that misses.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zaal is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Savea wants to control from the top but Zaal keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Samson Savea dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Savea shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Zaal as he jumps to the side.
Savea shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Zaal stuns Savea with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Zaal moves in looking to clinch but Savea pushes him off.
Samson Savea is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Zaal connects with a crisp jab.

Savea has Zaal up against the cage in a clinch.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Zaal lands a nice knee to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zaal utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zaal will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Savea up against the cage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Zaal lands a nice knee to the body.
Savea takes a knee right on the jaw!

It looks like Samson Savea has been cut.
Zaal lands a knee to the body.
Zaal tries a knee to the head but Savea blocks it.
Savea has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Zaal avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zaal looking to stall.
Zaal will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Savea up against the cage.
Zaal is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A knee to the head by Zaal.
Zaal throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Savea blocks it with crossed arms.
Zaal utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Zaal missing with knees to the body.
Zaal tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Savea avoids it.
Knees to the body from Zaal.
Zaal utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Zaal landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaal using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Savea has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Zaal unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Zaal using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Savea has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Zaal has Savea pushed against the cage.
Zaal lands a nice knee to the body.
Zaal lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Zaal misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Savea.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Zaal obliges.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Zaal landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
A bit of stalling here from Zaal.
Zaal putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Savea in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zaal throws a knee to the head but misses.
Knees to the body from Zaal.
Zaal is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Knees to the body from Zaal.
Zaal landing knees to the body.
Zaal tries to land knees in the clinch but Savea avoids the damage to the body.
Zaal content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Savea managing to block the knees to the body from Zaal.
A bit of stalling here from Zaal.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A battle for position here, against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tyquan Zaal showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Samson Savea'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!

Savea scores with a takedown into Zaal's guard.
Savea trying to control but Zaal is working from the bottom.
Zaal is pulling down on Savea's head to control his posture.
Savea trying to control but Zaal is working from the bottom.
Savea wants to pass the guard but Zaal is keeping the position.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Savea trying to control the position from guard on top but Zaal is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Samson Savea has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Zaal fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savea just misses with a punch to the body.
Savea closes this distance looking for a takedown but Zaal circles away.
Savea dodges the punch combination from Zaal.
Savea lands a two punch combo.
Zaal tries to clinch up but Savea circles away and keeps his distance.
Zaal scores with the left hand. Savea knows he should have avoided that one.
Savea dives in for a single leg takedown but Zaal sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Zaal has Savea pressed against the cage, preventing Savea from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Savea managing to block the knees to the body from Zaal.
Savea jumps guard but Zaal turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Samson Savea. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Savea jumps guard but Zaal stands there with Savea around his waist. Savea gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zaal landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Savea takes a knee to the side of the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zaal trying to land knees to the body.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Tyquan Zaal seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Zaal tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Zaal trying to control the position but instead, Savea has worked for underhooks and has pushed Zaal into the cage.
Zaal tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Savea avoids it.
Zaal tries to land a knee to the head but Savea blocks with his arms.
Zaal lands a nice knee to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaal leaning his opponent against the cage.
Zaal lands a knee to the head.
Zaal has Savea pressed against the cage, preventing Savea from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Zaal utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Savea letting Zaal take a breather here.
Savea fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Zaal leaning his opponent against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Savea managing to block the knees to the body from Zaal.
Savea jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Zaal walks away with a smile on his face. Savea gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Zaal works over Savea's head and body with a nice combination.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Savea throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Zaal was covering up waiting for the punch and Savea finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Zaal has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Zaal not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zaal wants to sweep but no luck.
Savea trying to control but Zaal is working from the bottom.
Savea missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tyquan Zaal comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Zaal 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 Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 27:29
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 27:29
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 27:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tyquan Zaal!
After the fight, Tyquan Zaal was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.