PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Wrestler Savvy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Craig Clifton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Savvy
vs
Clifton

178 cm
23
170 lbs
12 - 0 - 0

179 cm
24
176 lbs
11 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Basic striking
Fast

Fury Nutrition Inc.

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 12 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Wrestler Savvy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 9 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Craig Clifton!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Viktor Lagutenko and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Savvy tries to close the distance and clinch but Clifton swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Clifton has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Savvy is landing a low percentage of strikes.

Savvy moves into the clinch.
Savvy lands a right hand that snaps the head of Clifton backwards.
Savvy trying to land knees to the body.
Savvy displaying some good clinch control by pressing Clifton up against the cage.
Savvy tries to work over Clifton's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Clifton is working for takedown but Savvy is calmly controlling the position for now.
Savvy struggles to land a body shot inside as Clifton controls his hands.
Clifton tries to pull guard but Savvy won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Savvy throws a punch but it's blocked by Clifton.
Savvy swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Clifton avoiding damage as Savvy throws knees to the body.
Savvy misses with a hook from the clinch.
Savvy misses with a short punch on the inside.
Savvy stops a takedown attempt from Clifton.
Wrestler Savvy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Craig Clifton.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savvy lands with a right to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Clifton.
A short right from Savvy on the inside.
Savvy misses with a punch on the inside.
Savvy lands with a left to the head.
Savvy scores with a shot to the side of Clifton's head.
Savvy lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Clifton has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Savvy is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Savvy scores with a shoulder strike.
Savvy scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Clifton is trying to pull guard but Savvy has him pressed against the cage.
Clifton jumps guard but Savvy turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Savvy lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Savvy lands a left hand that snaps the head of Clifton backwards.
Savvy lands an uppercut.
Savvy presses Clifton against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Clifton tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Savvy just stands there and leans against the cage.
Savvy tries a body shot but Clifton blocks it.
Clifton's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Savvy misses with a knee strike.
Savvy lands with a left to the head.
Savvy softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Clifton tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Savvy just stands there and leans against the cage.
Clifton fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Savvy scores with a nice hook to the head.

Clifton has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Savvy is trying to keep an underhook but Clifton manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Clifton blocks the strikes from Savvy.
Clifton is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Savvy knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Clifton on the ground.
Savvy manages to control the position for a moment.
Clifton unloads with some shots from mount but Savvy bucks and avoids them well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Clifton has control of Savvy's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Savvy regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Savvy tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Clifton throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.

Clifton is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Savvy can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Clifton throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Savvy is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Clifton with some aggressive grappling here, looking for the finish.
Clifton is still trying to improve position.

Clifton jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Savvy manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Clifton wants to lay and pray for a moment but Savvy keeps working.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Clifton wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Savvy, who protects the arm well.
Savvy is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Russian Fighting Community Gym, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Clifton wants to control but Savvy is keeping him busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wrestler Savvy dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Savvy tries to clinch there but Clifton circles away.
Clifton shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Savvy as he jumps to the side.
Clifton fails with a takedown attempt.
It looked like Savvy was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Clifton misses with a takedown attempt - Savvy sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Wrestler Savvy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Craig Clifton.
Clifton tries for a takedown but Savvy circles away easily
letting Savvy counter with a right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Clifton goes for a double leg but Savvy avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Savvy continues to drive forward.
Clifton swats away the attempt to clinch by Savvy.
Clifton closes this distance looking for a takedown but Savvy circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Clifton shoots in looking for a takedown. Savvy tries to sprawl out of it but Clifton keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Savvy manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Savvy was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
The fight stays on the outside here - Savvy looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Wrestler Savvy is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Clifton fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Savvy stuffs the takedown.

Savvy darts in and clinches Clifton up against the cage.
Clifton is trying to pull guard but Savvy has him pressed against the cage.
Savvy leaning his opponent against the cage.
Clifton tries for a takedown. No joy.
Clifton tries to score a body lock takedown but Savvy shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Clifton fails to pull guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Clifton changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Savvy fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Clifton with a poor takedown
and Savvy counters with a stiff right hand.
Clifton tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Savvy swivels and escapes.
Savvy is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Clifton can do to turn this around?
Clifton is breathing heavily.
Clifton goes for a double leg but Savvy avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Savvy continues to drive forward.
Clifton shoots in looking for a takedown but Savvy manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Clifton's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
It looked like Savvy wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Savvy tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Savvy tries to clinch there but Clifton circles away.
Clifton drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Savvy defends it well.
Clifton shoots in for a takedown but Savvy shows good takedown defense.
The fight stays on the outside here - Savvy looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Clifton swats away the attempt to clinch by Savvy.

Clifton closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Clifton prevents Savvy from improving his position.

Clifton is working for a kimura but Savvy is defending it quite comfortably.
Clifton prevents Savvy from improving his position.

Clifton is working for a submission of some sort.
Savvy slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Savvy pulls Clifton in close to prevent any damage.

Clifton drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Savvy dives on top into guard.

Savvy working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Clifton controlling Savvy's posture.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Clifton working a defensive guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wrestler Savvy dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Clifton throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Savvy's waist but Savvy gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Clifton off to one side.
Savvy tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Clifton paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Clifton gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Savvy counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Clifton gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Savvy counters with a stiff right hand.
Wrestler Savvy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Craig Clifton.
Savvy is looking to clinch.
Clifton has his takedown stuffed
and Savvy counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Craig Clifton seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Clifton fails with the takedown
and Savvy counters with a straight right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Savvy lands an overhand right.
Savvy moves in looking to clinch but Clifton pushes him off.
Clifton looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savvy is looking to clinch.
Clifton shoots in and drives through. Savvy sprawls well.
Savvy misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Clifton.
And Clifton tries to counter it with a takedown but Savvy pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Clifton shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Savvy defends it nicely.
Savvy seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Savvy is looking to clinch.
Clifton shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Savvy defends it nicely.
Craig Clifton is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Clifton misses with a takedown
and Savvy counters with a stiff right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Clifton shoots and misses
and Savvy counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Clifton takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Clifton fails with the takedown
enabling Savvy to counter with a crisp jab.
Clifton with a poor takedown
and Savvy counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Savvy tries to close the distance and clinch up but Clifton swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Savvy moves in looking to clinch but Clifton pushes him off.
The fight stays on the outside here - Savvy looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Clifton fails with the takedown
and Savvy counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Savvy wants to clinch up but Clifton keeps it at a distance.
Savvy fails with an attempt to clinch.

Clifton is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Savvy's half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The fighters are battling for position here. Savvy manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Savvy is on top in guard.

Clifton looking to hit a scissor sweep but Savvy is one step ahead there.
Clifton pulls Savvy in close to his closed guard and prevents Savvy from doing any damage or advancing position.
Clifton is trying to control the position but Savvy postures up.
Savvy looking to sit in guard and control but Clifton gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Savvy bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Clifton's guard.

Clifton not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Craig Clifton has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Savvy wants to control from the top but Clifton keeps moving.

Clifton has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Savvy can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Savvy distracts Clifton with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Clifton escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Savvy gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Craig Clifton has got the better of the ground game so far.
Savvy throwing strikes from guard but Clifton blocks nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Wrestler Savvy showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Savvy, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Wrestler Savvy!