PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Thomas William (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Samson Savea (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Samson Savea will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

William
vs
Savea

170 cm
26
250 lbs
9 - 8 - 0

205 cm
34
257 lbs
13 - 17 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the super heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Thomas William!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 17 - 0, fighting out of London, Samson Savea!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Chris Edwards and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Savea has William up against the cage in a clinch.
Savea tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A short right from Savea.

Savea pulls guard effortlessly.
William throws a big elbow that misses.
Savea looking to hit a scissor sweep but William is one step ahead there.
William tries to free his leg and advance position but Savea is retaining full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Savea preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Savea wants to stand and escape but William is having none of it.
William trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
William trying to control the position from guard on top but Savea is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
William distracts Savea with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Savea keeping moving, preventing William from controlling successfully.
William postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Savea keeping full guard, as William tries to pass.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
William tries to score a power double leg takedown but Savea sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten William somewhat.
Savea has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
William closes the distance and clinches up with Savea, looking for a takedown. William pushes Savea against the cage but Savea circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
William has his takedown stuffed
and Savea connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thomas William. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The fight stays on the outside here - Savea looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Savea looking to score a takedown here. William is defending well but Savea drives through and ends up in William's guard.
William is looking to sweep but instead, Savea has passed into half guard.
We've been hearing good reports from William's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Savea lands strikes from half guard.
Savea landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
William avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Savea.
William might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
William manages to get to full guard.
Savea trying to control the position from guard on top but William is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savea is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
William is trying to keep Savea in close.

William is looking to cinch up a triangle. Savea throws the leg off to one side though and gets in tight to William's body to avoid the submission. William has instead reached around Savea's neck and now has a guillotine! Oh, this is biiiig trouble! William arches his back and squeezes and forces the tap from his hapless opponent.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:43 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Thomas William!
Thomas William is the new super heavyweight champion!
A less than humble Thomas William misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.