PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Drew Strong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and The Boa From Samoa (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.

Strong
vs
Boa From Samoa

206 cm
24
279 lbs
2 - 6 - 0

197 cm
22
240 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Intelligent

Victory! Sports Nutrition

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 2 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Drew Strong!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, The Boa From Samoa!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
From Samoa looks to clinch
and Strong counters with a one-two to the body.

Strong drives through and clinches with From Samoa against the cage.

From Samoa tightens his grip and picks Strong up, before dumping him to the ground. Strong manages to land in guard.
Strong keeping moving, preventing From Samoa from controlling successfully.
Strong is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Strong wants to get back to his feet but From Samoa is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Strong working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from From Samoa.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Strong working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from From Samoa.
From Samoa wants to stand but Strong is controlling his posture from full guard.
From Samoa wants to stand and escape but instead Strong has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
From Samoa working a defensive guard here.
Strong is standing up over From Samoa. From Samoa looks to escape but Strong dives into side control.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
From Samoa isn't going anywhere.
Strong misses with the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
From Samoa is pushing Strong's head away, looking to escape. Strong manages to hold on to the position though.
From Samoa holding on.
From Samoa tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Strong wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Strong working away.
From Samoa pushes Strong away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Strong gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
From Samoa tries to improve position but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
From Samoa wants to control but Strong postures up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
From Samoa tries to close the distance and clinch up but Strong swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Strong circles away from the clinch attempt.

From Samoa shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
From Samoa not landing any meaningful shots this time.
From Samoa is keen to just control but Strong is a slippery customer.
From Samoa working Strong over with strikes.
Strong blocking the ground and pound attempt from From Samoa.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
From Samoa thows a huge punch but Strong dodges it nicely.
From Samoa lands with a punch from half guard.
From Samoa wants to control but Strong is keeping him busy.
From Samoa has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
From Samoa wants to advance to full mount but Strong doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
From Samoa trying to control but Strong is working from the bottom.
From Samoa controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
From Samoa throws a big right hand that misses.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Strong keeping moving, preventing From Samoa from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Drew Strong dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

From Samoa drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Strong pushes From Samoa off and scrambles back to his feet.
From Samoa throws a right hand that Strong ducks under and follows up with a left that Strong also avoids with ease.
From Samoa tries to clinch but Strong moves out of range.
Drew Strong is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
From Samoa tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Strong was well out of range. Poor timing from From Samoa.
Strong is looking for a counter combo.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Strong drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
From Samoa looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
From Samoa is trying to hold Strong in close to prevent damage but Strong has managed to pass into half guard.
Strong sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. From Samoa defending well though.
From Samoa keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
From Samoa is looking for a sweep. Strong is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Strong thows a huge punch but From Samoa dodges it nicely.
Strong not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
From Samoa avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Strong.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Strong connects with a nice short shot to From Samoa's temple.
Strong throwing shots but From Samoa is blocking nicely.
From Samoa wants to control but Strong is keeping busy.
The fighters are battling for position here. From Samoa manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
From Samoa trying to control the position.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Strong's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
From Samoa is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
From Samoa not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Strong is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that From Samoa can do to turn this around?
Strong throwing strikes from guard but From Samoa blocks nicely.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Strong shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Strong was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
From Samoa is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
From Samoa is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Strong off and has taken his back!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
I really don't envy Strong right now.
Strong is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Strong tries to break free.
Strong is working hard here to advance position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
From Samoa misses with an elbow to the head.

From Samoa has got his arm under Strong's chin working for the choke… has he got it? It looks pretty tight! Oh! Strong has spun round into From Samoa's guard beautifully! Well done that man!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
From Samoa trying to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Drew Strong dominated that second round.
That's time! Strong's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

From Samoa tries to close the distance and clinch up but Strong swats him away and circles back towards the center.
It looked like Strong was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.

Strong gets tackled into the cage by From Samoa. From Samoa maintains the clinch.

From Samoa gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Strong makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!

From Samoa pushes Strong up against the cage in a clinch.

From Samoa has picked Strong up - he's going for a ride! From Samoa dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

Strong manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. From Samoa keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Strong pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Strong shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Strong was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

That's one minute gone in the round.
From Samoa is working to avoid the ground and pound but Strong connects with a decent elbow.
From Samoa wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Drew Strong overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
From Samoa managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Strong.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Strong in side control, throwing shots but From Samoa defends.
From Samoa tries to buck Strong off but Strong is having none of it.
From Samoa manages to work his way to half guard, despite Strong's best efforts.
From Samoa takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

From Samoa looking for submissions off his back.
Strong is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strong prevents From Samoa from standing back up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
From Samoa fails in his attempt to clinch.
Strong circles away from the clinch attempt
and Strong counters with a left and a right that stings From Samoa.

From Samoa clinches up with Strong and pushes him back against the cage.

From Samoa gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Strong is looking to escape.
Strong punching from the bottom.
Strong is trying to escape back to his feet but From Samoa uses the scramble to pass into side control.
The Boa From Samoa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
From Samoa working the ground and pound but Strong is defending the strikes.
Strong pushes From Samoa away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, From Samoa gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

From Samoa wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Strong, who protects the arm well.
From Samoa tries to get to his feet but Strong is in the middle of advancing position himself and ends up with From Samoa in his guard.
Drew Strong is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
From Samoa wants to pass the guard but Strong is keeping the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Drew Strong showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Strong, 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Drew Strong!