PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Zudrunas Savickas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Siusiakov Pindolov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Siusiakov Pindolov is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Savickas
vs
Pindolov

200 cm
25
300 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

197 cm
26
280 lbs
1 - 6 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Zudrunas Savickas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Siusiakov Pindolov!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Savickas throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Pindolov was covering up waiting for the punch and Savickas finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Savickas landing some decent shots from guard.
Savickas controlling from the top position.
Savickas has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Savickas trying to control but Pindolov is working from the bottom.

Savickas drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Savickas jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savickas throws a big elbow that misses.
Savickas controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Savickas working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Savickas is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Savickas stands up from Pindolov's guard - Savickas perhaps looking for a knockout.

Savickas clinches up with Pindolov and pushes him back against the cage.

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.
A frustrated look appears on Pindolov's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Pindolov tries to break free but Savickas pushes him back against the cage.
Pindolov working hard to break the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Pindolov's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Savickas pulls guard.
Savickas looking to hit a scissor sweep but Pindolov is one step ahead there.
Savickas throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Savickas is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Savickas is on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pindolov keeping moving, preventing Savickas from controlling successfully.
Savickas looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.

Pindolov has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Savickas has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.

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

Savickas dives in and scores a takedown into Pindolov's guard.

Pindolov has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Savickas has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.

Pindolov is fighting off a takedown attempt but Savickas is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Pindolov to the mat. Pindolov regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Savickas is breathing heavily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Savickas trying to control but Pindolov is working from the bottom.
Savickas postures up in Pindolov's guard and throws a big left but Pindolov blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Savickas passes Pindolov's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Savickas not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Savickas thows a huge punch but Pindolov dodges it nicely.
Savickas prevents Pindolov from standing back up.

Pindolov manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Savickas keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Savickas prevents Pindolov from breaking the clinch.
Pindolov is trying to break the clinch but Savickas is controlling him.
Savickas has Pindolov pressed against the cage, preventing Pindolov from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Savickas has hold of one of Pindolov's legs. Pindolov is fighting the takedown attempt but Savickas gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.

Pindolov manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Pindolov should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

Pindolov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Zudrunas Savickas will probably get the nod.
That's time! Savickas's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Pindolov avoids the head kick by Savickas.
And Pindolov tries to counter it with a takedown but Savickas pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Savickas throws a series of strikes that have Pindolov backpedaling.
Savickas throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Pindolov with the counter takedown but Savickas avoids it easily.

Savickas throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Pindolov tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Savickas is in Pindolov's guard.

Pindolov kicks Savickas off and gets to his feet.

Pindolov gets caught napping as Savickas dives in and scores a takedown. Pindolov manages to retain guard.

Pindolov wriggles free and stands up.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Pindolov checks a leg kick.
Pindolov is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

Pindolov gets caught napping as Savickas dives in and scores a takedown. Pindolov manages to retain guard.

Pindolov pushes Savickas off and gets back to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Savickas has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pindolov tries to break the clinch but Savickas is controlling the position.
Savickas keeps control of Pindolov as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Pindolov has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Pindolov tries to circle away but Savickas has him pinned against the cage.

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

Pindolov manages to escape and get back to his feet!

Pindolov gets caught flat footed, as Savickas shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Pindolov wriggles free and stands up.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Savickas fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Pindolov to the ground. Savickas is now in Pindolov's guard.

Pindolov is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Savickas presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pindolov tries to break the clinch but Savickas is controlling the position.
Pindolov is trying to break the clinch but Savickas has him pressed against the cage.
Savickas has Pindolov pressed against the cage, preventing Pindolov from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Pindolov has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Pindolov wants to break the clinch but can't.
Pindolov tries to circle away but Savickas has him pinned against the cage.

Savickas pulls guard successfully.

Savickas working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Pindolov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Pindolov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Pindolov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Savickas. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Pindolov stopping the sweep attempt from Savickas.
Pindolov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Pindolov stands up and waves to Savickas to follow him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Savickas darts in and clinches Pindolov up against the cage.
Savickas keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Pindolov's efforts to push away.
Savickas has a couple of punches blocked by Pindolov.

Savickas pulls guard effortlessly.

Pindolov stands up and waves to Savickas to follow him.

Savickas drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Pindolov sneaks out the side door and pushes Savickas away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Savickas drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Pindolov explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Savickas fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Pindolov to the ground. Savickas is now in Pindolov's guard.

Pindolov has his feet on Savickas's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A frustrated look appears on Pindolov's face as he tries to break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Siusiakov Pindolov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Savickas misses with a jab, cross combination.
And Pindolov tries to counter it with a takedown but Savickas pushes his down on his head and steps out.

Pindolov tries to keep at a distance but Savickas has taken the fight into the clinch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Pindolov tries to break the clinch but Savickas is controlling the position.
Savickas is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Pindolov tries to break free but Savickas pushes him back against the cage.
Pindolov looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A frustrated look appears on Pindolov's face as he tries to break the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Savickas's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Savickas looking to score a takedown here. Pindolov is defending well but Savickas drives through and ends up in Pindolov's guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Pindolov manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Savickas taking a breather.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savickas misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Pindolov feints the counter takedown.

Savickas pushes Pindolov up against the cage in a clinch.
Pindolov has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Pindolov can't break the clinch.

Pindolov manages to break the clinch.

Savickas closes the distance and clinches.

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

Savickas looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Pindolov!
Pindolov is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

Pindolov explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Savickas shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Pindolov napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Pindolov sneaks out the side door and pushes Savickas away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.

Savickas closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Pindolov manages to break the clinch.

Savickas looking to score a takedown here. Pindolov is defending well but Savickas drives through and ends up in Pindolov's guard.

Pindolov pushes Savickas off and scrambles back to his feet.
Savickas throws a sloppy head kick and Pindolov moves out of range easily.

Savickas moves into the clinch.
Pindolov is trying to break free.
Savickas prevents Pindolov from breaking the clinch.

Savickas pulls Pindolov into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Pindolov stands up from Savickas's guard - Pindolov perhaps looking for a knockout.
Savickas throws a head kick but Pindolov moves out of range.
Pindolov is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Zudrunas Savickas seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Savickas closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Pindolov to the mat! Pindolov manages to get full guard.

Pindolov is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Savickas keeps control of Pindolov as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Pindolov tries to break free but Savickas pushes him back against the cage.
Pindolov wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Savickas has him pressed against the cage.

Savickas breaks the clinch.
Savickas misses with a jab, cross combination.
Pindolov with the counter takedown but Savickas avoids it easily.
Siusiakov Pindolov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Savickas shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Pindolov is trying to defend but Savickas finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Pindolov has one foot on Savickas's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Savickas closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Savickas lands in his opponent's guard.

Pindolov is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Pindolov looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Pindolov wants to break free but Savickas has control.

Savickas jumps into guard, dragging Pindolov to the mat.
Savickas is trying to control the position from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Siusiakov Pindolov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Pindolov 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 Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Siusiakov Pindolov!