PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Braxton Savage (ranked 6644 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eoin O Raghallaigh (ranked 9385 p4p, 0 weight class). Eoin O Raghallaigh is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Savage
vs
O Raghallaigh

176 cm
18
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
18
170 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Braxton Savage!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Eoin O Raghallaigh!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Shigeki Fujiwara and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
O Raghallaigh throws a jab when Savage was well out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - O Raghallaigh looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Savage misses with a double jab.
O Raghallaigh looks like he wants to counter punch here.
O Raghallaigh tries to clinch but Savage moves out of range.
O Raghallaigh throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Savage closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
O Raghallaigh tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Savage manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
O Raghallaigh throws a poor cross that misses

and Savage holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Savage gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, O Raghallaigh regains guard.
Savage's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Savage stops O Raghallaigh from standing up.
Savage controls from within his opponent's guard.
Savage is standing up over O Raghallaigh. O Raghallaigh looks to escape but Savage dives into side control.
O Raghallaigh pushes Savage away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Savage gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savage slows the pace down.

Savage wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by O Raghallaigh, who protects the arm well.
O Raghallaigh is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Savage misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
O Raghallaigh wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
A lull in the action here as Savage stalls from top position.
O Raghallaigh is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Savage asserts his dominance and retains side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
O Raghallaigh is trying to escape the position but Savage is controlling the position.
Savage has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Savage throws a strike aimed at the side of O Raghallaigh's head but O Raghallaigh avoids it well.
O Raghallaigh is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Savage asserts his dominance and retains side control.
O Raghallaigh is trying to escape the position but Savage is controlling the position.
Savage seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down O Raghallaigh for as long as he can get away with.
O Raghallaigh wants to get back to his feet.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
O Raghallaigh tries to clinch but Savage moves out of range.
O Raghallaigh swings widly with a right hand

and Savage counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for O Raghallaigh!
O Raghallaigh is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Savage is controlling him well.
Savage is staying tight to O Raghallaigh's torso, preventing him from escaping.
O Raghallaigh wants to get back to his feet but Savage drags him back down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savage working the head with strikes.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Savage is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, O Raghallaigh has escaped the position, nice work there.
O Raghallaigh is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

Savage stands up and we're back to a striking position.
O Raghallaigh misses with a right hand

and Savage counters by clinching up.

Savage breaks from the clinch.
O Raghallaigh is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
As O Raghallaigh looks to move away, Savage throws a big counter combo but O Raghallaigh just gets out of the way.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Savage gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
O Raghallaigh is looking to break free of the clinch but Savage has double underhooks.
Savage lands with a short shot to the head.

Savage ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Savage no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Savage bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in O Raghallaigh's guard.

Savage postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
O Raghallaigh wants to get back to his feet but Savage is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Savage is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
O Raghallaigh wants to stand but Savage is controlling the position.

O Raghallaigh has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Savage off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Savage closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. O Raghallaigh did well to prevent Savage getting side control.
O Raghallaigh tries to push off, looking to stand up, but Savage manages to move to mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Braxton Savage dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

O Raghallaigh moves into range and connects with a jab.

It looks like Braxton Savage has been cut.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by O Raghallaigh.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Savage.
O Raghallaigh wants to get back to his feet but Savage is dominant here and he's now got O Raghallaigh's back!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Savage is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. O Raghallaigh knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften O Raghallaigh for a finish.
Savage is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that O Raghallaigh can do to turn this around?
O Raghallaigh trying to get back to his feet but Savage is in full control for now.
Savage throwing sloppy strikes.
O Raghallaigh is trying to get back to his feet but Savage has full control of the position and if anything, O Raghallaigh has just worked his way into a worse spot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savage missing with strikes.
O Raghallaigh trying to get back to his feet but Savage is in full control for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
What can O Raghallaigh do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!

O Raghallaigh showing good submission defense here.
Savage just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

O Raghallaigh preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Savage.
O Raghallaigh is trying to stand back up.

Savage looking for the RNC.

Savage is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but O Raghallaigh has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

Savage looking for the choke from the back.
O Raghallaigh is trying to get back to his feet but Savage has full control of the position and if anything, O Raghallaigh has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Savage working for the choke.
O Raghallaigh is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
O Raghallaigh covers up after that shot from Savage.

O Raghallaigh fending off the submission attempt from Savage.
O Raghallaigh covering up well under a barage of strikes.
Savage throwing strikes from the back - he gets a warning from the referee for striking the back of the head but all these shots are hurting O Raghallaigh!
O Raghallaigh wants to get back to his feet.
Savage struggling to land strikes to the head as O Raghallaigh covers up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
O Raghallaigh is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

Savage is working hard for the rear naked choke here.

O Raghallaigh is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Savage gets his way!

Savage has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, O Raghallaigh has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
O Raghallaigh wants to get back to his feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Even with his hooks in, Savage manages to miss with strikes from the back.
O Raghallaigh trying to get back to his feet but Savage is in full control for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Braxton Savage dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Braxton Savage's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

O Raghallaigh moves in looking to clinch but Savage pushes him off.
O Raghallaigh slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
A slapping leg kick lands for O Raghallaigh.

Savage has taken the fight to the clinch.
Savage has O Raghallaigh pressed against the cage, preventing O Raghallaigh from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
O Raghallaigh tries to break the clinch but Savage is controlling the position.
O Raghallaigh wants to break free but Savage has control.
O Raghallaigh can't break the clinch.

Savage turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Savage manages to end up in side control.
O Raghallaigh is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Savage has just dragged him back down to the mat.

Savage tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Savage 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.
O Raghallaigh is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

O Raghallaigh throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savage steps to the side to avoid the strikes from O Raghallaigh.
A low kick from O Raghallaigh misses

and Savage counters with a nice double leg into side control. O Raghallaigh won't be happy with that.
Savage prevents O Raghallaigh from escaping the position.
Savage slows the pace down.
O Raghallaigh wants to get back to his feet but Savage drags him back down.
Savage has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for O Raghallaigh!

Savage working for a submission but O Raghallaigh is keeping him at bay.
O Raghallaigh is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
O Raghallaigh is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Savage landing strikes from the mount and O Raghallaigh is in trouble!
Savage moves to the back position.
O Raghallaigh is trying to stand back up.

O Raghallaigh showing good submission defense here.

Savage patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Savage controlling the position well here. O Raghallaigh rolled but Savage kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

O Raghallaigh is trying to get back to his feet. He's worked up on to his knees and now he's on his feet with his head on the canvas, trying to shake Savage off. It looks like it's working - Savage slides off, much to his dismay, and we're back to standing! O Raghallaigh displaying calm under pressure there.
O Raghallaigh throws an overhand right that lands on Savage's shoulder, as Savage tries to avoid the shot.
O Raghallaigh moves to clinch but Savage breaks away

and Savage counters with a shoot takedown. O Raghallaigh fights it but they end up in guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
O Raghallaigh wants to get back to his feet but Savage is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Savage drops back looking for a leg! O Raghallaigh is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and O Raghallaigh manages to kick Savage off! Savage jumps back into O Raghallaigh's guard.

O Raghallaigh pushes Savage off and scrambles back to his feet.
O Raghallaigh loads up on a big right hand but Savage slips the punch.
O Raghallaigh looks to land a left hand but Savage moved out of range nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Savage looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
O Raghallaigh really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Savage. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
This has been an exciting period of action!
O Raghallaigh pushes Savage off looking to stand but Savage dives back in and keeps control.
Savage looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
O Raghallaigh is looking to escape.
Savage trying to control the pace.
Savage seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but O Raghallaigh does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Savage tries to pass to full mount but O Raghallaigh defends it.
Savage prevents O Raghallaigh from standing back up.
Eoin O Raghallaigh has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Braxton Savage is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

O Raghallaigh actively working from the bottom here.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Braxton Savage.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Savage, 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 Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 29:28
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Braxton Savage!