PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Outlaw Hardy (ranked 27 p4p, 5 weight class) and Pavel Savkov (ranked 90 p4p, 15 weight class). Outlaw Hardy is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Hardy
vs
Savkov

180 cm
26
176 lbs
19 - 5 - 1

175 cm
24
180 lbs
14 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Aspire Clothing

Aspire Clothing
Project Mayhem

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Outlaw Hardy!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Pavel Savkov!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, James Ackerman and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Savkov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Hardy thows a leg kick but Savkov checks it
and Savkov counters with a stiff right hand.
A chopping leg kick lands by Hardy.
Savkov swings widly with a right hand
and Hardy counters with a slapping leg kick.
Hardy lands with a straight right. Savkov didn't see that one coming.
Hardy waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Savkov.
Hardy moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Savkov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Savkov moves out of range of the leg kick from Hardy.
Savkov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hardy.

Hardy tries to sprawl but Savkov drives through with a takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hardy regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Savkov.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Savkov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Savkov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hardy is keeping the position for now.
Savkov wants to control from the top but Hardy keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardy has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Savkov stays in close to Hardy's body and controls the position.
Savkov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Savkov postures up in Hardy's guard and throws a big left but Hardy blocks it.
Savkov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Hardy controls Savkov momentarily but Savkov frees himself.
Savkov throwing strikes from guard but Hardy blocks nicely.
Hardy has his hands on Savkov's head, controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Savkov throws a big right hand that misses.
Savkov throwing strikes from guard but Hardy blocks nicely.
Savkov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hardy works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hardy preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Savkov throwing strikes from guard but Hardy blocks nicely.
Savkov's corner is telling him to maintain position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Hardy swings for the body but Savkov moves out of range.
Savkov moves out of range of the body kick from Hardy.
Hardy is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Savkov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savkov darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Savkov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Hardy feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Savkov scores with a punch to the head.
Hardy moves away from the strike by Savkov.
A counter left hand to the body from Hardy misses its target.
Savkov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hardy sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Savkov avoids the body shot from Hardy.
Savkov tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Hardy defends well and Savkov ends up having to push Hardy into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Hardy with a hook.
Savkov shoots in but Hardy avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Outlaw Hardy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pavel Savkov.
Hardy tries a low kick but Savkov avoids it.
A swing and a miss from Savkov.
A head kick misses from Hardy.
Savkov scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Nice uppercut lands for Savkov. That snapped Hardy's head back.
Hardy displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Savkov throws out the jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hardy cracks the inside of Savkov's front leg.
Some wild striking there from Hardy.
Savkov goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Savkov misses with a hook
and Hardy counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
A jab from Savkov misses.
Savkov cracks Hardy with an open hand slap.
Savkov misses with a straight right.
Hardy showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Savkov.
Savkov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hardy.
Hardy looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Savkov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Hardy looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Hardy with a hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pavel Savkov dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Hardy is looking to score with low kicks.
Hardy ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Savkov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Hardy moves out of range as Savkov strikes.
Savkov fails with the takedown.
Savkov lands with an uppercut that bounces Hardy off the cage and back into range.
Hardy throws a low kick, looking for Savkov's leg but Savkov calmly moves out of range.
Savkov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hardy was well out of range. Poor timing from Savkov.
Savkov punishes Hardy's body with a nice straight punch.
Savkov might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Hardy fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Savkov moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A swing and a miss from Savkov.
Hardy just misses with a punch to the body.
Pavel Savkov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Savkov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Savkov misses with a straight right.
Horrible takedown attempt by Savkov or perhaps it was just good defense by Hardy, which made it look bad.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Hardy.
Savkov shoots in but Hardy avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Outlaw Hardy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pavel Savkov.
Savkov takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Hardy throws a low kick, looking for Savkov's leg but Savkov calmly moves out of range.
Savkov jabs Hardy right on the nose. Hardy blinks but takes it well.
Savkov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Hardy connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Hardy takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

Savkov scores with a takedown into Hardy's guard.
Hardy utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Savkov is stalling in the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Savkov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Savkov cracks Hardy with a solid left hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hardy seems keen to control Savkov's posture.
Savkov is looking to pass into half guard but Hardy pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Hardy is in guard.

Savkov is trying to control the position but Hardy postures up.

Hardy avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Savkov has an active guard here but Hardy has managed to pass into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savkov wants to get back to full guard but Hardy has mounted him!
Savkov is trying desperately to improve position.
Savkov regains half guard.
Savkov tries to roll over but Hardy keeps him under control.
Pavel Savkov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Savkov is still trying to improve position.

Savkov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Savkov has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Hardy escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Hardy!
Savkov is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Hardy content to control rather than advance.
Savkov trying to hold on to Hardy's head to control him but Hardy postures up.

Savkov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Pavel Savkov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action!

Savkov looking to score a takedown here. Hardy is defending well but Savkov drives through and ends up in Hardy's guard.
Savkov working some strikes from top position.
Savkov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Hardy preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Savkov throws an elbow that misses. Hardy uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Savkov's guard. Nice move by Hardy!

Savkov is looking for a triangle but Hardy pushes his legs off easily.

Savkov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Hardy defends it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Savkov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardy stopping the sweep attempt from Savkov.

Hardy avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Savkov working for a triangle but Hardy defends it easily.
Hardy wants to pass the guard but Savkov is keeping the position.
Savkov is adopting a defensive guard.
Hardy trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

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.
Savkov working a defensive guard here.
Hardy wants to pass the guard but Savkov is keeping the position.
Savkov wants to sweep here but Hardy controlling him for the moment.

Savkov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Hardy defends well.
Savkov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Hardy manages to get himself to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savkov controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Savkov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Savkov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Savkov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Savkov lands a couple of digs.
Savkov trying to control the position from guard on top but Hardy is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Savkov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Savkov wants to control from the top but Hardy keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Savkov is looking to work some ground and pound but Hardy has wrist control.
Savkov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Savkov throwing strikes from guard but Hardy blocks nicely.
Savkov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Savkov trying to control but Hardy is working from the bottom.
Savkov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Savkov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Savkov seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pavel Savkov really dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Savkov jabs Hardy right on the nose. Hardy blinks but takes it well.
Hardy looks to land a right hand but Savkov moved out of range.
Savkov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hardy moves away.
Hardy looks to score with a jab to the body but Savkov is just out of range.
Savkov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Hardy throws a nice inside leg kick.
Savkov tries for a takedown but Hardy sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Hardy swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Savkov tries to bum rush Hardy with a series of wild strikes but Hardy uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Hardy misses with a body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Good leg kick by Hardy there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Savkov takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Hardy misses with a hook. Savkov ducked under it nicely.
Horrible takedown attempt by Savkov or perhaps it was just good defense by Hardy, which made it look bad.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savkov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Hardy avoids it really well and circles away.
Outlaw Hardy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pavel Savkov.
Hardy scores with a body shot.
Savkov throws a left and a right that both miss
and Hardy counters with a good, hard body kick but Savkov shrugs it off.
Savkov is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Hardy scores with a jab to the body.
Hardy swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Savkov takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Savkov scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Savkov misses with a body shot.
Hardy delivers a nice body kick.
Hardy misses with a few strikes there.
Savkov drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Hardy defends it well.
Savkov throws a jab but it's blocked by Hardy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hardy keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Savkov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hardy lands a nice hook to Savkov's body. Savkov takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Hardy bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Savkov tries to clinch but Hardy is having none of it.
Hardy turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
An inside leg kick lands from Hardy.
Hardy avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Hardy throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Hardy bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
An attempted straight right counter from Hardy misses the target.
Hardy turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Savkov misses the shot to the body.
Savkov throws a right hand that Hardy ducks under and follows up with a left that Hardy also avoids with ease.
Savkov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Savkov throws an overhand right that lands on Hardy's shoulder, as Hardy tries to avoid the shot.
Hardy is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Savkov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savkov throws a nice looking combination but Hardy bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Savkov closes the distance and clinches up with Hardy, looking for a takedown. Savkov pushes Hardy against the cage but Hardy circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Savkov fails with the takedown
and Hardy counters with a slapping leg kick.
Hardy tries a head kick but it misses.

Hardy gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Hardy struggles to land a body shot inside as Savkov controls his hands.
Hardy swings wildly with an uppercut but Savkov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Savkov takes a shot to the head.
Hardy tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hardy doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Savkov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Savkov misses with an elbow strike.
Hardy misses with a body punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hardy blocks an elbow strike.
Hardy misses with a hook to the ribs.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Hardy as Savkov tries to tie him up.
Hardy misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hardy misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hardy misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hardy is pressed up against the cage. Savkov has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Hardy down to the mat. Hardy avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Savkov throws a nice looking combination but Hardy bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Savkov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Hardy tries a body shot but Savkov blocks it.
Savkov drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Hardy gets the underhooks and prevents it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hardy goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hardy swings wildly with an uppercut but Savkov uses good head movement to avoid it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Outlaw Hardy had his way with Pavel Savkov in that round.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Hardy avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Hardy lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Hardy ducks right into an uppercut from Savkov.
Savkov looks to land a right hand but Hardy moved out of range.
Savkov is looking to clinch but Hardy is avoiding it.
Hardy throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Savkov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Hardy displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Savkov.
Hardy tries to land a body kick
and Savkov counters with a nice uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Savkov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Savkov throws a hook but Hardy avoids it easily.
Savkov misses with an uppercut. Hardy saw that one coming.
And Hardy counters with a quick kick to the body but Savkov blocks it.
Hardy connects with a crisp jab.
Savkov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hardy sprawls well. Hardy wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Savkov gets slowly back to his feet.
Hardy jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savkov takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Hardy takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Hardy takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Savkov looks to land a left hand but Hardy moved out of range nicely.
Hardy connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Savkov fails with a takedown attempt.
Outlaw Hardy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pavel Savkov.
Savkov throws the left hand but Hardy avoids the punch easily.
Savkov takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Savkov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hardy sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Savkov misses with a right hand

and Hardy counters by clinching up.
Savkov changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Hardy fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Savkov wants to clinch.

Savkov tries to keep at a distance but Hardy has taken the fight into the clinch.
Savkov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Hardy avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Savkov lands a left hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Savkov tries to score a body lock takedown but Hardy shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Hardy lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Savkov backwards.
A head punch on the inside from Hardy fails to land.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savkov throws a lazy uppercut
enabling Hardy to counter with a crisp jab.
Outlaw Hardy is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hardy takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Hardy throws a wild body kick that Savkov sees coming a mile off.
Hardy steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Savkov.
Hardy thinks about countering with a body kick.
Hardy with a jab.
Hardy with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Hardy throws a shot from downtown. Savkov moves away and avoids it.
Savkov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hardy sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Savkov throws a lazy right hand but Hardy sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Savkov connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Hardy loads up on a big right hand but Savkov slips the punch.

Savkov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Hardy, pushing him back against the cage.
Savkov throws a punch but it's blocked by Hardy.
Savkov tries a body shot but Hardy blocks it.
Hardy lands with a short shot to the head.
Pavel Savkov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hardy working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Savkov is looking to take this one to the mat.
Outlaw Hardy has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Savkov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Savkov misses with a takedown attempt - Hardy sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Savkov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hardy is fending him off so far but Savkov persists. Nope, Hardy circles away and we're back to standing.
Savkov is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Hardy connects with a crisp jab.

Savkov scores with a takedown into Hardy's guard.
Savkov wants to control from the top but Hardy keeps moving.
Hardy pulls Savkov in close to prevent any damage.
Outlaw Hardy has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Savkov with a flurry of punches that miss.

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 Outlaw Hardy.
I think Savkov 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 46:49
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 48:47
Judge James Glass scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Pavel Savkov!
Pavel Savkov is the new welterweight champion!
A very excited looking Pavel Savkov rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.