PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kim Jong Guk (ranked 171 p4p, 21 weight class) and Pavel Savkov (ranked 558 p4p, 73 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Jong Guk might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Jiu Jitsu. Kim Jong Guk has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Jong Guk
vs
Savkov

180 cm
31
178 lbs
23 - 11 - 0

175 cm
26
180 lbs
16 - 6 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Aspire Clothing
Urban Fighter

Aspire Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 11 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kim Jong Guk!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Pavel Savkov!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, James Atkins and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Donk. Jong Guk catches Savkov right on the button with a cross.
Jong Guk throws an overhand right that lands on Savkov's shoulder, as Savkov tries to avoid the shot.
Jong Guk circles away from the clinch attempt.
Jong Guk throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Savkov takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Savkov misses with a hook. Jong Guk ducked under it nicely.

Savkov shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Jong Guk is trying to stand.
Savkov throwing shots but Jong Guk is blocking nicely.
Jong Guk is trying to stand up here but Savkov is controlling him well.
Savkov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Jong Guk is trying to stand.
Savkov slips a nice elbow through Jong Guk's hands, connecting with Jong Guk's forehead.
Jong Guk knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Savkov on the ground.
Jong Guk keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Savkov is taking a breather. Jong Guk says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Savkov scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Savkov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Jong Guk does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savkov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Jong Guk is looking to escape.
Savkov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Savkov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Savkov is trying to control the action in half guard but Jong Guk is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Savkov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Savkov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Jong Guk defending well though.
Savkov prevents Jong Guk from standing back up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jong Guk trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Savkov trying to control from half guard but Jong Guk is working away.
Savkov thows a huge punch but Jong Guk dodges it nicely.
Jong Guk is trying to stand.

Jong Guk kicks off Savkov and gets to his feet.
Savkov checks a leg kick.
Savkov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Jong Guk.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Savkov has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Jong Guk throws a hook but Savkov avoids it easily.
Savkov scores with a jab. Jong Guk acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
A solid leg kick lands there for Jong Guk.

Savkov drives through with a takedown into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jong Guk wants to stand up but Savkov is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Savkov postures up in Jong Guk's guard and throws a big left but Jong Guk blocks it.
Savkov trying to control the position from guard on top but Jong Guk is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Savkov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Savkov postures up and lands a big shot to Jong Guk's brow.
Savkov is pushing down on Jong Guk's leg trying to pass to half guard. Jong Guk is fighting to maintain full guard but Savkov has managed to sneak the leg through.
Jong Guk on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Savkov stops Jong Guk from getting back to his feet.
Jong Guk on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Savkov keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Savkov's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Savkov throwing shots but Jong Guk is blocking nicely.
Savkov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Jong Guk is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Savkov scores with a couple of nice shots.
Savkov is trying to control the action in half guard but Jong Guk is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jong Guk trying to hold on to Savkov's head to control him but Savkov postures up.
Savkov working Jong Guk over with strikes.
Jong Guk is looking for a sweep. Savkov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Savkov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Jong Guk tries to kick Savkov off but Savkov keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Savkov trying to control the action but Jong Guk is working from the bottom.
Savkov scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Savkov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Jong Guk's head.
Jong Guk is looking to control Savkov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Jong Guk avoid being mounted?
Jong Guk is staying active underneath Savkov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Jong Guk controlling the position well.
Jong Guk tries to kick Savkov off but Savkov keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Savkov is looking for a kimura here.
Jong Guk is trying to stand back up but Savkov is controlling him

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Savkov is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Jong Guk wants to get back to full guard.

Jong Guk kicks off Savkov and gets to his feet.
Jong Guk looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Jong Guk ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Jong Guk tries to keep at a distance but Savkov has taken the fight into the clinch.
Jong Guk throws a head punch that misses.
Savkov drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Jong Guk can't find room to land a body shot as Savkov controls the action.
Jong Guk takes a shot to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Jong Guk lands a hook that snaps the head of Savkov backwards.
Savkov tries for a takedown. No joy.
A nice left hand lands by Jong Guk.
Jong Guk stops a takedown attempt from Savkov.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pavel Savkov dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Nice cross by Jong Guk.
Savkov scores with a hook.
Savkov loads up on a big right hand but Jong Guk slips the punch.
Kim Jong Guk seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice defenses there by Jong Guk.
Jong Guk uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Savkov.
As Savkov backs away, Jong Guk returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Jong Guk scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Savkov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Jong Guk moves into range and connects with a jab.
Savkov is looking to clinch.
Jong Guk ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Jong Guk throws a wild body kick that Savkov sees coming a mile off.
Jong Guk connects with a right hand. Savkov shakes it off.
Savkov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Savkov closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Jong Guk's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Savkov postures up.
Pavel Savkov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Jong Guk wants to stand up but Savkov is controlling him.
Savkov scoring with some ground and pound.
Jong Guk wants to stand but Savkov is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jong Guk keeping moving, preventing Savkov from controlling successfully.

Jong Guk pushes Savkov off and gets back to his feet.
Jong Guk lands a right hook to the body.
Savkov misses the jab.
Nice shot by Jong Guk.
Jong Guk throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Jong Guk lands with a nice body punch.
Jong Guk digs a good body shot into Savkov's ribs.
Savkov moves in looking to clinch but Jong Guk pushes him off.
Savkov throws a jab when Jong Guk was well out of range.
Savkov lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Jong Guk misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Savkov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jong Guk circles away from the clinch attempt.
Savkov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Jong Guk.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Jong Guk swings for the body but Savkov moves out of range.
Jong Guk misses with an uppercut. Savkov saw that one coming.
Jong Guk misses with an attempted mid kick.
Kim Jong Guk is winning the standup battle so far.
Savkov walks into a stiff left hand from Jong Guk.
Savkov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Jong Guk.

Savkov scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Savkov lands strikes from half guard.
Jong Guk is looking to escape.
Jong Guk is concentrating on defense, preventing Savkov from advancing position.
Jong Guk is not content to let Savkov control the position.
Savkov might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Jong Guk haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Savkov working Jong Guk over with strikes.
Jong Guk is trying to stand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jong Guk is not content to let Savkov control the position.
Savkov seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

Savkov is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Jong Guk defends it well.
Jong Guk keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Savkov is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Savkov lands with a punch from half guard.
Jong Guk looks like he's trying to stand up.
Ground and pound from Savkov.
Jong Guk desperately trying to maintain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Savkov stops Jong Guk from getting back to his feet.
Savkov winds up and cracks Jong Guk with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Savkov is nestled in close to Jong Guk, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Savkov is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Savkov stops Jong Guk from getting back to his feet.
Savkov is keen to just control but Jong Guk is a slippery customer.
Jong Guk is looking to escape.
Jong Guk is staying active underneath Savkov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Savkov thows a huge punch but Jong Guk dodges it nicely.
Savkov is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Savkov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Jong Guk keeps control of the position for the meantime.
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 the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!

Donk. Jong Guk catches Savkov right on the button with a cross.
Jong Guk lands a jab.
Savkov moves away from the strike by Jong Guk.
Jong Guk feints and then cracks Savkov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Savkov down.
Savkov cracks Jong Guk with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Jong Guk looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Savkov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Jong Guk ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Savkov moves away.
Jong Guk throws a body kick that misses.
Jong Guk misses with a hook
and Savkov counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Savkov moves out of range of the body kick from Jong Guk.
Jong Guk connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Savkov's hands.
Decent striking displayed by Savkov there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Savkov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Jong Guk.
Savkov takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Jong Guk displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Savkov.
Kim Jong Guk is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Savkov checks a leg kick.
Jong Guk uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Savkov.
Savkov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Jong Guk.
Some wild striking there from Savkov.
A jab from Jong Guk misses.
Savkov tries to counter by closing the distance.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Jong Guk connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Savkov scores with the left hand. Jong Guk knows he should have avoided that one.
Savkov goes for a double leg but Jong Guk avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Jong Guk continues to drive forward.
Nice defenses there by Jong Guk.
Savkov has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Jong Guk.
A jab from Jong Guk misses.
It seemed like Savkov was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Savkov ducks under a wild hook from Jong Guk.
A looping hook to the body misses from Savkov. Jong Guk does a little dance to reset his feet.
Jong Guk blocks a jab.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Jong Guk.
Savkov swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Jong Guk lands the left hand.
Savkov looks to land a combination but Jong Guk avoids it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jong Guk misses with a hook. Savkov ducked under it nicely.
Savkov looks to throw the jab but Jong Guk is out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Jong Guk dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Savkov. That did some damage!
A swing and a miss from Savkov.
Kim Jong Guk has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Savkov cracks Jong Guk with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
A slapping body kick lands there for Jong Guk.
Savkov throws a nice looking combination but Jong Guk bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Savkov misses with an uppercut. Jong Guk saw that one coming.
Savkov moves out of range as Jong Guk throws a body kick.
Jong Guk misses with a looping right.
Savkov throws a big shot that misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Jong Guk. Savkov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Despite the aggression on Savkov's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Jong Guk connects with a nice looking jab.
A lazy left from Jong Guk finds it's target.
A slapping leg kick lands for Jong Guk.
Jong Guk slips a straight right by Savkov.
Jong Guk seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Jong Guk keeps Savkov at a distance using the push kick.
Jong Guk connects with a leg kick. Savkov looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jong Guk walks into a straight right hand from Savkov.
Jong Guk looks to land a right hand but Savkov moved out of range.
Jong Guk feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Savkov's calf.
Jong Guk jabs Savkov right on the nose. Savkov blinks but takes it well.
Jong Guk misses with a wild body shot.
Savkov dives in and grabs Jong Guk's left leg, looking for a takedown. Jong Guk pushes down on Savkov's head and hops out.
Kim Jong Guk has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pavel Savkov.
Jong Guk throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Savkov misses with a takedown attempt - Jong Guk sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Jong Guk fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Savkov.
Savkov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Jong Guk.
Nice sprawl there from Jong Guk as Savkov shoots in.
Savkov is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Jong Guk fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Savkov manages to avoid it.
A bone on bone clash there as Savkov blocks the leg kick.
Savkov doesn't manage to clinch there - Jong Guk circles away.
Jong Guk takes a swing at Savkov's ribcage but misses.
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.
Jong Guk lands a nice leg kick that just misses Savkov's sensitive parts.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nice takedown defense from Jong Guk. No joy for Savkov on that attempt.
Jong Guk lands a leg kick that knocks Savkov off balance momentarily.
Savkov misses with a few strikes there.
Savkov takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Savkov has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Jong Guk.
A jab from Savkov misses.
Savkov throws a jab when Jong Guk was well out of range.
Jong Guk is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Savkov.
Savkov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Jong Guk.
Jong Guk avoids the body shot from Savkov.
Savkov blocks a low kick nicely.
Jong Guk keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Jong Guk has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Savkov finds it's way round the side to connect with Jong Guk's head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A solid leg kick lands there for Jong Guk.
Jong Guk scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Savkov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Jong Guk.
Savkov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kim Jong Guk showed his dominance in that final round.
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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 28:29
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pavel Savkov!
A very excited looking Pavel Savkov made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.
In defeat, Kim Jong Guk stepped up to the mic, saying 'Well, moving to 155 I guess unless I get my rematch........For now. Props to the New Champ, it was a tough fight for both of us.'.