PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Matesic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Roy Savage (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Matesic
vs
Savage

186 cm
18
243 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

194 cm
18
274 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Intelligent

Rastafarii Clothing
Strike & Submit Clothing

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ivan Matesic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Roy Savage!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Reed Andrews and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Savage lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Matesic at a distance.
Savage lands a with a good body shot.
Matesic tries to close the distance and clinch up but Savage swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Danga de danga de dang - Savage scores with a four punch combination!

It looks like Ivan Matesic has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Savage rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Matesic moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nice uppercut there from Savage.
A punch combination from Savage misses.
Matesic tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Savage throws a series of punches but Matesic avoids them all with ease.
Savage takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Savage misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Matesic tries to clinch there but Savage circles away.
Savage takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Savage moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Matesic is breathing heavily.
Matesic throws a body punch but Savage moves out of range.
Savage cracks Matesic with a good jab.
Savage fails to land with a series of punches.

Matesic clinches up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Matesic manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Savage tries to stand but Matesic is controlling from the bottom.
Savage stopping the sweep attempt from Matesic.

Matesic is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Savage wants to stand but Matesic is controlling his posture from full guard.

Savage gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Matesic avoids a punch combination nicely.
Savage lands with an overhand left.
Matesic tries to clinch there but Savage circles away.
Savage cracks Matesic with a good jab.
A combination from Savage does no damage.
Savage tries to bum rush Matesic with a series of wild strikes but Matesic uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Savage lands with a nice body punch.
A combination from Savage does no damage.
Roy Savage seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Matesic fails with the takedown.
Savage jabs at Matesic's body.
Matesic shoots in for a takedown but Savage shows good takedown defense.
Savage looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Savage does no damage.
Savage goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Matesic with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Savage to score with a decent uppercut.

Savage tries to keep at a distance but Matesic has taken the fight into the clinch.
Savage wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Savage wants to break free but Matesic has control.
Matesic scores with a shoulder strike.
Matesic content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Matesic could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Matesic has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Savage is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Matesic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Savage wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Savage wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Matesic has him pressed against the cage.

Matesic escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Savage swinging wilding here.
Savage slips a jab and a cross from Matesic.

That's four 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.

Matesic moves into range and clinches up with Savage.
Savage is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Matesic has Savage pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Savage manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Matesic can't get the takedown.
Matesic is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Savage gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Savage has had enough of the clinch but Matesic keeps him there for the moment.
Savage wants to break free but Matesic has control.
Savage is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Savage can't break the clinch.

Matesic breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Savage lands a nice hook to Matesic's body. Matesic takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Matesic fails with the takedown.
Matesic shoots for a takedown but Savage saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Good shot there by Savage.
Some wild striking there from Matesic.
Savage lands with a nice body punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roy Savage dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ivan Matesic's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Matesic takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

Matesic drives through and clinches with Savage against the cage.
Matesic has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Savage avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Savage wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Savage can't break the clinch.
Savage is looking to break free of the clinch but Matesic has double underhooks.
Savage wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Matesic has him pressed against the cage.
Matesic tries to score a body lock takedown but Savage shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Savage gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Matesic.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Matesic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Matesic jumps guard but Savage stands there with Matesic around his waist. Matesic gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Savage is trying to break the clinch but Matesic has him pressed against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matesic goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Savage wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Savage breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Matesic takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Matesic showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Savage.
Matesic is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savage moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Roy Savage seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Savage lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
The fight stays on the outside here - Matesic looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Savage misses with a two punch combination.
Horrible takedown by Matesic or perhaps it was just good defense by Savage which made him look bad.
Ivan Matesic is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Savage throws a right and a left that both miss.
Matesic shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Matesic wants to clinch.
Roy Savage is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Matesic falls off balance throwing a combination
enabling Savage to counter with a crisp jab.
Matesic closes this distance looking for a takedown but Savage circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Savage lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
A shot to the body from Matesic misses
and Savage counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Savage scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Savage lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Matesic tries to grapple but his opponent circles
letting Savage counter with a right hand.
Matesic fails with an attempt to clinch.
Savage is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Matesic has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Savage misses with a few strikes there.
Matesic misses with an uppercut. Savage saw that one coming.
Matesic looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Savage is fending him off so far but Matesic persists. Nope, Savage circles away and we're back to standing.
A shot to de liver by Savage. Beautiful body shot.
Savage misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Matesic closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Matesic lands in his opponent's guard.
Matesic stays in close to Savage's body and controls the position.
Matesic prevents Savage from getting back to his feet.

Matesic stands up and waves to Savage to follow him.
Savage throws a combination that misses

and Matesic holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Savage wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Matesic breaks the clinch.
Savage connects with a right hand. Matesic shakes it off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matesic throws a nice inside leg kick.

Matesic scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Matesic trying to control the action but Savage is working from the bottom.

Matesic decides to stand up.
Danga de danga de dang - Savage scores with a four punch combination!
Matesic shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Savage scores with a nice head shot.
Matesic doesn't manage to clinch there - Savage circles away.
Savage swinging wilding here.
No joy there for Savage, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Ivan Matesic will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Ivan Matesic's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Matesic tries to clinch up.
Savage scores with a decent looking hook.
Matesic throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Savage's waist but Savage gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Matesic off to one side.
Savage swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Matesic holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Matesic tries for a takedown. No joy.
Matesic keeps control of Savage as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Savage is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Savage wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Savage has had enough of the clinch but Matesic keeps him there for the moment.
Savage stops a takedown attempt from Matesic.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Matesic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Savage wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Matesic pushes off an throws an elbow but Savage leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Savage wants to break the clinch but can't.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Savage wants to get back to striking at distance but Matesic won't allow it.
Savage wants to get back to striking at distance but Matesic won't allow it.
Savage tries to break the clinch but Matesic is controlling the position.
Savage is looking to break free of the clinch but Matesic has double underhooks.
Savage wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Matesic looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Matesic is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savage wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Matesic has him pressed against the cage.
Savage is pressed up against the cage. Matesic has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Savage down to the mat. Savage avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Matesic fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Savage tests Matesic's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Savage moves out of range as Matesic strikes.
Savage looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Matesic wants to clinch up but Savage keeps it at a distance.
Savage throws a left and a right that both miss
and Matesic counters with a stiff right hand.
Matesic tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Matesic looks for a takedown but Savage sprawls well.
Savage misses with a jab, cross combination.
Matesic doesn't manage to clinch there - Savage circles away.
Matesic misses with a series of wild punches.

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.
Savage darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Good standup being displayed there by Matesic as he connects with a hook.
Savage scores with a hook.
No luck for Matesic with that takedown attempt.
Savage tests Matesic's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Savage scores with a nice right hand.
Savage throws a right hand that Matesic ducks under and follows up with a left that Matesic also avoids with ease.
Matesic fails with the takedown.
Matesic wants to clinch.
Savage punishes Matesic's body with a nice straight punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savage misses with a combination

and Matesic counters by moving into the clinch.
Savage wants to break the clinch but can't.
Savage wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Matesic creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Savage's defenses.
Matesic keeps control of Savage as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Matesic fails to pull guard.
Matesic has Savage pressed against the cage.
Matesic drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Savage wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Matesic pulls guard successfully.
Savage has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Matesic is proving hard to escape from.
Matesic wants to sweep but no luck.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Savage decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Matesic, up you get!
Savage throws a series of punches but Matesic moves out of range.
Matesic takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Matesic looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Matesic throws a left and a right that both miss
and Savage counters with a nice body shot.
Matesic punishes Savage's body with a nice straight punch.
Matesic looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Savage is fending him off so far but Matesic persists. Nope, Savage circles away and we're back to standing.
Savage misses with a double jab.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Matesic fails with an attempt to clinch.

Matesic shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Savage's guard.
Savage keeping moving, preventing Matesic from controlling successfully.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Roy Savage.
I think Savage 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 Dean Styles scores the fight 28:29
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 28:29
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 28:29

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